Big adventures – places for six or more to gather, whatever vibe you’re after

For the foodies – Ludlow 

The area’s food heritage and Ludlow’s market town history have fused into a booming food scene. In September, a festival showcases the astonishing breadth of produce that the region produces, but any time you visit, you’ll find delis, restaurants and cafes serving up fabulous things. Everything from Michelin-starred cuisine to superb picnic items is on offer, so just gather your group, wear your loosest clothes and let your noses guide you.     

Stay at: The Freeth (sleeps 18) – for when the chefs among you decide they want to see what they can do with the local goods in that fabulous kitchen. 

For the adventurers – The Cairngorms  

With Aviemore as its hub, The Cairngorms is an adventurer’s paradise. There’s skiing when the snows are right, all sorts of activities on the river and some great hiking, of course, but also much more. On the Rothiemurchus estate, 10,000 hectares of Ancient Caledonian Forest, lochs, rivers, glens and mountains, you can fish, shoot and quad bike all in stunning scenery, while the Landmark Forest Adventure Park offers treetop fun, a family friendly roller coaster and a tropical hot house filled with butterflies and flowers, in case you need to calm down a little. 

Stay at: Strathspey Lodge (sleeps 8) – for a cool, contemporary castle floating in the wilderness. At about 15 minutes down the road from both Aviemore and Rothiemurchus, you’re perfectly placed to have a pleasantly exhausting few days. 

For the hikers – Cumbria  

Cumbria is good for hiking! Who knew?! Well actually, we’re not talking about the Lake District. Just to the north of Penrith is the quieter side of the county and some lovely, gentle walks to places Lacy’s Caves or Long Meg and Her Daughters. Kirkoswald has two good pubs and some great wild swimming spots, although the current is something to be careful of. There are strolls along the banks of the Lazonby Estate and, of course The Lakes in easy reach if you really must. 

Stay at: Abbott Moss (sleeps 6) – for your own lakeside palace that’s so nice you might hardly venture out at all 

For the creatives – The Cotswolds 

Come to home of the Arts & Crafts movement when you need inspiration, a splash of beauty in your life or just some wonderful bits and pieces to freshen up your house. You can all spend days getting lost in fabric shops, antiques barns and design museums, before coming back together for coffee breaks in places like Eleven Bibury. 

Stay at: The Lodge, Perrycroft – for total immersion in the area’s creative history. The estate around The Lodge was designed by architect C.F.A. Voysey and completed in 1895. Current owners Gillian and Mark took pains to research the original plans of the house during renovation, restoring both it and the gardens to their former glory

For the luxuriators – Cornwall 

Often billed as the place to come and surf, hike and swim until all you can is slump into the sofa, we’d like to make a controversial suggestion: forget all that. Find a place with some lovely views and a hot tub, a games room for the kids, maybe a beach just off the deck and a serious bbq setup, then completely relax. If only you could find such a perfect spot… 

Stay at: Buddha Beach House (sleeps 10) – oh look, the perfect spot.

For the water babies – Pembrokeshire 

Parts of Pembrokeshire are growing in popularity but for us, it’s still the best place in the country to steal away and have a beach all to yourself. There’s great surf if you’re looking for it, but also calm, clean waters for those more inclined to splash in the shallows than ride out into the depths.  

Stay at: Mor & More Beach House (sleeps 10) – for a cool barn packed with contemporary flair and immediate access to Marros Sands, which can only be reached on foot and feels like your own private corner of the world 

For the gamers (indoor and outdoor) – Norfolk 

Ok, so this is a slight stretch. Of course, you can play board games anywhere and if you stay out in the countryside there’s a good chance of a big garden to run around in. What Norfolk has is a better chance than most that the garden is flat! Plus there’s normally great pubs, the Broads to explore and some expansive beaches if someone in your group has a tendency to hit balls over even a distant garden hedge.  

Stay at: Barn Drift (sleeps 16) –  for a lawn big enough for rounder and tables big enough for those games that take as long to set up as they do to play. 

Explore more large holiday homes for group stays >

You might also like