It’s tricky to experience the ultimate break when you have a small person in tow. The dream of a lie-in, candlelit dinner and top quality, child-friendly facilities are usually just that - a dream. Well, I can share with you a hidden gem of a hotel that ticks all those boxes and more! Yup.
This is a very special place that effortlessly balances the needs of adults and toddlers without turning into a naff, wipe clean, CBeebies setting. Woolley Grange, in Bradford-on-Avon, is a Jacobean manor on the edge of the Cotswolds that opened its doors as a luxury family hotel almost thirty years ago. In this time the owners have really nailed just what knackered new parents and excitable toddlers are after.
We took advantage of the Time For You Toddler experience, which also turned into a last minute baby moon before number 2 comes along!, here’s what we got up to…
From the moment we checked in to the moment we left I felt so looked after. What I’ve come to realise with this place is that it’s the little touches that make all the difference.
Our suite had two large bedrooms decked out in cosy throws, exposed beams and gorgeous soft furnishings, but it wasn’t just the tasteful decor that gave this place a thumbs up from us. Everleigh had her own room with a travel cot (bonus that we didn’t have to bring ours and wrestle it up). The bathroom was kitted out with a nappy bin, changing mat, luxury baby bath products (and fancy Elemis ones for us) and even bath toys. There was so much space for her to run around and make herself at home.
A good tip would be to bring your wellies as the well cared for hotel grounds are perfect for little ones to run off some steam and be at one with nature. The gardening crew do such a good job of growing their own veg here, maintaining all manner of flowers and plants, as well as section off areas just for children to explore. The hilarious waddling of the Indian Runner ducks that roam the vegetable patch have to be seen to be believed. You can even buy the produce at the potting shed by just leaving your cash in an honesty box, such a lovely idea!
One of the things that truly made up our decision about whether or not to splash the cash and book this trip was the free childcare in the onsite Ofsted registered crèche - four hours per day of your stay is included in the package. As much as we adore our daughter it’s very demanding looking after an adventourous 18 month old whilst you are heavily pregnant! She also would prefer to be getting stuck in with new toys, hanging out with friendly staff members and having the run of the large well stocked room, than sit with us as we drank coffee!
We made the most of this rare child-free time by getting comfy on a squashy sofa near a roaring fire in one of the sitting rooms and enjoyed a latte whilst perusing the papers or going for a spa treatment at the onsite spa. It was the perfect way to simply relax, knowing that Everleigh was being well looked after. We actually managed a proper adult conversation for the first time in what felt like ages!
Dinner was one of my favourite parts of the stay. Everleigh dined with the other children who were staying at the hotel at 5pm, picking from a healthy toddler friendly menu (children under two eat free). It meant that we could then bathe and get her ready for bed with enough time to get our glad rags on. The hotel offers a baby listening service. Once she was settled and safely fast asleep we headed to the onsite fancy restaurant for a candle lit dinner, knowing someone was listening out for any murmurs, we could be back in the room in a flash to see to her if needed. Thankfully she slept the whole time so John and I enjoyed a three course meal with no distractions other than what to choose to eat. Bliss!
Speaking of food - breakfast was worth getting up early for. Located in the airy orangery, tables are reserved in the name of your child and come with everything you need. A fancy highchair, toddler friendly cutlery and crockery and a good selection of fruit, cereal and pastries to help yourself whilst you wait for the cooked-to-order hot breakfast items. The hotel even have plenty of bottles and provide both warmed milk (for those older babies) or a bottle warming service. Genius!
We soon found ourselves settling into a relaxed routine but there was plenty to keep you occupied if you wanted to get a little more active. The gorgeously warm swimming pool isn’t enormous but luckily it was never that busy when we went for a dip. Being pregnant I couldn’t make the most of the sauna and steam room but I did like the spacious family friendly changing rooms, as wrestling a soggy toddler into her clothes in a minuscule cubicle is never fun.
On a dry day you could spend ages roaming the 14 acre gardens, the site is so lush and large there’s even a special trail to follow to see it all. Shout out to the giant trampoline, which was fun for big and little kids! Just down the road is the very quaint English village of Bradford-0n-Avon. It was great to spend a morning exploring this picturesque town with cobbled streets, boutique shops and pretty stone houses.
One of the most enjoyable things I did on this break (and just perfect for some me-time) was to join in a yoga workshop that happened to be taking place during our stay. Organised by the super friendly hippy chick, Rebekah, from the locally run yoga group Shanti Shala Yoga, it was the first time I’d ever done a downward facing dog in a yurt! I’ve decided that when I grow up I want to be Rebekah. She spends half her time teaching yoga in the wood burning stove warmed yurt and the rest in India with her family. What a life!
We grudgingly had to pack our bags and check out after two wonderful nights. I could have easily stayed for a week or more but real life beckoned. There is no doubt that we will be back when baby number two makes an appearance. It’s not a cheap break but the value for money is worth saving up to treat yourselves. Your life has changed so much since having children that makes sense to press pause, recharge and realise just what an awesome job you’re doing.
Thanks to Woolley Grange for offering us a discounted rate in return for a 100% honest review. You can find out more about their Baby’s First Stay and Time for you Toddler experiences here. They have plenty of offers and deals to check out as it’s also a great place to go for large groups of friends/family.
