21 November 2008

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Woolley Grange in Wiltshire

Adults and children alike can recharge the batteries at the comfortable, very family- friendly Woolley Grange Hotel.

Taking a short break with young children can be more exhausting than staying at home...packing up the car with all that paraphernalia or struggling with suitcases and wriggly toddlers on a plane journey are not particularly relaxing ways to spend a long weekend.

It's easy to see why Woolley Grange in Wiltshire, part of the small group of luxury family hotels, is so popular. Along with The Ickworth in Suffolk, Fowey Hall in Cornwall, Dower House in Suffolk and Moonfleet Manor in Dorset, Woolley Grange is part of the Von Essen group of hotels which all offer great comfort in beautiful surroundings along with the little extras which make a family stay relaxing for all.

Woolley Grange is set in beautiful countryside with 14 acres of grounds, far reaching views of the White Horse at Westbury and is just 8 miles from the city of Bath. A Jacobean, manor house built in the early 17th century and a family home for over 400 years, it was opened as a hotel in 1989 and has succeeded in its remit of "a luxury family hotel". Bedrooms are super-comfortable and all uniquely furnished with high quality linens and the sort of gently scuffed antiques which ensure that you don’t have to stress about your young children damaging anything!

Depending on your needs, the hotel will move cots and fold-up beds to accommodate little people; in fact nothing is too much trouble and the staff do an excellent job in quietly ensuring you have what you want.

One of the main attractions for parents of very young children is the crèche facility: Woolley Bear's Den is staffed by kind, qualified carers who will entertain your children (from 3 months old!) for up to 2 hours at a time. There are toys, a wendy house, ride-ons and plenty of art and craft facilities sited in a bright and cheery building. Children can also have tea here at 5pm. Near to the Den is a play area which can be used by all under parental supervision and for older children, a games room provides air hockey, table football and a play station; both prove to be a good "making friends" area.

During our visit all these areas were being used but nowhere seemed crowded or hectic. The parents of one 6 month old had just enjoyed 2 hours of reading the papers and having a massage whilst their baby happily played with the nannies. Happy child and happy parent...

As well as massage there is a range of other treatments which can be booked for you...you don't seem to need to book days ahead so can decide on a whim.

As well as ensuring that both children and adults are kept happy, the hotel most certainly ensures that everyone is well fed. There are 2 linked dining areas in which everyone has breakfast and lunch, if desired. Young children can either have tea in the Den or in the dining room early in the evening. Adults can dine later whilst their sleeping children are monitored by the hotel (you can book a babysitter to sit with your children if you prefer) As with every aspect of this relaxed hotel, nothing is set in stone so if you all want to eat together in the evening, you can, although most adults relish the opportunity to talk, savour a bottle of wine and finish their plateful undisturbed. Many of the vegetables are grown in the walled kitchen garden and the resident gardeners are happy to chat about what is being planted and picked.

A large open-air swimming pool is heated from mid April onwards and provides wonderful entertainment for all ages - children don't seem to notice if the air temperature is less than sultry! The pool is watchable from the dining terrace and even has an old- fashioned stone changing house. The house and gardens have all sorts of charming nooks and crannies which are especially appealing to children...a gap in the yew hedge leads onto the croquet lawn, a stone path into the walled garden and broad steps to the fish pool.

Woolley Grange isn't just for young families, I visited with my daughters of 11 and 14 and we had a great time; a cream tea on arrival, plenty of time reading trashy magazines, competitive croquet and very competitive air hockey, long soaks in the free-standing bath and a leisurely, delicious dinner. A good opportunity to talk to each other without daily life getting in the way!

Go and see for yourselves...there are often special offers available and although not a budget option, you should all feel refreshed, revived, cared for and agree that it was well worth it.