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For those of us with little ones, there are lots of different holiday choices out there. Here we’re going to look at the Top 5 Best Family Lodge Holidays with Hot Tubs In The UK.
There’s nothing better after all these months of being cooped up at home than enjoying an escape with your loved ones – getting a good dose of fresh air, immersing yourself in nature and wildlife, enjoying crisp sea breezes, building sandcastles, and licking delicious Mr Whippy ice-creams with the sand between the toes. And the best thing about a UK holiday for us Brits is that you can avoid all those overly congested airports, mask-wearing, long customs queues, form filling, and numerous regulations to read through. Simply hop in the car or on the train, and within hours you can be somewhere magical surrounded by nature, chirping birds, and it can all be enjoyed from the comfort of your bubbling hot tub.
Now as you know, we love embracing the great outdoors, but I’m not one for hammering in tent pegs and using communal showers, so a Luxury Lodge stay with a lovely relaxing hot tub is a compromise I like to make. There are some amazing luxury lodges to stay in right up and down the country, complete with all manner of luxury accompaniments like luxury spas, saunas, hot tubs, gourmet dining, not forgetting playgrounds, entertainment, and of course, more outdoor activities than you can shake a stick at! One of the main benefits of a lodge escape is all the space you get. Rather than squeezing everyone into one snug hotel room, a lodge stay offers several bedrooms, large living areas (often a deck to relax on), and kitchen space with all modern amenities, allowing you to holiday on your own schedule, eat when you like and go where you like. So, sit back with a freshly brewed coffee and have a look at our list of gorgeous luxury lodges and log cabins with hot tubs to transport you to your very own slice of wholesome family fun and adventures amidst nature.
1. Burnbake Forest Lodges, Rempstone, Corfe Castle, Dorset
Nestling in woodland, halfway between historic Corfe Castle and Studland, lies Burnbake, a little piece of nature and tranquility with a pretty stream running right through it. Burnbake is home to a sizeable campsite as well as 21 luxury lodges, all built for £4m, making it one of the biggest recent investments in Dorset’s tourism sector! This hidden Purbeck gem has won numerous awards over the years and most recently has been awarded a Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Winner for consistent great traveler reviews, meaning it’s ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Burnbake Forest Lodges is a truly magical and family-friendly woodland oasis set right in the heart of beautiful Dorset, surrounded by dramatic coastlines, miles of blue flag beaches, coves, ridges, and valleys at the gateway to the World Heritage Jurassic coastline. Having visited many times before, this is a firm family favorite of mine. My children love waking up early to spot bunnies, squirrels, deer, and a huge variety of little birds chirping in and amongst the lush woodland foliage that surrounds each luxury forest lodge.
Guests here can choose to pitch up and camp, but I much prefer all the lovely amenities and comfort that come with a luxury lodge, check out the images above for a true taste of Burnbake and the Dorset lifestyle. Choose between two or three-bedroom Executive Lodges, all set in their own woodland glade away from the other lodges, which offer added peace and quiet and face out towards the enchanting woods beyond; there are also two or three-bedroom dog-friendly forest lodges as our fir babies are just as much part of the family and deserve a vacation too, or finally, there are the standard two or three-bedroom forest lodges set in the fields on the western side of the stream. All the beautiful wooden lodges come with wood-burning stoves, Wi-Fi, TVs, fully equipped kitchens, bathrooms with beautifully scented amenities from The Scottish Fine Soaps Company, as well as their own spacious decking areas with dining areas and some of the largest bubbling hot tubs I’ve experienced on a lodge holiday. Executive Lodges also benefit from an extra floor upstairs, a TV in the Master Bedroom, and a coffee machine.
In terms of on-site amenities, next to the friendly reception, you will find the shop, which stocks a surprisingly good range of items from logs to fine local produce, pastries, groceries, treats, ice creams, toys, and camping goods. There’s a lovely little on-site eatery serving a varied menu, and you can bring your own bottle (there’s no corkage fee). It’s open every day for breakfast and dinner in peak season and on weekends only from May to September. There’s also a small adventure play area for children too as well as acres of amazing woodland to walk, hike, or bike through to really experience that ‘Swallows and Amazons’ lifestyle.
The surrounding area offers everything from steam train rides in Swanage, the magical ruins of Corfe Castle to explore, the beautiful dog-friendly National Trust Knoll Beach to while away many sandy hours, as well as miles of fabulous walks and friendly local pubs.
Burnbake really is an idyllic location for a relaxing family retreat, not too far from London, and the fact that guests return year after year is a testament to its special allure and amazing staff.
2. Landal Gwel an Mor, Portreath , North Cornwall
Situated on the stunning shoreline of the Cornish coast lies Landal Gwel an Mor Resort, a multi-award winning collection of holiday lodges.
It’s the perfect place to unwind whilst overlooking the picture postcard fishing village of Portreath. The on-park Feadon Farm hosts a wealth of different animals and critters for you and the family to visit on one of their farm tours. You’ll meet everything from foxes to frogs and owls and so much more. If you have little ones who need to burn off some energy, then Basecamp is the perfect place, an incredible 2000 ft² indoor play paradise featuring the only Clip’n’Climb in Cornwall! If Dad needs some time-out, the stunning fishing lake is an angler’s dream, stocked with plenty of carp, or if a round of golf is more your thing, then try “The famous 9″, a course offering golfers the chance to play on a replica range based on famous holes from around the world. If you need a little restoration then visit the spa with facials, massages, and hot stone treatments on offer. There is also a simple swimming pool and gym, and The Terrace restaurant offers a great variety of hearty dishes after a long day of exploring.
In terms of lodges, you can choose between Scandinavian Lodges with stylish designer interiors, some with private hot tubs and all with sun terraces; romantic studio Lakeside Lodges for two guests featuring a patio area with lake and countryside views as well as two-person hot tub; state-of-the-art Residence Eco-Lodges with all modern amenities and a bubbling hot tub sunken into the deck; finally children will love The Kinder Lodge, a one of a kind themed family hideout offering perfect family accommodation with luxury relaxing interiors and themed rooms that kids love to explore.
3. Dylan Coastal Resort, Carmarthenshire, Wales
Set in Carmarthenshire, a beautiful and historic part of South Wales, which borders the ancient and breath-taking Brecon Beacons and golden sandy beaches of Carmarthen Bay, lies Dylan Coastal Resort. This part of the world has inspired so many artists, poets, and writers, including Dylan Thomas, who lived in the ancient estuary town of Laugharne near the resort and wrote ‘Under Milk Wood’ about this very area. This resort is great for families with kids that love a hike and an amble.
The resort features a brand new collection of luxurious holiday homes, luxury lodges, world-class spa, and dining facilities all of which only opened post-lockdown, after millions of pounds of investment. It’s now the perfect base for all ages to discover everything this beautiful part of the world has to offer.
There are 60 contemporary hilltop and cliff-front lodges, with more to come, each with huge floor-to-ceiling windows that capture the snaking estuary below. At the heart of the resort, you will find the £7m Milk Wood House complex with its Milk Wood Kitchen & Bar and the Wellness Suite with its magical outdoor hydrotherapy pool, indoor infinity pool, hot stone loungers, sensory showers, steam room, sauna, relaxation area, and treatment rooms. They open the pool twice a day to families with children, but make sure you book in advance as those slots are popular!
The resort boasts six different styles and sizes of contemporary lodges to choose from. The Ferry Hills and Milk Wood Lodges sleep four guests in 2 bedrooms with a spacious open-plan living area and outdoor terrace or balcony. Milk Wood Spa Lodges also sleep four across two bedrooms with an outdoor private seating area on the timber deck and hot tub. Dylan Lodges sleep four guests across a double master bedroom and twin bedroom. There’s a large open-plan living space with doors opening onto the deck with a hot tub. View Lodges sleep 4 in a master bedroom with an ensuite shower and one twin room, while their spacious open plan living areas feature a modern kitchen and dining area and a spacious outdoor deck with a hot tub. Finally, the Glan y Mor Lodge sleeps six guests in three bedrooms, while the open plan living area leads out onto the spacious deck with a hot tub, ideal for larger families.
Families can explore forests, towering cliff tops, and the lush green landscape surrounding the resort. To one side, you will find Milk Wood, which got its name from the carpets of snowdrops in early spring. In the other direction, you will happen upon Dylan Thomas’ Boathouse, with inspiring views over the four estuaries. There are also miles of cycling paths throughout Carmarthenshire for guests to enjoy too.
4. Studford Luxury Lodges, Sproxton, York
Tucked away in the North York Moors National Park, you will find Studford Luxury Lodges, a cluster of six exclusive tree-top lodges with their own steamy, outdoor hot tubs that can be enjoyed under the twinkling stars, for more refined family getaways. Perched on wooden stilts in their own secluded woodland hideaway, they each have their own private views across an enchanted countryside setting.
These beautifully designed lodges fuse classic and contemporary styles and really feel five-star. Each one features modern art and the latest tech gadgets, along with vintage prints, leather chairs, and retro fabrics. Each of the treehouses has been finished beautifully and boasts three large double bedrooms and an open-plan living area.
These properties feature kitchens with Nespresso coffee machines and American-style fridge-freezers; spacious dining areas, revolving fire, and living rooms with sink-in leather sofas, roaring wood burners, 60 inch LED Smart Screen TV, PS4 games console, and Sonos sound system. Floor-to-ceiling doors lead out onto woodland terraces where you can cook on the BBQ, dine al fresco, and star-gaze.
From here, guests can discover the magnificent Yorkshire moors on foot, by bike, off-roading on the trails, or why not spend a leisurely afternoon sightseeing in the dales. Visit the historic Helmsley Castle or the medieval Byland Abbey, or take a trip to the well-known Yorkshire towns of Scarborough and Whitby. With a mix of sandy beaches, stunning architecture, and atmospheric streets, the local towns and villages are not to be missed.
5. Ardgartan Argyll Lodges, Argyll & Bute, Scotland
No luxury lodge review would be complete without a property in Scotland overlooking one of their breath-taking lochs. So, at the edge of Argyll Forest Park, where the pine-covered mountains sweep down to meet the shore of Loch Long, you’ll find Ardgartan Argyll Lodges, home to 40 family-friendly luxury cabins and just a short drive from Loch Lomond. The lodges are hidden within 720 square miles of the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park. On your way there, you’ll drive past tranquil lochs and majestic mountains, all ready to be explored.
The spectacular Lochside setting will leave you in awe, and the incredible views can be enjoyed from the comfort of your luxury lodge or private hot tub. The lodges are a mix of traditional styling with all modern amenities and underfloor heating, and they welcome canine companions.
Choose between the most premium Golden Oak Lochside Cabins with panoramic views of stunning Loch Long as well as a log burner, outdoor dining, and gas barbecue; Golden Oak Cabins are set further back in the privacy of the woodland also with a log burner, outdoor dining, and gas barbecue; Silver Birch cabins are contemporary in design with outdoor dining area and for those with additional needs there are also the wheelchair-adapted Silver Birch Cabins with an adapted interior and an access hoist for the hot tub as well as ground floor toilet, wet room, and lowered kitchen facilities.
On-site, you will also find a bar and restaurant, bike hire, forest ranger activities, and a children’s play area.
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