Woolley Grange goers?

[poodlepusher]

We are planning on taking our two babies (2 under 2) to Woolley Grange later this Summer.

I know they have lots of things on site and that Bath is nearby

But can anyone who has been, or goes regularly, give me any tips on what they think are the best things to do with two small children?

And did you use the baby listening service / sitters and were they ok?

Actually, ANY comments on Woolley would be useful, thanks!

You lucky thing - is utterly fab. We didn't get far because it was bitterly cold when we were there. We used the creche for the afternoon - and it was really well fitted out, and they serve great kids food. I had a lovely aromatherapy massage too. Yes, we used listening service for our DD1 who was 1.5 then and no probs, felt very reassured. Was funny though as every time the woman from front desk comes in dining room you can see every parent in there offer a silent prayer that it's not their kid that's woken up!

Very !Just got brochure for Worcestershire one and am dropping hints to DH regularly!

Went there a few years ago and liked it a lot. The rooms are really funky (ask them to show you as many as they can - it's great for ideas). Also drop subtle hints to the creche staff about famous people's children they've looked after there. Not usually bothered about this tyep of thing myself but hearing them talk about one v. famous woman's daughter as a 'little madam' was quite amusing.

OK...I am not sure how fussy you are about fine dining...but some family friends whose opinion I tend to trust said the adults' dinner at Woolley Grange was a big let-down. They felt the kitchen was trying to be too fussy and ambitious, and overreaching itself.
Maybe they were expecting Michelin standards...or were unlucky.
They loved everything else about the place though Their dd is a fair bit older than yours and had a very sociable time, so they needed to organise nothing for her.

We went with DD1 when she was 2.5 and an only child; she wasn't keen on the creche unless we were with her (defeats object somewhat) and for the price we thought it was poor value. Our room was titchy (though we did book very last minute) and though the other guests were nice enough, there was an element of loud talking about the city job over a pre-dinner G&T.
The food was distinctly average, verging on disppointing. We gave up on the baby listening, as they come to get you after any noise, rather than waiting a few moments to see if the child settles; we used out own monitor in the end, as once they have come to get you, you can hardly not go straight up to check!
We much preferred Sands in Cornwall, or the Chine in Bournemouth, which are both less stuffy and in the case of the Chine, much better value.
Bath is good for proper shopping, and Bradford on Avon is pretty for browsing.

Thank you all for your wide ranging comments. It partly confirms for me what I was expecting - on the bedroom size / meals front. Not sure we'll want to use the creche, maybe we'll explore the grounds with the kids in tow.
Thanks again

I thought the food was fine, and my only criticism is that the veggie options are limited. The food is better at Woolley than at the place in Dorset.

The creche staff are great; we don't go as often as once a year and one carer in particular recognises DS1 every time. I like the size of the creche, and that you can stay and play with your children, or leave them. I work FT so I do like to hang out with the kids on holiday.

We paid for a babysitter the first time we went (first time we'd left DS1 with anyone other than family) but after that have used the listening service. Both ours are great sleepers though, so I have no idea how quickly they come to get you.

If you want a big room, book the Hayloft. It's over the Den (kid's play area) and is ENORMOUS.

Thank you Fridayschild. That's really helpful.

Our bedroom was also not bad size and ideal for when you have kids. It was in the yard at the back of the house near creche but can't remember its name - coach house maybe? Was main bedroom when you walked in, but then behind that was seperate lounge area ideal for kids bedroom and play area by day. We really liked the food, and I'm in the industry so am usually hyper critical.

We went and had fab local babysitter each night as we were not in main house and would be too worried to rely on baby listening. Staff could not be more helpful and friendly to kids, room was v nice. Food was ok but not great, kids tea a bit limited but they did not seem to mind. There is outdoor pool which we enjoyed and small playground in the garden ok for 2 year old. Also walled garden with ducks. You can walk to local village / along river bank and there is a small adventure playgound in the village - your 2 year old may be just old enough to enjoy it but its probably better for slightly older kids.