The best family hotels in the Cotswolds
In our book, the essentials of a really good family hotel are fun, flexibility and, most of all, scope to relax and enjoy each other’s company across age groups – safe surroundings, and kid-friendly accommodation and meals, a given. Of course, underpinning all this are welcoming staff and a winning and accessible location. Happily, the Cotswolds provides such combinations in spadefuls. From picturesque Broadway in the north of the region to action-packed Cotswold Water Park in the east, the area offers a brilliant range of options.
Our pick of the best family-friendly havens include a hotel near Tetbury whose stellar facilities feature an Ofsted-registered crèche, a property offering family accommodation ranging from suites to treehouses amid expansive grounds, and a well-priced bolthole in the middle of Bourton-on-the-Water, much beloved for attractions like a flamboyant bird sanctuary. Read on to discover the best family hotels in the Cotswolds.
How we review
Every hotel in this curated list has been visited by one of our expert reviewers, who are usually hosted on a complimentary basis. They stay for a minimum of one night, test at least one meal and trial other experiences that the hotel might have to offer.
An old coach house, farmhouse and stables, along with several treehouses, make up this hotel complex found on the 400-acre Farncombe Estate. The buildings of this village-like property lie across picturesque landscape and, in some cases, by a small lake. Of these buildings, The Lodge acts as the hub of the hotel with dining and lounge areas found here. The hotel’s restaurant, Hook, offers bistro-style fare with an emphasis on seafood, and pizzas are served in the bar and lounges. Across the Fish, stand-out facilities for families include an outdoor play area and a summer lakeside beach, while a host of activities includes off-road buggy riding for kids. The hotel’s boot room is the setting off point for family walks.
The golden-stone Slaughters Country Inn provides an unfussy, restful stay at the heart of Lower Slaughter, which is considered one of the Cotswolds’ most picturesque villages. The inn has plenty of outdoor space and the River Eye trickles past the hotel garden. Once a straggle of 15th century farm cottages, before evolving into a manor and a “crammer school” for Eton, the Cotswold retreat is one part of a complex now encompassing this affordable, family-friendly inn and the glamorous Slaughters Manor House hotel. Slaughters Country Inn houses 31 bedrooms, including plenty of family-friendly options, and a restaurant and terrace (with children’s menus) also serving afternoon tea.
Set in a nature reserve, right by a lake, this contemporary resort lies within the wildlife-rich Cotswold Water Park, which also features walking routes and bike trails between its many lakes, with kayaking available in some areas. The hotel is housed within a complex of warehouse-style buildings featuring timber cladding and Cotswold stone. The main hub of the hotel, its lobby lounge, leads to a family-friendly brasserie and a spa, while the Old Boathouse restaurant and Muddy Duck coffee bar sit in other parts of the hotel’s grounds. The two-bedroom apartments here are ideal for small families and there are several interconnecting rooms.
Keeping guests of all ages happy, Calcot & Spa strikes the balance between grown up and family-friendly. Here, cosy accommodation is joined by laid back dining options and extensive spa facilities, including a large indoor pool. Of the accommodation, around half of the 35 rooms are located in a dedicated family building and a collection of family suites are also available. The hotel has two restaurants, the Brasserie and the Hive, with a children’s tea nook for afternoon tea. As well as entertaining children in its Ofsted-registered kids’ club, the hotel has an array of family-friendly facilities including an outdoor pool and playground. The indoor swimming pool also has dedicated time slots for children.
A historic country house turned luxury hotel, Ellenborough Park pairs cosy garden-view rooms and suites – many of which are interconnecting for families – with grand communal areas including restaurants championing fresh local produce and a spa garden retreat with heated outdoor pool. Memories are made in this bucolic setting with an impressive family offering including games and children’s menus, not to forget each morning's Kiddie Breakfast & Milkshake Bar. Aside from the extensive grounds to run around in, there are plenty of family-friendly activities in the area including a castle and alpaca farm.
One of Britain’s most historic inns, this Tudor coaching inn, which now acts as an inviting family-friendly hotel, has seen historic figures such as King Charles I and Oliver Cromwell come through its doors. Updated for the 21st century, the hotel now encompasses a collection of rooms, which are spread across the main house, an annexe and two cottages, along with a restaurant led by celebrity chef James Martin and a spa with gym and a dance and yoga studio. Children are welcomed in and there’s plenty of opportunity for outdoor exploration with its three-acre garden and bikes to hire.
The picturesque Minster Mill Hotel consists of a converted mill house and modern extensions now home to modern Scandi-style rooms, including six garden rooms, a restaurant focusing on modern British fare, a spa encompassing impressive facilities including a swimming pool, and tennis courts among areas for other sporting activities such as croquet and boules. Appealingly, the hotel is idyllically set on the banks of the River Windrush and within 65-acre grounds of the Windrush valley – both otter and deer can be spotted here. Make use of the hotel’s bike hire, go fishing on the river and set out on nature walks.
Chester House Hotel is found close to a picturesque stretch of the River Windrush in the popular village of Bourton-on-the-Water. The small hotel is celebrated for its cosy rooms, which are split between the main building and a former coach house, and the well-priced L’Anatra restaurant serving classic Italian cuisine. There are cosy corners to unwind in and a small inviting garden. Families are well looked after here. The hotel has three family rooms and there’s a children’s menu in the restaurant. The friendly staff are on hand to give recommendations on getting to know the local area.
