Autumn is definitely here and winter is on its way. That may mean hibernating in certain places, but here in the UK it’s simply the best excuse to wrap kids up cosy and get the fun started everywhere from big windswept beaches to those mighty forests where leaf-kicking rules at this time of year.
Luxury Family Hotels couldn’t be more on board with your plans at the moment. Not only are their hotels dipped into classic seasonal loveliness – coast or countryside, your choice – they’re all perfect for an October half-term escape, anytime weekends, indulgent festive breaks, and even big family celebrations or effortless multi-gen Christmas holidays.
It almost goes without saying that LFH understand families. So kids are encouraged to be kids from Jacobean manor houses to Victorian mansions on the Cornish coast. Dogs are welcome guests in all of their hotels too. And although the outdoors is endlessly enticing, indoor pools, cinema rooms, Ofsted-registered crèches, hang-out space for older kids, teen spa pampering and heaps of holiday activities, mean even the chilliest winter days are guaranteed boredom-free.
And just in case you wondered, LFH also have a very understanding approach to giving you some time to yourself. You can look forward to free childcare for under eights, delightfully grown-up restaurants as well as family meal times, soothing spas and complimentary baby listening or easy to arrange babysitting, just in case you want a whole night off.
Where to go? All six Luxury Family Hotels have a character all of their very own, which is a big part of the charm. So take a minute, have a browse and see exactly how autumn and winter family breaks are shaping up from Cornwall to the Cotswolds this year.
Fowey Hall, Cornwall
Between its Wind in the Willows connections and wonderful seaside setting, Fowey Hall is prime territory for filling a family break with kid-size autumn excitement. Walks on Cornwall’s south coast beaches are thrilling at this time of year and handily the hotel keeps wellies by the door specifically for those adventures, as well as serving afternoon tea by the open fires on your return. And like all Luxury Family Hotels, Fowey firmly believes kids should be seen, heard and whatever else they feel like being, as long as they feel perfectly at home.
What kids love best about Fowey Hall
- Heated indoor swimming pool, with toys and poolside beanbags.
- Supervised play in the Four Bears Den for under eights.
- Chill-space, movies and games for older kids.
- Kid-friendly menus served all-day, kids high-tea every evening.
- Fun family activities for Halloween and Christmas.
- Dog-friendly, in the great country house tradition.
Why parents relax at Fowey Hall
- Choice of family rooms, suites and interconnecting rooms.
- Family-friendly spa.
- Minutes from the nearest beach and the historic town of Fowey.
- Two hours free childcare at Four Bears Den, every day of your stay.
- Child-listening or babysitting available in the evening.
- Grown up dinners in the Fowey Hall Restaurant.
How to get there
Fowey Hall Hotel sits on the Fowey Estuary overlooking the town of Fowey on Cornwall’s south coast.
Four hours, 30 minutes’ drive south west of central London
Deluxe Double Family Room, including breakfast and two hours free childcare, from £169 per night, based on a family of four.
Family Double Room, including breakfast and two hours free childcare, from £159 per night, based on a family of four.
Find out more about autumn and winter family breaks at Fowey Hall Hotel
New Park Manor, New Forest
If you want to go all out and celebrate autumn with every one of your senses this year, find a charming former hunting lodge in an ancient royal forest. Easier said than done, you might think. But Luxury Family Hotels are way ahead of you at New Park Manor, right in the heart of the New Forest. Which simply means perfectly placed for misty morning rambles, haunting Halloween fun, superior star gazing on frosty evenings, plenty of leaf kicking wildness or even an enchanting day out on the Isle of Wight.
What kids love best about New Park Manor
- Walking and cycling adventures all over the New Forest National Park.
- Cosy high-teas after all the day’s excitement.
- Family time with books, games and movies in the Snug Zone.
- Supervised activities and creative play in Our Den for under eights.
- Spa pampering treats just for teens.
- Easy days out to Beaulieu National Motor Museum, Paultons Park and Isle of Wight.
Why parents relax at New Park Manor
- Choice of family rooms and suites, some with space for up to seven guests.
- Luxurious spa with forest views and indoor pool.
- Two hours free childcare every day at Our Den.
- Flexible family mealtimes, and delightfully grown-up dinner time.
- Extravagant buffet breakfast, delicious afternoon tea.
- Child-listening or babysitting services in the evening.
How to get there
New Park Manor sits at the heart of the New Forest in Hampshire.
One hour, 30 minutes’ drive south west of central London
Roe Double Family Room, including breakfast and two hours free childcare, from £199 per night, based on a family of four.
Forest Double Family Room, including breakfast and two hours free childcare, from £179 per night, based on a family of four.
Find out more about autumn and winter family breaks at New Manor Park
The Ickworth, Suffolk
There’s so much you’ll love about The Ickworth. For a start it’s a classically lovely English stately home with a clever contemporary interior. It’s also set in over 1800 acres of National Trust parkland, landscaped by none other than Capability Brown: so no shortage of space to give kids complete freedom. And if you happen to be pondering a large family celebration or multi-gen winter break, The Ickworth Lodge is available for exclusive use – think of it like your own private country house, only with all the perks of a Luxury Family Hotel.
What kids love best about The Ickworth
- 1800 acres of playable parkland with garden games and cycling paths.
- Classic National Trust adventure playground, enormous outdoor trampoline.
- Heated indoor swimming pool with toys and poolside beanbags.
- Supervised crèche for under eights.
- Games, games tables and chill space for older kids at Club Blu.
- Family movie night, every night, in the Cinema Room.
Why parents relax at The Ickworth
- Choice of family rooms, suites and apartment with space for up to eight guests.
- The Ickworth Lodge for special family events or multi-gen breaks.
- Pampering spa treatments.
- Two hours free childcare every day at the Ofsted-registered crèche.
- Flexible family mealtimes, and Frederick’s Restaurant for grown up dinners.
- Child-listening or babysitting services in the evening.
How to get there
The Ickworth is set in beautiful Suffolk countryside close to Bury St. Edmunds
One hour, 35 minutes’ drive north of central London
Double Family Room, including breakfast and two hours free childcare, from £209 per night, based on a family of four.
Lodge Double Family Room, including breakfast and two hours free childcare, from £159 per night, based on a family of four.
Find out more about autumn and winter family breaks at The Ickworth
Woolley Grange, Bradford-on-Avon
Woolley Grange is all opulence, just as you’d expect from an historic country house dating back to the 1600s. It also upholds the fine and ancient tradition of self-sufficiency: even in winter the walled garden gets kids unusually interested in greens. And the hives might be less busy right now, but their honey is a year-round Woolley treat. Along with fresh eggs and pretty much endless exploring in the huge, rambling and thoughtfully tended grounds.
What kids love best about Woolley Grange
- 14 acres of private, playable and great fun grounds.
- Supervised games and activities for under eights in Woolley Bears Den.
- Video games, wide screen TV, hang out space in The Hen House for older kids.
- Heated indoor swimming pool with fantastic views.
- Movies, popcorn and space to stretch out in the Cinema Room.
- October half-term and family Christmas events and activities.
- Cunningly crafted ‘healthy’ kids menus; family afternoon and high teas.
Why parents relax at Woolley Grange
- Choice of family rooms, suites and interconnecting rooms.
- Family-friendly Woolley Grange Spa.
- Pet-friendly with heaps of space for long, leafy walks.
- Two hours free childcare every day at Woolley Bears Den.
- Family mealtimes in The Orangery, peaceful grown-up dinners at night.
- Child-listening or babysitting services in the evening.
How to get there
Woolley Grange is set in lovely Wiltshire countryside, 20 minutes from Bath.
Two hours, 20 minutes’ drive west of central London
Classic Double Family Room, including breakfast and two hours free childcare, from £189 per night, based on a family of four.
Find out more about autumn and winter family breaks at Woolley Grange
Moonfleet Manor, Dorset
With a name like Moonfleet, it probably won’t come as too much of a revelation to find that this Luxury Family Hotel has a good line in pirate lore: perfect for snuggly evenings by the fire. Which is probably all kids will be up for after wearing themselves out on Chesil Beach, running wild round the indoor playground, exploring quaint treasures all over the house itself, testing both indoor swimming pools to the full and feasting on lavish, treat-rich afternoon teas.
What kids love best about Moonfleet Manor
- Huge grounds overlooking legendary Chesil Beach.
- Ofsted-registered crèche with creative play and activities for under eights.
- Huge Veranda indoor play area with climbing wall, trampolines, skittles and football pitch.
- Two heated indoor family swimming pools.
- Family movie nights at Moonfleet cinema room.
- Fantastic family walks along the dramatic Dorset coast.
Why parents relax at Moonfleet Manor
- Choice of individually designed family rooms.
- Moonfleet Coach House is ideal for larger families and multi-gen breaks.
- Sauna and luxurious spa treatments.
- Two hours free childcare every day at Ofsted-registered crèche.
- Peaceful, grown-up dinners featuring fantastic locally sourced seafood.
- Child-listening or babysitting services in the evening.
How to get there
Moonfleet Manor overlooks Chesil Beach on the West Dorset coast.
Three hours, 30 minutes’ drive south west of central London
Double Family Room, including breakfast and two hours free childcare, from £189 per night, based on a family of four.
Find out more about autumn and winter family breaks at Moonfleet Manor
Polurrian Bay Hotel, Cornwall
A once grand Victorian spa, Polurrian Bay is still big on indulgence, just as impressive looking as it was in its heyday, but infinitely more laid-back in its attitude to families. Perched on the iconic Lizard Peninsula, it even has its own beach for welly-booted paddling or fun walks with the dog. And between its charming atmosphere, great location and sense of space, it’s also a fantastic choice for relaxed multi-gen breaks this autumn and winter.
What kids love best about Polurrian Bay Hotel
- Wildly beautiful winter coastline and beaches.
- Ofsted-registered crèche with creative play and activities for under eights.
- Chill-space for older kids with video games and games tables
- Indoor heated swimming pool.
- Private cinema for fun family movies nights.
- Enormous grounds, enchanting secret gardens, directly accessible beach.
Why parents relax at Polurrian Bay Hotel
- Choice of large, family rooms and two bedroom cottages.
- Adult-only morning swim sessions.
- Luxurious spa treatments and tranquil Relaxation Room.
- Two hours free childcare every day at Ofsted-registered crèche.
- Family Snug for together time, peaceful dinner time for grown-ups.
- Child-listening or babysitting services in the evening.
How to get there
Polurrian Bay Hotel sits on Cornwall’s Lizard Peninsula just outside Mullion.
Six hours, 40 minutes’ drive south west of central London
Inland Double Family Room, including breakfast and two hours free childcare, from £189 per night, based on a family of four.