Property
Harington’s is a snug, boutique hotel on a cobblestone street in Bath housing roughly a dozen guest rooms.

Location
On Queen Street, easy walking distance to anywhere in Bath. Parking in Bath is impossible, so walking is highly recommended. Just up the block is Queen Square and the Jane Austen Centre (where you can view exhibits regarding her life in Bath, her books and adaptations of said books, plus shop for Mr. Darcy key rings and other essentials). Our young children (both under the age of 10) easily walked the distance with us to Bath Abbey, the Pump Rooms, and the Royal Crescent as well. On nearby Barton Street, you will find family-friendly (albeit chain) restaurants like Pizza Express (a cute pretend cup of cappuccino – really a cup of frothed milk—comes with dessert at the end of a child’s meal) and Las Iguanas (where lively Latin music masked the jetlagged grumpiness of our kids).

Sleeps
2-4. When we booked a family room with the hotel, we found they assumed we were booking for only 3 guests. You’ll need to indicate you have a family of 4 in order to (a) secure a room that can accommodate a rollaway bed for that second child and (b) receive an accurate rate quote. If you want more room to spread out, you may also consider the separate Harington’s Premier Apartment which accommodates up to 4 adults and 1 child. (1 double/twin room, 1 double sofa bed and 1 child’s bed).

Highlights
The staff was very accommodating (they readily assisted us with everything from general dining recommendations to finding a doctor on a bank holiday for a child with a case of ‘pink eye’ – if you understand English bank holidays, you’ll know this took some research!). Our children thoroughly loved their breakfasts of pain au chocolat and scrambled eggs with smoked salmon in the cheery hotel dining room.

Good to know
The hotel is across the narrow street from a pub that dispatches sometimes noisy patrons at inconvenient hours of the night. It never bothered us; we just rolled over and went back to sleep. If you are arriving by car, reserve a space in the hotel car park (it costs extra and is located several blocks away).

Contact
www.haringtonshotel.co.uk

Written by Carolyn Westgaard

Property
A lush and lovely working farm and bed and breakfast in rural Somerset. While TSM strives to avoid hyperbole whenever possible, this place is practically perfect.

Location
90 easy miles southeast of Heathrow, in the hills of ridiculously historic Somerset county. Rent a car (you can do it) and enjoy day trips to the stone circles at Stonehenge and Avebury. Wells and Glastonbury (rich in Arthurian and Holy Grail legend) are nearby, as are Bath (with its eye-popping Regency architecture, Jane Austen history, and Roman ruins), Lacock Abbey (watch for film crews) and Castle Coombe (a Cotswold gem).

Sleeps 4-6 in the larger units (futons and cribs available in all units).

Highlights
Pony rides, lamb feeding, dogs, cats, chickens, indoor heated pool, DVD’s, fishing, bicycles, toys, rambling, day trips, room service, all in lavish yet childproof surroundings.

Contact
www.pennardhillfarm.co.uk/

Written by Jamie Pearson

Property
Court Farm is a lovely restored 16^th century farmhouse, with a charming 2-bedroom, self-catering cottage available for vacation rentals. This sweet, elegant cottage has a private entrance, looks over a delightful courtyard, gorgeous stone floors and a wood burning stove to cuddle next to in the evenings (wood supplied, thank goodness). The farm’s grounds boast 10 acres of buttercup meadows, duck pond, chickens and pigs.

Location
Perfect location to see the best of England. Set out in the beautiful Somerset countryside, it is only 20 minutes from historic Bath. Nearby is Frome; Longleat Estate, with manor house and Safari Park; Stonehenge; seaside at Lyme Regis (think hair blowing in wind on pier in The French Lieutenant’s Woman) is only 1 hour away.

Sleeps
4-6 in 2 double bedrooms.

Highlights
Farmhouse setting, yet the luxuries and elegance of a hotel.

Good to know
Extra attic in main farmhouse can help accommodate a larger family.

Contact
www.courtfarmstanderwick.co.uk

Written by Jane Rytina