As every parent knows when you have young children holidays cease to become, well, holidays really says LUCY ELKINS

There is an air of “same duties, different scenery”. Yet let me let you into a secret – at Knoll House in Dorset you may just get a break, even with the kids in tow.
 
Set in grounds dotted with rhododendrons and overlooking Studland Bay – a stone’s throw from the millionaire’s playground of Sandbanks - the hotel was a favourite of Enid Blyton and the fifties’ feel remains.

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If you’re the type who covets chrome fittings and beige walls this isn't for you. The decor is not dated but comfortable. By the reception area a log fire burns merrily in the evenings. There’s no television in the room, only a Roberts radio. It’s the kind of place where it would seem natural to have scones and a pot of tea at 4pm.
 
Indeed, the 1950’s feel extends to the dining arrangements.

Children under eight are not allowed into the grown up dining room and instead eat breakfast, lunch and their evening tea between 5pm and 6pm in their own separate dining room.
 
Sounds cruel? You haven't tried it. Our five-year-old, who was given the option of eating with the children in the dining room or going to a café with mummy and daddy, happily opted to eat with the other kids.

Smiley Enid Blyton-esque staff wearing checked uniforms, shepherd around the youngsters. It isn’t the usual - something fried with sachets of tomato sauce - fare often associated with ‘children’s catering’. It is the only hotel in the country with a designated chef just for the children. Everything is home cooked and the comforting smell of crumble often scented the air.

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At lunchtime parents can eat their lunch in the grown up dining room while staff look after their children.

After tea all the parents shoo their kids outside to the adventure playground or to splash in the heated outdoor pool. The idea being that the kids will tire themselves out and fall asleep and leave the adults free to play being grown ups. For at 7.30pm the adult dining room opens and if your angels are in the land of lullaby you can step back into the land of grown ups.
 
You don’t need to take your baby monitor with you – nannies settle themselves in the corridor to listen out for the kids. 

The system works because it means that guests without kids don’t have to tolerate other people's children while the parents get a break. It was easy to spot the parents among the other guests. They were the ones with the big smiles on their faces. The mums were wearing their Sunday best confident that their kids’ grubby fingers wouldn’t be having contact with their clothes. 
 
Obviously the system does depend on the kids actually going to sleep. We had had a long drive to get there during which our son kept dosing. So, on the first night, guess who received a discreet whisper in the ear that their child was awake?
 
As Louis refused to settle we dined on the balcony in our room that night. But the staff members were wonderfully helpful and as we had a sea view it was no hardship.
 
The food is traditional and seasonal and I will dream about the pudding table for many years to come.
 
The sun shone while we were there and I was able to start the second day of our visit with a dip in the heated pool with views of the stunning Dorset countryside. It was one of those moments in life that make you thank your lucky stars.

There’s plenty to do on the doorstep too. The beach is a few minutes walk away, the seaside town of Swanage a short drive away. Further afield there’s fossil hunting at Lyme Regis. We visited the swannery and animal farm park at nearby Abbotsbury. As we were out for lunch the hotel happily packed us off with a picnic.
 
However, Knoll House is the kind of place where you could happily idle away hours if not days. There’s a health spa for the adults and because there were other children to play with - Louis splashed in the pool and spent hours playing in the adventure playground. Happily there is a bench there and so parents can settle down with a book and enjoy the views while at the same time watching their kids.

That’s the good thing about this place. It’s child friendly without the hurly burley of a theme park. And, it is not just a hit with kids. It is dog friendly too.
 
It isn't cheap. However if you are a frazzled parent who wants a break or, indeed, someone without kids who fancies a relaxing old fashioned style holiday then I would argue that even in these cash strapped times it’s worth a visit. Most of the people we chatted to had visited the hotel before - and there can hardly be a better recommendation than that.
 

GETTING THERE:
For a family of 4 (with 2 children under 13) price for 5 days with full board starts from £933.

The Knoll House: www.knollhouse.co.uk/ 01929 450450