Mum knows best: the top family friendly hotels in the UK for 2018

The Headland Hotel (aka the infamous setting of Roald Dahl’s The Witches) is one of the friendliest places I’ve stayed in a long time; they offer that luxury hotel feeling but with space and freedom families often prefer. You have the option to book into hotel dining or self-cater. This is a flexible option for families, and of course no having to get dressed to go for breakfast.

You’ll also have full use of the hotel facilities such as the lovely pool and gym, and there’s even a spa for some relaxing adult time. Situated right next to the beach and a short drive into Newquay, you’ll not want to come home, we didn’t!

My favourite family-friendly hotel is definitely The Old Stocks Inn in Stow-On-The-Wold. We visited when my daughter Belle was 13 and in my experience teenagers are normally underwhelmed by most things! Belle absolutely loved this place though. Our family room had a cosy kids area with triple bunks, so plenty of space for larger families (which you often don’t get in hotels) plus a games console to keep everyone entertained.

There was a curtain between the kids and grown-up sleeping areas, so you can have privacy too. Downstairs in the bar and restaurant area, there’s a lovely corner called ‘the library’, with lots of games and books.

Even though it’s very family-friendly, the Old Stocks Inn doesn’t compromise on style. The decor throughout is superb – they refurbished a few years ago and did an incredible job of making things fresh and modern at the same time as retaining the old world charm. We felt well and truly spoilt and there were loads of nice touches, like being offered a takeaway drink when we checked out.

If you are planning a trip to London with the family and looking for a hotel with plenty of personality yet is still child-friendly, then head to Hotel Du Vin. Set adjacent to Wimbledon Common, this impressive yet relaxed hotel has spacious rooms, all individually decorated, with wonderful big beds you can’t wait to sink into.

Our favourite part about the hotel was dining in the Orangerie which overlooks the gardens, where there’s plenty of space for the kids to run and play. The beautiful grounds provide a tranquil setting, offering a perfect respite spot from the city! The food itself was delicious and there were plenty of options for young children to choose from, including an excellent breakfast buffet table. With Wimbledon Village and travel links on your doorstep, we found it was the perfect way to visit London with kids. We can’t wait to return!

As you approach the imposing Edwardian entrance of the Polurrian Bay Hotel, the first thing that springs to mind is just how friendly and welcoming the building feels. Peering directly through the grand foyer you’ll see a beautiful glimmering horizon, quite a sight for travelling eyes. A little nervous for my first outing as a single mum, the staff made us all feel at ease with charming welcome gifts for my two boys.

The children’s facilities stand out, making it easy to keep little people occupied. A creche offering various activities, cinema, games room, indoor and outdoor pool, beautiful gardens, tennis, and a stroll to a perfectly sandy, secluded beach.

Our room for three was ample size, not too plush but met all our needs. Breakfasts were plentiful and surprisingly peaceful considering the number of families around. A great appealing selection for lunch and dinner too. A perfect stay had by all.

The Royal Garden London is a fantastic luxury hotel that provides a five-star service for adults and children alike. It’s the little extras that make it fun for all the family including scooters, kids rucksacks for the under 12’s (with teddy and drinks bottle) and games and toys.  It’s right next door to Kensington Gardens, which includes the magical Diana Memorial Playground: the perfect place to unwind with children after a day in the city.

It is brilliantly placed to explore the capital with Kensington High Street underground station a 5-minute walk away.  It is also within walking distance of both the Natural History Museum and The Science Museum.

For families with younger children, early dining is available from 17:30 and both cots and highchairs are available.  There is also a special children’s room service menu. The welcoming environment makes it the perfect place for a family break; I highly recommend it!

If you’re visiting Sheffield for a family break, I would recommend the Holiday Inn Express. It’s a large hotel with everything you might need, and the location is brilliant. It’s a short walk from the train station and the Sheffield city centre, and you can easily get to and from your hotel by foot or taxi.

Sheffield offers lots of activities for families and good restaurants too so you’ll have everything nearby. The hotel is nice and clean, with friendly staff and comfortable, stylish rooms ideal for both couples and families. It’s budget friendly too which is important for growing families and all bookings include breakfast as standard – both hot cooked breakfasts and a continental breakfast buffet.

I stayed at the Radisson Blu in Edinburgh last year with my two girls who were three and one at the time. The hotel is so central and they are unbelievably welcoming to children, which is why I tell everybody about it!

One thing I loved about the hotel is that kids under 16 stay for free, and kids under 12 have a free kids food menu, which I think is pretty amazing. There is a kids colouring area at reception to keep them occupied while you check-in and when we arrived into the room, there was a hopscotch mat, chalkboard and toys for them to play with. There’s also a “make your own” pancake area for kids at breakfast which I thought was really cute!

The staff really were amazing and so helpful, which is a massive tick when you’re travelling with kids. Everything is thought of for kids at the hotel and I can’t wait to return!