If you’re after a stylish family escape in Cornwall that won’t make you sacrifice your sanity or your interiors taste, Fowey Hall Hotel delivers in spades (and buckets). Overlooking the Fowey Estuary with dreamy sea views, this grand Victorian mansion had a full refurb in 2022 and now oozes period drama charm with all the mod cons that savvy parents dream of. You’ll find beautifully designed family rooms, a kids-welcome spa (yes, really – treatments from age 8+), and staff who won’t flinch when a toddler rocks up to breakfast in a superhero cape.

The offering for children is outrageously good. There’s a huge playroom, trampoline, adventure playground with zip wire and pirate ship, a cinema room, library, games consoles and table football galore. The Four Bears Den, the Ofsted-registered kids club, includes two hours of complimentary childcare per day, so grown-ups can enjoy a treatment, a cup of coffee, or even a bit of daily adult-only swim time from 8am-9am and 3pm-4pm. In school hols, the activities ramp up for the whole crew, from treasure hunts to family movie nights.

Dining is just as considered – the restaurant does brilliant Cornish produce and caters for both early family meals and grown-up dinners (with a listening service or babysitter on hand, naturally). Come summer, the outdoor heated pool opens with buckets, spades and crabbing lines to borrow, and Readymoney Cove is a short sandy stroll away. For off-site adventures, nearby gems include The Eden Project and The Lost Gardens of Heligan.

It’s a little like stepping into a storybook – which feels apt, given the rumour that Fowey Hall inspired ‘Toad Hall’ in Wind in the Willows. Out of season, the hotel becomes a tranquil haven for walkers and dog-lovers (yes, pups are pampered too with waggy-tail teas and coast path strolls). But for families seeking that rare combo of luxury, location and genuine kid-friendly brilliance – this one’s a winner.