Looking for a lovely and family friendly hotel within about 2 hours of London

[snickersnack]

For various reasons, we all need a break. And dh has a tax rebate, so we thought we'd go crazy and book a couple of nights somewhere lovely.

We'd like a creche or play place to entertain the dcs (2 and 5) for a couple of hours, and a swimming pool. Not particularly bothered about things to do in the local area - we're mostly planning on hanging out, playing, and swimming. Lovely food in the evenings would be a plus.

I was looking at Calcot Manor, which looks wonderful - has anyone got any views? I like the idea of the family suite- connecting rooms but we wouldn't have to worry about creeping around at night. Or Ickworth, though a bit put off by some of the reviews on here. Woolley Grange is also a possible, though a little far for us (not unmanageable though).

Is there anywhere else?

Have you thought of anywear near longleat? Great place with lo and I read there is a nice pub just off the grounds with good food and I think some rooms that interconnect? Don't know if that is what you were thinking of. They also have a Centre parcs close by but it looks as if you would like somewhere with a bit of lux. Don't blame you!

Calcot manor was divine ime. Me, dh and ds1 all had fun. Pool was nice, food lovely - kids food as nice as adults,very posh room, bikes with trailers to borrow. Ds1 wouldn't have stayed with the nannies, but we took him to the play room lots and the nannies were lovely. The evening meal was lovely as was breakfast! I had a nice spa treatment. Just so so nice!

Calcot sounds lovely - want to go myself! check out tripadvisor to see what others say.

You can stay in really posh lodges at centre parcs that have their own hot tub, sauna and steam room - we did for my mum's 60th and lying in that hot tub looking at the moon through the trees, with a glass of bubbly and the kids in bed - very nice!

The Grove is lovely and they have 3 nights for the price of 2 this Autumn.

Chewton Glen is ultra nice - and become a lot more family friendly. 2 nights for the price of 1 through Mr and Mrs Smith.

Have booked Calcot Manor - v exciting. We went to the Grove a year or so ago (without children) and it was very smart, though friends who've been with children weren't all that crazy about the creche.

I did suggest Centre Parcs but dh laughed at me! We had a great time when we went, but I don't think it's what he had in mind when we agreed to a couple of nights somewhere wonderful...