Family Holidays: UK breaks with childcare

Take the Family holiday rating 4½ stars out of 5

Why

Because it’s a wet Monday. Because it’s Shrove Tuesday. Or simply because you support Sheffield Wednesday. You really don’t need an excuse to treat yourself to a weekend or more at one of the UK’s most child friendly hotels. Because this is a world of fine wine and bubbling jacuzzis. Because if you’re a parent, the chances are you deserve it. OK, it might be expensive. But when you’re lying on the beach / massage table/ king-sized bed together, knowing the kids are being looked after by professional child carers. Well, it suddenly seems worth every penny.

Top left: Luxury Family Hotels group
Top right: Fowey Hall above the town of Fowey

Middle left: Bathroom at Moonfleet Manor
Middle right: Ickworth hotel pool

Bottom left: Playground at Bedruthan Steps
Bottom right: Swim Paradise at Center Parcs

When

Whenever you get the urge. Just pack your bags (you don’t even need to squeeze the travel cot in – it’s provided) and go. Mid-week tends to be cheapest as everyone searches for weekend availability. And off peak offers you a greater choice of rooms. If you want high summer or half term, make sure you book early.

How

Enquire about or book your hotel or resort right here. Then just pile into the car. Book a train ticket with your family railcard. Or jump on a cheap flight if your chosen hotel is at the other end of the country – then hire a car.

Do

Absolutely nothing – that precious activity parents crave so badly. Or join in everything with your kids – from off-road driving and golf to horse riding. But whatever you do -relax. Don’t worry too much about your kids’ behaviour – this is supposed to be a rest. And these hotels know what kids get up to and how to distract them.

Eat

Go for dinner, bed and breakfast. Get the kids to sleep, the baby listener connected to reception and go downstairs for dinner. The feeling is unbeatable. Plus these hotels really look after the kids with a healthy choice of favourite dishes – served on child-sized tables with child-sized ideas.

Cost

Quite a lot. But when you think how it compares to the cost of hiring a babysitter, meals etc, you can at least pretend you’re getting value for money. It also depends on how much room you want – all in together in one ‘cosy’ room (approx £100-£120 per night) or spread out in your own enormous suite / interconnecting rooms (up to £400).