England

FOWEY

What it is: A seaside chateau on a hill above the town of Fowey and with five acres of walled gardens and a view of the estuary and sea.

The rooms: There are 36 bedrooms in the chateau itself and eight guest rooms in the Court, a coach house located just feet from the main house.

Amenities: There is an indoor swimming pool, as well as a hotel restaurant that offers traditional Cornish fare with a focus on fresh local seafood (children's options are also available). The Four Bears Den provides complimentary day-care services for kids up to age 8, while older kids might enjoy the hotel's game room and movie screenings (held nightly during school holidays). And in the afternoons, everyone will enjoy Fowey Hall's thoroughly English high tea.

Activities: The hotel is partnered with Fowey Town Tours, which stop by the waterfront to offer tourists the option of embarking on a river cruise or exploring local wildlife with Fowey Marine Adventures.

Details: Hanson Drive, from 120 pounds for a double room.

HERTFORDSHIRE

What it is: A sister property to the Athenaeum Hotel in London with the same family-oriented services in a lush country-estate setting.

The rooms: Stay in one of 227 luxury rooms in the mansion, each decked out in sumptuous fabrics.

Amenities: Simulate a tropical getaway at "the beach," a sandy expanse within the walled garden complete with cabanas, a volleyball court, and poolside access. The on-site Anouska's Kids' Club (for kids 3 months and up) is open daily and engages children with organized activities such as face painting and cake decorating. Romp areas include an outdoor playground, a bouncy castle, and a children's pool. For after-club-hours entertainment, the hotel also offers a customized toy box upon arrival, a game room, and a DVD lending library.

Activities: Grab a trail map and explore the estate's wetlands, meadows, and wooded glades. For those who want to trek further, the Whipsnade Zoo, Bowman's Farm and Falconry Center, Thorpe Amusement Park, and horseback-riding facilities are all located within a 30-minute drive of the Grove. And don't forget to visit the estate-owned beehives.

Details: Chandler's Cross, from 260 pounds for a Superior room (with a young child).

LONDON

What it is: A five-star, family-owned boutique hotel on London's bustling and easily accessible Piccadilly, with connecting red brick townhouses that look out onto quieter side streets.

The rooms: In the main building, there are 111 well-appointed rooms and 12 suites, but you'll probably prefer one of 33 family-friendly apartments in a connected townhouse. Each apartment sleeps up to four, and you have the option of booking adjacent apartments with connecting doors.

Amenities: Apartments are specially suited to children's needs, offering fun features such as toy boxes tailored to your child's age, diapers and assorted baby health care products, a DVD lending library, Xbox, iPod docks, and even cookies and milk in the evening. You'll also have a fully equipped kitchen and a washer and dryer. The hotel restaurant specializes in traditional British fare, including an afternoon tea and snacks.

Activities: The Athenaeum is located within walking distance of Buckingham Palace and other central London attractions, and it overlooks Green Park, which is perfect for walks and picnics.

Details: 116 Piccadilly, from 430 pounds for a Classic British Apartment.

What it is: An elegant hotel perched on the edge of the fashionable Belgravia district.

The rooms: Each of the 149 rooms and 65 suites boasts its own tailored color palette—often consisting of calming neutrals complemented by splashes of color. Family packages are often available, providing discount deals on the room prices as well as added family bonuses, and all rooms allow you to add a rolling bed to fit an extra guest.

Amenities: The hotel is perhaps best known for its upscale gastronomic offerings. Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay oversees the hotel's Boxwood Café, and the svelte Blue Bar is a popular evening destination for guests and locals alike. Check out the children's book, game and videogame library and the selection of family CDs and DVDs—and don't miss the rooftop pool. Particularly convenient amenities include high chairs, bottle warmers, an on-site currency exchange, and an on-call doctor.

Activities: The Berkeley offers a picnic-packing service for an afternoon lunch on the grass at Hyde Park. The hotel's central location also provides easy access to many London museums, landmarks, and shopping districts. Ask the concierge to suggest and book your visits to child-friendly museums and shows.

Details: Wilton Place, Knightsbridge; from 405 pounds for a Deluxe King room.

What it is: Bingham is an absolute delight. When you're not looking at the unadulterated River Thames views over the lawn, you'll be admiring the droplet chandeliers, mushroom-hued Farrow & Ball covered walls, and bespoke art deco inspired furniture.

The rooms: There are 15 rooms, most of which have space for an extra roll-away bed or cot (there is no extra charge for children under 12; there is a charge of 50 pounds for a child 12 or older). The best room is Sappho, which offers stunning garden views. It interconnects with Iris, a small double.

Amenities: There's a large garden for energetic children to run around in, and staff can arrange horse riding, bike rental, and boat trips to nearby Hampton Court and Kew Gardens. Kids are allowed in the restaurant at all times (the hotel even supplies coloring books and pencils to keep them occupied), and babysitting is available for 10 pounds an hour; as long as you give at least 48 hours' notice.

Activities: The Natural History Museum in London's South Kensington keeps those obsessed with dinosaurs or body parts enthralled. In winter, ice-skating rinks freeze into life all over town. The one at Somerset House is still the best; Kew Gardens and the Natural History Museum often have rinks, too. The Bingham is situated just a short walk from the Richmond Gate entrance to Richmond Park where the deer roam free. Inside the park there is a playground (at the Petersham Gate) and also a child friendly café at the Roehampton Gate.

Details: Richmond upon Thames, Surrey. From 190 pounds a night for a double.

What it is: The Charlotte Street Hotel epitomizes London living: an elegant bar and bistro, smartly decorated private cinema, comfortable rooms with low-key luxe decor; and that all-important quiet-yet-central location. Taking the Bloomsbury Set as its inspiration, it brings together fine art and a fresh color palette to create the perfect city luxury stay.

The rooms: There are 52 rooms in total, most of which can accommodate a crib (provided free) or an extra roll-away bed (40 pounds a night). Your best bet is a family-friendly Junior Suite; you can stash milk and snacks in your minibar.

Amenities: Families with older children will enjoy the weekly Film Club in the Charlotte Street Hotel's state-of-the-art screening room (not to mention the three-course dinner served in the Oscar Bar & Restaurant beforehand). The kitchen is happy to warm up milk or baby food, and high chairs are available. Babysitting can be arranged for 14-pound per hour (four hour minimum), eight pounds for every additional hour.

Activities: The Natural History Museum in London's South Kensington keeps those obsessed with dinosaurs or body parts enthralled. In winter, ice-skating rinks freeze into life all over town. The one at Somerset House is still the best; Kew Gardens and the Natural History Museum often have rinks, too.

Details: Bloomsbury, London. From 250 pounds a night for a double.

What it is: Founded in 1837 and composed of 11 adjacent townhouses in London's prestigious Mayfair neighborhood, a hotel with a rich history (past guests include Teddy Roosevelt, Alexander Graham Bell, and regular client Agatha Christie).

The rooms: Rooms are sophisticated and "quintessentially English," fully equipped with modern comforts such as broadband Internet access, LCD televisions, and On-Demand movies. Each room is also outfitted with a selection of books that are historically relevant to the hotel, such as Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book (written during Kipling's stay there).

Amenities: The family package offers a discount on room rates and children's meals, as well as complimentary breakfast, welcome gifts, toiletries, and use of the gym. Adults will also enjoy the decadent hotel spa.

Activities: Take advantage of the hotel's proximity to Green Park and the West End theater district. Ask the concierge to arrange event tickets (try Stomp or The Lion King at nearby venues), transportation, and restaurant reservations.

Details: Albemarle Street, from 499 pounds for two Deluxe rooms (the It's a Family Affair package).

What it is: Modern on the outside and classically English on the inside, a lavish nine-story abode in the heart of London's Mayfair neighborhood.

The rooms: Out of the hotel's 215 richly decorated rooms, the Superior, Deluxe, and Conservatory rooms and all suites sleep two adults and one child. You can also reserve connecting standard rooms for larger families.

Amenities: The concierge is happy to provide complimentary children's games, books, DVDs, and assorted baby health care products, and the hotel will childproof your room upon request. The upscale on-site restaurant boasts an extensive children's menu, but you can also order a picnic hamper and take your meal to the neighboring Hyde Park. When booking, look for the Kids' Package to nab a discounted price for two nights and enjoy added bonuses such as complimentary breakfast for the whole gang and five free tickets to a local attraction of your choice.

Activities: Nearby landmarks include the Apsley House, Buckingham Palace, the Cabinet War Rooms, and the Wellington Arch (all within 20 minutes' walking distance). The hotel can also arrange for off-site swimming and horseback riding at nearby locations.

Details: Hamilton Place, Park Lane; from 285 pounds for a Superior room.

What it is: A stately Regency-period manor located in London's exclusive Knightsbridge neighborhood.

The rooms: All 49 rooms and 46 suites are decked out in antique 1820s-style furnishings with warm lighting and rich colors. Rooms also have Internet access, a music system, an On-Demand movie library, and unlimited phone calls to the U.S. and Europe.

Amenities: Day-care service is available for children of all ages. For expecting parents, the Lanesborough offers a "BabyMoon" weekend package which includes joint massages, a choice of deluxe afternoon tea or an evening of dinner and dancing, and a local baby-shopping guide provided by the concierge.

Activities: For strolling, picnicking and all other sorts of outdoor lolling and leisure, Hyde Park is just across the street. Buckingham Palace is just a 10-minute walk away.

Details: Hyde Park Corner, from 575 pounds for an Executive Double room.

What it is: A hotel in London's centrally located Covent Garden with a delightfully quirky exterior and a ultra-hip and modern interior.

The rooms: Choose from 105 elegant and well-equipped rooms with the possibility of reserving connected rooms for larger families. In addition to the luxury bedding, quality bespoke furniture and power shower, look forward to an in-room CD library, eco-friendly REN bath products, and a mini-TV in every bathroom. Fresh fruit and flowers are replenished daily.

Amenities: Kids will love the complimentary refreshments and surprise storybook waiting for them upon arrival. Make use of the children's DVD, CD, and games library or arrange for a private movie night in the posh screening room—popcorn included. The hotel's impressive swimming pool has underwater music.

Activities: Upon request, the kitchen will pack a picnic basket for your day out. The hotel is located within walking distance of the Globe Theater and the London Eye.

Details: One Aldwych, from 190 pounds for a special-promotion Aldwych room.

What it is: A quiet retreat in the style of an English country manor, located just behind Green Park yet close to bustling downtown hot spots.

The rooms: The Stafford's 105 rooms and suites are spread out over three houses: the spacious Main House, the quaint Carriage House, and the newly developed Stafford Mews. The Mews Junior Suites tend to be best for families, as each suite has a sofa bed that sleeps one or two children. Check out the Family Package for the chance to book two interconnected suites at a highly discounted price.

Amenities: A kids'-movie library, complimentary bread for feeding park ducks, iPod docking stations, and baby-care kits are among the thoughtful goodies provided. Also find in-room Internet and fax capabilities and a complimentary pass to the Third Space, a nearby fitness center (with pool!).

Activities: The Stafford boasts 350-year-old stone wine cellars and its own Master Sommelier, who leads the candlelit cellar tours. The hotel is conveniently close to the Royal Parks and is within walking distance of Buckingham Palace.

Details: St. James's Place, from 375 pounds for a Deluxe Double room in the Main House (with extra bed).

PEMBROKESHIRE

What it is: An 18th-century country house in West Wales turned into a 12-room boutique hotel.

The rooms: Only eight; three bedrooms and two suites of the 12 rooms are actually inside the old mansion; four are luxury cottages located right next to the main house. The décor is Jane Austen chic; that is, cast-iron tubs and four-poster beds, wallpaper and exposed masonry walls, oak furniture and Georgian fireplaces.

Amenities: There is a library on site that includes a DVD library, with plenty of options to take back to your room and watch on your flat screen TV.

Activities: Walk along the Pembrokeshire coastline, located at a short distance from the hotel, and explore the nearby harbor villages. Visit the Oakwood Theme Park, less than a mile away, and treat your kids to a day filled with roller coasters, waterfalls and pirate ships. Or enjoy the fun fair, the child-friendly woods and the zoo at Folly Farm, also less than a mile away.

Details: Moleston, in Narberth; rates start at $217 for a King bedroom.

SANDBANKS

What it is: A white-trimmed beachside resort nestled on the sandy shores of Southern England's Poole Harbour.

The rooms: Choose from 110 guest rooms in an endless variety of family configurations, including multiroom suites and family rooms with children's bunk beds. Decor is simple and summery, with an emphasis on maximizing light and floor space, and many rooms include balconies and views of the water.

Amenities: Water-sports enthusiasts will be thrilled by the availability of on-site windsurfing, kitesurfing, kayaking, sailing, of course, safe swimming in the calm and shallow harbor waters. The hotel is also happy to arrange mini golf, basketball, and bike rentals.

Activities: The Stafford boasts 350-year-old stone wine cellars and its own Master Sommelier, who leads the candlelit cellar tours. The hotel is conveniently close to the Royal Parks and is within walking distance of Buckingham Palace.

Details: Sandbanks, Poole; from 158 pounds for an Inland Room with a young child.

STAFFORDSHIRE

What it is: Eight brick cottages—each named after an English flower-clustered around private gardens and 330 acres of farmland overlooking a peaceful valley.

The rooms: Each cottage is family-ready, with a fully equipped kitchen, a washer and dryer and a patio and grill, as well as an assortment of toys, games, books, and movies. Book the Buttercup or the Cowslip, which sleep four.

Amenities: The hotel has a game room as well as the variety of outdoor games (badminton, anyone?) and a giant trampoline. The cottage grounds are also home to cows, hens, pigs, and other roving wildlife.

Activities: Visit the Hawkstone historic park, the Aerospace Museum at Cosford, or the hands-on Engenuity invention center nearby.

Details: Norbury, Stafford; from 250 pounds for the Buttercup Cottage.

WINDMERE

What it is: The former 19th-century hunting lodge of Lord Lonsdale, converted to a 23-room hotel in 1973.

The rooms: Rooms are available with queen-size or king-size beds and feature fresh flowers, LCD televisions with satellite, and CD and DVD players.

Amenities: The hotel's two restaurants, the oak-paneled restaurant and the new Terrace restaurant, both offer incredible mountain and lake views. The dishes at both are of high quality and flexible for pickier palates. The Holbeck Ghyll Health Spa offers face, scalp, and massage services, as well as a sauna, steam room, and fitness center with treadmills, bicycles, step-up machines, and free weights. There's also an all-weather tennis court, croquet lawn, putting green, and jogging trail.

Activities: Explore the Lake District surrounding the hotel to take in the sites that inspired Beatrix Potter, visit the nearby award-winning Aquarium of the Lakes, or take a ride at the Hipshow Riding Stables. You can also book a Windermere Lake Cruise or explore the Levens Hall and Gardens.

Details: Holbeck Lane, from 100 pounds for a double.

What it is: Formerly owned by Beatrix Potter, this 28-acre estate is now a lovely hotel.

The rooms: The hotel offers two Standard Family rooms, each with a double bed and a single bed. The Superior Family Double is a larger room with a double bed and two single beds.

Amenities: Guests can enjoy a full English breakfast every morning.

Activities: The Lake District offers opportunities for nature walks, golf, fishing, mountain biking, sightseeing, and sailing and boating. The concierge can help you rent equipment or reserve tee times. Visitors can also explore famous writers' homes, such as John Ruskin and William Wordsworth, or visit the Aquarium of the Lakes or the Cumberland Pencil Museum.

Details: Lindeth Drive, from 160 pounds for a Standard Family room (includes breakfast).

CORNWALL

Driftwood

What it is: Striking the perfect balance between accessible and remote, this Cornish boutique hotel is set high on a cliff, with spectacular views over the bay and its own private beach.

The rooms: The hotel has 15 rooms, some of which are specifically geared toward families. The Cabin, which overlooks the beach, comes with two bedrooms and its own living room.

Amenities: With seven acres of grounds leading down to the beach, Driftwood is sure to be popular with children; on rainy days, they can head to the small, PlayStation-equipped games room or to the library filled with books and board games. Parents will love the beautiful coastal paths that pass through the hotel grounds on their way along some of the most beautiful cliff tops in Cornwall.

Activities: Take tweenagers surfing at Newquay's National Surfing Centre and younger children to the Cornwall's Crealy Great Adventure Park near Wadebridge, which has fairground rides and a petting zoo. Best known for its colorful parrots, Paradise Park near St. Ives also has otters and owls. Other family-friendly attractions close by include The Lost Gardens of Heligan, Tate St Ives, and the National Maritime Museum Cornwall in Falmouth. The open-air Minack Theatre in Porthcurno holds productions in the summer months.

Details: Rosevine, near Portscatho, Cornwall. From 190 pounds a night for a double, including breakfast, newspaper, and dinner (in low season).

Hotel Tresanton

What it is: Situated on Cornwall's often overlooked south coast, the chichi Hotel Tresanton was extensively refurbished by owner Olga Polizzi in 1998 and brought up to the standard expected by her A-list clientele. The decor is posh, eclectic, and relaxed.

The rooms: There are 29 rooms at the hotel, including two family suites with private terraces; each suite costs 315 to 490 pounds a night (including breakfast for five) and can accommodate parents with up to three children.

Amenities: The hotel provides a kid's club during the summer (25 for three hours) and evening babysitting (eight pounds per hour.) The hotel also offers a two-hour Arts and Crafts class by the sea (£15 per child, £12 for siblings). Sailing and windsurfing lessons can be arranged; Hotel Tresanton has several of its own sailboats and motorboats for day trips, too. DVDs and board games will keep kids amused on rainy days.

Activities: Take tweenagers surfing at Newquay's National Surfing Centre and younger children to the Crealy Adventure Park near Wadebridge, which has fairground rides and a petting zoo. Best known for its colorful parrots, Paradise Park near St. Ives also has otters and barn owls. Other family-friendly attractions close by include the Lost Gardens of Heligan, Tate St. Ives, and the National Maritime Museum in Falmouth. The open-air Minack Theatre in Porthcurno holds productions in the summer months.

Details: St. Mawes, near Truro, Cornwall. From 190 pounds a night for a double, including breakfast. There is a minimum two-night stay on weekends.

COTSWOLDS

Cowley Manor

What it is: To call Cowley Manor's look "designer" doesn't do justice to its funky, flamboyant aesthetic; the effect of cowhide window seats and comical papier-mâché "hunting trophies" is certainly a world away from your usual country-house hotel.

The rooms: There are 30 rooms at the hotel. One stable-block has a balcony, and the Best room (yes, that really is its name) comes with an enormous bathtub, a four-poster bed, and its own private terrace.

Amenities: A children's supper is served between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. (at no charge), though the hotel asks that the dining room be child-free by 8:30 p.m. There are indoor and outdoor pools, but they are more for swimmers and less for splashers. Don't worry, though; the 55 acres of grounds will keep junior explorers occupied all day long.

Activities: Children love Romans almost as much as they love dinosaurs. Take them to Cirencester, where on your command to raise hell, they can poke around the ruins pretending they're centurions. Then it's on to the town's revamped Corinium Museum, which offers a range of child-friendly, Roman-centric activities.

Details: Cowley, near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. From 250 pounds a night for a double, including breakfast. There is a minimum two-night stay on weekends.

The Rectory

What it is: A 14th-century farmhouse amid the leafy rural roll of the Cotswolds, Calcot Manor is one of the U.K.'s ultimate family escapes, with a parent-pampering spa and child-oriented facilities at every turn.

The rooms: 13 of Calcot Manor's 35 rooms and suites have been specially kitted out for families, and they offer plenty of space to sprawl out. The Large and Deluxe Family Suites are spread over two floors and have separate kids' bedrooms.

Amenities: A fully staffed day nursery, the Playzone (open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., seven days a week) offers a wealth of fun and creative activities, including art, games, dress-up, and toys. Older children will enjoy the Mez children's area and the indoor and outdoor pools. Under-10s are discouraged from Calcot's main Conservatory restaurant for dinner, but the entirely homemade and select organic items on the children's menu at Gumstool Inn; where an excellent High Tea is served every day at 5:30 p.m; is superb.

Activities: Children love Romans almost as much as they love dinosaurs. Take them to Cirencester, where on your command to raise hell, they can poke around the ruins pretending they're centurions. Then it's on to the town's revamped Corinium Museum, which offers a range of child-friendly, Roman-centric activities.

Details: Near Tetbury, Gloucestershire. From 230 pounds a night for a double, including breakfast. There is a minimum two-night stay on weekends.

DEVON

Higher Westcott Farm

What it is: This 300-year-old Devon longhouse is perched in the amid Dartmoor's Middle Earth woodland, and in addition to the glorious picnic-perfect landscape, it offers hearty country-kitchen cooking, soothing classic-meets-contemporary design, and a homey hearthside feel.

The rooms: There are just four rooms at the hotel. The Loft Room and Bedroom One are the largest, and can easily accommodate an extra roll away bed (for 20 pounds). Bedroom Two only has space for a cot.

Amenities: Children are welcome in the restaurant for breakfast and supper between 5 and 6 p.m., and a high chair and a kids' menu are available. Chef Jo is well versed in dietary foibles and allergies and is happy to prepare anything you request in advance. Packed lunches can be provided, and milk or baby food can be heated at any time.

Activities: Devon is all about ice creams, buckets and spades, and sand in your shoes. The best coastal destinations for children are the beaches of South Hams; Bigbury-on- Sea and Blackpool Sands are clean and safe. If it rains, Pennywell Farm Activity Centre has everything from piglets to ponies to keep boredom at bay. Ten minutes' drive from Higher Westcott farm, Dartmoor's Miniature Pony Centre allows kids to get close to the region's famous tiny horses.

Details: Westcott, near Moretonhampstead, Devon. From 80 pounds a night for a double, including breakfast. The whole house is available to rent for 460 pounds a night.

SOMERSET

Babington House

What it is: This impressive manor house in the rolling Somerset countryside, the country cousin of Manhattan's media hangout Soho House, kick-started the march of metropolitan cool into the U.K. countryside. But despite the hip vibe, babies and children of all ages are warmly welcomed.

The rooms: There are 29 rooms at Babington House. The split-level Stable Block rooms are family-size and come with terraces and bunk room containing two children's twin size beds. The Lodge is a separate cottage, ideal for families with children.

Amenities: The Little House crèche will look after children aged 1 and older, and children are able to use the swimming pool at designated times. Outside, throughout the extensive grounds, you'll find tennis courts, a cricket pitch, and five-a-side soccer nets. Indoors, there's a private 45-seat cinema that offers a varied program, including plenty of children's classics.

Activities: There's a fairy garden and a valley of the dinosaurs, not to mention the spectacular underground caverns, at Wookey Hole near Wells. If that doesn't cover all junior bases, then we don't know what will. Got tickets for Glastonbury? Under-12s can come free (and can be left in the superb kids' area while you go off to drink cider and watch Billy Bragg). Or treat them to a special children's ghost walk, 7 pounds per adult and 5 pound per child, with Ghost Walks of Bath.

Details: Babington, near Frome, Somerset. From 225 pounds a night for a double.

SUFFOLK

Ickworth Hotel and Apartment

What it is: To a lord or a duke, this hotel, located in the east wing of a National Trust property, might seem like a home away from home: quaint, charming, friendly, and efficient. To any child with a passing interest in "the olden days," it's absolute heaven; the perfect spot, then, for indulgent family breaks.

The rooms: There are 27 room and 11 apartments. The child-friendly apartments are your best bet, because they have separate sitting rooms (Theodora has enough space for up to four extra roll-away beds or cots, while Amelie and Louis both offer great views). Children sharing their parents' room stay for free, paying for meals only.

Amenities: The toy-packed Four Bear's Den playroom is supervised from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m., while Club/Blu is an unsupervised playroom for older children, offering table tennis, table soccer, and PlayStations. A daily two-course children's lunch and high tea (five pounds) is provided in the Four Bear's Den, and Café Inferno serves a children's buffet at 5 p.m. "Plenty of space" is putting it mildly; there are 1,800 acres of garden and parkland to get lost in. Borrow bikes (and helmets) for free, bounce on the trampoline, stroll the nature trails, or go horseback riding.

Activities: Kids will love Scribbles Ceramics in Newmarket, where they can sit down and paint their own designs onto bowls, plates, and mugs. Later, the kids' creations are glazed and fired and then shipped to their homes. For something a little more educational, take them on a boat trip from Orford Quay out to the Havergate Island reserve. In spring, you might see hares leaping about, salt marshes turned pink with blossoms, and birds nesting in the lagoons.

Details: Horringer, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk. From 320 pounds a night for a double, including breakfast. There is a minimum two-night stay on weekends.

Tuddenham Mill

What it is: This 17th-century Suffolk abode is a converted water mill set on 12 acres of land, enhanced with a sleek, minimalist restaurant and superstylish boudoirs with high-spec Starck-fitted en suites.

The rooms: There are 15 rooms in all. The best rooms for families are the Mill Room or one of the four Loft Rooms; all are large and have plenty of space for an extra cot or roll-away bed.

Amenities: Children are always welcome in the restaurant; which opens for the evening at a family-friendly 6:30 p.m. Kids will also love the DVD players in each room and large selection of child-suitable DVDs available at the reception desk. There's a lot to see and do in the local area, and children will enjoy exploring the Fens by boat or quad-biking at the nearby WildTracks off-road-activity park.

Activities: Kids will love Scribbles Ceramics in Newmarket, where they can sit down and paint their own designs onto bowls, plates, and mugs. Later, the kids' creations are glazed and fired and then shipped to their homes. For something a little more educational, take them on a boat trip from Orford Quay out to the Havergate Island reserve. In spring, you might see hares leaping about, salt marshes turned pink with blossoms, and birds nesting in the lagoons.

Details: Tuddenham, near Newmarket, Suffolk. From 205 pounds a night for a double, including breakfast.

WILTSHIRE

What it is: Small, luxurious, and family-friendly, Woolley Grange is set on 14 acres of glorious private grounds just a few miles from Bath. Laze by the pool in summer, retire to the fireside in winter, and enjoy the glorious English countryside all year round. Your children will love the giant trampoline, heated pool, and comprehensive kids' facilities.

The rooms: There are 26 rooms at Woolley Grange. All rooms have space for an extra cot or roll-away bed, though this might prove a bit of a squeeze in the standard doubles. Go for a suite, which comes with its own sitting room, or the popular, newly renovated Hayloft. Children sharing their parents' room stay for free, paying for meals only.

Amenities: The Woolley Bear's Den crèche overflows with Legos, dress-up outfits, and dollhouses. The Hen House is an unsupervised playroom for older children, offering air hockey, a pool table, and table soccer games. A two-course children's lunch (five pounds) is served in the Orangery, and high tea (seven pounds) is provided daily in the Woolley Bear's Den crèche. If you want to eat as a family, the Orangery, which offers a special "Teenie" menu, serves dinner from 6 p.m. There are 14 acres of grounds to run around on, and you'll find a play area, children's croquet, outdoor table tennis, soccer nets, and a giant trampoline. Bikes (and helmets) can be borrowed free of charge. Babysitting is available for around 10 pounds an hour.

Activities: Horseback riding and fishing close to the hotel can be arranged at the reception desk. The many attractions at Longleat House and Safari Park, which include mazes, an adventure castle, a butterfly garden, and miniature trains, are just a 30-minute drive away.

Details: Woolley Green, near Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire. From 170 pounds a night for a double, including breakfast. There is a minimum two-night stay on weekends.