Address: Woolley Green, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire, BA15 1TX
Reservations: 01225 864705
Website: Woolley Grange Hotel
To the manor born for the weekend, eh?
Most certainly. Woolley Grange is a seventeenth-century Jacobean manor house built of Bath stone, stuffed with antiques and oriental rugs and set in 14 acres of grounds. Amid the oak panelling there are lots of squashy sofas to sink into in front of a roaring wood fire while enjoying a stiff glass of sherry. Just leave your wellies at the door.
Sounds very grand. Good for a romantic getaway?
Especially at this time of year, as many of the bedrooms have gas coal fires to canoodle in front of. There are king-size beds covered in handmade quilts, thick towelling robes, well appointed bathrooms, plush carpets, tasteful prints, some claw-footed baths and lots of eclectic antiques. Think Notting Hill's Portobello Hotel, plonked down in the middle of rural Wiltshire.
Hang on a minute. If it's so romantic why is there a very small person hanging off my leg?
That's my son, actually. Here the tantrums are provided by real children, not pop stars. But don't worry, we're off to the Bear Den, Woolley Grange's staffed nursery, which is located away from the hotel building in an old coach house. It's full of things to entertain the little horrors. The staff will even feed them lunch and dinner. Children aged over eight have their own room, with air hockey, Nintendo 64, pool and table football.
So that's where the romance comes in, does it? Children neither seen nor heard.
Just because you've got rid of your own for a few hours doesn't mean there aren't lots of others around. The thing is, Woolley Grange never feels overrun with children, even in the early evening after the nursery closes and before bedtime, when they can run a bit ragged. I know ours did.
But aren't you worried sick about them shattering a carved wooden mirror or spilling something sticky on a kilim rug?
Strangely, no. None of the furnishings is irreplaceable. In fact, the hotel experiences very few breakages. Most importantly, the staff put you at ease. Whisper it: they seem actually to like children and treat them as proper guests.
What about the food? Goujons of plaice, chips and peas for the kids?
Yes. But barbecue chicken and mango salad with a sesame dressing was also on offer.
What about for the adults?
The food is very good, with many ingredients from Woolley Grange's organic kitchen garden, but the hotel, which is in the Good Hotels Guide, has now slipped out of the Good Food Guide. A three-course dinner, including coffee, is £34.50.
So, what's the damage?
Luxury for all the family - even the children get towelling robes, and there are free home-made biscuits - doesn't come cheap. Family rooms cost from £155 a night (you pay for the room, not the number of beds), suites are from £175. The prices include full English breakfast. Special package deals are available until 20 March.
· Woolley Grange Hotel, Woolley Green, Bradford -on-Avon, Wilts, BA15 1TX (01225 864705).
