Mums and dads desperate for a summer staycation that delivers on luxury, keeps the kids happy and out of their hair – need look no further. Luxury Essex country house hotel, spa and estate Down Hall has teamed up with the UK’s leading creative children’s party and event planners, Sharky & George for a summer of immersive fun.
Launching on 16th July, the Sharky & George Adventure Club will offer children’s entertainment seven days a week across the summer, offering Down Hall’s younger guests a holiday to remember, and parents some much needed R&R. Plus, children under 12 stay and eat for free throughout the school holidays.
Located in the stunning Essex countryside just 45 minutes from London, Down Hall offers beautiful period rooms and suites, expansive grounds and, as part of a new partnership, daily children’s activity camps which will run every day from 10am-12.30pm and 1.30-4pm. With the kids entertained, parents can enjoy a quiet al fresco lunch on The Terrace, a picnic in the grounds, a decadent champagne afternoon tea or unwind with a bespoke treatment at the hotel’s exclusive Eden Spa.
In the professional hands of the Sharky & George team, young adventurers will shape the order of the day, with child-led activities ranging from den-building, French cricket and t-shirt tie-dying to lip sync battles, chocolate truffle making and DIY volcano crafting. Not afraid of the rain, sessions will run whatever the weather, with kids having the opportunity to explore the outdoors, get creative and learn new skills under the careful guidance of the expert and professionally trained team. For children who prefer indoor-play, options are aplenty, with craft and science-focused sessions running alongside cooking and baking focused activities.
And that’s not all! During lockdown, Down Hall has been busy upgrading its grounds and facilities to ensure that guests, big and small, can enjoy a happy, action-packed stay within the property’s 110 acres of beautiful gardens and woodland. Following the installation of a brand new Padel tennis court, Down Hall’s grounds have something for everyone with five-a-side football, croquet, boules, badminton, giant games, a children’s play area and a newly created ‘Trim Trail’ outdoor woodland gym.
The Sharky & George Adventure sessions will run for 2.5 hours twice daily and are available for children aged 5-12. Places are priced at £35 per child and must be pre-booked as a part of any overnight stay. Non-residents will be able to book if spaces are remaining.
For families looking to book a stay, kids can stay and eat for free, with prices starting at just £220 per night based on x2 adults and x2 children (12 and under) sharing a room with their parents, and breakfast included.
Alongside their roster of outdoor and indoor activities, Down Hall offers a babysitting service, bookable on request – perfect for date night dining à deux in the restaurant. And if you’ve welcomed a four-legged friend during lockdown, why not bring them along for the ride? Down Hall is a proudly dog-friendly hotel and offers select rooms for guests with pooches in tow.
The hotel will reopen on 9th July, with pre-booking open now: https://www.downhall.co.uk/families.
