Worcestershire

The Elms

The Elms is an elegant Queen Anne mansion that is now home to a 26-bedroom hotel. It is part of the Luxury Family Hotels Group. Expect plenty of kids, but also a warm welcome for dogs.

Eat: The public rooms in the main house are open to dogs, other than the main restaurant. Light bites are available in the bar. Dogs can be left back in the room while you enjoy the more formal (but still fairly relaxed) dining of the Brookes Restaurant, where Chris Von Landkammer serves up a modern British food with a European twist, based on the excellent fresh local produce.

Sleep: The focus for dog owners is the separate Coach House, where all the rooms are dog friendly (dogs aren’t allowed to stay in the rooms in the main house). There is an extra £10 charge a night for cleaning.

Walk: The grounds as well as local parkland and extensive countryside beyond offers the plenty of opportunities for some amazing walking. But there's no excuse not to head out into the beautiful Malvern Hills, where Mallory famously prepared himself for his Everest climb. The walk to the Worcestershire Beacon is a particular highlight, as well as Wyre Forest National Nature Reserve.

If you’re visiting the main house, watch out for George, the resident cat. Do try and find time for at least some of your party to enjoy a treatment in the amazing (if child-friendly) spa.