UK toddler-friendly holiday with spa access!

[Rainatnight]

I'd love some ideas for holidays with DD (14 months) and DP.

We're ideally looking for somewhere

• in England
• self-catering
• access to a spa (so self catering cottages in grounds of spa hotel or a self catering place with pass/access to a spa nearby)
• easily accessible by train
• near a town/village with stuff to do, or just nice places to wander (I think this'll be the hardest bit, as the kind of place we're looking for are often situated a bit further out)
• really nice!

We've had an exhausting though amazing year, adopting baby DD and DP starting a new job. We've not been able to take a holiday all year and can't go abroad, for boring reasons to do with the adoption. I'd be so grateful for ideas.

Thanks!

Not quite what you're after but center parcs meets most of your criteria and is cheap if you avoid school hols.

The nests at the swan near Windermere.

I second center parcs. All have a good spa on site plus plenty of other stuff to do without having to travel.

Thanks, all. We had thought of CentreParcs, but we want to go for a fortnight and we thought it might be a bit long, and we probably want to keep it for when DD is a bit older and can enjoy more of the activities.

somewhere the Swan is exactly along the right lines. If you picked it up and moved it to the edge of Windermere, it would be perfect.

Do keep them coming, this is really helpful.

Ribby Hall Village?

My DH joined us there by train to Kirkham and Wesham earlier this year. Near a few villages and on main bus route between Preston and Blackpool. Alot of stuff on site for kids too :)

Ribby Hall

Spa is gorgeous too btw.

It's not in England, but Cameron House at Loch Lomond ticks the boxes. Lodges on site, short taxi ride from a station, about 20-30 mins walk to the Lomond Shores complex (shops, cafes, Sealife Centre, playground, probably very quiet out of high season). A bit further and there are lots of pubs/restaurants, boat trips etc at Balloch. There's an amazing pool complex and 9 hole golf on site, various restaurants, a spa up the road is reached by shuttle bus.

Ribby Hall looks interesting. What's the vibe like? Did it feel a bit hectic?

Sadly, it's too far for us, Once, but one to file away for the future!

Mother of daughters just went to bedruthan in cornwall and she recommends it.. And the park in cornwall aswell.

Center parcs meets all your needs.

Butlins Skegness has a spa ... [shuts up at this point!]

Ribby Hall wasn't hectic at all. Busier at weekends as some from Preston use the spa and health facilities and there was a Triathlon on when we were there, but even then it never felt crowded or hectic. All was relaxed and enjoyable.

Woodland walks and great eating places on site, from tapas to restaurant to cafe/Afternoon tea and breakfast place as well as usual entertainment bar :)

Spa hotel also have their own eating place and leisure facilities. Also... for your DC, the ducks have duckings at this time of year until October and the ducks are all over the park and come to cottage doors in a morning which is always cute and well enjoyed by my DD :)

Luxury family hotels - especially new park manor might have something that fits

I came on to recommend Bedruthan Hotel or The Park in Mawgan Porth too, as kitty has. Lovely area. There are plenty of private lets around too if you prefer and you can pay to use facilities at these to places. Maybe sneak off to The Scarlet for an afternoon? www.scarlethotel.co.uk.

Gah. Two places. Jeez.

Limewood is lovely too www.limewoodhotel.co.uk/rooms/forest-cabin.

We stayed at Ribby Hall last year and wished we had gone sooner. The cottages are lovely. They've just done up the pool. Loads to do in Blackpool too. Didn't use the spa as it was over 18's but used the adult only steam room and spa pool.

Not stayed in them but Celtic Manor have lodges. They look very nice - www.celtic-manor.com/hunter-lodges

I've just been to Ribby Hall this weekend! Not hectic at all. Very chilled. Pool was lovely, great for little ones.

Spa was fab too if you can run away for an hour for some R&R.

We stayed at Ribby Hall for a week in August with 2 DDs (6 and 2) and they absolutely loved it (as did I!) Lots of activities to choose from and the new pool is great. I booked one activity each day then we spent the rest of the time swimming, walking and playing in the parks. They've also got a lovely little farm with talks and different activities going on throughout the day. In the evening there is a children's disco which both my girls loved.

We went into Blackpool one day and spent the day at the Pleasure Beach which was fun (but expensive!) I also booked into the spa and it was one of the best treatments I have had for a long time.

There is an Aldi nearby so you can stock up on any bits you need and a few pubs in nearby villages if you want to venture out.

I honestly couldn't recommend it enough and we are hopefully going back next year!

We stayed in a self catering cottage at the Carbis Bay hotel near St Ives. It was brilliant and the spa such a treat. Train runs to the station just up the road and very easy to get to St Ives which is just lovely out of season.

Bluestone in Pembrokeshire