Fancy celebrating the holiday season in style and feasting like a King or Queen while staying in the most unforgettable of settings?  Then look no further than the newly refurbished Thornbury Castle Hotel where guests are able to enjoy a majestic break this Christmas. 

Steeped in history and set in 15 acres, the Tudor castle was built in 1511 during the reign of Henry VIII and was regarded as one of the grandest buildings of its time in England. It has been the home of kings, queens and dukes over the centuries before becoming a luxury hotel in 1966. 

This December sees Thornbury Castle celebrate its first festive season following a multi-million pound refurbishment which has included the beautiful restoration of its dining rooms, lounges, library, as well as its luxurious 27 bed chambers and suites.

Simone Arcucci, General Manager, Thornbury Castle, comments: “Located near Bristol and adjacent to the Gloucestershire countryside, Thornbury Castle is the only Tudor castle in the UK which operates as a luxury hotel and restaurant and we are really looking forward to providing a truly unique experience this festive season.”

Executive Chef Carl Cleghorn is looking forward to his first culinary Christmas at the Castle and has created a series of mouth-watering menus using the best seasonal and local ingredients from the Castle’s kitchen and herb garden and local suppliers. 

Frederic Bellard, the Castle’s Sommelier, has used his unparalleled knowledge of fine wines and spirits to create a wine list featuring more than 200 new wines and spirits along with an innovative menu of bespoke and handcrafted cocktails and mocktails to suit all palettes.

Guests can take advantage of a number of different festive packages including:

2. Festive Recharger

Fancy a bit of me time with your loved ones between Christmas and New Year?  After Boxing Day, the Christmas adrenaline stops and most of us crave some time to recharge our batteries.  Thornbury Castle’s two-night Recharger package does just that, allowing guests to sit back and relax and enjoy being served breakfast and dinner throughout their stay. 

• Rates from £814for a two-night break in a Deluxe 

3. New Year Celebration

Seeing in the New Year in Thornbury Castle has to be done in style of course and family and friends are able to enjoy a truly memorable two or three-night New Year’s stay. 

Highlights include a New Year’s Eve black-tie drinks reception with champagne and canapés, followed by dinner and a selection of wines served in the restaurant. After dinner, guests head to the Tudor Hall to be entertained and dance the night away, enjoying the evening with a spot of gambling Tudor aristocratic style.  A traditional piper will welcome in the New Year, followed by fireworks at midnight to celebrate the arrival of 2022.

• Rates from £1,965for a three-night stay, based on two adults sharing a room.
• Rates from £1,525for a two-night stay, based on two adults sharing a room.

Please note that New Year celebrations are for adults only.

Unique stays guaranteed

This Christmas will see guests being able to experience a luxury stay given all of the Castle’s 27 bedchambers and suites have been fully refurbished to the highest standard along with the Howard Family Gatehouse. Fifteen of the bedchambers and suites feature sumptuous four-poster beds, rich period detailing, with décor throughout the rooms and suites artfully recreating the Tudor style in which royalty and aristocracy would have languished, feasted and relaxed in. 

As well as a range of planned activities available, guests will also have a chance to explore the Castle’s Tudor gardens at leisure, enjoy a delicious cream tea served with all the trimmings, and relax in the historic lounges and historic library throughout their stay. 

To book:  https://www.thornburycastle.co.uk or call +44 (0)1454 281182.   

Luxury Family Hotels is delighted to announce that it is launching a collaboration
with The Pop-Up Hotel company from 24 May.

Usually seen at the UK’s most iconic festivals such as Glastonbury, and at premier events in exceptional locations, The Pop-Up Hotel concept blends the romance and thrill of glamping with the luxury and service you would expect from
a luxury boutique hotel.

Woolley Grange Hotel, located near the beautiful and historic town of Bradfordon-Avon and the city of Bath, will be the first hotel in the Luxury Family Hotels collection to launch the collaboration, with a view to the experience popping up in different hotels in future years.

Nestled in the beautiful grounds of the hotel and located in the meadow directly parallel to the hotel, Luxury Family Hotels Pop-Up Hotel is a short walk away from Woolley Grange itself and its south facing outdoor swimming pool, indoor spa and pool and OFSTED registered Den.

At the heart of the stay is of course the accommodation and, for 2021, Luxury Family Hotels and The Pop-Up Hotel team have worked together to create a collection of bespoke glamping suites under canvas, tailored specifically for Luxury Family Hotels guests.

Simon Maguire, Managing Director, Luxury Family Hotels, explains:

“We wanted to create a unique guest experience that gave new and returning guests an opportunity to immerse themselves in a stunning location without compromising on the quality of one of our hotel stays. We are delighted that The Pop-Up Hotel has brought our vision of the perfect family glamping experience to life and we can’t wait to welcome our first guests.”

The suites

Eight luxury glamping suites will be launched at Woolley Grange Hotel this season, with the first guests being able to book in from May 24. Each suite features one large master bedroom with a double bed dressed with crisp, cotton bed linen and bedside tables with atmospheric lamps.

A second bedroom features two single beds, bedside tables and a book shelf featuring a selection of classic children’s books.

Both bedrooms have direct access to a private bathroom with a flushing toilet, a contemporary standalone shower with hot and cold running water 24/7, and a separate wash basin. A selection of Bramley botanical toiletries and fresh, fluffy towels are provided to guests throughout their stay.

Wood effect flooring runs throughout with rugs for added comfort.

A spacious living area featuring a comfortable couch, coffee table and standard lamp to make it extra cosy, offers a great space to kick back and relax.

Each suite also has a lockable sliding door, a range of lighting and power points for charging smartphones and other electronic devices. During colder spells, electric heaters will be provided to warm the suites. The suites will include fresh flowers from the hotel’s gardens, a generous fruit bowl, picnic rugs, torches and a selection of lifestyle magazines to enjoy.

To fully immerse guests in the location, each suite also features an undercover private terrace with outdoor seating, perfect for reading a book, spotting local wildlife, enjoying a lazy sundowner, or for watching the children have the freedom to run around and play in safe and secure surroundings.

Breakfast delivered direct to your tent

Guests will be able to wake up each morning to a pre-ordered continental breakfast hamper – including homemade treats such as muffins, overnight oats, fruit and granola pots – delivered to their suite, along with freshly made flasks of tea and coffee. Alternatively, guests have the option of pre-booking and enjoying a full cooked breakfast in the hotel’s atmospheric restaurant.

The Hideout Café & Bar

A short stroll from each of the suites is The Hideout: a pop-up café and bar with relaxed style tables, enabling guests to enjoy dining under cover and al fresco on the terrace. Open to residents of both the hotel and the glamping suites, it will also feature a separate VIP area exclusively for glamping guests to relax in a snug area, as well as to enjoy food and drinks without the need for table reservations.

Menus have been designed by the hotel’s new Head Chef, Dean Westcar, who has joined Woolley Grange Hotel from Lucknam Park in Wiltshire where he was Head Chef at its Michelin-starred Restaurant Hywel Jones.

From 10am, teas, coffees, hot chocolate and smoothies will be available alongside an offering of cakes and flapjacks to be enjoyed before lunch and, from 11am, The Hideout bar will open, serving a mix of soft drinks (including homemade cordials) and hot drinks as well as locally inspired beer, cider, wines, Woolley homemade gin and alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails.

For lunch, The Hideout will offer a wide range of dishes with a strong focus on seasonality and locality, all created in the pop-up kitchen. These include freshly made pizzas using vegetables from Woolley Grange’s own walled garden and produce from local suppliers. Soup and a selection of homemade salads will also be on offer and change daily, all made with the hotel’s own vegetables. Straight out of the oven, daily tartlets, freshly cooked waffles, seasonal fruit choux buns, as well as local ice creams will also feature on the lunch menu to ensure all guests’ appetites – whatever their age – will be met.

Between 3pm and 5pm, the bar will remain open and guests can also enjoy a selection of homemade cakes and an indulgent cream tea with homemade scones and preserves.

After a quick freshen up, supper will be served from 5.30pm, with a different style of food being offered each night ranging from BBQ to paella and curries, followed by mouth-watering desserts made by the hotel’s chefs. As the night draws in, The Hideout comes alive as it is decked with festoon lighting and guests will have plenty of options where to sit and while away the evening, including the large outdoor firepit – perfect for toasting marshmallows!

The Hideout closes for dining at approximately 9pm each night with drink service continuing until late. Glamping guests also have the option to dine in the hotel restaurants.

All the fun of glamping while taking full advantage of the hotel

A stay in one of the glamping suites also allows guests access to all hotel facilities, including 90 minutes of complimentary childcare each day and full access to the indoor and outdoor swimming pools, the spa and treatment rooms and hotel babysitting service (charged on an hourly basis).

They will also be able to take advantage of a series of engaging and fun family activities which will change daily. These range from family yoga, flower crown making, treasure hunts, soft archery and star gazing.

Availability and rates

Luxury Family Hotels collaboration with The Pop-Up Hotel will start from May 24 and run until the end of summer (currently planned until the end of September).

Rates start from £375 for one night on a B&B basis (midweek, term time), rising to £575 per night on a B&B basis for peak summer dates.

Prices are based on four or five people sharing a suite, with a two-night minimum stay during peak periods.

Luxury Family Hotels’ Simon Maguire sums up:

“After a year of not seeing family and friends, 2021 is going to be an important time for us to get together and enjoy a total change of scene and someone else to do the cooking! We’ve covered all the bases with this exciting new pop-up and have even added in a few planned surprises for our glamping guests to ensure we create a truly memorable experience for all the family. It’s going to be lots of fun!”

For bookings, please telephone 020 8076 5555 or visit luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk

Follow Luxury Family Hotels on Instagram/Twitter: @LFHotels and on Facebook:
facebook.com/luxuryfamilyhotels

Luxury Family Hotels is announcing a number of exciting pop ups at its hotels this year to entertain families as they enjoy a well-deserved break post lockdown.

After a year of not seeing family and friends, 2021 could well be the year of the big reunion too. So whether you are holidaying with immediate family or can reunite with loved ones and even catch up with missed friends, Luxury Family Hotels has covered off all bases and is making the first of a series of announcements on its Great British Staycation 2021 in a number of its beautifully located hotels.

Simon Maguire, Managing Director, Luxury Family Hotels, himself a dad-of-two who has been balancing working from home with home schooling, comments:

“Families had a really challenging time last year and this third lockdown has been particularly tough on lots of levels. We know from conversations we are having on a daily basis with our guests that families are eagerly anticipating an escape from their daily routine and literally cannot wait to have the chance to kick back and relax, stay in a hotel in a beautiful location, be wined and dined, and enjoy some fun together as well as some long overdue ‘me’ time. As a result, we are delighted to make the first announcement of what we have planned for Luxury Family Hotels’ Great British staycation this spring and summer.”

From the planned reopening of the hotels on Monday 17th May, a series of engaging and fun pop ups will start to appear at a number of the hotels in the Luxury Family Hotels collection. These are set to entertain guests young and old and include…

Moonfleet Manor, Jurassic Coast, Dorset

While the doors have been closed at Moonfleet Manor, the hotel team has been busy refurbishing its lounges, restaurant, cinema and other communal areas, ensuring it is in keeping with the story of Moonfleet and its magnificent seaside location.

Taking advantage of Moonfleet’s wonderful views overlooking Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon, the hotel is launching a pop up pizzeria in the hotel’s garden by the children’s play area. Opening May Half Term (May 28th)i, this will serve freshly made pizza using local Dorset ingredients as well as those just picked from the hotel’s own kitchen garden. As well as a choice of mouth-watering foods, local beers and ales will also be served as well as local ice-creams from award-winning luxury Dorset ice-cream maker Purbeck, including the hugely popular Dig-A-Saurus.

This July also sees the launch of Moonfleet Manor’s first ever Tennis Academy. Offering complimentary and supervised tennis coaching sessions for children aged six to 15-years-old on its two dedicated tennis courts, the Academy launches on 10 July and will run to 5 September 2021. Private tennis lessons will also be available priced £45 per 45-minute session for guests who want to learn from the pros.

As we’ve all been cooped up in our homes during lockdown, an opportunity to have fun outdoors is definitely a focus this year and family members will have the opportunity to challenge each other in Moonfleet Manor’s very own ‘GIANT Games’. Located in the hotel’s grounds, games include giant Jenga, giant dominoes, giant hopscotch and Connect Four.

Rooms from £189 per night on a B&B basis.

The Ickworth, Suffolk

Located on the beautiful and historic Ickworth estate, within 1800 acres of National Trust parkland, The Ickworth is just a two hour drive from London.

Luxury and family life go hand-in-hand at The Ickworth and its team has been busy creating a wonderful pop up – with the emphasis on ‘pop’!

This year, the hotel is partnering with Perrier-Jouët and will open its first ever Perrier-Jouët Cocktail Bar in its beautiful walled garden in July. With relaxed seating, it is set to provide the perfect spot to enjoy a Champagne cocktail while the children play safely on the many outdoor games located in the walled garden.

Open from noon until 10pm daily, the bar will also feature a number of live music sessions at the weekends. Lunch, afternoon tea and a small plates menu will also be available to guests to enjoy.

Rooms from £199 per night on a B&B basis. 

New Park Manor, New Forest

At New Park Manor, guests will be able to enjoy luxury combined with a relaxed, family friendly approach, while staying at the hotel and spa located in the heart of the National Park.

Guests staying at the hotel are in the perfect location and are able to explore the New Forest. Why not try and become an amateur wildlife detective and see if you can find badgers, deer (Red and Fallow), buzzards, New Forest ponies and pigs – all regularly spotted in the New Forest? The hotel staff will be on hand to offer their local tips on best places for wildlife spotting.

As well as all that the New Forest has to offer including biking and nature walks, the hotel will host a pop up English Sparkling Wine bar in collaboration with the team at Hambledon Vineyard which is situated a short drive away from New Park Manor.

The bar will serve the classic Cuvee and Rose sparkling wine which guests can enjoy while relaxing in the gardens as children have fun in the outdoor playground. A selection of light bites – paired by the team at Hambledon and New Park Manor – will be available throughout the day. The bar will be open throughout July and August from lunchtime through till 8.30pm.

New Park Manor’s OFSTED-registered Den team will also be planning a range of family activities including den building, leaf printing and nature walks.

As the sun shines and temperatures increase, New Park Manor’s outdoor heated pool, with its stylish loungers, is the perfect oasis for families to enjoy.

Guests who want to up the pace and get the heart rate going, will also be able to join the hotel’s fitness trainers who will be offering Circuit Training, HIIT, high energy kids’ classes, as well as ‘Follow the Leader’ for younger guests too.  Yoga classes will also be available for those who prefer some inner calm and relaxation.

Rooms from £189 per night on a B&B basis.

Fowey Hall, Fowey, Cornwall

Overlooking the Fowey estuary, Fowey Hall offers the perfect place for rest and relaxation, excitement and adventure and is an idyllic destination for a luxury family-friendly holiday by the sea.

In the food and drink stakes, Cornwall is a national and global force to be reckoned with. From fertile land and clean seas, comes the finest fresh produce visitors will find anywhere. Celebrating the fabulous local producers is the main focus for Fowey Hall’s pop up as it launches a bi-weekly market starting 30th May. Running every other Sunday morning, 9.30am-12.30pm, it will feature stalls offering food, beverage, craft and community initiative, and will run throughout the summer.

To bring to life the concept, the hotel is partnering with Farms to Feed Us (an organisation that connects small-scale farmers with consumers) and the market will feature hand picked producers and artists who share the hotel’s vision for sustainable and local produce. The market will offer guests a chance to pick up gifts and something for themselves while supporting local producers as well as being a lovely memory of their stay at Fowey Hall.

After the market has finished and just before dinner (4.30pm-6pm), talented local musicians will be given a platform to showcase their talents while guests enjoy the hotel’s terrace with spectacular views over the estuary and children can play in its extensive grounds.

The hotel team is also preparing to officially launch its new Wind in the Willows inspired children’s play area where children of all ages can run wild. The play area has been created by TouchWood Designs, who have recently worked with The Duchess of Cambridge on her Back to Nature garden at the Chelsea Flower Show and on her new play area at RHS Wisley. Full of fun and adventure it includes a 30-metre zip wire, nest swings, springer lily pads and an event space where children can read a classic tale or enact a play of their own.

Rooms from £279 per night on a B&B basis.

Further news on Woolley Grange Hotel’s pop up along with a new Afternoon Tea launching, available at all of the hotels in the collection, will be released next month.

Each one of the Luxury Family Hotels also offers 1.5 hours free childcare each day for guests to take advantage of as well as family swim times and a range of pampering spa treatments.

For bookings, please telephone 020 8076 5555 or visit luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk

Follow Luxury Family Hotels on Instagram/Twitter: @LFHotels and on Facebook: facebook.com/luxuryfamilyhotels

THORNBURY CASTLE REOPENS ITS DOORS AFTER MULTI-MILLION POUND REFURBISHMENT

Thornbury Castle, built in 1511 during the reign of Henry VIII, was one of the grandest buildings of its time in England. It has been the home of kings, queens and dukes over the centuries before becoming a luxury hotel in 1966 and it is about to re-open its doors once again to guests following its multi-million pound refurbishment.

Located near Bristol and adjacent to the Gloucestershire countryside, Thornbury Castle is the only Tudor castle in the UK which operates as a hotel and restaurant.

Spring 2021 sees a new chapter in the Castle’s rich history with its grand re-opening as a result of a multi-million pound investment by its new owners.

Luxury Family Hotels is opening its first shop at Fowey Hall in Cornwall and also online this December.

Named ‘The Little Shop’ and located in the old stable yard at Fowey Hall, it has been carefully and lovingly curated by contributing editor of the FT’s How to Spend It and House & Garden and former editor at large of British Vogue Fiona Golfar, who has a family home in Fowey.

The shop offers an eclectic collection of homewares, clothing, books, beauty products and gifts and is brimming with items that each have their own story, with many sustainably and ethically sourced.

Following its multi-million-pound refurbishment, Fowey Hall Hotel offers an ultra-stylish and luxurious place to stay in one of the most desirable areas in south Cornwall. The 36-bedroom hotel boasts sweeping sea views and vistas over the estuary and picturesque Fowey harbour.

Simon Maguire, Managing Director, Luxury Family Hotels, says:

“Throughout the major refurbishment, the hotel’s interior design team worked with renowned local artists and the best craftsmen in their fields in order to create a range of bespoke interiors from wallpapers and stylish furniture to interesting guest room details which celebrates the best of craftsmanship in both Cornwall and also in Britain. We wanted to continue this theme and so ‘The Little Shop’ was born.”

“Stocking both local Cornish suppliers and those from a little further afield it brings together a real blend of all the things we love and is a great place for our guests, visitors to the area and the local community to find something special and unique.”

Fiona Golfar adds:

“Over the years at Vogue I used to joke that what I really saw myself doing after I left was eating cake sitting on a rocker in front of my own little shop stuffed with things I like! It’s almost come true.”

“When Fowey Hall offered me a little space to curate, I said yes without thinking.”

“During lockdown, I supported local Cornish potters who were struggling via Instagram and had had such a good response. I then decided to approach a mixture of people both in Cornwall and around the world whose work I love and see if they wanted to sell in The Little Shop. Many of these people have struggled in these past months, from women’s collectives in India to London-based small businesses and of course the fabulous talent found in Cornwall.”

“The Little Shop is simply that. From jams and relishes made by my oldest friend Skye Gyngell of Spring restaurant, to my favourite aromatherapy oils from the brilliant Dee Sandford and Celtic & Co sheepskins, lovely dressing gowns from An Indian Summer…. the thing that connects all these brands is that they are all in my house already… why? Because I love them.”

Highlights in The Little Shop include:

•  John Webb pottery: Based in Lostwithiel has worked as a potter since 1972, initially self-taught after being inspired by a visit to a pottery in 1968. Since then he has gone on to be an assistant in various studios, watching how different potters perfect their technique. He was later offered a job in pottery in Fowey with his wife, which is what led to opening his own studio in Lostwithiel.

• Mandy from Kernow Knitting began knitting at four-years-old, being taught by her mother. She started making jumpers before moving onto making soft toys, enjoying the challenge of different patterns. Mandy has spent the last 15 years working with children, which is what led to being inspired to make different characters, we are stocking her beautiful hand-knitted Mr and Mrs Bunny and Cornish bears donning the un-mistakable Cornish tartan.

• Maison Bengal is a fashion brand that is based in Bangladesh in southern Asia. The Maison works with three Fair Trade organisations within Bangladesh and provides training in handicraft production. They work with each group separately to utilise their locally grown materials and develop their renowned traditional skills. The Maison now works with over 5,000 women throughout Bangladesh, who are now able to work in their home environment, which enables them to care for and financially support their families. The materials used are locally grown in different communities in Bangladesh, primarily Jute and Hogla (local seagrass).
• The Little Shop is proud to stock waterproof outwear brand Rains. Scandinavian designed, Rains is simple in style yet maintains the highest quality of wet weather gear. They decided to reinvent the traditional rubber raincoat in a novel way, ideal for the Cornish weather!
• The shop also continues our partnership with The White Company, stocking its exclusively created pyjamas featuring the playful icons from each of the five Luxury Family Hotels, children’s bedding, towels, cashmere bed socks and diffusers.

Fiona Golfar added:

“We’re also launching a gift concierge service so if families and friends want to pre-order any items they like on The Little Shop Instagram page, we can have them wrapped and waiting as guests arrive at the hotel.”

Please see a full list of The Little Shop suppliers here:

• Fez Bazaar
• Himalayan Weavers
• Oyuna
• Prindl Pottery
• John Webb Pottery
• Baileys Home
• Essential Oils by Dee Standford
• EYM Candles/Diffusers
• The Spring Restaurant
• John Simons
• Sarah King Face Masks
• Caramel Kids Clothing
• Sandra Alexander Jewellery
• Rose De Ruig Lamps
• Victoria Bain Napkins
• Tate Gallery pop up book curation
• Fund knitwear

Opening times for The Little Shop:

For hotel bookings: +44 (0) 208 0765555 or visit luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk

Follow Luxury Family Hotels on:

Instagram: @luxuryfamilyhotel @foweyhall @thelittleshop_foweyhall
Facebook: @luxuryfamilyhotels

Even though this Christmas does not resemble seasons past, there are still memories to be made with loved ones during the upcoming festive break at The Ickworth this December.

After the year we have all encountered, with the challenges of home schooling, working from home and missing visiting close relatives due to the pandemic, families deserve a wonderful break away and a chance to escape the daily routine we are all bound by at the moment.

To help identify the key factors of a truly enjoyable stay away from home, Luxury Family Hotels has commissioned research involving 1,000 families. They were asked a number of questions relating to what they are most looking forward to on their next break away. The most popular responses included:

• a change of scenery (53%);
• someone else taking over the cooking (41%);
• spending time with their partner (34%);
• some ‘me’ time (29%);
• reading a magazine, book or paper in quiet (21%); and
• having their children looked after by someone else (21%).

The research also uncovered the increasing importance of wellness. One in five of those surveyed (21%) indicated that an element of wellness was an important factor in their typical family break, and of those, 50% said that it has become more important to them now due to Covid.

In response to the research, Luxury Family Hotel’s The Ickworth (www.ickworthhotel.co.uk)  – a country house hotel where luxury and family life go hand in hand – is offering a number of tailor-made festive packages to add some festive sparkle this Christmas and New Year for all the family.

Packages include:

• Christmas Break: Rates are from £1,545 for a three-night dinner-inclusive package based on two adults and up to two children sharing a room.
• Recharger Break: the ultimate relaxing break and a chance to truly recharge away from normal routines. Rates are from £1,335 for a three-night dinner-inclusive package based on two adults sharing a room.
• New Year Break: A truly memorable three night celebration. Rates are from £2,025 for a three-night package, based on two adults and up to two children sharing a room.
• New Year Recharger Break: A relaxing post hustle and bustle three night New Year Recharger Break. Rates from £1,335, based on two adults sharing a room.

Within each of the packages, there will be a chance for all members of the family to kick back and relax and have fun to boot! For example, children can look forward to enjoying a range of activities in the OFSTED registered Den – the team has already planned a number of festive themed craft sessions as well as a whole host of games. For those who love the great outdoors, there’s plenty of bike rides, clambering on trees and outdoor dens to be built. And after either a family dinner or children’s high tea, there is a chance to finish off a fun-filled day with a supervised movie night with popcorn and chocolate milk.

Parents meanwhile have the chance to enjoy some well deserved ‘me’ time while the children are in a supervised Den session for one and a half hours. From simply finding a cosy corner by a roaring fire to read a book in one of the hotel’s lounges to indulging in a spot of ELEMIS pampering in one of the hotel’s treatment room, the wellbeing-ometer is guaranteed to go up.

As well as enjoying a swim in the hotel’s indoor heated swimming pool, families can also explore the wonderful grounds of The Ickworth by foot or by bike. The hotel team highly recommend its new multi use trail which gives greater access to the historic 1,800 acres of parkland, enabling people to get closer to nature. The trail goes through various terrains: fields of sheep, woods, meadows, landscaped parkland. The views change all the time and guests are kept captivated and interested.

Food and drink is of course a highlight when staying at the hotel with its excellent kitchen team service locally sourced ingredients throughout your stay. Think hearty breakfasts, traditional festive lunches with all the trimmings, cream teas and wonderful dinners for all the family. Its beverage team is also ready to shake up some favourite cocktails and mocktails, offers a vast wine list and not forgetting some delicious mulled wine to get guests in the festive mood.

The Ickworth adjoins the National Trust’s Ickworth property and is just two hours from London, enveloped in rolling Suffolk countryside. Before becoming a luxury family hotel it was the home of the Hervey family and is steeped in fascinating history. Hotel guests can also gain exclusive access to Ickworth’s gardens, designed by Capability Brown, throughout their stay and also have exclusive access an hour before they are open to the wider public.

Booking:

• +44 (0) 208 076 5555
• www.luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk

And for those who want to look forward to a break away next year, vouchers are also available to buy in denominations of £20 and as gift packages for breaks away, afternoon tea and spa treatment which is a wonderful present and something to look forward to in 2021.

Lockdown has brought many families closer together, and made parents re-evaluate what’s important and prompted them to think differently about their holidays as lockdown restrictions ease, according to new research commissioned by Luxury Family Hotels and conducted by Mumsnet.

80% of parents surveyed say that they have enjoyed the additional time spent together as a result of lockdown, and 76% say their children have enjoyed the additional time spent together. 67% say lockdown has brought them closer together as a family, and 70% say that it has made them re-evaluate what’s important in life as a family.

This is despite the fact that 55% say lockdown has been stressful, and 30% admit it has put a strain on family relationships. With limited opportunities to socialise and schools shut to most pupils, 69% say their children have spent too much time on screens.

55% say lockdown has made them behave more sustainably as a family, and 41% say it has changed their views on sustainability and foreign tourism. Once restrictions lift, two-thirds (66%) are hoping to go on some sort of holiday this year, with 41% saying it has made them reconsider the UK as a holiday destination. The majority (90%) of parents say they feel lucky that the UK has beaches and countryside where they can take their family for a break as restrictions ease.

The research confirmed a strong appetite for a Great British holiday for many families, with 47% confirming that they will opt for a beach holiday as their first trip post-lockdown; 43% said they would like to head to the countryside and 10% are keen to take a city break. More than half (53%) of parents surveyed admitted that they are really looking forward to a change of scenery.

66% are hopeful they will be able to go on holiday this year, even if restrictions mean it’s in the UK. Lockdown has prompted 2 in 5 (41%) of British families to consider the UK as their main holiday destination, although 29% say they are looking for inspiration.

2020 will be the year that many families return to the UK after bypassing it for foreign holidays. The research found that 29% of British families last holidayed in the UK three or more years ago and a further 10% admitted that they had not holidayed in the UK for over a decade.

Luxury Family Hotels is the pioneer of luxury family escapes in the UK. Simon Maguire, Managing Director, Luxury Family Hotels, commented:

“We wanted to commission this research to understand family attitudes to travel as restrictions ease. We know these last few months have been tough for parents and their children and their first holiday post-lockdown needs to be one that is enjoyable, stress-free and enables parents to have some much needed me-time and also quality time as a family. Each one of our unique hotels is located in picturesque places in the UK and has acres of space for families to enjoy and, importantly, gives parents a much-needed break from normal life.”

Mumsnet Founder Justine Roberts said:

“Lockdown has had huge impacts on just about every aspect of family life. Among those parents who have been able to stay at home, the familiar worry that they just don’t spend enough quality time with their children has been wiped out in one dramatic stroke. For some, lockdown has undoubtedly been a terrible experience, but this survey shows that for many, the time spent together has been transformative. It will be interesting to see whether families make long-term changes to reprioritise their time when restrictions start to ease.”

What families are most looking forward to

The research asked families what they are most looking forward to on their first holiday post lockdown. Fiindings include:

• a change of scenery (53%);
• someone else taking over the cooking (41%);
• visiting a beach (39%);
• spending time with their partner (34%);
• some ‘me’ time (29%);
• reading a magazine, book or paper in quiet (21%); and
• having their children looked after by someone else (21%).

Simon Maguire, Managing Director, Luxury Family Hotels, commented:

“The research shows that families are looking forward to a new adventure, a change of scenery from ‘home’ life given what we’ve been able to do during lockdown has been very restrictive.

“Parents most definitely want a break from the kitcken and cooking day in and day out. As a result, we have been working with our food and beverage teams in order to be able to offer families a wide range of eating options to tantalise their taste buds as well as some special treats and experiences including gourmet picnics to go.”

Wellness even more important

The research also uncovered the increasing importance of an element of wellness as part of a family’s next holiday. One in five of those surveyed (21%) indicated that an element of wellness in their holiday is an important factor in their typical holiday, and of those, 50% say it has become more important to them because of coronavirus.

Simon Maguire added:

In partnership with Elemis, Luxury Family Hotels will be offering a range of contactless treatments alongside a streamlined list of more traditional spa treatments to ensure there is a range of choices for all of our grown-up guests to relax and unwind.”

Holiday worries revealed

As the traditional summer holiday season looms, the research asked families what their main holiday worries were. Parents responded as follows:

• • overcrowding (53%);
• cleanliness of the place they are staying in (52%);
• social distancing rules (51%);
• being able to access sightseeing destinations (44%);
• trips being cancelled (41%);
• getting coronavirus while on holiday (36%);
• keeping children entertained (35%); and
• the availability of outdoor activities (35%).

When choosing holiday accommodation for a family’s first trip post-lockdown, factors that parents state are the most important to them include:

• location (68%);
• family friendliness (55%);
• overall cleanliness (46%);
• comfort (41%);
• sightseeing opportunities (38%);
• good food (34%);
• outdoor activities (31%);
• children’s play areas and entertainment (28%);
• an inside pool (19%); and
• an outside pool (16%).

Simon Maguire added:

“Our hotels are located by the beach or in the countryside and are perfectly placed to help families enjoy their first holiday as restrictions ease given they have acres of outside space and offer plenty of facilities for all the families to enjoy in a safe way. In addition, our experiences’ team has put together a whole host of ideas for families to enjoy – be it venturing to nearby off-the-track secret beaches; amazing walks away from the crowds, as well as a host of activities families can do in our spacious gardens and grounds. We’re very much looking forward to opening our doors and providing guests of all ages with a wonderful family experience.”

Simon Maguire, MD for Luxury Family Hotels, said:

“Luxury Family Hotels has long admired The White Company given we are both quintessentially British brands, synonymous with quality and style. We know that children aren’t rushing to get dressed for school or nursery at the moment and are enjoying having extra family time, whether it be movie nights with parents and carers or just playing and having some down time.

“Working together on this project has been a pleasure and we are already working on our next. We will have more exciting news to share on these plans in September.”

Janie Martin, New Business Manager at The White Company, commented:

“This is the first time that The White Company has collaborated on a bespoke children’s pyjama set and we are delighted that we are working with Luxury Family Hotels, a brand we know and love.

“With our 25-year heritage in the science of sleep and The Little White Company providing the cosiest of pyjamas, it was the perfect celebration of our partnership.”

The pyjamas will be available in the following sizes at each of the Luxury Family Hotels’ properties and can also be ordered by emailing pjs@luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk.

Prices start from £22 for children aged 12 months to 6 years and £24 for children aged 7 to 10 years.

Luxury Family Hotelsis pledging to open its hotels exclusively to NHS workers and their families post lockdown as a very special thank you for their hard work and commitment throughout the Coronavirus pandemic.

The hotel group is promising a total of up to 150 parents and their children a free overnight stay in all of its five hotels as part of its support for the #treatourNHS initiative.  Stays will also include complimentary breakfast for families and access to all the hotels’ facilities including OFSTED registered crèches (in line with the latest Government advice).

The #treatourNHS initiative, created by Sarah Bowman, owner of The Hayloft in Devon, is seeing accommodation owners across the UK pledge stays in hotels, eco lodges and cottages to NHS workers. 

Simon Maguire, MD of Luxury Family Hotels, said: “Our ethos is all about making time for the little things, so as a way of saying thank you to the heroes working on the frontline, we will be offering NHS staff the opportunity of spending quality time with their family and loved ones which they might not have been able to do throughout the lockdown period. “

Luxury Family Hotels will be offering a complimentary overnight stay on a B&B basis for up to 75 NHS families across its five hotels*. That will equate to 15 rooms per hotel available on the night before they re-open to the public (dates are yet to be confirmed in line with Government guidelines).

Participating hotels will include:

• The Ickworth in Suffolk;
• Woolley Grange in Bradford on Avon;
• Moonfleet Manor in Dorset;
• New Park Manor in the New Forest;
• Fowey Hall Hotel in Cornwall.

Further details will be released once there is a clear date for re-opening on Luxury Family Hotels’ social media with a link through to a landing page on the Luxury Family Hotels’ website with more details on the booking process and conditions.

Families will be selected on a first come, first served basis, cementing Luxury Family Hotels’ corporate social responsibility efforts.

Final conditions for NHS workers and their immediate family to be confirmed at a later date but will include a valid NHS Identity Card which will need to be shown upon arrival. 

For more information/bookings visit www.luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk

FOLLOWING ITS MULTI-MILLION-POUND REFURBISHMENT, FOWEY HALL HOTEL IS RE-OPENING ITS DOORS TO GUESTS, OFFERING AN ULTRA STYLISH AND LUXURIOUS PLACE TO STAY IN ONE OF THE MOST DESIRABLE AREAS IN SOUTH CORNWALL.

Perched above the pretty sailing town of Fowey on the south Cornish coast, the 36-bedroom hotel boasts sweeping sea views and vistas over the estuary and picturesque Fowey harbour. 

The virtual tour of the main guest areas and hotel bedrooms begins here….

On arrival, guests will enter the hotel’s historic lobby; welcomed by a roaring log fire in a feature fireplace, its antique white walls lit by an eye-catching Jamb globe chandelier on the ceiling.  Much to the delight of guests, the lobby retains many of its original features and beautiful parquet floor dated from 1899 when Fowey Hall was built as a private house by local businessman Sir Charles Hanson.

Inviting sofas upholstered in a combination of British heritage inspired luxury fabrics including tweeds, hounds tooth, and herringbone with velvet and leather accents and striped canvas and rustic reclaimed stools add a playful twist.  Bespoke handmade console tables and coffee tables in a mix of smoked oak and dark stained oak now grace the lobby to create a welcoming first impression.

The hotel’s guest areas have been adapted to reflect guests’ changing needs, with additional seating areas in the lounges providing more places to relax together, enjoy a drink as well as providing the opportunity for informal dining.

Simon Maguire, Managing Director of Luxury Family Hotels, comments: “Fowey Hall is a Grade II listed building so any changes we made had to be sympathetic to the character of this impressive building while at the same time refurbishing it in order to create a contemporary and luxurious hotel for its discerning clientele.  We are delighted that after our six-week closure we are opening our doors to the new look Fowey Hall Hotel and we’re extremely excited and very proud to welcome guests new and old. 

“This has been a real labour of love and the results we feel speak for themselves. Fowey and all that Cornwall has to offer is very much at the heart of our hotel and this major refurbishment tells the story of the hotel from past right through to the present. 

“Throughout the major refurbishment, our interior design team worked with renowned local artists and the best craftsmen in their fields who have decades of experience and who have worked painstakingly in order to create a range of bespoke interiors from wallpapers and stylish furniture to interesting guest room details which celebrates the best of craftsmanship in both Cornwall and also in Britain.”

Library

Fowey Hall’s extensive library is home to its collection of vintage photography and prints that tell the story of the hotel and as part of the refurbishment it has been transformed.  Furniture is all vintage or British made pieces including a console table made from a reclaimed railway sleeper by &Bespoke and upholstery is a mix of deep rust, burnt yellow and playful monochromatic prints.

The library’s original bookshelves have been retained and as well as providing a selection of great reads for adults too, they will now be filled with more than 700 new books for children of all ages to enjoy a read while staying at the hotel.  These include Penguin Classics through to contemporary favourites such as Harry Potter.  It is thought that Fowey Hall now boasts the largest library for children in any hotel in the UK.

The Mansion House

The Mansion House’s 16 bedrooms have all been refurbished and feature oak wooden floors painted in soft grey, vintage pieces of furniture, oversized wool rugs, and bespoke handmade turned oak beds made by Cornwall furniture and homeware designer maker Headandhaft using FSC certified European oak from sustainably managed woodlands.

Each room also features a 50-55 inch flat screen TV and guests will also find an ode to the dog friendly ethos of the hotel with charcoal prints of characterful dogs by Central St Martin’s artist Justine Osbourne.  Bathrooms are finished in two-tone crackle flaze tiles with authentic Victorian style stylish premium sanitary ware.

Cornwall’s furniture and homeware designer Headandhaft focuses on the design, and manufacture of handmade products, with emphasis on material, quality, craft, narrative, and longevity. Headandhaft’s attention to detail and desire to create considered objects which people can relate to hit a chord with us as designers.

Garden Wing and Coach House

The 11 bedrooms and one large family suite in the two-storey Garden Wing

have a more modern feel with luxurious beds, designer furnishings including rough edge elm coffee tables (certified as ‘grown in Britain’) and wardrobes which are lined with characterful bespoke wallpaper designed by interior designers StudioJill and illustrated by North Cornwall artist Nicole Heidaripour.  Guest bathrooms are spacious and feature deep rust coloured freestanding baths to enjoy a long, relaxing soak. 

Children’s rooms

The hotel’s children’s rooms are sophisticated yet playful, with a bold but elegant use of colour. The bunk beds and desks are bespoke, again made by HeadandHaft. The room lighting comes in the form of a fisherman’s net pendant light and the iconic ‘softhead’ dogs displayed on the walls, which can be seen around the hotel, reinforce its relaxed feel, appeal to guests of all ages. 

Morning Room

Fowey Hall’s newly created Morning Room Bar, which overlooks the garden terrace, is a beautiful corniced room and will now be able to offer a versatile space for coffee in the morning through to evening drinks.  The alcoves have been lined with hand painted Degournay Eden wallpaper to reflect the image of the garden and the room features green marble tables and a walnut centrepiece table by Galvin Brothers.  Lloyd Loom chairs are upholstered in soft green velvet and a playful monkey palm print and are just waiting for guests to sit in and enjoy the perfect place for a traditional Cornish Afternoon Tea or a sundowner.

Children’s Games Room and Cinema Room

The hotel also boasts a Games Room with a dramatic dark blue painted original vaulted ceiling. Its walls adorned with Marvel posters and the room playfully furnished with vintage cinema seats, leather pommel horse seating and kitted out with table tennis and a pool table popular with guests young and old.

Monochromatic striped curtains have been introduced along with the addition of luxe velvet beanbags for children and families to relax on, vintage style arcade games including more than 1,000 games including old favourites like Pac Man and Space Invaders now feature as well as table football.    

Spotlight on Fowey

Fowey is rapidly becoming the classy place to be in Cornwall with its buzzy and flourishing food and drink scene on the up and new restaurants opening this year.  Yet Fowey still manages to retain its fishing village charm and Fowey Hall Hotel is perfectly positioned as the place to stay to enjoy all that it offers.  Most importantly, excellent Cornish cuisine is at the heart of the experience at Fowey Hall Hotel and the restaurant is the place to enjoy breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner or a private event and the soon-to-be opened stylish new bar area will tantalise guests with local artisan drinks and cocktails.  More to follow – watch this space!

** Spring special offer **

Rates are inclusive of dinner, bed and breakfast and are from £179 for a one-night stay, from £329 for two nights from £459 for three nights.

The four-night break is from £609 and includes a cream tea.

** Easter at Fowey Hall **

Included in the two-night break is breakfast, dinner on one night and Fowey Hall’s very own Beatrix Potter inspired afternoon tea – a delicious edible garden for the whole family to ‘munch’ through.  Rates from £508 per room for a two-night break based on two adults sharing a Standard Double Room.

For bookings, please telephone +44 (0) 208 0765555 or visit luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk.

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