Places to Stay With a Pool in Stratford-upon-Avon

What's on offer

BritStays lists seven places to stay with a swimming pool in the Stratford-upon-Avon region, and they're more varied than you might expect. Three are hotels, two are camping sites, one is a cottage and one is a caravanning stay. That gives you a real choice between a polished hotel break and something more outdoorsy.

Stratford-upon-Avon itself has the most, with three. One more is listed under Stratford-Upon-Avon, Central England, and there is one each in Warwick, Shirley and Chipping Campden.

Every stay in this set has a pool, but the other facilities vary quite a bit. Here's how many of the seven list each one:

• Restaurant: 5
• Bar: 4
• WiFi: 4
• Disabled access, parking, gym and spa: 3 each

So don't assume the basics. If you need parking or reliable WiFi, check the listing or ask before you book, because fewer than half the stays mention parking.

Which stay suits which trip

This set doesn't include any seaside stays. Your choice is really between a comfortable hotel and a more relaxed countryside-style base, such as a camping meadow, caravan park or farm.

Couples and grown-up breaks. If you want a pool alongside a bit of pampering, the hotels are the natural fit:

• Cotswold House Hotel & Spa in Chipping Campden pairs its pool with a spa and a bar.
• Lygon Arms Hotel, listed in Stratford-upon-Avon, adds a hot tub and a gym.
• The Village Hotel in Shirley offers a pool, gym and spa, which suits you if you like to keep up a fitness routine while away.

Families and groups. New Inn House (Stratford-Upon-Avon, Central England) is the only stay here with a stated capacity. It sleeps 10, so it's worth a look for larger families or friends travelling together, and it lists disabled access and WiFi as well as its pool.

Some of the other stays may also suit families, though you should check details with each one:

• Apple Farm in Stratford-upon-Avon combines a pool with a hot tub and a restaurant, which saves you cooking every night.
• Twitey's Camping and Glamping Meadows in Warwick has a pool, a restaurant and a cafe. That's handy if you're camping but don't fancy doing every meal on a stove.
• Ranch Caravan Park in Stratford-upon-Avon lists a pool, gym and spa, more than many caravan stays offer.

Dog owners. None of the facility information here says whether dogs are welcome. If you're bringing yours, ask each stay directly before booking. Also ask whether dogs are allowed in rooms, pitches or communal areas.

Accessibility. Only three of the seven stays list disabled access, and New Inn House is one of them. If step-free access to the pool itself matters to you, ask specifically. A stay can be accessible in general without the pool area being easy to reach.

What to do once you're there

Even with a pool on site, you'll probably want to get out and explore. These are some of the landmarks and attractions in the area:

• Stratford-upon-Avon (Shakespeare) is the obvious starting point for anyone interested in the town's literary heritage.
• Stately homes: Stratford House, Aston Hall, Blakesley Hall, Selly Manor and Edgbaston Hall.
• National Trust: the Fleece Inn and Kinwarton Dovecot make good, quieter stops.
• Water fun: if your children can't get enough of the water, The Wave is a water park in Warwickshire.
• Museums: Sarehole Mill in Birmingham, The Old Prison in the Cotswolds, and the John Moore Countryside Museum and Almonry Museum and Heritage Centre in Cheltenham.

Check opening times with each place before you set off, as these can change through the year.

When and how to book

With only seven pool stays in this region, the choice is limited. If you have your heart set on one in particular, booking early is sensible.

This matters most for New Inn House. As the one stay with a stated capacity for a big group, it has no obvious alternative if it's taken. School holidays and weekends are typically when family-friendly places fill first, so allow more time if you're tied to those dates.

Before you pay, it's worth asking a few questions, because pool rules vary widely:

• Is the pool open all year? This is especially worth checking at camping and caravan sites like Twitey's Camping and Glamping Meadows and Ranch Caravan Park.
• Are there set times for children, or adult-only sessions?
• Is pool or spa use included, or charged separately? This applies to the hotels and Ranch Caravan Park.
• Is there parking on site, and do you need to reserve it?

Get the answers in writing, by email or in the booking confirmation, so there are no surprises when you arrive with your swimming bag packed.