The kids are back at school, but Half Term is firmly on the horizon, and Mums and Dads looking for a break that also entertains the kids need look no further than luxury Essex country house hotel, spa and estate Down Hall and its Adventure Camp with the UK’s leading creative kids party and event planners, Sharky & George. What’s more, the stunning property in 110 acres of woodlands will be welcoming kids to stay and eat for free across half term from 16th-31st October.
Returning after a successful summer, the Sharky & George Adventure Club will offer children’s entertainment seven days a week across half term, offering Down Hall’s younger guests a holiday to remember, and parents some much needed break. 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. 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.
And that’s not all! Earlier this year, Down Hall upgraded 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 or you could simply unwind in the hotel’s Eden Spa. In addition to five-a-side football, croquet, boules, badminton, giant games, a children’s play area and a newly created ‘Trim Trail’ outdoor woodland gym, this year saw the installation of a brand new Padel tennis court – the world’s fastest growing sport. Coaching sessions will be available to book across half term for children aged 4-16 with a qualified Padel tennis coach, and priced at £7.50 per child.
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.
And are these activities are bound to work up an appetite – enjoy delicious seasonal fare at the hotel’s new restaurant Garden Room, with a daily-changing menu designed by Executive Chef Graham Noonan-Chatham.
Prices start at just £185 per night based on x2 adults and x2 children (12 and under) sharing a room with their parents, and breakfast included.
Down Hall – a half term haven for all the family.