Country Comforts...

If you want to combine your city break with tranquillity and green spaces, you can head for the suburbs or plonk yourself near one of the capital’s many sprawling parks. For city-centre greenery the Hyde Park Radnor Hotel - a 19th-century townhouse within walking distance of Hyde Park with its many child-friendly attractions - is hard to beat. The Radnor offers intimate accommodation, a public lounge and rooms at very reasonable rates.

The Mornington Hotel-Best Western is another property enjoying a location near the leafiest and largest of London’s parks. Situated on an unusually quiet residential street opposite Hyde Park, the Mornington offers a broad range of quality family rooms within a Victorian period property built in 1860. Incredibly elegant, the accommodation is also spacious allowing for plenty of room for family fun. Smart bathrooms and refurbished décor give the hotel a really upmarket feel. Don’t forget to take the youngsters to the adventure playground in nearby Kensington Gardens.

One of the best family-friendly places outside the centre is Dawson House Hotel, which is moments away from the wild and wonderful Hampstead Heath. Smaller venues like this offer unbeatable levels of personal service and attention which can be hard to find at some of the larger establishments.