“Can I get a chair for you?” Before I can answer, I glance across to see a waitress hotfoot it out of view before returning with what was technically a chair – she had it spot on as she clutched the perfect rocker for toddler!
I smile to myself and wonder why family dining can’t be as easy everywhere? I am in a restaurant in one of the most family friendly hotels in the UK (ask any of hard nosed hotel critics if you don’t believe me.) I have walked in with all three of my children, including my youngest who at two years of age has perfectly mastered the ‘tantrum!’ The menu looks amazing, views are across the bay are stunning and as I look round at the families all tucking into their meals and chatting loudly I immediately feel at ease knowing it won’t be a rushed or shushed affair and I’ll have to make absolutely no excuses for my children!
The restaurant in question is the Wild Café, one of two fabulous eateries located at Bedruthan Hotel & Spa in Cornwall.
With a dramatic coastline, the hotel boasts enviable views out to the stunning bay of Mawgan Porth and the rolling Cornish countryside in the distance. The hotel faces out to sea with over half the bedrooms featuring floor to ceiling windows for unbeatable views. There’s something so enlivening about waking up to this spectacular view to start the day off right.
The hotel is made up of just over 100 spacious rooms and suites. The majority of rooms can accommodate families, with layouts featuring bunk beds, adjoining rooms and full suites to best suit the needs for each family. Rooms are brightly decorated with an infusion of colour – groovy pops of pink and lime green coupled with vibrant patchworks. Comfy beds are surrounded by plenty of storage, practical amenities facilities and locally made toiletries. Cots, bottle warmers and fridges can all be provided to make life simpler with the little ones in tow.
And so back to the Wild Café, split into two halves, the ‘family side’ not just welcomes but celebrates children of all ages with bibs and kids cutlery piled high; baby food made to order; delectable children’s afternoon teas and the most welcoming of staff. The flip side to the restaurant retains the casual ambience yet you’ll find it a little quieter in case you don’t want to join in with ‘Twinkle Twinkle’ during your dinner!
The second restaurant, the Herring, is the adults-only dining option that features a nightly menu with beautifully presented seasonal dishes boasting a little more flair and finesse with a menu to fawn over with tempting dishes such as the Tregothanan Estate venison accompanied by dauphinoise potatoes, cauliflower puree and a spiced date sauce. If room allows, I can only advise that they have perfected the finest melt in the mouth puddings.
Included within our stay was two hours of free childcare per day, so our children visited the Ofsted registered Kids Club for a couple of hours so we could enjoy a little time together as a couple. The facilities were as good as the private nursery we use, with the staff asked us all the right questions.
Making full use of our time and the beautiful weather, we headed to the Sensory Garden, a zen-like outdoor haven. Taking you on a journey through the senses with smells, scrubs and heat, the hubby and I relaxed and spent one hour just catching up and letting our bodies rejuvenate.
Elsewhere for adults, the hotel has tennis courts, an indoor spa, craft workshops and an onsite shop selling local artwork but with our time up post Sensory Garden, we were on a promise to take the kids to enjoy one of the resort’s three pools.
If the beach is more your thing, then a 10-minute walk through the hotel grounds will see you on the golden sands below. It’s golden sands and warm shallow waters are ideal for exploration and adventure. Deeper into the sea the waves are powerful making Magwan Porth popular with surfers. The infamous Bedruthan Steps coastal trail is also accessible through the hotel, just be prepared that it can take some endurance to complete.
Maybe it was the sea air, or perhaps just the warmth of Bedruthan, but something got to us all during this stay, and for this reason I have to agree with my husband when he declared it one of his favourite UK family boltholes.
Need to Know
(Low season): Prices at Bedruthan Hotel & Spa start from £262.00 per night based on a family of four sharing a Sea View Family Room on a Dinner, Bed & Breakfast basis; 2 hours of free childcare per day of stay is also included in the price, subject to availability. An Elemental Spa Day Package (including Sensory Spa Garden) is priced at £55 per person. For more information, please visit: https://www.bedruthan.com or call: 01637 861 200.
