With the leaves changing and temperatures getting lower as we head in to Autumn, why not take advantage of all Britain has to offer by combining local events and activities with a relaxing family stay at one of the Luxury Family Hotels.

With a choice of six luxurious country house style hotels offering a home-from-home atmosphere in beautiful surroundings and locally sourced food and artisan drinks which are sure to have a warming effect during the cold, crisp months.

Fowey Hall Hotel, Cornwall

Fowey is well known in the literary world - writers Sir Arthur Quiller-Couch & Daphne du Maurier both live there. It is believed that Fowey Hall was the model for 'Toad Hall' in Kenneth Grahame's 'The Wind in the Willows'. He often visited Fowey Hall and wrote letters to his son in which the town of Fowey is depicted as 'The Little Grey Seaport'.

Why visit this Autumn: The stunning coastal walks and beautiful beaches make for fabulous photo opportunities. Cliff top walking and cycling will blow away the cobwebs and for history and heritage lovers there are several houses, castles, museums and World Heritage Sites to visit.

What makes Autumn at the hotel special: Delicious locally sourced foods are abundant at Fowey and Roasted Breast of Guinea Fowl, Creamed leeks, roasted baby onion, bacon pomme dauphinoise in a red wine jus is just one of the delicious options created by the new Head Chef.

Top attractions nearby: Fowey Christmas market (30 Nov - 2 Dec); ice skate at the Eden Project; The National Maritime Museum in Falmouth is hosting a major new exhibition with rare and never-seen-before objects, as well as retelling the personal stories of many of the survivors, victims and descendants of the Titanic disaster. The exhibition is running until 7th January 2019.

Rates from £179 for one-night dinner inclusive.

Polurrian Bay Hotel, Mullion, Cornwall

This beautiful hotel is in a superb position to explore the best of West Cornwall in Poldark country. Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi stayed at the original hotel in 1901 whilst conducting his experiments to send the first transatlantic message in Morse Code.

Why visit in winter: The facilities at the Polurrian Bay Hotel are ideal for British winters as there is as much to do in the hotel as outside it. The hotel has its own private beach with public access which is ideal for flying kites or enjoying a bracing walk, while the indoor activities for kids are ideal for rainy days.

The  new bar is a great addition for this Autumn too! In addition to the regular drinks, there will be three draft Cornish beers, five Cornish Gins, plus four that they infuse themselves (mint & cucumber /orange & rosemary / red berry / blackberry). Guests will also be tempted by the Signature Polurrian Cocktails & Mocktails and 'Create a Shake' where they can order custom milkshakes.

What makes winter at the hotel special: For little – and big - adventurers, Polurrian Bay Hotel is a favourite haunt for kite fliers and Mullion even has its own dedicated kite shop. Owners John and Carolyn sell a huge variety, from stunt kites to power kites and they especially recommend catching the wind on the cliffs above Kynance Cove which is near the hotel.

New for this Autumn are the Polurrian Villas - contemporary, deluxe three-bedroomed, two-bathroom properties which offer guests their own private space while being able to benefit from all the hotel's facilities.

Rooms at the hotel from £159 per night on a dinner, bed & breakfast basis. Villas start from £510 self-catering for a three-night break.

Bookings: 01326 240421 or www.polurrianhotel.com 

Moonfleet Manor, Dorset

Set in the landscape where the 2018 adaptation of Ian McEwan's novel On Chesil Beach was filmed, the area is rich in natural beauty, with its rolling hills and valleys contrasting with open coastline and huge beaches.

Why visit in Autumn: Dorset is stunning in the winter months – there is lots to do and see in the local area and the coastline and beaches look magical. With the South West Coastal path at bottom of garden, guests do not even have to travel far for an adventure.

What makes Autumn at the hotel special: The vista over Chesil Beach means that even on a blustery day the views are stunning. You can keep warm in the cosy lounges and enjoy a special Moonfleet Hot Chocolate. There are lots of indoor activities for children including an OFSTED registered creche, indoor pool and indoor play area (the veranda). The hotel also has a new Escape Room for families which is great fun!

Winter sees plenty of seasonal produce on the menu. The hotel's Pork Tenderloin dish with wholegrain mustard pomme puree, curly kale and apple jus is a perfect winter warmer for mums and dads and there's lots of wholesome foods and homemade treats for little ones too.

Top attractions nearby: Visit National Trust properties Corfe Castle, Studland Bay and Kimmeridge; explore the South West Coastal path at bottom of hotel's garden; enjoy the illuminated enchanted gardens at the Abbotsbury Subtropical Gardens (18-23 Oct); and visit Weymouth's Sealife & Adventure park which has lots of attractions both indoors and out.

Rates from £329 for a two-night midweek stay.

Woolley Grange Hotel, near Bath

Woolley Grange is an elegant Jacobean Manor House hotel, built from soft Bath stone and set in 14 acres of beautiful gardens.

Why visit in Autumn: Woolley Grange offers the best of both the town and country. The Wiltshire countryside is at its most beautiful in winter. Big open skies, brisk downland and riverside walks; or walk into medieval market town Bradford on Avon and explore its ancient alleys, artisan shops, old churches and quaint cafes.

What makes Autumn at the hotel special: After a day exploring, there's nothing better than returning to the hotel for a cosy hot chocolate (or something stronger) by the open log fire and enjoying a delicious meal in the 2 AA Rosette restaurant cooked by head Chef Jethro Lawrence who was a Masterchef quarter finalist.  The menu this season includes Lemon Sole with brown shrimp, seaweed, caviar and whey veloute, lovage mashed potato and braised belly of pork also served with mash and vegetables, with many of the ingredients sourced from the hotel's kitchen garden.  Guests can indulge themselves with a treatment in the Elemis Spa. Plus relax in the oh-so-warm swimming pool, steam room and sauna.

Top attractions nearby: Bath is only 15 minutes by car or 12 minutes on the train. Autumn and winter is the ideal time to enjoy Bath when it is a little less busy. The Roman Baths are most definitely worth a visit and it's the only town in Britain with hot springs. Follow this with a visit to the Bath Museum of Fashion (below the Assembly Rooms…which in themselves are worth seeing…authentically rebuilt after the bombing in the war, the chandeliers are amazing!).

The Autumn Midweek Special is priced from just £329 per room for a two-night stay.

New Park Manor, New Forest

Set in the heart of the New Forest, with wonderful views over the surrounding woodland and heathland, New Park Manor was once the favourite hunting lodge of King Charles II.

Why visit in Autumn: The winter months are a great time of year to do some bird watching. Birds of prey including merlin, peregrine falcon and short eared owls make regular appearances on the heathland.

What makes Autumn in the hotel special: A stay at New Park Manor offers the chance to relax and unwind in the stunning spa and enjoy a soak in the outdoor hot tub with beautiful views across the forest. The Body Nectar Nourishing Frangipani Wrap is just one of the fabulous Elemis treatments which are perfect for winter. Guests can also snuggle up in the cosy lounge by the roaring fire and enjoy a seasonal Afternoon Tea.

Top attractions nearby: From now until beginning of November is Pannage season in the New Forest.  With plenty of fallen acorns on the forest floor, you're sure of a pig surprise! Because you may spot some of the unique Pannage porkers snuffling around in the wild. There's nowhere else in the UK where this happens, so make the most of seeing this ancient practise taking place. The New Forest Walking Festival 2018 offering 73 walks takes place from October 13-28. The New Forest Heritage Centre offers a fantastic and educational day out for everyone and of course Paulton's Park, the home of Peppa Pig World offers activities and celebrations and a grotto.

A midweek dinner-inclusive two, three or four-night break is from £329.

The Ickworth, Suffolk

The Ickworth is one of only a few hotels in England that sits within a National Trust owned property.  Once the family seat of the Earls of Bristol, this beautiful 18th century estate, just outside Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, was gifted to The National Trust in 1956.

Why visit in Autumn: The dramatic Suffolk countryside is a great place to take a walk. In the Autumn the trees burst into a wonderful kaleidoscope of colours. The Ickworth is located on a breathtakingly beautiful 1800 acres of parkland and ancient trees.

What makes Autumn in the hotel special: What better way to follow a walk than sitting on a soft sofa in The Ickworth's comfortable lounge in front of an open fire, with Afternoon Tea or a nice glass of red wine. It's also the time of year when Head Chef, George Aldous creates wonderful, new, seasonal dishes and specialities include Fallow deer sourced locally from the Denham Estate served with black kale and beetroot.

Top attractions nearby: Ipswich Food and Drink Forknight (18th September - 1st October) celebrates the best food & drink from across Suffolk, Framlingham Sausage Festival takes place on 14th October and one of the National Trust's biggest events of the year happens on the 6th October when they host their annual Wood and Craft Fair which is great fun for the whole family. The National Trust also have a whole host of events running during the winter months which can be enjoyed by hotel guests and visitors alike.

Prices from £329 for a two-night, dinner inclusive stay.

More information is available at www.luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk or by telephoning its Central Reservations team on 0844 482 2152.

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Ends

For more information:

Maria Boyle                                                        Suzanne Trisk

MB Communications Ltd                               MB Communications Ltd

0208 876 8444                                                  0208 876 8444

0788 764 7855                                                   07710 207164                   

maria@mbcomms.co.uk                                suzanne@mbcomms.co.uk

Images available on request at Luxury Family Hotels media photo library.