Attracting visitors all year round and especially beautiful during the winter, the Cotswolds is well-loved for its rolling countryside, quaint villages and luxurious hotels – not to mention fantastic family attractions like Sudeley Castle, Cotswold Farm Park and Westonbirt Arboretum.
Inspiring families to pack their bags for a Cotswold retreat, SoGlos has selected 5 wonderful family-friendly hotels that don’t compromise on luxury for a memorable staycation this winter.
Family breaks at Cowley Manor near Cheltenham
Wrap up warm for a festive family adventure at Cowley Manor, borrowing a pair of Hunter wellies to explore the expansive estate. An ideal escape for active youngsters, families can also make a splash at the hotel’s award-winning C-Side Spa, open for children’s swimming every day from 8am to 11am and 3.30pm to 5pm.
Cowley offers spacious family accommodation options, with children’s stays including a continental breakfast and dinner from the kids’ menu. The hotel welcomes four-legged members of the family too, with seven dog-friendly rooms that provide pups with their own bed, water bowl and tasty treats.
Family breaks at Dormy House in Broadway
Nestled within the picture-perfect Farncombe Estate in Broadway, Dormy House is a great option for younger families – welcoming little guests with goody bags and offering free stays for babies and toddlers up to the age of two.
With allocated family swim times each day, smaller children can don their armbands and hit the pool, while big kids can have a go at adventurous activities like falconry, archery and axe throwing.
Family breaks at Lucknam Park near Bath
There’s plenty to keep families entertained at Lucknam Park, from horse riding through the woodland to spending quality time in the Hideaway – a unique family space featuring a range of different playrooms. With an adventure playground, five-aside football pitch and all-weather tennis courts on-site, too.
The hotel, which is located on a 500-acre estate near Bath, offers interconnected rooms, all-day family dining with a dedicated children’s menu and even a babysitting service to give grown-ups some alone time.
Family breaks at Calcot & Spa in Tetbury
Calcot & Spa in Tetbury prides itself on being fully equipped for smaller guests, with lots of space for outdoor adventures. Hungry children are well catered for with a special Kids’ Tea included in their stay and an allowance towards their food if they’d prefer to eat with their parents later on.
Families benefit from fantastic childcare options, too, with an Ofsted-registered crèche for younger children and a den kitted out with games consoles, computers and even a cinema for kids aged eight and above. Babysitting can also be arranged.
Family breaks at Soho Farmhouse near Chipping Norton
An exclusive members-only retreat, Soho Farmhouse near Chipping Norton is popular with adults, but child memberships are available too. There’s a special Teeny Barn and Camp for kids, where they can be dropped off for up to two hours per day, as well as set hours for confident young swimmers to use the pool.
Grown-ups will love Soho Farmhouse’s stylish accommodation, with a handful of child-friendly cabins available for families, while kids can enjoy boating on the lake, going on pony rides and whizzing down the zip line at the adventure playground.
