Several UK towns will be holding events in 2015 to mark the 800th anniversary of the sealing of the Magna Carta, and planning a break at a Luxury Family Hotel is a great way to take part in the celebrations.

Three hotels within the Luxury Family Hotels group are perfectly located to participate in the Magna Carta anniversary activities that are set to take place, offering the perfect way to combine an educational as well as relaxing break for all the family.

The Elms Hotel & Spa is set in the beautiful Worcestershire countryside and is ideally situated for those keen on the Midlands Magna Carta driving trail , which starts in Oxford and ends in Hereford. At nearby Hereford Cathedral people will be able to see a superb example of the 1217 Magna Carta – as issued by King Henry III alongside a wealth of other medieval treasures . Families will also be able to see the unique 'Kings Writ', issued by King John from the meeting of the rebel barons at Runnymede in June 1215. This remarkable letter from the King is to royal officials throughout the kingdom, telling them of the peace made and charter agreed. It is addressed to the Sheriff of Gloucestershire, with King John instructing him to ensure the terms of the charter are made known publicly, sworn to and kept. The document also asks that the 'evil customs' of other sheriffs and officials are investigated and abolished.

For those planning day trips to see the Magna Carta pop up displays at Hereford Cathedral throughout the year or the medieval re-enactment, The Elms will be the ideal base and has plenty to keep children of all ages entertained including an adventure playground, croquet lawn and tennis court. Complimentary childcare is offered for children aged three months to eight years and those over eight also have a dedicated indoor play area. A swim in the pool, spa treatments or simply relaxing on the rooftop terrace means the whole family is catered for throughout the stay. Classic rooms start at £150 (accommodates 2 adults and 1 child).

Bury St Edmunds was the town that had a pivotal role in the history of the Magna Carta and The Ickworth is situated just three miles from the town. It is one of only a few hotels in England that sits within a National Trust owned property and is great for families wanting to visit the High Altar of the Abbey – where the Barons swore an oath of allegiance, the direct precursor to the Magna Carta. The hotel consists of the main building, with 27 bedrooms and The Lodge, with 11 self-contained apartments, great for families who might want a little more room and independence.

The interiors blend classic furniture with more modern pieces, and the walls are adorned with a combination of bold, contemporary artwork and portraits. The lounge is furnished with roomy, comfortable sofas; the sideboard has copies of the Beano alongside newspapers and magazines, and children's toys are within easy reach. Prices start from £215 for a Small Family Double Room (accommodates 2 adults and 1 child).

The west of England also holds a great deal of significance with regard to the Magna Carta; Salisbury Cathedral is home to the four original 1215 copies of Magna Carta; in addition Henry de Bohun from Trowbridge was one of the 25 barons elected to enforce Magna Carta in the early 13th century and can be seen holding a copy of the Charter on a stained glass window in St James Church. For families wanting to undertake the Salisbury to Wiltshire Trail, Woolley Grange, on the edge of the Cotswolds, is the ultimate location.

All of the 25 bedrooms are highly individual and are personally named after people associated with the previous owners. They range from spacious family suites suitable for the largest of families to quirky rooms under the eaves with exposed beams. Rooms are spread throughout the main hotel, in the adjacent Stone Cottage and Coach House with its fabulous Hayloft Suite as well as in the Pavilion, where more contemporary rooms are found. Small family double rooms start at £190 per night based on two adults sharing on a room and breakfast basis. Children up to the age of 16 stay can stay free of charge in their parents' room, and pay for breakfast depending on their age. Interconnecting rooms are also available from £380 per night, inclusive of breakfast. Complimentary childcare in the hotel's OFSTED registered crèche, The Den, is also included, which is available in two-hour sessions.

Follow Luxury Family Hotels on Twitter @LFHotels, Facebook www.facebook.com/luxuryfamilyhotels  and more information is available at www.luxuryfamilyhotels.co.uk or by telephoning its Central Reservations team on 0844 482 2152. 

Luxury Family Hotels is a group of eight luxurious country house style hotels across the UK. The properties in the group are:

* The Elms, Worcestershire: an elegant Queen Anne mansion with 23 rooms, set in beautiful gardens and overlooking the Teme Valley
* Fowey Hall, Fowey, Cornwall: an impressive Queen Anne mansion thought to be Toad's original 'Toad Hall', with 36 rooms, rambling gardens and spectacular views of the estuary and coastline
* The Ickworth, Suffolk: a magnificent 18th century estate owned by the National Trust, surrounded by 1800 acres of parkland with 27 bedrooms, 11 apartments in The Lodge and a three bedroom apartment in its Butlers Lodge
* Moonfleet Manor, Dorset: a handsome Georgian manor overlooking Chesil Beach and the Fleet Lagoon with 36 bedrooms, extensive gardens and in a magical setting
* New Park Manor, The New Forest: a 17th century hunting lodge in the heart of the New Forest reputed to be King Charles II's favourite, with 21 bedrooms, an outstanding spa and wonderful views out over the surrounding wildlife and forest landscape
* Polurrian Bay Hotel, Mullion, Cornwall: the ultimate family seaside hotel, with 41 rooms, outstanding views over Mounts Bay and beautiful gardens leading down to the sandy beach at Polurrian Cove below.
* Woolley Grange, Bradford-on-Avon: the original Luxury Family Hotel, a Jacobean Manor House which has 25 individually style bedrooms, a great spa and pool and 14 acres of gardens to enjoy complete with tennis, an outdoor pool and lawns just perfect for cricket or football
* In addition, Thornbury Castle is part of the group, but is recommended for couples and families with children of aged nine and upwards. Thornbury Castle, near Bristol; the only Tudor castle to be open as a hotel complete with turrets, winding staircases and Tudor Hall. Its 27 bedchambers include rooms slept in by Henry VIII and Anne Boleyn and the largest four poster bed in the country.

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For more information:
Maria Boyle maria@mbcomms.co.uk 
MB Communications Ltd
0208 876 8444
maria@mbcomms.co.uk 
Twitter: @mbcommsltd