Child-friendly hotels

Babington House

Somerset, United Kingdom

Best for   Babies and children of all ages welcomed.

The launch of the country cousin of media hang-out Soho House kick-started the march of metropolitan cool into the countryside. At this impressive manor-house in the rolling Somerset countryside, hip staff greet you at the door, not a uniform in sight. The truly relaxing do-what-you-want atmosphere is Babington's real feat; others can imitate, but it's the service that makes the difference. Babington is a child-friendly hotel, too.

Baglioni Hotel

London, United Kingdom

Best for   Babies and up – children of all ages are welcome.

This Kensington hotel doesn’t have the glitzy façade that some insecure five-stars cling to. The Georgian building, although impeccable, doesn’t allude to the over-the-top grandeur that awaits inside. A cascading water feature, stone floors and oversized gold vases spilling enormous white roses create a suitably classy entrée to our new world of carefree indulgence. Children are welcome, too.

Barnsley House

Cotswolds, United Kingdom

Best for   Well behaved babies and children of any age.

One of the most stylish country-house hotels, Gloucestershire's Barnsley House is an imposing grade II-listed manor-house within 11 acres of grounds, designed by former owner Rosemary Verey, legendary gardener, designer and writer. New owners Tim and Rupert have been on a mission to chuck out the chintz, but have done so with the utmost respect for original features, adding a contemporary spa and seamlessly blending the old with the new. The muted tones of the traditional paints make a perfect backdrop to the B&B Italia square-backed swivel armchairs.

Bingham

London, United Kingdom

Best for   Babies and up: all enjoy the garden and river views.

Tear your eyes from the unadulterated River Thames view over the lawn through huge floor-to-ceiling French windows at this boutique hotel and, inside, you'll spy droplet chandeliers, black Osborne & Little wallpaper, mushroom-hued Farrow & Ball and burnt-red leather tub chairs.

Charlton House 

Northeast Somerset, United Kingdom

Best for   Sophisticated children who aren't expecting a kids' club, but would love being in a gorgeous garden.

All the rooms in this classic West Country manor-house are individually decorated, and sumptuous in feel, owing mainly to the fact that Charlton House is owned by Roger and Monty Saul, founders of luxury-goods label Mulberry. Radical or minimalist this is not; instead, Charlton House occupies a happy middle ground, somewhere between the grand austerity of the old-style country retreat and an in-vogue homely chic.

Cliveden 

Berkshire, United Kingdom

Best for   Babies and up - children of all ages welcomed and catered for.

Ever since John Profumo first laid eyes on Christine Keeler as she basked in Cliveden’s pool, it’s been clear that this Berkshire boutique hotel was destined to be a Mr & Mrs Smith retreat of choice. As well as being a celebrated haunt for politicos and literati, this majestic neoclassical manor is the proud birthplace of the £100 club sandwich – worth every penny, we’re relieved to add.

Cotswold House

Cotswolds, United Kingdom

Best for   Babies and up – children of all ages are welcome.

Your dream designer pad, in a breathtaking rural village setting. Chipping Campden is the stuff that tourist-board dreams are made of – ancient, higgledy-piggledy low-lying buildings of beautiful yellow Cotswold stone. Each room at Cotwold House hotel has its own USP, and comes equipped with a massive television, Bang & Olufsen entertainment centre, and one of the biggest and comfiest beds you will ever have the joy of sleeping in. It's child-friendly, too.

Cowley Manor

Cotswolds, United Kingdom

Best for   Children welcome.

Once you have taken in the astonishing grandeur of this Italianate stone house in near Cheltenham, you may think yourself convinced that whatever is within cannot match it. To call the look 'designer' doesn’t do justice to Cowley’s funky, flamboyant aesthetic; the effect of cowhide window seats, red laminate tables and comical papier-mâché ‘hunting trophies’ is certainly a world away from the usual country-house hotels.