Woolley Grange, Luxury Family Hotel - Bradford-on-Avon

On the edge of historic Bradford-on-Avon and just a stone’s throw from the sights of Bath and the Mendips, we were delighted to visit Woolley Grange – the original member of the Luxury Family Hotels Group – with our five-year-old daughter as tester-in-chief. We wound up the pretty twisting streets past the ancient stone buildings, crossing the scenic bridge at the heart of the historic wool town, to soon find Woolley Grange in the leafy lanes of the adjacent countryside.

This imposing country house hotel is set in a glorious Jacobean manor, surrounded by gardens and outbuildings. Dating back to 1665, glimpses of its history, including connections to the Baskerville family and its infamous hounds, can be found in its panelled lounges with decorative fireplaces and patterned plaster ceilings.

These public areas are relaxed and informal with a rustic and casual design aesthetic. A variety of model woollen sheep lend a nod to both the hotel name and local history. Plentiful bookshelves feature classic novels, children’s titles and selections of toys and games for the young ones. Curtains hide a screen for the evening film screenings accompanied by popcorn, milk and cookies. A more formal dining area links to a brighter air-conditioned conservatory, where there is a daily cold buffet breakfast (hot choices by order).

Rooms are available in the main building, but we particularly recommend the recently created Walled Garden Rooms where we stayed. Set within the peaceful Walled Garden just a short stroll from the main hotel, they offer a fresh chapter of design, where we found interiors as characterful as the countryside that surrounds them. The rooms carefully reflect the Wiltshire landscape with a palette of grounding greens, warm timbers, and rustic stone, and are designed specifically with families in mind. 

Cosy sleeping corners or bunk areas for children sit alongside separate grown-up spaces with beamed ceilings, plaster walls, and woven rugs. For colder seasons there is a log burning stove and a basket of logs whilst floor to ceiling windows afford uninterrupted views of the gardens from the luxurious beds. There is seating on the outside terrace where you can step into the serene Walled Garden, also part of the 2025 programme restoration and improvement.

Just few yards away we took advantage of the small indoor pool and spa, with sauna and steam room and treatment menu, in addition to the debut of the property’s redesigned heated outdoor swimming pool.

Elsewhere there are pretty gardens where we enjoyed a stroll alongside plenty of outdoor space oriented towards the little ones: there are nature trails, outdoor play houses and swings, an artists corner, trampoline, a sports area and zip line.

A big bonus was the Ofsted registered Four Bears Den where there were up to 2 hours a day free supervised entertainment and bookable activities for those three months to eight years, whilst older kids can also visit the Hen House games room. 

We were able to travel easily knowing that a long list of children’s extras were available. From baby monitors, potties and sterilisers to Yotos and games, you can just ask at reception 

Whilst the hotel clearly takes great care to keep its younger guests entertained adults – with or without children in tow – are also carefully considered. This is done chiefly by ensuring not only that the little ones have all aspects of care and entertainment covered, but also by its offering tasteful accommodation with great dining alongside spa treatments and pool facilities (with adults only swim times).

The service was invariably enthusiastic and helpful without being overbearing, and would suit those who enjoy a laid back atmosphere rather than those seeking a more formal and organised 5 star luxury environment!

Woolley Grange is just one of the offerings from the Luxury Family Hotels (LFH) whose modest portfolio comprises just five hotels. Generously spread across some of the most scenic spots in southern England other properties comprise Fowey Hall in Cornwall, Moonfleet Manor on the Jurassic Coast, New Park Manor in the New Forest whilst Italianate palace The Ickworth lies on a Suffolk NT estate.

CELLOPHANELAND* were guests of the Luxury Family Hotels

Visit www.luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk to book or for more information