Stylish UK family-friendly breaks that fit a range of budgets.
Part 1: The first five.
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My eldest is now 10 years old. And for most of those ten years we were in London. I LOVE London but often felt the need to escape the city for a break. And now, I often feel being away together is some of the only time we get to connect as a family – without the chaos of clubs and playdates, work and school, parties and life admin. So that’s ten years of finding and trying out stylish UK family-friendly weekend escapes with babies, preschoolers and primary school age children.
I love reading peoples personal reviews of places. I always find they give me the best true idea of a place. I also only like to go on holiday somewhere that’s nicer than (or as nice as) my own house. Or has a bit of a. quirk or experience to it. That’s kind of my standard. So, I thought I’d share my favourites so far…
Some we visited to review for various magazines and publications at the time. Most were just regular, paid for weekends away. Nothing is sponsored. All are my genuine thoughts. Just places I think you might like!
In no particular order…
Port Lympne
My husband and I are in firm agreement that Port Lympne has been one of our favourite, most memorable, weekends away. It’s the ultimate stylish UK family-friendly short trip. We spent a night in Wolf Lodge, a renovated historic cottage overlooking the wolves. It’s such a special place. A full, authentic, luxury safari experience. In Kent. With a lodge you’re given a golf buggy for the duration of your stay to drive around the animal park – this alone was such fun for us and the children.
At the time we just had the older two children (they must have been around 3 and 5) and they adored it. A highlight was a baby gorilla which we visited many times over the two days. It would mimic what the children did – they were basically playing with a baby gorilla.
We had a full safari experience, fed giraffes, sat around a campfire, ate good food and the lodges are beautifully kitted out too. Think Soho House styling. Molton Brown products in the bathroom… all the good stuff in the mini bar. It was a magical weekend, I highly recommend the whole experience.
There are a range of lodges and treehouses to choose from – you can stay next to lions, tigers, leopards, rhinos. You can also visit for the day but it’s the overnight experience and all that comes with it that really makes it.
The Lost Garden Retreat
We stayed at The Lost Garden Retreat a couple of summers ago but it had been on my list for a while. It’s a family run, luxury glamping retreat in the Suffolk wilderness. Made up of four beautiful tents. Though I can barely stand to call them tents. Each is gloriously designed and kitted out with everything you need. So many lovely details, like a Plum & Ashby candle burning on entry (which we’ve bought on repeat since) and the en suite bathroom, complete with roll tub bath is stocked with their products.
They’ve thought about everything. Nostalgic books and games are provided. All very aesthetically pleasing. Plus a starter pack of kindling for the wood burner (there’s an honesty shop on site where you can buy more of everything, including the Plum & Ashby products).
The tents are also distanced well away from one another, so you have privacy. On the deck of each is an eco-friendly wooden hot tub which you’ll be shown how to use. A BBQ, picnic area and fire pit – we had smores. And the views look out on to a tranquil lake and woodlands. It’s quite a view to wake up to. Sitting outside with a coffee at dawn was a special moment.
It’s a place to go and get away from everything for a weekend. Writing this now we really must go back soon. You can stay and hang out on site – there are some lovely walks and we took some games to play. But we also took a trip to the nearby Jimmy’s Farm which was a fun day out.
A real hidden gem. Each tent sleeps up to six. Prices vary but start from around £200 per night.
The Ickworth (Luxury Family Hotels Group)
Now I was just going to include The Ickworth, near Bury St Edmunds, which we’ve visited twice – once 10-years ago when my eldest was a few months old. It was our first time taking her away. And the second in 2021 when our youngest was a few months old – our first time away as a family of five.
BUT I have heard from friends who’ve visited more recently that it’s getting slightly tired in parts and could do with a little update which I would imagine is coming as it’s part of the Luxury Family Hotel Group (which includes Fowey Hall, Moonfleet Manor, New Park Manor and Woolley Grange). So I’m kind of including the group of hotels as one in this post.
We loved Ickworth as it’s real stately home grandeur but with none of the formalities. It’s absolutely ideal for families – we met some lovely families when we last visited too. It attracts a good crowd. Our children played ‘floor is lava’ on cushions in the library which wasn’t an issue. It’s that relaxed. It’s also set in acres of National Trust woodland, so ideal for bike riding (you can hire them there), walks and there’s a great adventure playground.
They have kids clubs and movie nights, family activities and babysitting. It’s a full family escape and everyone is catered for. It’s also only an hour from my house. And London.
But, as I’ve said, I have heard from friends some areas could now do with a refurb in parts so maybe take that into account and include in your room request.
We have also visited Woolley Grange which was beautiful, but I think we were unlucky with our room there as it was very small, my fault as I thought I’d booked one type of room but was actually another, I think it was also when neither child (we just had two then) were sleeping well which may be why I don’t have quite as fond memories of that stay. I mean it was still absolutely lovely, the swing is an idyllic photo opportunity and the grounds are a dream. Other friends of ours adore it and are regulars…
I have heard AMAZING things about Moonfleet Manor in Dorset which underwent a refurbishment a few years back. It’s on my list… as is New Park Manor in the New Forest which reopened last year.
Bournemouth Beach Lodges
These elevated beach huts are an affordable gem. Right on the beach they’re literally slightly bigger than usual beach huts – they have a small upstairs. Compact, clean and amazingly well-designed they can sleep up to six. Though there were five of us and to be honest I wouldn’t have added another person!
They’re open plan. Each with a tiny kitchenette, shower and loo and the downstairs beds fold up/down to create a dining area. You have your own balcony and use of shared BBQ facilities. But the best thing about it is that you’re literally on the beach. We went last summer and were lucky to have the most beautiful weather. Our children were on the beach from sun rise to sunset. We were also, out of sheer luck, there for the Bournemouth Air Show for which we had the best views from our balcony.
It’s a real experience. Obviously best while the weathers good but I think even if it hadn’t it still would have been fun.
Fish and chips on the beach, long walks, there’s a cute Land Train that goes along the sea front and we had the best day out recommended by my friend who’s from Bournemouth – we drove five minutes up the coast to a place called Hengistbury Head and hopped on a land train to Mudeford, a lovely private beach. From here you get a little ferry to the other side of Mudeford to go crabbing which the children loved. Then we had lunch at The Noisy Lobster, a great seafood restaurant on the beach. It was a dream day (thanks Sam!).
And on the way back we went to Peppa Pig World. Just saying, it’s nearby if you’re at that age!
We stayed for 4 nights. To be completely honest 3 would have been enough for me as it is a small space and was getting a little sandy (they do provide a brush etc so you can sweep up) and the beds weren’t the most comfortable especially with our family bed swapping that goes on through the night, but the kids would have stayed for longer! I also have to say that we are not campers so not used to not quite so comfortable beds. And I would stay there again in a heartbeat so they weren’t like, awful, uncomfortable.
You can do 3, 4, 7 or 10 nights. And prices during the summer I think start from £800 for 3 nights/£850 for 4.
CABÜ
There are currently two CABÜ’s. One in Kent. One in Ireland. With a third in the Cotswolds which looks EPIC planned for next year. We visited the one in Kent three years ago. Now I do think CABÜ are incredibly good at the marketing. The images look amazing and there was a lot of hype around the launch. And it is brilliantly designed. Made up of clusters of Scandi style timber cabin ‘hideaways’ from studios to three-bedrooms.
Everything is tasteful. From the decor to the products in the on-site shop. The pool area looks super cool. When we went it was freezing (though it is heated) and apparently that’s all in good order now, it is from what I’ve seen in more recent reviews. It reminds me of pools you see in American motels – with the concrete surround. It’s like a hipster holiday camp. In warm weather, bliss. There’s also a communal outdoor BBQ and eating area which is great if you’re visiting as a group – it’s the perfect place for a group holiday where you get your own space too.
You can hire bikes to ride along the beach which is lovely. The beach is literally on your doorstep. And there’s a great hot tub and sauna you can book a slot in. Order a cocktail while you’re there. It’s quite a quiet place, to relax and enjoy – fly kites, play games. There isn’t a great deal else to do on the doorstep but it’s a chic base for days out to other areas of the Kent coast like Dungeness (one of my favourite places to visit – a great place to hire an Airbnb, you feel like you’re on a slightly eery film set the whole time), Rye and Camber Sands.
Rates vary so best to send an enquiry directly to CABÜ.
STYLISH UK FAMILY-FRIENDLY BREAKS PART 2 COMING SOON
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