So you thought you’d take the holiday planning in hand – kids, wife, dog – maybe not dog eh?

So what next – camping? Or would that get an, “Over my dead body – I want a holiday not a boot camp experience”, type of response. What about a 5 star hotel with spa treatments, a crèche for the kids, pool, golf, newspaper and armchairs, fabulous restaurant, babysitters and a bar – does that sound any better? Good because it’s available, as are many alternatives, if you know where to look.

Two Mums recently launched a company called “Away with the Kids” a travel directory aimed specifically at families to provide that holy grail – a truly child-friendly family holiday. There is a list of hotels, cottages, farm stays and campsites as well as a “Something Different” category listing castles, VW camper van hire and luxury lodges; all will gladly cosset your clan and make you all welcome – meanwhile you’ll be reaping in brownie points galore for taking the initiative and finding such a perfect place to stay.

Calcot Manor, in the Cotswolds, is that 5 star spa hotel – it has everything you could wish for, individually or as a family group, in a fabulous setting. There’s a pool, outdoor hot tub (does that bring back memories of Before the Kids?), fantastic kids crèche with play station room and cinema (that you might want to spend a while in), an extremely indulgent spa offering all kinds of decadent treatments, baby listening or baby-sitting, a fantastic child friendly bar, bikes, fields and play ground, as well as high tea options so that you can feed the kids before they have melt down. That gives you time later to enjoy a peaceful and relaxed meal of your own.

Then there’s the Rosevine in Cornwall, a gorgeous Georgian house in 2 acres of grounds overlooking Gerrans Bay. The location is beautiful and the facilities even better as the hotel provides the best of both worlds; fantastic hotel service with spacious self-contained apartments or suites, most of which have sea views and private terraces and have their own sitting and dining areas as well as kitchen facilities. You can dine in the restaurant and enjoy true rustic, deliciously fresh food whilst the kids crash in the most civilised play-room you are ever likely to see. Alternatively have dinner delivered and eat at your leisure on your very own terrace with a view.

For more hotel options see here

If a cottage seems more appealing you need to decide what amenities you want. Solitude, sociable, animals, beach, meal delivery? You can have all the luxury of your own space yet enjoy the company of other like-minded souls who know that the kids having a good time normally results in adults getting a fair chance too. Farm stays are fantastic if the kids like to get involved. Normally a farmer will traipse around the animals providing scoops of suitable food for Percy the pig or Clarence the Cow; this sort of dalliance can kill a good couple of hours leading up to lunch which makes you all feel like you’ve made the most of your daylight hours. Clydey Cottages in Pembrokeshire manages to combine all of the good things associated with the great farming outdoors with the luxury of beautiful cottages fully equipped to the nth degree of child-friendliness.

“Something Different”? A Castle in Cumbria perhaps, offering a cookery school for the kids during school holidays, a VW camper van to get on the road and explore at a leisurely and quite special pace – there’s something really exciting about getting in that van and taking the family off at a whopping 30 miles an hour which helps you unwind and start singing camp fire songs! Try it and see.

And if you believe that camping really is hard to beat there are loads of fantastic sites available, although these days you are more likely to have a double burner rather than your trusty Trangia (which always comes in handy of course), 2 bedrooms – at least – and maybe even a washing up bowl! Deepdale in Norfolk is an extremely laid back site with pitches, tipis and a hostel all on site, as well as a fantastic café providing all kinds of wondrous foods, including a stonking breakfast to keep you going. The Peak District has Golden Valley with play areas both indoors and out as well as loads of woodland to safely explore (it’s all fenced) and have adventures in.

Whether it’s “Blow the budget”, “Let’s see what we can afford” or “What budget?” there is a break for everyone – and it’ll be child friendly so you can all have a good time. Considering we have just had a long term forecast telling us we’re in for a real summer this is as good a time as any to make the most of what the UK has to offer. There’s no grief at the airport check-out at 5.30 a.m., no trying to find the car hire place or sitting on a coach for four hours dropping off every other holidaymaker, no 2 mile trek to your hotel with four cases, three holdalls and the nappy bag! Get in the car or on the train and off you go ……….

Author: SuperDads

We’re here to make a difference. Superdads not only offers advice but we are her e to promote the importance of fatherhood. Many people are oblivious to the fact that Dads really do matter and this is something we’d like to put right.

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