Keeping children entertained over the (seemingly never-ending) school holidays can be a challenge, but it’s one the team at Four Seasons Hotel Hampshire approach with gusto. The hotel marks its 20th anniversary this February, and over the past two decades it’s built a reputation as a go-to country bolthole for families.
I check in with my eight- and 11-year-old sons to test out the hotel’s most family-friendly facilities, as the team prepare for the upcoming February half-term. It’s just the spot for an easy staycation, especially for clients who already holiday abroad with the brand.
Splash-tastic swimming
We start with the important job of collecting stamps from around the estate for the boys’ kids’ passports, which are handed over at reception. We get our first stamp at Sharkie’s Reef, the fun-filled family adventure pool, which becomes one of the boys’ highlights. It features a three-metre slide, a rotating umbrella fountain, tipping overhead buckets and numerous water jets, while the 30cm shallow splash zone is popular with toddlers.
There’s plenty to keep children busy and my youngest delights in ensuring I get drenched. It’s open daily from 9am to 7pm, so families can easily squeeze in several dips during their stay.
Adults looking for a more serene atmosphere can head to the outdoor Vitality pool or the main pool, which wouldn’t be out of place in a Wes Anderson film with its immaculate loungers and symmetrical conservatory roof. Plus, the spa offers treatments in 13 rooms from brands including Dr. Barbara Sturm, 111SKIN and Ila.
A fun-filled kids’ club
Dried off, and with our kids’ passports in hand, we stroll past the outdoor playgrounds and head to the Kids For All Seasons kids’ club. This is a huge selling point for families, boasting a packed schedule of fun and unique activities – all complimentary. It caters for children aged four to 12 years old, although teens often join in too, and families can stay and play with younger children, using the array of toys and games.
The February half-term programme runs from 13-23 February, with sessions including cookie decorating, jewellery making, sequin art and crafting pom pom llamas. The final touches are still being added to the Easter line-up, but younger guests can expect to hunt for eggs in the pretty walled garden, make Easter crowns and cupcakes and paint unicorn eggs.
In spring and summer the team take children off around the estate, and we spot some tiny doors nestled in trees that form the fairy and elf trails. All this means parents can easily slip away guilt-free, knowing their children are having fun.
Families can also use the games room, which is a popular space for older children. My boys head straight for the Xbox and Playstation, and we fit in several family games of pool, table football, air hockey and ping pong.
Outdoor adventures
The 18th-century Georgian manor house is at the top of a winding drive, surrounded by 500-acres of grounds, and porters hand out sleek pairs of Hunter wellies guests to stomp around in. While country pursuits are available throughout the year, in the February half-term the schedule expands to estate carriage rides, bird watching and falconry sessions, archery and axe throwing, alongside meeting farmyard animals and an alpaca. A woodland laser tag experience will also open this spring.
Recommend pony-loving families head to the on-site equestrian centre, where the cute resident Shetland ponies Milo and Dougal reside. They enjoy A-lister status around the hotel, appearing on our room keycard wallet and in frequent photoshoots, so encourage clients to book a grooming session to meet the jolly pair. Private rides and a two-hour Own a Pony Experience are also available with the other horses.
For families staying for longer, Paultons Park and Peppa Pig World is a 45-minute drive away.
