De Vere Beaumont Estate Hotel Windsor review: grand, historic and family-friendly

The Beaumont Estate combines family-friendly touches with elegant period interiors

Our verdict

De Vere Beaumont Estate is a great choice for families who want a Windsor break with a bit more character than your average chain hotel. Set in extensive grounds and made up of historic buildings, including former school buildings with a fascinating past, it feels grand without feeling overly formal or off-putting for children.

I stayed for one night with three children aged 12 and under, and found that the hotel struck a really nice balance between stately and family-friendly. There was plenty to keep the kids happy, from the swimming pool and woodland playground to games and open space to run around in, but it didn’t feel like a full-on family resort where everything revolves around children.

The location is another big plus. Windsor, Legoland, Runnymede and the River Thames are all within easy reach, making it a practical base for sightseeing, days out and riverside walks. The suite was spacious and comfortable too, with a particularly impressive bathroom.

It’s worth knowing that the hotel’s sprawling layout can mean a fair bit of walking, and breakfast felt more functional than luxurious during our stay. But for families looking for an affordable, characterful hotel near Windsor and Legoland, De Vere Beaumont Estate has a lot going for it.

How we tested

We stayed for one night in August as a party of one adult and three children 12 and under. Our accommodation was a one-bedroom suite in the White House. During our stay, we used the pool and children’s facilities, explored the grounds and ate breakfast at the hotel. We did not eat dinner, so the dinner information below reflects what was available rather than food we sampled.

What are the rooms like?

The estate includes buildings from several periods. It became Beaumont College, a Jesuit boarding school, in 1854 and remained a school until 1967, and much of its character today reflects that history.

We stayed in a one-bedroom suite in the White House, a Georgian building dating from the 18th century. Rooms differ depending on which part of the estate you stay in, so research where the room is when booking.

Our suite was large, with a king-size bed and sofa bed. The main bed was very comfortable, with good bedding and plenty of pillows, although the sofa bed was less so.

Facilities included a large TV, Nespresso machine, kettle, tea and coffee, mini-fridge and air conditioning.

The bathroom was a highlight: very spacious, with a freestanding bath and large separate shower, and noticeably more luxurious than a standard hotel bathroom. Toiletries and useful extras included plastic free toothbrush and shaving kit.

We also had a lovely view across the grounds and the wider area. Corridors are decorated with books, objects and signs relating to Beaumont’s past, with a beautiful and thoughtful design throughout. Walking around feels more like exploring an interesting historic property than navigating a chain hotel. The children loved running through the corridors looking at the interesting signs and recognising Kings and Queens on the wall that they had learnt about in school.

What activities/facilities are on offer?

The swimming pool was the standout facility for our children. It dates back to Beaumont’s school days and is described by the hotel as the first artificially heated indoor swimming pool built in England.

At 20 metres long, it is a substantial pool, but it is also deep throughout at around 1.38m to 1.5m, which could be challenging for smaller or less confident swimmers. However, the hotel solves this problem by providing a large selection of floats or all shapes and sizes for children to use and play with. Younger children could use them for support, while the older ones used the giant floats for balancing and jumping into the water. It turned a simple swim into a proper activity.

During our school-holiday stay, swimming needed to be pre-booked and sessions were limited to one hour per day. There were plenty of towels and the changing facilities were clean and spacious.

Outside, there is an adventure playground aimed at children aged six and over, with climbing equipment, plus an outdoor gym for ages 14 and over. There are also arcade style games including basketball and table football, tennis court, covered seating and plenty of space for children to run around and explore.

There is a gym for adults and children aged 14+ with adult supervision. Cots can be requested before arrival or at check-in and come with a mattress and sheet, while highchairs are available in the restaurants. There is no kids’ club, but we didn’t miss one.

What’s the food like?

We only ate breakfast during our stay, so we can’t personally review dinner.

During the summer holidays, two dinner options were available. One was a buffet costing £24 per adult and £12 for children aged six to 11, with under-fives eating free. The theme alternates between Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food, and allergy information is displayed clearly. There is also an à la carte restaurant. It did not have a separate children’s menu when we visited, but staff could provide smaller portions on request.

Near reception there is a snack cart selling a mix of healthier snacks, sweets, biscuits and the hotel’s own branded chocolates and treats.

Breakfast is buffet-only, with several repeated stations to reduce queues. The choice is extensive: full English breakfast items, toast and pastries, cheese, spreads and jams, cereals and granola, fruit and yoghurt, plus teas, coffees, smoothies and juices. There was something for everyone in our family, although the scale of the room and buffet arrangement made breakfast feel slightly more cafeteria-like than the characterful surroundings elsewhere in the hotel. 

There are arcade computer games and table football available to play next to the Breakfast and Dinner buffet room which keeps children entertained for ages when they have finished eating.

What is there to do nearby?

There is plenty to do around Windsor, from major family attractions to historic sites, riverside walks and activities on the Thames.

LEGOLAND Windsor

Legoland is around a 10- to 15-minute drive away. If you don’t have a car, the bus takes roughly 40 to 50 minutes, taking the number 8 followed by the 702 or 703. Alternatively, you can also take a cab. We used 5 Star Windsor for a taxi and paid £13. For an additional £5, they could provide a car seat or booster. The hotel can also arrange taxis.

Windsor Castle and Windsor town

Windsor is around a 10-minute drive away. You can visit Windsor Castle, explore the town centre and shops, walk beside the river or head into Windsor Great Park.

Families wanting more time on the Thames can also hire a self-drive motor boat for the day eg from Kris Cruisers.

Runnymede and Magna Carta

Runnymede is a very short walk from the hotel and combines riverside walks with an important piece of British history. Magna Carta was sealed here in 1215, and the landscape now includes memorials and historic points of interest. The National Trust has more information here: Runnymede and Ankerwycke history.

Boat trips on the Thames

French Brothers operates a 45-minute round trip from Runnymede, which is a manageable length with children and a lovely way to see the Thames. Our children really enjoyed the trip, and it made a good contrast to busier attractions such as Legoland and Windsor Castle. There are also opportunities nearby for riverside walking, fishing and numerous watersport activities in the area.

About the author

Abigail Lebrecht is a Data Scientist at Mumsnet and has been a Mumsnet user since 2010, picking up Mumsnetter wisdom on everything from pushchairs and weaning to childcare options. She now uses her data expertise and knowledge of the Mumsnet community to help make the Mumsnet experience more personalised and useful.

Abigail is a mum of four, ranging from preschool to teenage years, and enjoys discovering new places for families to visit and stay across the UK.

About the editor

Jenny Wonnacott is a Content Editor at Mumsnet, where she writes, edits and optimises family-focused content designed to make everyday parenting that bit easier.

As a mum of three, Jenny brings first-hand parenting experience to everything she writes, with plenty of trial-and-error along the way. Her family travels have ranged from UK camping trips to more adventurous long-haul breaks, giving her a clear understanding of what really matters when travelling with children - from location and layout to those small but crucial details that can turn an average family trip into the best holiday ever.

She regularly researches and reviews family travel options, combining expert insight with real parent feedback from the Mumsnet community to help other families plan holidays with confidence.

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