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Holidays

Use our Travel forum for recommendations on everything from day trips to the best family-friendly holiday destinations.

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Original poster

nice places with childcare in the north east?

20 replies

motherinferior · 14/10/2004 15:28

My sister's partner will be 40 at the end of this year, and would really like them to go away for a Romantic Weekend. Ideally without their two kids, but this really isn't an option (I live so far away, and other possibilities nearer to them apparently wouldn't suffice for more than one rather rushed night away). I said I would look into nice options they could go to all together with baby listening and suchlike (thinking vaguely of those Norm'n'Zoe style places you see profiled in the travel pages from time to time). They're in Newcastle. All suggestions welcome.

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spook · 16/10/2004 09:20

Hi motherinferior. Sorry you haven't had a response on this one.I'm not ignoring you but I am just thinking about it. I'm in Newcastle but always travelled further afeild for my jaunts. Am thinking and asking around.Don't give up hope!! XXX

Hulababy · 16/10/2004 09:24

Sory, don't know the area either. But I am sure there are some lovely places around Newcastle. I know Beccarollover has been looking into places suitable for her wedding - maybe she might have some ideas?

Original poster

motherinferior · 16/10/2004 11:49

Thanks you lot - will drop the lovely BR a note!

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Original poster

motherinferior · 17/10/2004 19:07

ANYONE? Come on, there must be someone who lives in newly trendy Gateshead and whizzes around in suave competent manner with their bambini, mustn't there ?

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Angeliz · 17/10/2004 19:57

Sorry, don't know any either!!
Hope you find one!

serenequeen · 17/10/2004 23:38

how about this one?

elliott · 18/10/2004 10:22

MI I live in Newcastle and have been looking around for such places for ages....but coming to the conclusion that they are almost all in Devon, Dorset and Cornwall!
The nearest 'child friendly' hotel which has baby listening, childcare etc is Peebles Hydro Hotel - looks like it would tick all the boxes but is quite a big place (I was a bit put off by the bigness and grandness of it, but maybe that would be ok with your sister - it seems to have had good reviews). There are other places further north in Scotland but they would be several hours' drive.
Another possibility I've come across is Armathwaite Hall in Cumbria (don't know much about it though).
Other than that there doesn't appear to be much that markets itself as family friendly, but I suppose it might be worth phoning hotels that otherwise look nice, to ask if they provide baby listening or other children's facilities.
Bit of a gap in the market for all us parents in the north, I think!

elliott · 18/10/2004 10:26

I went to a really nice wedding at Otterburn Tower Hotel in Northumberland - room was huge, we put ds1 (then 8 months) in the bathroom to sleep! And just put the monitor on during the evening (coudln't do that with toddlers though obviously)
Seaham Hall is ultra chic and trendy - personally not the kind of place I'd take little ones - but a bit out of my league altogether really....

Angeliz · 18/10/2004 10:44

elliot, why in the bathroom??

elliott · 18/10/2004 10:47

so he didn't wake us up with his snuffling and grunting...I'm afraid I absolutely loathe sharing a room with my children! (it was a big space, easily fitted the cot - he slept very well!)

popsycal · 18/10/2004 10:47

i don't know of any either!

i could list hotels for you but dont really know what they are like.......

Angeliz · 18/10/2004 10:48

I can't sleep with dp's shuufling and grunting! Wish i could out him in the bathroom

Original poster

motherinferior · 18/10/2004 20:15

Maybe just a luxurious day for two at Seaham Spa (sign, enviously)

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Mo2 · 18/10/2004 20:42

NOt too sure what the child care is like, but Slaley hall is meant to be nice? (Tho never been myself)

zeebee · 19/10/2004 10:26

Slaley Hall is nice tho not very intimate. But it does have a pool and a spa. It's part of DeVere group. Try and avoid school holidays too as the place gets mobbed then.

For atmosphere and romance you could try Langley Castle, about 30 mins drive west of Newcastle. It's a very old small castle, suits of armour around, fabulous big rooms (ours had a sauna in the bathroom) and lovely food. Don't know if they do babylistening but they couldn't heave been more helpful when we had our wedding reception there so I'm sure they would try and help.

Friends also rate Redworth Hall near Darlington, part of Paramount Hotels. They go there with their kids.

Armathwaite Hall in Cumbria is quite grand (Corrie was filiming when I was there!) tho the best rooms are in the main building and as I recall the pool was small. It also has a spa.

Personally, I would kill for a romantic day for two at the Serenity Spa at Seaham Hall!!
Let us know what you decide!

JuniperDewdrop · 19/10/2004 10:37

Don't suppose they'd fancy staying in a luxury appartment at Oasis? It's just I find the childcare facilities excellent there and there's a brill spa for pampering

JuniperDewdrop · 19/10/2004 10:38

Oh and I'm south of Newcastle (Darlington) so it's not far from them

popsycal · 19/10/2004 14:06

linden hall? i think
not sure about childcare but it is just off the a1 heading north of newcastle

serenequeen · 22/10/2004 22:24

what did you end up recommending in the end, mi?

Original poster

motherinferior · 26/10/2004 08:57

I've suggested Seaham Hall - thank you so much - or they may zip up to the Malmaison in Edinburgh. They do have the possibility of one night's babysitting (sigh )....

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