Baby-friendly holidays in the UK
These are places put together with littles in mind: for gatherings with grandparents-turned-sitters, or star-crossed babymooners seeking slumber. With blocks and books, cots and stairgates, luxury baby-friendly holidays in the UK can only happen in homes as curated as these.
You might be surrounded by tiny socks, wooden rattles, and bassinet blankets, but these are the days when memories are made. British babymooners, now is the time to retreat to a luxury family-friendly home in the country and make flump on a miles-deep sofa ‘til long past lunchtime. We know that baby-friendly holidays in the UK come with a longer checklist, so whether you're new to the parenting thing or three children in, these homes are kitted out for all your little one's needs; think cots and stairgates, wooden toys and story books, and cottages so close to the coast that the ocean soundscape will send them to slumber.
Perhaps now is the time for a big group gathering to introduce a little bundle to the whole clan? With grandparents chomping at the bit to have their turn holding the bottle, and siblings waiting in the wings with fairytales and fables up their sleeves, there's nothing like having all hands on deck to calm the laser-like focus that tiny babies bring. At these luxurious country houses, you'll have the option to indulge in cold water therapy in wild swimming lakes, embrace all the healing benefits of the sauna, or simply slink off for an early supper by the garden pizza oven while the big cousins do cot-side duties in the cinema room.
Pepper Shack
Lymington, New Forest, Hampshire, UK
A luxury cabin that feels like a winter cave, Pepper Shack is a moody home with a hot tub, pizza oven, and couples' bikes, made for romantic stays near the New Forest in Hampshire.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,795 per week, £1,350 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Hot tub, Kadai fire pit, outdoor pizza oven, two cruiser bikes, powerboat charter can be arranged on prior request
The Sanctuary
Lymington, New Forest, Hampshire, UK
Bordering the New Forest in Hampshire's Lymore Valley, The Sanctuary is an industrial luxury cabin with a hot tub, fire pit, and a pair of cruiser bikes for peddling to the beach.
Sleeps: Up to 2 guests
From: £1,550 per week, £1,350 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Jacuzzi hot tub, Kadai fire pit, cruiser bikes, powerboat charter can be arranged on prior request
The Cinders
Lyndhurst, New Forest, Hampshire, UK
Offering a peaceful escape in the wilds of the New Forest, spend days wandering beneath the trees, spotting wildlife and fully relaxing into the sound of nature.
Sleeps: Up to 6 guests
Alternative Group Option: Up to 4 & Up to 2 guests
From: £2,150 per week, £1,595 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Forestkeepers
Fordingbridge, New Forest, Hampshire, UK
A bespoke treehouse, zip-wire, and outdoor pool await at Forestkeepers, where a garden gate leads straight into Hampshire's New Forest, tempting picnics in woodland glades.
Sleeps: Up to 12 guests (8 adults and 4 children)
Alternative Group Option: Up to 6 guests
From: £3,795 per week, £2,850 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome, or three on prior request
Features: Heated outdoor swimming pool (available from the end of March to mid-October), treehouse, zipwire, trampoline, football goals, netball hoop, games room with air hockey and arcade machine, cinema room