A hotel becomes truly magical when you see it through your children’s eyes and sometimes it’s the smallest details that are the most special. Walking into your room to find teddy bears, chocolates, little beds made up just for them and even a bunny nightlight.
Which is exactly what was awaiting us when we arrived at Woolley Grange, a luxury family-friendly hotel near Bath, for my birthday weekend.
Ever since having Oscar, I’ve made it my mission to find the very best family-friendly hotels – places that kids will love but are parent-pleasing too. In this Woolley Grange review, I’ll share why this hotel has exactly the kind of attention to detail that I love!
What is Woolley Grange?
Woolley Grange is an English country manor that forms part of the Luxury Family Hotels group. A collection of five luxury family hotels (yes, it does what it says on the tin…) dotted throughout the UK. Woolley Grange is near Bath, with the other hotels in Cornwall, Dorset, the New Forest and Suffolk.
Having reviewed many of the best luxury family hotels in the UK, I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to try one of these hotels, as they truly embody the SilverSpoon philosophy of being child-friendly and parent-pleasing.
These hotels have clearly thought of every detail when it comes to families, and Woolley Grange reminded me of the Kinderhotel concept we’ve grown to love. It also shares the same family-friendly philosophy as country house hotels such as Four Seasons Hampshire, where just as much thought goes into keeping children happy as ensuring parents have a wonderful stay.
Woolley Grange is the perfect choice for London-based families. You can drive (there’s plenty of parking) or do as we did and take the train to Bath Spa which takes around an hour and 15 minutes, followed by a short taxi ride to Woolley Grange which is in Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire!
Woolley Grange has a fascinating history dating back to 1665, when it was built as a Jacobean family home. Once owned by the Baskerville family, who inspired characters in Sherlock Holmes’ The Hound of the Baskervilles, it later served as a maternity hospital during the Second World War before becoming the very first Luxury Family Hotel in 1989, exemplifying the idea that family-friendly holidays needn’t mean compromising on luxury.
What is the vibe like at Woolley Grange?
Woolley Grange has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. There’s none of the formality of a traditional luxury hotel, but instead a real sense of warmth, cosiness and welcomingness. If you could describe a hotel as kind, that’s exactly how I would describe Woolley Grange! You don’t have to dress for dinner, you can come as you are, you don’t have to worry if you’re kids are on the noisy side – everyone is there with kids!
We’d actually come for my birthday weekend which happens to coincide with Bonfire night and the hotel felt really buzzy decked out with fairy lights and there was a bonfire and fireworks!
Design at Woolley Grange
Woolley Grange has got that British relaxed country-luxe feel. We’re talking cosy sofas to sink into, shelves stocked with books and board games, textured blankets and cushions… and of course the unique touch of the Woolley sheep! You’ll find Woolley sheep scattered throughout the hotel, each with its own name and personality, and children can follow a trail to find them all!
As well as being beautiful, the spaces are also practical, including a dedicated nappy-changing and potty room – not exactly glam, but a lifesaver for mums!
The grounds invite plenty of adventure for children, with a playground, play spaces and a Fairy Garden, while parents can enjoy more tranquil spots such as the Walled Garden.
Woolley Grange Review: Our Family Room
As our children get older, I’m finding it increasingly difficult to find accommodation for us in luxury family hotels without spending an absolute fortune. But places like Woolley Grange have this dilemma covered. Our room was called Sir Percy, a Deluxe Two-Bedroom Family Room.
The main bedroom has plenty of space, with cosy blankets, a TV, fridge and Nespresso machine.
For my birthday, we’d arranged banner, balloons, champagne and cake. Of course the boys dove right into the cupcakes!
There’s a separate children’s room, and the boys loved finding teddy bears and chocolates waiting for them when they arrived. I loved the fact that it was a proper bed rather than bunk beds as I’ll inevitably end up sleeping in kids room! They’d also put in a bed guard for Noah which honestly did wonders for my peace of mind!
The kids’ room is also home to a Woolley sheep as well as a giant carrot beanbag and bunny nightlight. The boys loved the little details. You can even borrow Yoto Players for more entertainment.
There’s a step stool in the bathroom, perfect for little legs, as well as a nappy bin. They’ve thought of everything!
Activities and Entertainment at Woolley Grange
There’s so much to keep little ones entertained at Woolley Grange! Oscar and Noah loved the outdoor play areas.
There’s a playground for younger children.
There’s also a brilliant adventure space with a huge tree swing and a zip line that the boys loved!
But our favourite outdoor space was the Fairy Garden, a gorgeous whimsical space where you can follow a fairy trail before tying your wish to the wishing tree. There’s also bunny feeding and marshmallow toasting which was a real highlight. Inside there’s a games room, there’s even an Escape Room which Oscar would have loved but we ran out of time to try it.
Swimming Pool and Spa
We had a brilliant time messing about in the indoor pool and there’s an outdoor one too during the warmer months. Something I’m always searching for in a UK holiday. The hotel caters to parents too, with adults-only swimming sessions transforming the pool into a peaceful retreat.
Another hotel highlight for the boys was the movie night. Every night a table of hot fresh popcorn and milk and cookies is set up for the kids to enjoy while watching a movie in the hotel’s cinema room. An absolute treat for the kids and a way to buy a couple of hours peace (and a glass of wine time) for parents.
The spa at Woolley Grange is a peaceful retreat for parents, with a sauna, steam room and relaxation area. There’s also a tempting menu of Elemis treatments, giving parents the perfect opportunity to unwind while the children are having fun.
Kids’ Club
And if you did want to head to the spa there’s the option of booking your kids into the Four Bears Den Kids Club. Guests actually get two hours of complimentary childcare… yes. you read that right. The Ofsted -registered kids club is a gorgeous light-filled room with beautiful high-quality toys, games and puzzles and the staff can look after kids from aged three months to eight years. There’s a structured programme of activities but also plenty of time for free play.
The Den also opens up slots for family time which gave us a chance to play in there together.
The Den can also arrange evening babysitting if required.
Food
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the hotel’s Orangery. For the most part, the food was delicious and of great quality – classic, simple dishes that hit the spot after a busy day! The hotel caters to babies and children too, with a tasty selection of purées, healthy dishes and treats.
But something else really struck me about dining at Woolley Grange, and that was the warmth and friendliness of the staff. And secondly, how much thought had gone into making sure children were happy. There are books and puzzles – even baby toys at the entrance. Bugaboo highchairs for every age and stage, from newborns to Noah’s age. Plastic cups and cutlery – everything to keep mealtimes easy and low-stress.
Is Woolley Grange Worth it?
I think one of the most important things I’ve learnt from travelling with children is that the true magic of a hotel isn’t always found in grand interiors or Michelin-starred restaurants, but in the little moments that make a stay unforgettable, especially when seen through a child’s eyes. As you’ll have gathered from my Woolley Grange review this is what we discovered here.
Woolley Grange has a warmth and friendliness that’s hard to put into words, with a little touch of magic around every corner. From the teddy bears waiting on their beds to feeding bunnies, exploring fairy gardens and curling up with popcorn for movie nights, it’s these moments that make a holiday special.
We chose Woolley Grange to celebrate my birthday weekend, and while it was technically my celebration, seeing how much Oscar and Noah loved every moment made it all the more special.
I think these are the places our children will remember most. Not because of how luxurious they were, but because of how happy they felt, the adventures they had and the memories we made together. For me, that’s what makes Woolley Grange so special, and the perfect example of a hotel that’s both child-friendly and parent-pleasing.
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