This is why Bath can actually be a destination for young families

Regency architecture, Jane Austen tours, flouncy hotels and those Roman pools. Bath isn’t always the most family-friendly destination but the Bath Mill Lodge Retreat aims to do things a little differently.

Dotted around a refurbished 350-year-old mill house just less than three miles outside the city, Bath Mill has 64 self-catering lodges, set in a sheltered valley in a designated Area of Outstanding Beauty and surrounded by a small wood, that are perfect for families with young children. It’s even pet-friendly.

The multi-million pound redevelopment of this old campsite by Darwin Escapes in 2015 has switched tired tents for a range of high-end lodges, from studio-style to spacious four-bedroom holiday homes, such as Netherfield Lodge, which can easily accommodate a large family. They come complete with kingsize beds, barbecue-equipped sundecks, full kitchens and open-plan lounges with flatscreen televisions.

There’s a communal gym, which will doubtless please the business folk who often stay to make use of the conference facilities, good wi-fi and a licensed bar and restaurant, the Bistro, if you don’t feel like cooking. There’s also a small children’s playground outside so they can burn off excess energy while you eat.

And while they’re an easy walk into Bath — the path takes you along a canal — the lodges are also good bases if you’re looking to take a longer break in the Somerset area. The beach at Minehead, the wild animals at Longleat Safari Park, 45 minutes south of Bath, and the bohemian shops of Glastonbury are all within reach of Bath Mill.

Frome — half an hour south of Bath — is swiftly becoming a yummy mummy hotspot, with families moving out of London seeking refuge in the countryside — and opening up trendy shops and restaurants.

Either way, if you’re travelling with children in tow these days, Bath Mill Lodge Retreat is a refreshing twist on the city break that won’t leave you feeling like you need another holiday to get over your trip.

Bath Mill Lodge Retreat, Newton Road, Bath, Somerset, BA2 9JF (01225 333909, darwinescapes.co.uk). Cabins cost from £99, self-catering, or from £199 for a three-night break.