Weekend away with the children

[catgirl]

I'm sure there was a thread on this once before but have not been able to find it.

We want to go away for our wedding anniversary in march with our children. (7,4,1).

Can anyone recommend anywhere which is within a couple of hours of ED, suitable for children but also lovely for adults?

Somewhere with a creche/ kids club would be great. We don't want to farm the children out all weekend but a couple of hours here and there would be good!

Much appreciated.

[SBryan]

Hi,

We went to Wooley Grange last year, it was brilliant! Not cheap but you could look out for special offers; we booked through a Times deal and got 2 for 1. They have several other locations too if you don't fancy the drive to Wiltshire...

http://www.woolleygrangehotel.co.uk/family_hotels_uk.html

[Norfolkvillas]

Was it this thread here - I recommended (and still do) Calcott Manor

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?29,680147,680245#msg-680245

[catgirl]

Thanks a lot for the suggestions

I looked at Calcott Manor and at a couple of the luxury family hotel ones (Woolley Grange group)and they all look wonderful but they all came up as ?1000 for 2 nights!

I'm obviously out of touch as this was way more than I was expecting or willing to pay, especially for a weekend in March, hardly high summer or holiday season. We've just paid less than 3/4 of that or a whole week in France in the summer holidays.(albeit self catering so obviously a different thing)

I'll have a look out for any special offers or maybe we'll need to forget about the childcare bit and just look for somehwere where we can all have fun together...

[Norfolkvillas]

Hi again Catgirl

If you could face a slightly longer drive (circa 4.5 hours from ED I think) to Salcombe (or maybe even it's possible to fly to Plymouth??), there's a 2 nights for the price of 1 deal with Mr & Mrs Smith at South Sands which would give you a 2 bedroom family beach suite for 2 nights for a total of ?320.

The beach suites look really cute and family-friendly, and Salcombe is super-picturesque. I don't think they have a creche though.

I checked a random weekend in March and it looks like there's still availability...

http://www.mrandmrssmith.com/luxury-hotels/south-sands if you think this might be an option

Edited to add: or what about The Pig in Hampshire - they have 2 bedroom family suites for ?250 a night: http://www.mrandmrssmith.com/luxury-hotels/the-pig and this should be easily reachable from ED within a couple of hours drive. Friends have been (admittedly not with kids) and adored it.

[mishel]

I think its very importen to our mental health...

[candj]

We've been to Ickworth House in Suffolk with the children and it is great especially as it's very close. It is also part of the luxury family hotels group. HTH

[catgirl]

Thanks again for the help and suggestions. Canj - I did look at Ickworth house and it looks gorgeous but that was one of the places that gave us a quote of ?1100 for 2 nights which is over our budget!

Norfolkvillas - thanks for those suggestions, both look fab. I actually called Mr and Mrs Smith today to ask them about these and any other suggsetions / offers they might have. The guy said he'd have a look for me and email me later - have not heard back yet but hopefully he'll come up with somethihg - I'll let you know!

[SBryan]

If you join Times + (ie subscribe to Timesonline) you can get 2 for 1 via Mr and Mrs Smith at Woolley Grange.....

[ratty]

Centerparcs Longleat