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.
Filly Island
Cirencester, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Blending style with a big dose of ingenuity results in something truly quite magical here at Filly Island. This unique cottage near Cirencester is sat upon a tiny island accessed by a humpback bridge. Pre-loved finds are revivified to bring about the unique interiorscape at Filly Island.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,050 per week, £795 per short break
Pets: Two small well-behaved dogs are welcome
Elissa
Cirencester, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Surrounded by miles of undulating countryside, this luxury self-catering home is all about life’s simple pleasures; drawn-out pub lunches, rural rambles and evenings in the hot tub.
Sleeps: Up to 4 guests (2 adults and 2 children)
From: £1,750 per week, £1,295 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 2 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Hot tub
The Flower Press
Bibury, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Emerald green in spring and fire red in autumn, creeper-clad cottage The Flower Press is a restful self-catering retreat nestled in the welcoming arms of quintessential Bibury. Snow-white walls, candelabras, chandeliers and vibrant gardens brimming with anemones bring a feel of modern-day Provence to this gorgeous old Cotswold manse.
Sleeps: Up to 4 guests
From: £1,850 per week, £1,450 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 2 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Midsummer Wood
Bourton-on-the-Water, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
This magical Cotswolds millhouse calls you to run wild in private woodland, get lost amidst secret wildflower meadows, dive into a 12-metre indoor pool and unfurl within lavish Jacobean interiors.
Sleeps: Up to 8 guests
From: £5,995 per week, £3,500 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Indoor heated swimming pool, two steam rooms, tennis court and games room with ping pong, gym and large TV
Evania
Bentham, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Inspired by the colours and countryside of the Mediterranean, this Gloucestershire home with heated outdoor swimming pool and hot tub, is the perfect family retreat.
Sleeps: Up to 10 guests
From: £5,095 per week, £3,995 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 & Up to 4 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome, or three on prior request
Features: Outdoor heated swimming pool (May - September), hot tub, games room with table football, pool table, table tennis and television
Zamani
Cheltenham, Hawling, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Ancient Cotswolds barn meets contemporary charm at this luxury self-catering country house near Cheltenham. A stylish sanctuary for large family gatherings and a perfect private retreat to retire to with friends after fun-filled antics at the races.
Sleeps: Up to 10 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Pool table
The Aviary
Moreton-in-Marsh, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Traditional Cotswold stone provides the golden foundations for some striking modern flourishes at this luxury farmhouse retreat.
Sleeps: Up to 11 guests (10 adults and 1 child)
From: £7,000 per week, £5,250 per short break
Pets: One well-behaved dog is welcome
Features: Outdoor heated swimming pool and hot tub (May - September), tennis court, cinema room and trampoline
The Find
Cranham, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Dynamic pairing of luxury architect-designed properties in a beautifully secluded valley location in the Cotswolds.
Sleeps: Up to 12 guests
From: £15,895 per week, £14,895 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome on prior request
Features: Trampoline, rowing boat
The Palladian
Ampney Crucis, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Georgian in style and grand in nature, this self-catering Cotswold manor offers a true countryside escape perfect for multi-generational groups.
Sleeps: Up to 12 guests (6 adults and 6 children)
From: £4,550 per week, £3,295 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Outdoor heated swimming pool and hot tub (both May - September), gym, tennis court, trampoline, small football pitch, table tennis and tree house
Dandelion
Kempsford, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Traditional on the outside, but with flamboyance and flair within, this luxury Grade II listed manor with a hot tub and bohemian yurt near the Cotswolds has a rambunctious makeup of rich colour, bold patterns, and unteachable taste.
Sleeps: Up to 12 guests (+2 children)
From: £6,250 per week, £4,695 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 18 guests
Pets: Pets are considered on request
Features: There is a yurt, wood-fired hot tub, and DJ decks.
Anthology Farm
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
With acres of space and oodles of old stone style, these two traditional barns in the heart of the Cotswolds are perfect for large family gatherings or big celebrations.
Sleeps: Up to 18 guests
From: £8,995 per week, £6,495 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 10 guests
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Heated indoor swimming pool, cinema room, tennis court and electric car charging point
Gulliver´s Hall
Bisley, Stroud, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
Blending ancestral tales with elegant maximalism, Gulliver's Hall brings vitality to the soul; this is a secluded luxury self-catering home where escape where escapism and comfort are key.
Sleeps: Up to 21 guests
From: £8,495 per week, £6,395 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 15 & Up to 6 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome on prior request
Features: Outdoor heated swimming pool (April-October), sunken spa bath, sauna, steam room, outdoor shower, outdoor kitchen with pizza oven, paella burner, games and cinema room, tennis court, croquet lawn
Weddings at Anthology Farm
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
An 18th century barn designed with love-filled celebrations and grand gatherings in mind, Anthology Farm is poised at the head of an ancient Cotswolds valley on the outskirts of vibrant Cheltenham, just two hours from London.
Sleeps: Up to 18, with 50 wedding guests
From: £15,495 per week, £13,695 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 18 guests
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Wedding barn, heated indoor swimming pool, tennis court and electric car charging point
