Review: A stay at the luxury family UK destination - Calcot Manor & Spa
I recently spent a spoiling night at the luxurious family-friendly hotel, Calcot Manor & Spa in Tetbury with my husband and our just-turned-two-year-old daughter and let me tell you, this place was tailor-made for families like ours. From arrival to departure, every detail felt designed for ease, relaxation and most importantly for us, entertainment for children.
Arrival & Family-focus from the start
Right from check-in, it was clear this wasn’t just a destination targeted at adults looking for a luxury UK escape. It’s genuinely family-friendly. The staff eagerly catered to every need, from arranging the perfect room setup (a large sized crib for us), to kindly showing us the grounds and facilities, ensuring we knew where everything was that we needed. It genuinely felt like they were focused on us being able to relax and take advantage of everything that they had on offer.
The Generous Family Suite
We stayed in the Generous Family Suite, and it was exactly what we needed. Even with just the one child, I will always opt for an extra room wherever I stay as room-sharing equals no sleep for us. Our ‘suite’ (more of a cottage, to me) was spacious, elegantly designed, and bursting with thoughtful touches for little ones:
A tonies box with characters upon request from reception for toddler entertainment or bedtime stories
A changing mat and nappy bin
A step-up stool, and Bramley ‘Little B’ wash and shampoo by the bath
On request, they offered practical items like a potty, baby bath, next-to-me crib, bed guard, highchair,
Indoor & outdoor family fun
Calcot’s Playbarn is a treasure trove of toys and imagination. Inside, little ones can play with toys and crafts, while older kids enjoy games consoles. It’s truly a family-centric play zone where you can either enter with your children, or book them in for the included childcare with your stay. Calcot Manor & Spa offers up to 4 hours of free childcare per day in their purpose-built, Ofsted-registered crèche from newborns upwards.
The manor’s grounds are an adventure playground of their own if you’re happy to roam and enjoy the views, but you can also take advantage of the outdoor playground (toddler and children’s options) and grab a bike from reception if you prefer.
The Calcot Spa
The spa offers plenty for parents seeking adults-only downtime and treatments, however they’ve designed a schedule that works brilliantly for those travelling children. Just be sure to book during peak season such as half-terms. We found that on the day of our booking the pool was rather busy with over-zellous children having an absolute blast, so to be on the safe side we just stuck to the toddler splash pool on the side, a great option if you’re travelling with multiple ages.
Children’s indoor pool time is available daily from 3:45 pm to 5:15 pm, with additional slots on weekend mornings (8:45 am–10:15 am).
Meals & Kids’ tea
Dining was seamless and stress-free as it can be with a just-turned-two-year-old. Calcot offers a kid’s tea served in The Hive between 5:00 pm and 6:00 pm which is great if you have a younger one who needs to eat earlier, something I have noticed family-friendly hotels offering more and more regularly. If you wanted to dine a little later in The Brasserie, you can book in here too. It’s also where you’ll enjoy the A La Carte breakfast in the mornings. We loved the children’s menu in The Brasserie and it had all the favourites, which they were very happy to bring before our meal so our toddler wasn’t waiting too long. Expect plenty of delicious fish and local meat options on the menu to pair with a great drinks menu that includes everything you could wish for.
Extras for parents
A baby video monitor can be arranged at check-in
Tonies characters can be requested at reception for the in-room Tonies box
Babysitting, by DBS-checked caregivers (many from the Playbarn team), is available with 48 hours’ notice at £25/hour
Final Thoughts - A luxury family-friendly UK getaway
I loved our stay at Calcot Manor & Spa, which isn’t just great for families by chance, it’s intentionally, wholeheartedly family-first. Which is all you want when trying to get a break away from the day-to-day mundane. The Generous Family Suite combines elegance with everyday ease and amenities. The Playbarn, scheduled activities, and 220-acre grounds offer endless exploration and laughter. The spa invites both relaxation and shared splashes. Dining is warm, friendly, flexible, and genuinely accommodating for little ones. And conveniences like monitors, babysitting, and in-room baby gear meant ease and peace of mind for us travelling with a toddler.