Holidays in the UK with young kids just got much easier thanks to Premier Cottages
This is useful intel if you’re planning a staycation with little people...
Going on holiday with kids can feel tantamount to climbing Ben Nevis. You need SO MUCH stuff. And just when you think the end of the planning and paraphernalia is in sight you realise that you've only just scaled the first of many painful packing summits. It's relentless. You're muttering "never again" before you have even set off.
Fortunately, a number of holiday services have sprung up over the years to address such challenges, most recently Premier Cottages' collection of baby-friendly and child-friendly UK accommodation. This launch couldn't be better timed. Following the Brexit referendum in July, 2.5m more British people are expected to book a staycation this year, and early indicators seem to support this prediction, with Airbnb reporting a 122% rise in domestic bookings since the vote.
So what do we like about Premier Cottages' answer to the kiddy accoutrement problem?
Firstly, they've really thought about what will actually make parents' and grandparents' lives easier. For example, at Wallops Wood, one of their 'baby-friendly' properties, in addition to the standard cot and high chair (Stokke!), there are strollers (both single and double), a carrier, blackout blinds, sterilisers, blenders, various potties, a toilet-training seat... And then there's the plastic plates, cutlery, cups, the baby bath, a non-slip bath mat, the baby monitor, the play pen... That's a LOT of space you've saved in the boot of your car already.
Those are just the practical bases they've covered. Tell them the age of your child and they'll leave out a basket of appropriate toys for your little one, plus there's a choice of 3, yes 3, walkers, rockers and ride on toys (these will see a fair amount of action in the lovely little garden out the back too).
At Wallops Woods, what the outside space lacks in size and privacy it makes up for in ambience. It's been child-proofed so you can properly relax, wine in hand, enjoying the view while the kids busy themselves collecting stones and the like. And, ouff, what a wonderful view it is. The garden backs straight onto a beautiful meadow. You won't need a filter for your photos here. I've filed that scene in my memory for posterity under "happy place".
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The vista isn't the only thing that will appeal to the grown-ups guests about this property. The kitchen is well equipped, the toiletries high-spec, the beds ginormous. We were particularly taken by the hot tub. Our concerns about it being gimmicky were quickly dispelled. It was a brilliant way to wind down after wrestling the children into bed. We were so enamoured by it that at the end of the trip there were lengthy conversations about whether we could go on holiday without one from now on. Fortunately for us though, you can filter Premier Cottages' family collection by feature. Just as well, because while we no longer have to pack all the baby stuff, there's still not enough room in the boot for a jacuzzi...
Premier Cottages' collections feature almost 1,000 four and five-star self-catering cottages across the UK. Properties range from small, romantic boltholes to large family-friendly country estates.
A week's stay at Wallops Wood's property Glenside, which sleeps 6, starts from £785 and a three night stay from £550.
To book go to www.premiercottages.co.uk or call the owner on 01489 878 888
Kelly is the former Digital Editor of womanandhome.com. She joined the brand in 2015 and left in March 2022. With over 15 years of experience in digital and print journalism, Kelly has worked for some of the UK's most prestigious publishers, including The Guardian, Shortlist Media, Time Inc, and now Future Publishing. She specializes in women's lifestyle and has been nominated for two PPA awards throughout her career. In the past, she had provided expert advice and comment for the BBC and Channel 4 about fashion and feminism. Kelly also guest lectures at the London College of Fashion about digital fashion media.
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