The best family hotels in Bath for your next UK stay

The City of Bath is the largest city in Somerset and earned itself the title of World Heritage Site in 1987 thanks to its Roman archaeology, hot springs, and 18th Century architecture. Bath is nestled in the Avon Valley, and outside of the city, is surrounded by rolling hills and charming villages.

Thanks to its ‘outstanding universal value’ to humanity, according to UNESCO, the City of Bath should be on everyone’s must-visit list as it’s one of the most popular and scenic places in the southwest of England.

The city offers family-friendly accommodation for all budgets, with special touches to ensure the best possible experience for the whole family. Plus as a compact city, it can easily be explored on foot, making it a fabulous place to spend time with children as there are many attractions to suit all ages within walking distance.

Children love the audio tours of the world-famous Roman Baths, which are one of the most notorious attractions here. Bath Abbey is a must-see for anyone who adores architecture. Holbourne House is a free museum offering a varied collection of art, with ample activities to keep the kids busy. The Royal Crescent is a breath-taking Grade I listed building and not to be missed.

Across Bath you’ll find countless restaurants and cafes that welcome little ones. Lots with dedicated children's menus, room for pushchairs, plus activities or outdoor play areas to keep the kids amused.

With so much choice, how do you decide where is best to stay with your family? We have compiled an extensive review to help you. Here's our pick of the top ten best family-friendly hotels in and around Bath.

What are the best family hotels in Bath?

• Best family-friendly central apartment – Saco Apartments

• Best for children of all ages – Woolley Grange hotel 

• Best family friendly central hotel- The Abbey Hotel

• Best exclusive resort near bath – Lucknam Park 

• Best for families with young children – Bath Mill Lodge Retreat

1. Best for a luxury family stay: The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, Bath

The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa | Check availability

“Royal Crescent Hotel in Bath. Just old school luxury, beautifully furnished." Mumsnet user Movinghouseatlast

One of the most prominent hotels in Bath is The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa. This luxury hotel encompasses two townhouses in Bath's Georgian crescent. To the rear of the hotel is a beautiful garden, and the hotel features elegant and individual rooms, outstanding food, and a spa that will appeal to everyone.

Although a luxury pick, this hotel is certainly child friendly and they leave age-appropriate magazines and snacks in your room. The staff have extensive knowledge of what families can do in the area, plus, a babysitting service is even on offer.

The Family Master Room has a separate room for children, or you can choose interconnecting rooms and suites which have extra beds. Toy baskets can be placed in the rooms and there is a dedicated children’s afternoon tea and dining menu, plus lawn games to enjoy.

Read next: The best travel cots for babies and toddlers

2. Best family-friendly central apartment: Saco Apartments, Bath

Saco Apartments  | Check availability

These four-star serviced apartments are in the heart of the city centre. They're spacious, reasonably priced and offer plenty of facilities for families like cots and highchairs for a hassle-free, self-catering stay.

There is a train station nearby, and onsite parking is available. Being central, they are within walking distance to all Baths attractions. If you are looking for a central base, these SACO apartments are ideal.

3. Best for children of all ages: Woolley Grange Hotel, Bradford-on-Avon

Woolley Grange Hotel | Check availability

"Woolley Grange is nice for families. Very baby/toddler friendly." Mumsnet user catonmyback

Located twenty minutes outside Bath, as a parent Woodley Grange Hotel has everything you could ever want or need from a hotel. It’s ideal for children of all ages and there isn’t anything that is not thought of to make your trip enjoyable.

Children from 12 weeks to 8 years old are offered complimentary care each day in the Ofsted-registered Woolley Bears Den. You can also take advantage of the free audio and visual child monitoring system, which lets you personally monitor your child from anywhere in the main hotel on a handheld device. A free baby listening service or experienced babysitters can be hired allowing parents time to relax.

For babies and toddlers, there is a sensory room, children's high tea at 5 pm, or family dining at 6 pm.. On Sunday mornings there’s also the Children’s Breakfast Club from 8 am, allowing parents that much-needed lie-in.

For older children they have the hen house, a cool hangout with a pool table, table football and air hockey. If they want to explore outside children can find ducks, chickens, and rabbits, or play games all within the 14 acres of gardens.

4. Best rural accommodation: Church Farm Cottages, Winsley Village

Church Farm Cottages | Check availability

Consider Church Farm Cottages if you want a peaceful escape, yet still be close to the city centre.

These four-star self-catering cottages are superbly located in Winsley village on a working sheep farm with an indoor pool. Nearby is an exceptional village pub, family farm and village shop. Onsite is an indoor heated pool and a games room.

Hartley Farm Shop and Kitchen is close by where kids can see the animals, and from the cottages, you have an abundance of walking paths and fields to explore. The Kennet and Avon Canal is also just ¾ mile away, where you can reach either Bradford-On-Avon or Bath.

5. Best boutique hotel: The Queensberry Hotel, Bath

The Queensberry Hotel | Check availability

The Queensberry Hotel is a quirky townhouse property right in the heart of Bath and close to the prestigious Royal Crescent.

They have individually designed rooms; family rooms are available, and they offer an amazing breakfast. The hotel has a courtyard garden and is home to the award-winning Olive Tree Restaurant, Bath's only Michelin-starred eatery.

This is a lovely central hotel to stay at a reasonable price.

6. Best central hotel: The Abbey Hotel, Bath

The Abbey Hotel | Check availability

 The Abbey Hotel is situated in the city centre and is a beautiful period hotel near to Bath Abbey and overlooking Parade Gardens.

They have eight spacious family rooms, which sleep up to four guests with additional room for a cot. The main benefit of this hotel is its prominent location within easy walking distance of all the sights of Bath. It's also within a five-minute walk of the train station.

In the Abbey Hotel, there is a restaurant called Koffmann & Mr White's, which is French-inspired and perfect for families.

7. Best central hotel with a swimming pool: Apex City of Bath Hotel, Bath

Apex City of Bath Hotel | Check availability

"We stayed at the apex in bath. V central. Great hotel for families - large family rooms, great pool. Good breakfast, lots of easy restaurants within a five min walk. Park nearby to run and play. Would def recommend." Mumsnet user Jamandtoastfortea

This is one of the best places to stay if you want a reasonably priced, 4-star hotel in central Bath with an indoor swimming pool.

There are two king-size beds in the family rooms, suitable for a family of four. You can request a free cot for babies 0-2 years old and kids’ TV channels are available in all rooms.

The hotel's location is convenient for those wanting to explore Bath and it’s very near to the Bath Spa Train Station. Plus, the Roman Baths and Royal Crescent are only a 10 – 15-minute walk from this hotel.

8. Kids stay free during school holidays: Homewood Hotel, Bath

Homewood Hotel | Check availability

There’s plenty of family fun to be had by everyone at the secluded country house Homewood Hotel. It has an outdoor heated swimming pool open all year-round, large grounds to run around in, games to play, and plenty of places to explore.

Families can participate in the 'Big Green Egg' barbecue dining experience, where you'll have your very own barbecue butler. Within the hotel restaurants, there is an emphasis on local or homegrown food, so even the children’s menu has lots of choices.

The generous family bedrooms come with cots or extra beds on request and several of the rooms are interconnecting. In addition, dogs are welcome at the hotel. Best of all, kids stay free during the school holidays!

9. Best exclusive resort near Bath: Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Wiltshire

Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa | Check availability

"Lucknam Park - it’s glorious and the food is to die for." Mumsnet user Sunshineat5pm

If you want to treat the family, Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa in Wiltshire would be a great choice. It is a luxury playground for families, set amidst 500 acres of landscaped gardens and woodlands.

Located only six miles from Bath and within easy reach of popular family destinations such as Longleat Safari, Bristol Zoo and Cotswolds Water Park. Enjoy a picnic in the parkland, ride a horse, or take a bike ride around the grounds. Families will find plenty to keep them entertained.

There is an outdoor children’s adventure play area with Tractor Ted, two all-weather, floodlit tennis courts and a five-a-side football pitch.

On the grounds is the Hideaway, a magical place for parents to spend quality time with their children. It’s an imaginative playroom full of arts, crafts, music, and dressing-up costumes. It has a baby sensory room, a quiet room for story time and a techno space for games. The Hideaway is free of charge to hotel residents and is open all year round.

Lucknam Park offers a relaxing stay for you and your family. You can choose to stay in the hotel with an interconnecting room. The cottages have up to four rooms and are extremely family friendly. The hotel can also arrange award-winning childcare which can be booked for an extra cost.

10. Best for families with young children: Bath Mill Lodge Retreat, Bath

Bath Mill Lodge Retreat | Check availability

Bath Mill Lodge Retreat is a restored 350-year-old mill house, situated three miles outside central Bath, set in a sheltered valley in a designated Area of Outstanding Beauty. It has 64 self-catering lodges and is ideal for families with young children. It’s close enough to Bath that you can be exploring within 15 minutes of leaving your lodge.  You also have the luxury of escaping the city after a long day to more tranquil surroundings.

The high-end lodges are either spacious four-bedroom or two-bedroom holiday homes. The family-friendly holiday lodges feature everything you will need for a self-catering stay. There’s also a small children’s playground on-site and the park is surrounded by woodland for little ones to burn off some energy.

Is the City Bath a family holiday destination?

There is something for children of all ages in and around Bath. Sightseeing is easy if you take the hop-on-hop-off open-top bus. Alternatively, for the active family, you can rent bikes and cycle along the Two Tunnels Circuit or try rowing on the River Avon. There is the award-winning Egg theatre, that focuses on productions for children, so it’s the perfect place if you’re looking for a family-friendly performance.

Outside of the centre, you will find plenty to keep you occupied. The Bath Skyline walk stretches for six miles through ancient woods, fields, and tracks around the city with some gorgeous views back to Bath. There are natural playgrounds and fairy doors for kids to open along the way. The Royal Victoria Park is such a pleasant place for kids to play. It is sprawling and jam-packed with play equipment for all ages.

In the surrounding area of Somerset, you'll find plenty of family-friendly things to do such as visit Farleigh Hungerford Castle, which is a partially ruined mansion with gardens and an exhilarating place for children to explore. Also, twenty miles from Bath you will find Longleat Safari Park, which is always a family favourite.

When is the best time to visit Bath?

Bath is a fabulous city break destination at any time of year.

Summertime when the weather is warmest is a lovely time to visit for outdoor activities like sightseeing, cycling, and camping. However, it is also the busiest and can be difficult to escape the crowds of visitors.

Winter brings twinkling lights and the famous Christmas markets, so prices rise in accommodations as visitors flock to Bath.

Spring and autumn are arguably the most pleasant seasons to visit Bath to explore without a crowd and in milder weather. The city’s more relaxed too, so you get a more authentic, calmer vibe.

Which area is best to stay in Bath with families?

If you are only staying in Bath for a short time, then Bath City Centre is ideal. There are many hotels in the centre, and you’ll be a few minutes' walk from the attractions such as the Roman baths, Bath Abbey, and the Royal Crescent. The centre is a tourist area, so there are many shops and restaurants.

The main train station in Bath is also located in the city centre, making it a convenient place to stay for those arriving by train.

What's the best way to travel to Bath?

Bath is straightforward to reach, just 80 minutes from London by train and a short drive from both the M4 and M5 motorways. Bath Spa Railway Station and the coach and bus stations are all in the heart of the city centre and easily accessible from major towns and cities. Bath is also just 19 miles from Bristol Airport.

How we chose our recommendations

Our recommendations are based on feedback from real parents, Mumsnet forums, customer testimonials, and review sites. Being parents ourselves helps us to understand what families need when booking a holiday. We always offer unbiased, independent advice you can trust.

We feel there's something here for every family to enjoy. It's an informative guide to help you get started with booking the best family hotels in Bath.

Why you should trust us

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