
GET DOWN WITH THE KIDS AT DOWN HALL
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.
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By Penny McCarthy
Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.
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