Family-friendly self-catering
Children pick out wonder and awe in the smallest detail. These family-friendly locations come with muddy puddles, rock pools and garden games for all.
Little ones see everything through rainbow-tinted spectacles, and travelling with children should be a halcyon experience. What was once mundane becomes a shiny sparkle: the smallest puddles can turn into an exciting ocean voyage across stormy waves; those gnarled and twisted trees on a woodland walk are now tall turreted towers that must be scaled. There's nothing like exploring a new area with a child-friendly luxury holiday home as a base, heading out wellies on and a little hand clasped in yours, pointing in awe at clouds shaped like giraffes and glow worms lighting up the night. All the better enjoyed with grandparents, multi-generational group gatherings allow parents to sneak off and enjoy moonlit dips in heated swimming pools, or pop open a bottle of bubbles under starry skies while sinking into a garden hot tub. Time spent together is time well spent, after all, and memories are made of this.
Little Red Lock
Claydon, Banbury, Oxfordshire, The Cotswolds, UK
An English country home that truly embraces its idiosyncrasies, Little Red Lock's wooden picket fence and waterfront position on the Oxford canal oozes tranquillity, while inside its brick walls, a carnival of eclectic rustic charm awaits.
Sleeps: Up to 6 guests
From: £1,950 per week, £1,495 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 2 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Hot tub, fire pit, kayaks and life jackets for the canal
Atticus
Burford, Oxfordshire, The Cotswolds, UK
Treacle-toned Cotswold stone, iron gates and heavy antique doors hint at this striking home’s colourful past. Once a court house and a later jail, Atticus can be found jostling amongst a row of fine period buildings at the end of Burfords' golden high street.
Sleeps: Up to 8 guests
From: £2,750 per week, £2,195 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Baby Grand Piano and fire pit
In Clover
Witney, Oxford, Oxfordshire, The Cotswolds, UK
Wrap yourself in clover at this once-forgotten Cotswolds cottage encircled by private bluebell woods. A luxury take on a bucolic country retreat, this self-catering homestay flaunts a 12-person hot tub and sumptuous Soho Home furnishings.
Sleeps: Up to 10 guests
From: £3,250 per week, £2,450 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 guests
Pets: Two dogs are welcome
Features: Large wood-fired hot tub, games room with pool table, air hockey, ping pong and darts board, plus a trampoline, tree house and al fresco kitchen
The Tapestry
Witney, Oxford, Oxfordshire, The Cotswolds, UK
Muted greens and blues, thick drapes and stone floors, this Oxfordshire farmhouse oozes tranquility, with all the luxurious home comforts a weekender could wish for.
Sleeps: Up to 12 guests
From: £2,995 per week, £2,395 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 8 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome on prior arrangement
Features: Television room and trampoline
