With sailing and kayaking, tennis and yoga, kids’ camps and bushcraft, Lakes By YOO is not just a stylish retreat, but a space with plenty to offer family members of all ages too.
Lakes By YOO is a rural Cotswolds escape that will suit families who enjoy the outdoors, but want to experience it in style. Set around a picture-perfect stretch of water, this chic hideaway offers an ideal combination of carefully considered activity and downtime. Citizen Enfants checked in to sample lake-side life.
The Vibe
Born out of a desire to have family-friendly, luxury living close to the capital, Lakes by YOO has long been regarded as the industry standard when it comes to stylish outdoorsy living. Situated near the pretty Cotswolds town of Lechlade, it’s the ideal place for a family holiday, whether that’s over a long weekend, a half-term holiday or for a special occasion.
Ever expanding and enhancing since it first opened in 2008, the resort has become a firm favourite with families as it offers tons of activities to keep all ages entertained – all centred around a lovely rural setting on the water. Easy to access facilities, endless sports and outdoor pursuits, plus wonderful dining options have made this a place families return to time and again.
The Rooms
Few rental properties can boast as many starry interior-design names as Lakes by YOO, which has apartments showcasing the immaculate taste of Kelly Hoppen and Jade Jagger and even Kate Moss, to name a handful who have acted as guest designers over the years. Yet there’s no need to clutch your pearls in horror at the prospect of a huge damage-bill on checkout, as everything has been designed with the chaos of kids in mind, with no breakables in sight. This is a family-friendly heaven for those who want all the style but none of the hassle.
There is the option to stay in the on-site hotel which offers beautifully appointed rooms, but for a family break the self-catering option offers the most flexibility and opportunity for parents and kids alike to relax into their own pad. With generous apartments and lodges sleeping up to 14 people – and with en-suite bathrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, a communal living area, plus an outdoor space – there’s more than enough space to accommodate larger family groups, be that one family, multiple generations or a group of friends. Some, such as The Barn, also have heated pools, but everyone has access to the spa, swimming pool, and of course, the lake… if you’re brave enough and have remembered your wetsuit (if not you can hire one).
Each accommodation is completely different, but they are all united in their authentic woodland-meets-contemporary-living vibe, with high ceilings, natural materials and cosy furnishings, not to mention incredible views of the lake. Thoroughly modern, all the doors are key-operated and feel heavy and secure, with thick curtains ensuring lie-ins are possible too. The deep bathtubs are particularly great if you’ve got multiple toddlers on holiday together (or fancy a peaceful soak on your own). You’ll also find a TV in every bedroom, and travel cots and highchairs are available. There’s a chance you may decide that you love Lakes by YOO so much that you never want to leave – if so, you can buy a property too, making weekends at this gorgeous retreat a more permanent fixture in your diary.
The Food + Drink
One of the best things about the lodges is the ability to cook for yourself, which as all parents know, is sometimes the easiest option with little ones. The team here can help arrange a grocery delivery for you – or even a private chef if you want to eat in without the work. Inside your cabin, you’ll be greeted on arrival by freshly baked bread, lemon drizzle cake and raspberry jam, as well as all the equipment you need to whip up your own culinary feast, including an outdoor BBQ.
The Lakes Bar & Kitchen is a destination in and of itself, with locals often heading here for a leisurely lunch or a cocktail or two. Two conjoined chic tipis comprise this hub which opened in 2023 and has become a highlight of any stay at YOO. The breakfast offering is generous, with everything from eggs Benedict to pancakes with maple syrup and bacon, plus kid-sized portions available on request. All-day dining is ideal for those with children who want to work to their own schedule, with tagliatelle pasta and pizza dishes as well as burgers and fish and chips all on tap through out the day. For a more, shall we say, finely tuned palette, there’s crab muffins, lobster tacos and truffle fries to share, as well as steaks, lamb and the like.
The Child’s Play
There’s plenty to keep both little and big ones entertained with a ton of activities; you’ll even find children’s books and toys at reception to ensure children are amused from the moment they arrive. The playground (conveniently located next to the restaurant, cocktail truck and takeaway coffee station), is split into two, with a section for preschoolers and another for slightly more adventurous, older kids. The spa allows swimming pool access from 8am-8pm, which is very generous, while the lakes themselves are perfect for paddle-boarding, kayaking and canoeing, with everything available to hire. There’s also a zip-line for adrenaline-junkie teenagers – and dads eager to prove how macho they are. Bikes with trailers can be provided if you want to explore the site’s 850-acres – or simply take a walk and enjoy the stunning surroundings.
During school holidays there are a range of themed activities to book, including arts and crafts, plus an adventure camp with bushcraft lessons like lighting campfires and toasting marshmallows. The School of Adventure Camps are a big hit with kids aged five to 15 as they offer all sorts of fun activities, from archery and farm visits to climbing and a treetop trapeze. While there isn’t a kids’ club as such, there are plenty of things to sign your children up to (everything from tennis coaching to football camps) that will give adults some ‘me time’ – and babysitters can be arranged by the guest services team.
The Spa
If you thought the spa would be an afterthought at such an outdoorsy location, you’d be wrong. With a 17-metre pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, cryotherapy room, gym and treatment rooms, the spa is really quite special. As you enter you are met by a David Hockney artwork in the reception, a digital piece that is played on nine huge television screens and showcases an atmospheric snowy drive. There’s also a pool table for those waiting for someone having a treatment which is a nice touch. It’s the only spa in the UK to offer treatments using Kate Moss’s Cosmoss range, and offers facials using products from celebrity favourite Dr Barbara Sturm. Signature treatments use Wildsmith products (also found in the guest bathrooms) and can be adapted for pregnant guests. Various retreats are on offer too, which incorporate forest bathing, wild swimming and breathwork classes inspired by the teachings of renowned expert Deepak Chopra. Or book into a yoga class overlooking the water .
The To-Do List
As well as everything on offer on site, there are plenty of great family-friendly days out nearby. Budding zoologists and animal enthusiasts will love The Cotswolds Wildlife Park & Gardens, which is renowned for its rhinos, giraffes and camels found amongst beautiful walled gardens. History buffs should head to Sudeley Castle which as well as a fabulous museum (probably best for older, more inquisitive minds), also has an epic playground featuring a 10-piece obstacle course and another zip wire. If the weather is cooperating, then a trip to Painswick Rococo Gardens is worthwhile, and the quaint village of Bourton-on-the-Water, with its miniature village and a duck pond, is also best seen in the sunshine. Harry Potter fans can take a trip around the filming locations, starting with Gloucester Cathedral (Hogwarts) and Lacock, which stood in for Harry’s birthplace. Kids-aside, there are plenty of cute shops to peruse in Lechlade.
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