Weekend break, max 2 hours from London for 4 families with under 3's

[FrazzledFairyFay]

Our family and three others are looking to go away together, for a weekend break, hopefully this November. We each have a three year old and a younger one (the youngest will be 5 months), so there will be 8 adults and 8 under 4's in total.

We would preferably like to stay in a hotel, rather than a large house, but are flexible. We'd ideally like to be no more than about a 2 hour drive from London.

We can't really afford the likes of Wooley Grange or Calcot Manor.

Does anyone know of anywhere that might be suitable? Any suggestions very gratefully received.

Whitstable or Norfolk. Near the sea in nice. Try www.bestbandb.co.uk (although lots of the bah humbugs don't take kids).

what about centre parcs?

Thanks both of you. I will look at Whitstable, but think it may be a bit far.

Unfortunately I don't think Center Parcs will suit. We went when our eldest was 6 months' old, as did one of the other couples, the week after us. We all ended up with vomiting and diahorrea, which has rather put us off.

Any other ideas welcome..... please?

What about the Blunsdon house hotel. Half way between Swindon and Cotswolds.It is child friendly.Stayed with group of friends before and had a lovely time. Although the children were older.

Thanks, I'll take a look at that one

Not sure how pricey it is & there are the stairs, but what about the house in the clouds at Thorpeness in Suffolk.

Actually Thorpeness has lots of holiday homes to rent & many will be reasonably priced this time of year.

depends whereabouts in London as to whether this fits in the 2-hours band. but it's lovely rose and crown at snettisham. also you need to be reasonably relaxed about the kids - it's a case of putting them upstairs and bringing your baby monitors - and knowing that the bar is crowded - suited us but might not suit everyone. has a nice garden with a climbing frame, there's a kiddies' farm nearby, the beach is a 10 minute drive, plus the food is excellent. we've been 3 times now with several other families.

there's Knoll House at Studland too - never been to the actual hotel but know the location and it's gorgeous.