Known for its party vibe, Babington House has long been a favourite of Soho House members and non-members visiting the grand country house for a weekend of fun, but now the same crowd are booking avec enfants.
Offering gorgeous family suites that will appeal to kids and parents alike, plus a host of activities and a super kids’ club, this stylish spot is just as great for a stay with kids as it is for a grown-up escape.
Citizen Enfants checked in to the famous house in the heart of the Somerset countryside and found that it really does tick the boxes for all ages.
The Vibe
Picantes and partying, followed by long lazy lie ins in an exquisitely designed bedroom: the Soho House empire is perhaps not where your mind first goes when you think about taking your kids away for the weekend. It is, after all, a members’ club largely for adults who like a good time.
But, also available for non members to book, Babington House actually goes out of its way to welcome its littlest guests – and makes life exceptionally easy for parents. Not only will you find a fantastically fun, free (for two hours) kids’ club that they genuinely want to go to, but there are also lawn games to borrow, a huge pool to play in, 18 acres of grounds to roam, and rooms that have been decked out with sweet little touches – like rubber ducks around the bathtub – that will delight them. There’s a kid-friendly menu and afternoon tea to get over that mid-afternoon energy slump. Not to mention a babysitting service. You can enjoy those picantes after all.
The overall vibe of Babington is laidback country glamour; the converted Grade II-listed Georgian Manor house near Bath in Somerset has all the stylistic touches that you expect from Soho House, from the mix and match of vintage and thoughtfully-designed furniture, layered textures, incredible artwork – including photographs by Sam Taylor-Johnson – roll top baths and roaring fires. It’s the ideal place to spend the weekend – even with little ones in tow.
The Rooms
There are 33 bedrooms on the property; the rooms in the main house don’t accept children, but the split-level Stable Block rooms are perfect for families: each is like entering a home, designed around an original feature of the Georgian estate. There’s a comfortable sitting room leading off to a children’s bedroom with bunkbeds, a blackboard, toys and books – and their own bathroom, complete with mini robes, Baby Cowshed toiletries and rubber ducks. Upstairs is a huge bedroom for adults, with a mixture of textured fabrics on the bed and at the windows. The bathroom has a large roll top bath and a walk in shower. Along with a full range of Cowshed and Soho Skin products and fluffy robes, there are Dyson hairdryers and straighteners at the dressing table. Everything has been thought through, to make guests of all ages feel as comfortable as possible.
The Food + Drink
The food at most Soho House properties is often quite similar, but Babington House is unique in that – while it has the classics that members are used to on the club menu – it also has a unique offering based around the produce it grows in the garden and sources locally. The Orangery, with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the grounds to the lake, is the main dining space; in summer the terrace is a gorgeous spot for outdoor dining and they also host ad-hoc supper clubs with celebrity chefs. The kids’ menu is a crowd pleaser with freshly-made pizzas, burgers and chips on offer. Breakfast is a lavish but relaxed set up in which younger guests will find plenty to choose from, and high chairs can be found in all restaurants.
The Child’s Play
Children get a complimentary session of two hours a day at the kids’ club which is clearly a real plus point for families. There are two spaces for different ages, Teeny House and the Loft, which are in one of the property’s many outbuildings. Younger children can do arts and crafts and older kids can play computer games – the Soho House team know exactly what kids will find fun at all ages, freeing mum and dad up to relax, head to the spa or enjoy the grounds. Bike hire is free, as is the use of lawn games and there’s a complementary afternoon tea at 4PM that is loved by all. Lastly, the evening babysitting service allows parents to go for an uninterrupted dinner in peace.
The Spa
Wind your way down the carefully-manicured paths and you reach the spa, housed in its own separate wooden building, surrounded by woodlands. The treatment rooms, which are decorated in Soho House style – with bare brick walls, a comfy chair as well as heated treatment beds – look out over the Victorian walled gardens and offer treatments using Cowshed and Soho Skin products. There’s an extensive menu, ranging from an eyebrow tint or speedy manicure right up to indulgent massages (pregnancy options are also available), and a calming relaxation area. A separate wooden cabin houses a small gym with two treadmills, a couple of bikes and a full complement of weights, and the big, glazed windows that look out over the property make it a delight to work out in.
The To-Do List
You can easily spend a weekend at Babington and never leave the grounds. There are tons of activities on offer, and Padel and tennis courts are also available to book for free. The pool area is stand out, with both an inside and outdoor (heated) pool, sauna, steam room and poolside café. Children’s swim times are quite specific, so make sure you know when they are before you take excited kids down in their togs. Or head out for a walk to tire out busy little people with a run in the extensive grounds.
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