If you like the thought of a few days in a luxurious English country house hotel, but really don’t like the idea of leaving baby behind, Luxury Family Hotels clearly had you in mind when they dreamed up their new range of indulgent baby and toddler breaks for this autumn and winter.
A perfect length for a midweek escape, each two or three day break is generously all-inclusive, includes free childcare at your hotel’s Ofsted-registered crèche, as well as a choice of treats like spa pampering and tickets to local attractions, fun Micro Trikes or Puddleducks baby swim classes.
Breakfast, family high tea and grown-up dinners are also included, and all Luxury Family Hotels have heated indoor pools, extensive grounds and gardens and stunning locations as standard. And of course, the hotels themselves are an impeccable mix of boutique quirkiness and laid back country house charm, with a very large dash of gorgeous thrown in for good measure.
You probably don’t expect to be pampered and spoiled too much these days. So it’s even more of a treat when you are. And that’s clearly what LFH had in mind when they came up with the idea for Baby’s First Stay Away. Ridiculously thoughtful with more than a hint of indulgence, it’s the ideal break to test out baby travel, and it even comes in a choice of four different country house hotels: they’re all equally appealing, so you might have to use the wonderful locations as a deal breaker.
But whether you opt for coast or country, Cornwall or the Cotswolds, literary connections or pirate lore, spoiling comes as standard:
Baby’s First Stay Away midweek breaks from £369, including two nights dinner, bed & breakfast. Based on a family of three sharing.
Midweek breaks with toddlers that fit in a sizeable chunk of ‘me-time’ for parents is another inspired idea from Luxury Family Hotels. Don’t fret, they’re all designed to be beautifully guilt-free, with soothing spa sessions carefully balanced by fun stuff like days out at Weymouth Sealife Centre or complimentary Micro Trikes. And cosy family high teas are countered with free childcare and grown-ups-only dinners.
‘Time for You’ Toddler’s Breaks from £390, including two nights dinner, bed & breakfast. Based on a family of three sharing.
A combination of laid-back family atmosphere and lush country house escapism pretty much sums up the essence of Luxury Family Hotels. Their aim is to give you a complete sense of relaxation, even on a short midweek break, and it’s difficult to argue with how well that ambition is realised, whether you want to hide out in the New Forest for a few days or wake up to Chesil Beach every morning.
Just outside Bath, this magnificent 17th century mansion is now a 21st century beacon of sustainability. The grounds are immense, buggy friendly and made for mini-explorers to run wild. Plus Baby’s First Stay Away breaks here include baby swim lessons with Puddleducks.
Find out more about Woolley Grange for baby and toddler midweek breaks
From its pirate tales to the idyllic location overlooking Chesil Beach, Moonfleet is magical. It’s also peaceful midweek, which works well if you want to tire out toddlers on a tramp along Dorset’s coast or introduce baby to swimming in one of the heated, indoor pools.
Find out more about Moonfleet Manor for baby and toddler midweek breaks
Right at the heart of the New Forest, New Park Manor is very grand, and very good with kids. Freedom to roam will delight curious toddlers, and you’ll be pleased to know that midweek breaks come with free childcare and free spa pampering.
Find out more about New Park Manor for baby and toddler midweek breaks
If 1,800 acres of parkland all around doesn’t convince you that The Ickworth is pretty much paradise for energetic toddlers, could you be persuaded by free Micro Trike scooters, a toy-laden indoor pool or a classic National Trust adventure playground?
Find out more about The Ickworth for Toddler and You midweek breaks
A midweek break with baby on the Cornish coast is an unforgettable experience any time of year. Fowey Hall is right by the sea, perfect for rambles on the beach and it’s just a short walk from the historic – and very pretty – harbour town of Fowey.
Find out more about Fowey Hall for Baby’s First Stay Away midweek breaks
Most parents learn the ‘just in case’ packing rule the hard way: guaranteed if you think you won’t need something, that’s the very thing you do need, more than anything else in the world. It’s bad enough with older kids. But babies and toddlers take expedition-style packing to another level entirely. Fortunately LFH know the ‘just in case’ rule only too well, and counters it by insisting you travel as light as you like and let them take care of everything.
If you need baby equipment, all you have to do is ask and it’s ready and waiting in your room when you arrive. There’s always warm milk on demand, along with fresh and healthy baby food – chopped or pureed, your choice. You don’t have to bring toys; LFH keep plenty at reception and their Ofsted-registered crèches are packed with games, books and fun creative stuff. And even without asking, LFH give you a lovely Welcome Hamper filled with baby and toddler goodies – ‘just in case’ you didn’t feel special enough.
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