The Elms, set in the rolling hills of Worcestershire, is so child friendly that there is even a lovable chocolate-coloured Labrador who lopes around the front lawn touting for walkies.

As many of the hotel’s guests are under 3, one gets the impression that few of Tickle’s romps stretch beyond a few hundred, slowly conquered, yards. We, though, managed to get lost twice with Tickle in tow. It was a good job she needed the exercise and my sons found the countryside so rewarding (give or take the odd clump of nettles).

Back at the Queen Anne mansion that is the Elms there was plenty, besides Tickle, to keep three energetic boys busy. They were older than many of the other children there, but not so much so that they didn’t spend hours in the pool, on the trampoline, playing table tennis and generally enjoying the gardens, views and relaxed atmosphere.

Younger kids are encouraged to help tend the gardens – full of poppies, vegetables and fruit trees. I saw several tots wandering happily between the beds, sloshing watering cans around.

The Elms, Abberley, Worcester

This countryside hotel has a labrador on hand for walkies and more besides to keep your children amused, says Emma Tucker

BACKGROUND

• Lower End House, Eckington, Worcestershire

• Russell's of Broadway, Worcestershire

• The Lygon Arms, Broadway, Worcestershire

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My eldest, aged 13, qualified for a “teen clean” facial at the hotel’s spa, which got a definite thumbs up. For parents who want their own “clean” there is a free, well appointed crèche, allowing time to enjoy the spa’s long treatment list, Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna.

We ate together at the family restaurant – a full a la carte menu that is nevertheless separate from the main restaurant, reserved for adults. (There’s a tea earlier in the evening for tinies.)

The children’s menu is imaginative and includes chicken curry, beef casserole, macaroni cheese, and so forth. My boys, though, went straight to the adult menu, somehow managing to get through Cajun chicken, battered haddock, and calves liver, followed by waffles, maple syrup ice cream and hot chocolate brownies. The food was excellent.

The rooms were cosy and very comfortable - on our first morning I slept until 9.30 which, believe me, is nothing short of a miracle. The boys were happily watching Troy, borrowed from the hotel DVD library, and eating complimentary homemade biscuits when I finally surfaced. They were housed next door in what amounted to our own mini-wing of the mansion.

Breakfast was good, with fresh leaf tea and toast made from thick slices of home made bread.

Tripadvisor.co.uk users give the hotel an average 3.5/5 rating, praising in particular the staff, food and grounds. There are a few gripes about the décor, but some of these were posted before the recent refurbishment.

Need to know: The Elms, Abberley, Worcester WR6 6AT; Tel: 01299 896666; www.theelmshotel.co.uk

Bottom line: from £115 in the Coach House (two adults, one child) to £425 for a suite (sleeps 7) depending on the season. Includes breakfast. There are dinner, bed and breakfast packages also available.

Best thing: the staff’s relaxed approach and Tickle.

Worst thing: the ping pong bats were ropey

Food: 9 out of 10

Service: 10 out of 10

Room: 8 out of 10

Value: 9 out of 10

Four word review: child-friendly garden oasis

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