ESCAPE THE COUNTRY
For a special treat, take the family to Dormy House in the Cotswolds. This 17th-century farmhouse has recently been transformed into a 40-room den of luxury. There are roaring fires in artfully old-meets-new lounges, sumptuous bedrooms with iPads to order room service, fancy coffee machines and silver bath tubs, a formal Garden Room Restaurant and a laidback Potting Shed dining room and bar.
Kids receive an impressive bag of toys on arrival and a 15 per cent off voucher for the Rikki Tikki toy shop in Broadway, but it’s the discovery of the model aeroplanes, incongruously in the men’s loos, that will capture their imaginations. Best of all for parents and kids is the House Spa, which has an elegant infinity pool, open to kids for an hour and a half in the morning and afternoon. The rest of the time it’s a haven of calm with a fabulous salt steam room, Cotswolds lavenderinfused sauna and outdoor hot tub. Indulge in a Silent Night Lavender Sleep Treatment, £195) and you won’t recognise your relaxed new self.
Price: An interconnecting room for a family of four costs from £490 per night, including breakfast.
More info: dormyhouse.co.uk
While at Dormy House, it would be rude not to take the kids to The Cotswold Farm Park where they can feed rare breeds of sheep, pigs and fowl, solve a maze puzzle, ride mini tractors and generally let off steam.
Price: Entry is £8.95 for adults, £7.95 for children aged three to 15, under-threes are free.
More info: cotswoldfarmpark.co.uk