Baby-friendly holidays in the UK
These are places put together with littles in mind: for gatherings with grandparents-turned-sitters, or star-crossed babymooners seeking slumber. With blocks and books, cots and stairgates, luxury baby-friendly holidays in the UK can only happen in homes as curated as these.
You might be surrounded by tiny socks, wooden rattles, and bassinet blankets, but these are the days when memories are made. British babymooners, now is the time to retreat to a luxury family-friendly home in the country and make flump on a miles-deep sofa ‘til long past lunchtime. We know that baby-friendly holidays in the UK come with a longer checklist, so whether you're new to the parenting thing or three children in, these homes are kitted out for all your little one's needs; think cots and stairgates, wooden toys and story books, and cottages so close to the coast that the ocean soundscape will send them to slumber.
Perhaps now is the time for a big group gathering to introduce a little bundle to the whole clan? With grandparents chomping at the bit to have their turn holding the bottle, and siblings waiting in the wings with fairytales and fables up their sleeves, there's nothing like having all hands on deck to calm the laser-like focus that tiny babies bring. At these luxurious country houses, you'll have the option to indulge in cold water therapy in wild swimming lakes, embrace all the healing benefits of the sauna, or simply slink off for an early supper by the garden pizza oven while the big cousins do cot-side duties in the cinema room.
Aquila
Bampton, The Lake District, Cumbria, UK
Aquila is a modernist lake house with a seductively clandestine appeal, set right on the sparkling Haweswater shoreline within the tarns and fells of the Mardale Valley.
Sleeps: Up to 6 guests
From: £1,950 per week, £1,450 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 2 guests
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Figtree House
Farleton, Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria, UK
This exquisitely interior designed luxury self-catering home stay is set within 17 acres of rolling Cumbrian countryside, not far from the historic town of Kirkby Lonsdale and the Lake District.
Sleeps: Up to 10
From: £2,495 per week, £1,995 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 & Up to 4 guests
Pets: One well-behaved dog is welcome on prior request
Features: TV snug
Gaia Farmhouse
Ullswater, The Lake District, Cumbria, UK
A 16th century luxury self-catering farmhouse that has been lovingly restored to embrace the ebb and flow of seasonality; life is far from ordinary at Gaia Farmhouse.
Sleeps: Up to 10 guests
From: £4,250 per week, £3,195 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 & Up to 2 guests
Features: Children´s TV snug, table tennis, fire bowl
Skyline
Kendal, Staveley, The Lake District, Cumbria, UK
Perched high above the village of Staveley with breath-taking views across the valley, Skyline is a truly unique luxury property with tennis court, grand piano and 11 acres of woodland.
Sleeps: Up to 10 guests
From: £3,695 per week, £2,795 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome on prior request
Features: Tennis court, Steinway grand piano, hot tub hire is available (by prior arrangement)
Winterfell
Windermere, The Lake District, Cumbria, UK
In a land far, far away, nestled between the majestic mountains and forested hills of the Lake District, lies this luxury private lake home near Lake Windermere in Ulverton.
Sleeps: Up to 12 guests
From: £3,750 per week, £2,795 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Fire pit
