Best family-friendly hotels in the Cotswolds, according to parents

Spanning five counties, the Cotswolds is a quintessentially English destination. Home to rolling countryside and scenic villages, it’s been a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty since 1966.

And the area is very family friendly, with plenty of hotels, cottages and self-catering options to choose from as well as kid-friendly things to do including Cotswold Water Park, Sudeley Castle and Cotswold Farm Park.

We’ve turned to the Mumsnet Travel forums to bring you the best bases and boltholes for making the most of the Cotswolds with your family.

Best family hotels in the Cotswolds at a glance

• Best overall: Woolley Grange

• Best with a pool: De Vere Cotswold Water Park

• Best for a budget break: Chester House Hotel

• Best with large rooms: Clarence Court Hotel

• Best for luxury: The Rectory Hotel

• Best spa hotel: Minster Mill Hotel

• Best for food: Slaughters Country Inn

• Best cottage: 2 Glebe Cottage

• Best dog-friendly hotel: Egypt Mill Hotel and Restaurant

1. Best overall family hotel: Woolley Grange, Bradford on Avon

Woolley Grange | Check availability

What Mumsnet users say

"Woolley Grange. It has a listening service, so even if you don’t want to use the childcare you can have dinner whilst your baby sleeps." Recommended by Mumsnet user MinnieMountain

Our verdict

Near Bradford-upon-Avon and Bath, this Jacobean manor house has been converted into a luxury hotel designed with kids in mind. There’s plenty to do for children of all ages, and there's a spa for grown-ups to relax in too. The bedrooms are a good size and really cosy, plus there’s a listening service so you can enjoy a stress-free evening after putting young children to bed. Set in 14 acres of beautifully-kept grounds, there’s lots to do - including a fairy garden, a pool and giant tree swings.

Nearest train station: Bath Spa (5.5 miles)

2. Best family hotel with a swimming pool: De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel

De Vere Cotswold Water Park | Check availability

What Mumsnet users say

"De vere cotswold water park is lovely, fab food, pool (didnt use so cant comment)." Recommended by Mumsnet user Hrcg87

Our verdict

Reviewed by Mumsnet Editor, Jenny Wonnacott: read our full review of De Vere Cotswold Water Park Hotel

Surrounded by lakes, nature reserves and Cotswold countryside, De Vere Cotswold Water Park is a contemporary hotel that has plenty to offer families looking for a relaxing, outdoorsy escape. We love the large rooms with lake views and rate the quality and variety of food on offer at the two on-site restaurants. There's a swimming pool with set times for family swims (as well as a spa and a champagne bar if you're able to squeeze in some me-time). Kids will love the playground as well as the board games that can be rented from reception. The surrounding area - home to 180 man-made lakes that make up the Cotswolds Water Park - is perfectly set up for nature walks, bike rides and watersports. The hotel puts you within a 10-minute drive of the pretty market town of Cirencester.

Nearest train station: Kemble (6.2 miles)

3. Best budget hotel for families: Chester House Hotel, Bourton on the Water

Chester House Hotel | Check availability

Our verdict

While there are cheaper hotel stays in the Cotswolds area, Chester House Hotel combines a beautiful location with great value for money. The generously-sized family rooms come in at under £200, for which you get a double bed and two singles. Based in the ‘little Venice of the Cotswolds’ Bourton-on-the-Water, it’s a nine-mile drive to Sudeley Castle, which comes highly recommended by Mumsnetters.

Nearest train station: Moreton-in-Marsh (8.5 miles)

4. Best family hotel with large rooms: Clarence Court Hotel, Cheltenham

Clarence Court Hotel | Check availability

Our verdict

A stone’s throw from Cheltenham Racecourse, Clarence Court Hotel is located at the edge of the Cotswolds. Its executive family rooms can sleep up to six and come with a fridge, a kettle, a sofa, a TV and an extra-large bathroom. A continental or English breakfast is included in the price, as is use of a local gym if you fancy a workout during your stay.

Nearest train station: Cheltenham (1.7 miles)

5. Best luxury hotel for families: The Rectory Hotel, Crudwell

The Rectory Hotel | Check availability

What Mumsnet users say

"The Rectory in Crudwell is lovely. Southern end of the Cotswolds so not ideal for Blenheim, but close to Cirencester and Tetbury." Recommended by Mumsnet user stickybear

Our verdict

The 18-bedroom Rectory Hotel is nestled in the small village of Crudwell, on the southern edge of the Cotswolds. Expect tastefully decorated rooms, a gorgeous walled garden and proper cocktails in the bar. Kids will love the outdoor heated pool and the gardens are perfect for playing hide-and-seek. Ask for extra beds in one of the larger rooms, or opt for the three-bedroom cottage for family living with all the comforts of the hotel included.

Nearest train station: Kemble (3.9 miles)

6. Best family-friendly spa hotel: Minster Mill, Minster Lovell

Minster Mill Hotel & Spa | Check availability

Our verdict

Set in the heart of the Cotswolds, Minster Mill has a whopping 65 acres of gardens to explore, with fishing, cycling and tennis available for booking. For a little extra, the spa offers ESPA treatments, an indoor heated plunge pool, a poolside rock sauna, an ice fountain and tropical rainforest showers.

Kids will love roasting marshmallows over a campfire, pre-packed picnics by the river and a children’s menu with something for all tastes. There’s a choice of interconnecting rooms, large family rooms or cottages to stay in, and there are highchairs, sterilising equipment and nappy changing mats available on request.

Nearest train station: Charlbury (7 miles)

7. Best family-friendly cottage in the Cotswolds: 2 Glebe Cottages

2 Glebe Cottages | Check availability

Our verdict

Surrounded by Cotswold Hills, 2 Glebe Cottages is a two-bedroom, two bathroom Cotswold Stone cottage, and comes highly rated by Mumsnetters. With beautiful views and immaculate interiors, it’s located on a quiet lane in Snowshill and has space to park two cars.

The cottage provides a real homey feel and makes a brilliant base for roaming around the Cotswolds. Cotswolds Lavender Fields and Snowshill Manor and Garden are within walking distance, or hop in the car and head to the picturesque villages of Stow on the Wold, The Slaughters and Bourton on the Water.

Nearest train station: Broadway (3 miles)

8. Best family hotel with interconnecting rooms: Slaughters Country Inn, Lower Slaughter

The Slaughters Country Inn | Check availability

What Mumsnet users say

"We stayed here, for both my 40th, then liked it so much we came back with the rest of my family for my mum's 70th. It was excellent. There's a family room for five, cottages, a large green space and nice pub food. A pleasant walk to Bourton on the Water too. The staff really looked after us." Recommended by Mumsnet user Zhx3

Our verdict

Serving locally-sourced, seasonal food in its restaurant, a stay at Slaughters Country Inn is sure to be delicious. With roll-top baths and four acres of grounds, there’s a real sense of luxury and you can expect fluffy white towels and high-end toiletries in the bathrooms.

There are a number of room choices to fit all the family, including suites with adjoining rooms, large family rooms and cottages. Animal-mad kids will have plenty to do nearby as the hotel is a short drive from Cotswolds Farm Park, Wildlife Gardens and Crocodiles of the World.

Nearest train station: Moreton-in-Marsh (7.6 miles)

9. Best dog-friendly hotel in the Cotswolds: Egypt Mill Hotel and Restaurant

Egypt Mill Hotel and Restaurant | Check availability

Our verdict

This 16th-century riverside hotel in Nailsworth sits in the centre of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Offering generously sized family rooms with dogs welcome for an extra £20, kids will especially love being able to watch the working mill wheel in the bar. Rooms have a cosy, luxurious feel with exposed beams and super comfy beds.

Nearby you’ll find more stunning countryside than you can shake a stick at, plus attractions including the Cotswolds Water Park, Kingscote Barn and the city of Gloucester.

Nearest train station: Stroud (3.3 miles)

Is the Cotswolds good for families?

A holiday in the Cotswolds makes a perfect family getaway. Wherever you’re staying in the 800-square-mile area, you’ll find beautiful countryside to explore as well as family days out at castles, stately homes and animal parks.

Which area is best for families to stay in the Cotswolds?

Staying near the Roman city of Cirencester is a great choice for lots to see and do with children. The city itself has plenty of history with a museum, an amphitheatre and a Roman villa open to visitors. A little outside of the city you’ll find Cotswolds Water Park and Cotswolds Country Park and Beach.

For a more free-range holiday, Bourton-on-the-Water is a Mumsnetters’ favourite spot for the most beautiful country walks and views in the Cotswolds.

How can you get a good deal on a family-friendly hotel in the Cotswolds?

As it’s such a big area, it’s worth being flexible with your location and casting your net wide. Staying on the edge of the Cotswolds or even just outside is often cheaper than more central locations, and a car is recommended for getting around the rural villages.

What’s the best family-friendly hotel in the Cotswolds?

Woolley Grange is aimed squarely at families, and that’s what makes it the best family-friendly hotel in the Cotswolds. They’ve thought of everything, which really takes the stress out of family getaways and lets the whole family relax and enjoy their stay.

How we chose our recommendations

Because we know that there's nothing like a real recommendation, we first headed to the Mumsnet forums to find out what family hotels in the Cotswolds were being recommended.

We then did some online research, looking at what family hotels and cottages in the Cotswolds had won accolades or had been featured in 'best choice' lists, and what customer reviews said about them. Having collated all that information, we then narrowed our list down to the best family hotels in the Cotswolds at the moment.