A child-friendly Cotswolds retreat awaits

Words: Charlotte Pasha

Half term at Calcot & Spa should feel chaotic – after all, it’s known as a child-friendly destination in one of the busiest weeks of the year – but something about the soothing Cotswold stone, pretty countryside and spacious nature of the hotel means it never feels anything other than relaxing.

Near to the antiquing town of Tetbury, Calcot offers everything a young family could want from a mini break. My husband and I are here with our two small daughters. We make the most of the indoor and outdoor pools, the adventure playground, the pretty bike trails around the estate and of course the Playbarn- a drop off kids club with several hours of free childcare per day, where my kids trot happily.

Our room is sensational – a living room divides adult quarters from the girls’ room, which is complete with chocolate to be melted into nighttime milk, children’s bath products and a blackboard with their names on it. Our minibar is complimentary and the bed sumptuous.

Food is excellent. Fare at the Brasserie is more elevated than you may expect – classics like fish and chips are there and executed very well, but there’s also a caviar and oyster section and the likes of ravioli with hazelnut veloute. A sticky toffee pudding proves the star. Between 5-6, kids have tea included in the price of the stay, with a menu of the (limited) things kids tend to eat: fish and chips, pasta, sausages and mash.

We’ve never stayed anywhere with our small children and found it all so, well, easy. Staff couldn’t be more helpful and the set up is designed to suit both parents who want to flop in one of the comfortable lounges or excellent spa, and kids who want to race around exploring. We’ll be back.

Rooms from ÂŁ334 bed & breakfast, calcot.co