baby friendly holiday

Are you and your partner just starting a new journey with a new family of your own? all of a sudden have a little one or more to think about and consider? We know how stressful it can be when thinking about travelling with kids, hence why we started Holiday Tots in the first place, so that families can consider exploring fun places with baby and toddler knowing that they can still travel light.

We reached out to a selection of our property owners who are perfect for a holiday with baby, and asked them to share a little inside info on why their holiday home is perfect.

Coulscott House – Devon

Surrounded by fab North Devon countryside and coast is Coulscott, a 16 acre private estate with only six cottages. The one bedroom cottage, Bantam, suits parents and baby with its cute little cot room.

”Coulscott is perfect for Baby’s first holiday – with all baby equipment included at no charge we can help lighten the load packing wise (cot, highchair, sterilser, baby bath, changing mat, plastic plates and bowls etc – to mention a few! They will love our heated indoor pool for first swims. The indoor games room also has a soft play area with mats for them to roll-on and a comfortable sofa for weary parents! Parents will love to see the delight in their baby’s faces as they meet all of Coulscott’s farm animals – chickens, goats, ducks, sheep, alpacas, guinea pigs, rabbits, peacocks and our big grunting pig!”

Chateau Canet – Languedoc-Roussillon, France

A wine estate among vineyards and olive trees in the Languedoc, only two miles from the village Rustiques. The estate is an award-winning working wine and olive domain with self-catering family friendly cottages.

”Why choose a wine estate as a destination for your first holiday with your baby?

Arriving at Chateau Canet we like to think that we can relieve some of the pressure of taking your baby on holiday! Any stress of your journey will be quickly forgotten as you settle into your charming “wine makers” cottage nestled in the heart of the vineyards, surrounded by olive groves and stunning Mediterrean pine forests. Unpacking is easy as everything is prepared for your arrival, for baby: a high chair, baby bed, baby monitor and all baby essentials and for Mum and Dad a bottle of chilled wine! In no time at all you will feel like you are on holiday, you and your baby will appreciate the totally peaceful environment and you can relax on your private terrace. Next stop, the heated pool and a baby pool and then onto the playroom to choose a favourite toy for the day. And end the day enjoy a delicious pre- ordered meal down by the BBQ watching the sun go down by the olive grove. The next day you can start with a visit to the local artisanal “boulangerie” and take a picnic into the vineyards, exploring the trails on the estate before returning for an afternoon siesta. The pace of life is so easy that you might not want to venture to far off but if you do there are colour open air markets, charming villages, medieval castles and family friendly beaches all less than a hour away!”

Lyon Court – Isle of Wight

A Beautiful Country House overlooking Shanklin Down, that has been converted into self-catering apartments. The Old Stable, is a small studio apartment with a private patio, ideal for a couple with baby.

“At Lyon Court, we pride ourselves on being family friendly. Having 3 children of our own we know how tricky it can be travelling with a young baby. We provide travel cots & highchairs as standard and will likely have pretty much anything else you may have forgotten to bring for your little one. There is always something! We can also arrange babysitting by DBS checked babysitters, personally known to us, if you need a break!”

Sands Resort – Nr Watergate Bay, Cornwall

Sands Resort Hotel and Spa is a family-friendly hotel in the small village of Porth, between Newquay and Watergate Bay with stunning views over the Atlantic Ocean and the countryside of Porth valley.

”Sands Resort Hotel on the Cornish North coast has everything you need to make your baby or toddler holiday relaxing rather than frantic.

There’s lots to consider on your perfect first holiday with your baby, but don’t worry, Sands Resort has thought of most of it, so you don’t have to.

From spacious two-room suites, free hire of cots, prams and bottle warmers to soft play, playgrounds and splash pools, they’ve got the babies and toddlers covered, but who said only the little guests should have all the fun?

Parents can relax at the onsite spa or enjoy a dinner for two whilst taking advantage of the complimentary baby listening service.

Family friendly Porth Beach just a short stroll away.”

La Mare Chappey – Normandy, France

A small gite complex with only five cottages in total and 5 acres of gardens. Within walking distance to the local village and only 15 minutes to some baby-friendly beaches.

”At La Mare Chappey, our unique holiday destinations in Normandy France, we have always believed family time is special time together, time to get away from normal life, time to play, time to relax, time to share, these are where memories made forever.
Each gite/ cottage is equipped with an array of toys and books, Plus UK TV channel Cbeebies
For the babies around the grounds you will find slides & swings for the Tots, Sand Pit, Playhouse and a sheltered play barn – Room full of Toys, Wendy House, Trampoline, ball pit, climbing station with slide, ride on toys, push bikes, prams and more…..
Last but not least very popular Bouncy Castle: – From USA with 360- degree mesh windows, parents and spectators can have a clear view of all the fun without the risk of little ones falling out.
Our pool is heated and fenced with safety gates. The pool has been specially designed for all the family, with 5m entrance beach area allow mum and dad to seat there while the little ones start to gain confidence and have fun in a very shallow 80cm water level for first third of the pool to maximum depth 1.50m, anti slip throughout. Pool toys are available but floatation devices for babies are not provided.
English babysitters:
We’ve also got experienced babysitters on hand to look after your little ones while you escape for a little R&R. Babysitting is available on request
We provide the following:
For families and especially parents of babies and toddlers, we can provide almost everything that you may need, to save you packing it all up and bringing from home. Full sized cots, travel cots, high-chairs, bed-guards, potties, step-ups, sterilizers, black-out blinds (the list is endless!). See our Holiday Courtyard Bistro
In the style of a typical French village auberge and bar, the Bistro offers everything from an ice-cold draught beer from the well-stocked bar, to a tasty snack or home-made three or four course meal in elegant and relaxing surroundings.

Bistro offers a unique in cottage dining service the same menu offered in the Bistro, but delivered course by course at a time that suits you! Proven to be very popular with young families after the little ones have settled, Mum & Dad can relax and enjoy their time. Tots Equipment Checklist

The whole collection of holiday properties cater for all families with little ones in mind, from luxury villas to cute cottages, glamping tents to self catering apartments, there is something for everyone. All properties have stairgates, cots or travel cot and high chairs.”

Long Barn Cottages – Devon

In the pretty hamlet of North Whilborough sits Long Barn Cottages, only 4 self-catering cottages with stunning coastlines and beaches only a short distance away. Honeybag Cottage is ideal for parents with baby.

”We have a lovely heated indoor pool perfect for little ones to enjoy. We keep the temperature lovely and warm and the pool is available to book for exclusive use by each cottage. Perfect if you want to take your little one for a quiet first swim. We also have play equipment for toddlers in our large field. There is lots of space for them to enjoy stunning around. ”

Gitcombe Estate – Devon

A luxury Estate with a gorgeous selection of award-winning cottages with cosy log fires. Short drive to stunning Devon beaches and seaside towns Dartmouth and Salcombe. Meavy Cottage, Coach House & Yennadon Cottage are the smallest of them all, making them perfect cottages to suit a first time baby holiday.

”Gitcombe Estate is an award winning multi generational family self catering estate.
We price ourselves with customer care and a great on line concierge service. A new mummy and daddy will need a little bit of extra help when a new born arrives
that’s why we have an online service where you can arrange food deliveries to a massage, to extra cleaning or linen to baby sitting We make sure you have a wide range of baby equipment from changing mats to new born travel cots
Don’t forget sibling toddlers – they need stair gates to potty’s we have those too”

Manoir De Longveau – Charente, France

Situated on a former cognac estate, is this private luxurious retreat. There are 32 accommodation options to choose from ranging in sizes. Le Chai gite is the smallest of them with its cosy mezzanine bedroom.

”We like to think that we know what makes a real difference to parents when it comes to holidaying with little ones. With four children aged from four to twenty years we really do understand how important it is to feel that your holiday space is comfortable and safe, somewhere that our guests can truly be with their family! After all it is not just the children who are on holidays. In addition to meeting all of the standard baby and child safety points; secure pools and play areas, safety barriers and designated no car areas we really work hard to ensure that parents can relax! Our very youngest guests benefit from complimentary standard baby items such as cots, high chairs, stair gates and baby crockery. We also offer extensive additional baby and child packs with everything from baby monitors and bouncy chairs to indoor & outdoor toy packs, blackout blinds and even pushchairs. Our weekly welcome meal offers a specific children’s menu and children under 5 years eat for free…we have organic baby food and kiddie picnic boxes available in our clubhouse daily. Parents love to sit on our terrace and enjoy the morning sun with a croissant and coffee while little ones play in the baby/toddler area or plunder the clubhouse toy and dress-up chest. Our second play area offers play houses, slides and a climbing frame. The ‘pièce de resistance’ of our baby and child offering has to be our ‘club des enfants’ run by our childcare expert and her fabulous support team

Longeveau is so much more than a holiday home destination it is the home of holiday memories.”

Chateau Les Carrasses – Languedoc-Roussillon, France

A 19th Century Wine Domaine in the Languedoc transformed into 30 luxury self-catering suites, apartments and villas with 5* hotel services and facilities. The ground floor apartments are perfect for families with little ones and all have south facing terraces overlooking the avenue of the Chateau.

”The ground floor apartments are specifically designed to accommodate families with young children with their terrace and enclosed gardens. The swimming pool is heated and has met all current safety standards. Cot and highchairs are available free of charge and a selection of other useful items (on a first come, first serve basis), this includes baby bath, changing mats, steriliser, baby monitors, plastic plates and glasses.
We can also arrange local babysitters, allowing parents to enjoy a romantic evening in the Château’s restaurant accompanied with delicious wines from our vineyards.”

North Bradbury Farm – Devon

This cute farm stay in North Devon only has two self-catering and is exclusive to only guests staying in the cottages, giving it a lovely personal touch. Both cottages are suitable for parents with a baby.

”North Bradbury Farm holidays are ideal for your first holiday as a family with a baby. Not only Have Tracey & Farmer Chris been running family friendly holidays for nearly twenty years but they are also parents and grandparents. Tracey is a fully qualified NNEB and has worked with children in various her whole life. Before moving to North Bradbury Farm she set up and owned a 50 place day Nursery – so you are in experienced hands should you need any support or advice. Both cottages are fully child friendly with everything from plug covers to stair gates. There is all the baby equipment including toys you could possibly need here – so you don’t have to arrive in a small removal van! When you enquire and state how old your child / children are, they can let you know the exact equipment they have for that age group. With four cots and highchairs North Bradbury can also cope with multiples like twins or even triplets.
There are two cottages – The Cider Barn with one bedroom which sleeps 4 max. including babies. Has room for a cot or two cots in the bedroom. There is also a bed settee in the sitting room – should you be having a bad night ..….Our second cottage is The Stables which has two bedrooms and sleeps 6 max. including babies. If you would prefer for your baby/ babies to have their own room – this is the cottage for you.
On the farm there are back packs and farm buggies. The babies are never too young to be fascinated by the friendly farm animals. One of the play areas is specifically for younger children with a baby swing, sand pit and various other play equipment. When adventuring away from the farm there is lots of lovely places to visit including walking in Exmoor National Park, award winning beaches and most importantly child friendly pubs with highchairs.”

Hopefully if you are first time parents we have been able to give you a little inspiration on holiday options and give you the confidence to venture on that first holiday with your little one/s. There are more baby-friendly holiday ideas on the Holiday Tots website. All properties on Holiday Tots are well equipped for babies and toddlers offering cots, highchairs and stairgates if needed. Plus a lot more…

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