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5 Family-Friendly Luxury Escapes from London

Ashley Chalmers

Senior Contributor

While London remains a prime destination for families looking for an urban holiday, soul-strengthening countryside escapes cannot be ignored. With incredible family-friendly accommodations, charming towns, and coastal views, there's a reason the English countryside draws all ages away from the Big Smoke. Consider any of these on your next English holiday if you're craving wide-open spaces to counterbalance the bustling streets of London.

Daylesford Farms, The Cotswolds

Londoners and frequent visitors to the capital are already familiar with the Daylesford name. Their restaurants and adjacent farm shops are dotted around the city, serving as a brunch staple. But if you can’t get enough of their calming, spa-like aesthetic, a trip to their farm in Gloucestershire is absolutely in order.

Situated about a 2- hour drive to the northwest of London, the farm offers five picture-perfect cottages on the edge of the Cotswolds, ideal for families and small groups. Packages include spa treatments, floristry workshops, and cooking classes, and kid-friendly events are regularly held on-site.

A car is necessary for day trip excursions to charming local villages like Stow-on-the-Wold and Bourton-on-the-Water. You can also take a tour of nearby Blenheim Palace, or pop into any number of local pubs for a proper family roast—Daylesford’s own is the charming Wild Rabbit just around the corner.

No matter how you spend your days, your little ones will fall asleep literally counting bleating sheep, ideally while you enjoy a bottle of Daylesford’s own wine label—kindly included in every cottage’s welcome basket, along with freshly baked bread and eggs from their own chickens.

The living room of a cottage at Daylesford Farm

Credit: Daylesford Farm

Unique Home Stays, Cornwall

One glance at the Unique Home Stays’ portfolio will have you lusting over British shires you surely cannot pronounce. But nowhere is as dreamy as their seaside offerings in Cornwall. From the fishing hub of Cadgwith Cove to the iconic vibe of St. Ives, you can hop from village to village, enjoying Cornish cuisine, hiking along coastal paths, and lounging on truly stunning beaches that will have you questioning if you’re still in Britain.

Staying in a thatched roof cottage only adds to the magic, with local hosts available to offer advice on what to see and do in your area of choice. Alternatively, if you like the idea of a self-catered cottage but also prefer the general hotel vibe, check out Trelowarren Estate. Whether you’re a guest or not, their New Yard restaurant is not to be missed.

High-quality lodgings at Unique Home Stays, Cornwall

Credit: Unique Home Stays

The Pig - Combe, East Devon

The Pig hotel brand has become one the most beloved in Britain, with their quintessential English ambience and farm-to-table fare serving as the star of every property. The Pig - at Combe, specifically, is set in the hills of Otter Valley. The region is well worth exploring, and most notable is the easy drive to the gorgeous sandy beaches and colourful seafront homes of Lyme Regis.

It's more likely, though, that once you arrive, you won't want to leave the Pig’s premises. Two on-site restaurants offer incredible local food, much of it grown on-site, plus tons of outdoor space for little ones to roam and explore. Daily farm tours are offered for the younger guests, while a visit to the treatment shed for a spa experience is definitely in order for mum and dad.

On your way back to London, treat yourself to a gourmet ice cream cone at the newly refurbed Otter Valley Ice Cream shop, and thank the local cows for their part in the experience.

THE PIG at Combe

Credit: The Pig Hotel and Lime Wood Group

Four Seasons Hampshire

The Four Seasons Hampshire is one of the most readily-accessible luxury escapes from London, with car services available to book directly with the hotel to get you there and back in under 90 minutes. Once you’ve arrived, sit back, relax, and let the staff take care of you. It’s one of those magical places where it feels like there are about 10 people on hand for every guest, and everyone knows your name.

A recently renovated and expansive kids' club is the perfect place to play, while the newly designed indoor pool is the real highlight. There are bikes available for exploring the grounds, and you can easily walk or ride down to the horse stables or on any of the trails winding around the property.

If an excursion appeals, luxury cars can be booked to explore the surrounding Hampshire region. The hotel also boasts a great restaurant and bar on-site, so you really don’t need to venture out if staying close and cosy is preferred. 

The indoor pool at Four Seasons Hampshire

Credit: Four Seasons Hampshire

The Newt at Somerset

If you’ve sensed that one of the appeals of venturing out of London is the British love for farm-to-table fare, you’ll find that no place proves this more than the recently unveiled Newt at Somerset. The manor house is a design lovers’ dream, while the rest of the grounds can be explored and enjoyed by guests and day-trippers alike. A walk from the Gatehouse through the forest feels borderline magical as you approach the grand entrance—the Threshing Barn.

Through the barn and past the information desk, there’s a charming boutique supporting local artisans, a working cider press-turned-café, a bakery, and more. The true stunner is, of course, the expansive walled gardens and farmland.

The on-site restaurant is a testament to this, built with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the source of their seasonal dishes. The gardens, which are open to the public, are arguably the most family-friendly part of the property, with tons of space to run and roam.

The hotel itself offers two family-friendly rooms with potential restrictions depending on your visit and requirements, so be sure to note any special requests when booking. 

The Newt at Somerset - Hadspen House

Credit: The Newt

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