Inspiration

Get everyone together: places to stay for a celebration

Sawday's Expert

5 min read

All you really need for a good party are the right people and the right place. You can take care of the invitations, but we've got the places covered with these perfect spots for a great gathering.

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Finca del Alamo

Bask beneath the palms, relax on the jasmine-scented terraces. Crickets hum, birds sing, and lush gardens drop to a plant-filtered pool. 30 acres of olive and citrus groves make up this big relaxed finca, which is wonderful for a group. Inside the house, rooms are bright with tapestries, antiques and books, and a sense of airy comfort prevails. There’s air con in the bedrooms, en suite bathrooms, dining areas inside and out. There’s even a yoga studio in the grounds – ask Caroline about their group yoga retreats.

Almería is one of the sunniest, warmest regions in Europe, so pick a book from the library and soak up the glorious sunshine around the pool, even in the winter. It’s a 30-minute drive to the sandy beaches and coves of the Cabo de Gata for swims in crystal clear waters, such as on the Playa de los Genoveses.

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Ein Cynefin

Whatever sort of group you are, you’ll love this fine Victorian manor house near the Clwydian Mountains. There’s a big, beautiful kitchen if you all like to pitch in with the chopping and grating, plenty of space for everyone to disappear off for quiet time in the big bedrooms and soaks in the roll-top tubs, and even a baby grand piano if you all fancy gathering round for a sing song.

The hills and forests nearby make for great hiking, there are feast days at the local estate and a host of local pubs that serve fine food if you’d rather skip all the hard work. It’s a lovely place to idle though, with croquet on the lawn, drinks on the terrace and the merry babble of celebration all around you.

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Hillside Hangouts: Elsker

This luxurious house has a real wow factor and is perfect for a no-expenses-spared holiday or celebration. It’s set on the 500-acre Farncombe Estate along with two other self-catering properties and three hotels but feels quite secluded. There’s plenty of room for a large group to spread out, including a library, a games room with retro games, and a large lounge and kitchen diner. The garden has far-reaching views and a gated swimming pool, a hot tub and table tennis. A free group activity on the estate is included with your stay – yoga, falconry, hovercraft, axe throwing, clay shooting and archery among others.

A welcome hamper includes milk, fresh bread, butter, jam and fruit. Cook together in the state-of-the-art kitchen, fire up the BBQ, choose a restaurant at one of the three hotels, or head to Chipping Campden or Broadway, only a five-minute drive. Stock up at delicious Daylesford farm shop.

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The Freeth

Blink and you’ll miss the entrance to The Freeth, an unobtrusive gateway with no signs from the road. When you spot it, head down a mile-long track to this huge red-brick farmhouse, with gardens by a Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winner, orchards brimming with fruit trees, a walled garden angled to catch the evening sun and a wisteria-clad terrace. You won’t need your alarm: the birdsong will wake you up in the morning. The 1,500-acre Netherwood Estate provides plenty of space to roam, plus an indoor pool for when the weather isn’t being friendly. It’s not just multi-generational families who’ll love this fantastically restored home: consider it for a smart pre-wedding send off, or corporate events.

Keen cooks will love the Aga and magazine-worthy kitchen, but if you fancy a break there’s a Michelin starred, award-winning new restaurant, Pensons, on the estate. Don’t miss the Sunday Service: papers delivered mid-morning, followed by brunch or Sunday roast with all the trimmings.

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Vitarel

An extraordinary venue set in a stunning setting, Vitaral’s perfect for groups of friends or family gatherings. A large 1850s house, it was originally a functional farm, where the traditional barn has been transformed into four remarkable spaces. You can reserve the entire property, complete with eye-catching mid-century furniture, captivating 20th-century artwork, artistic lighting, and delightful views. You’ll also discover a spacious studio, equipped with a communal table at your disposal for social gatherings or classes, complete with everything you’ll need, like a projector and Sonos sound system.

Whether you prefer the privacy of your individual seating and dining areas, or choose to gather around the firepit with outdoor lighting and a communal dining table. The pool area’s powered by a solar canopy serving as the property’s energy source, and includes changing rooms and an additional full bathroom. Explore the tiered gardens and wander amongst the olive grove, fruit trees, and blooming shrubs, stepping under the shady pergolas and onto a secluded terrace for late afternoon tipples.

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The Mount, Keswick, Lake District

Keswick is a superb place for adventure lovers and people who love a bit of bustle. At the heart of neighbouring Portinscale is this wonderful house, one of the best big group places in the Lake District we’ve ever seen. The views get even more incredible as you climb up the three stories and the style of the place gives you a cosy, homely feel as you ramble through the corridors.

You can stroll into Keswick for shows at Theatre by the Lake and boat trips in the gleaming old launches and over to Castlerigg for a dramatic view of hills ringing the old stone circle, while the wider area offers wilder experiences like canoeing, canyoning and, of course, plenty of wild swimming.

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Claire Maguire

Sawday's Expert

Claire combines her twin loves of writing and travel to create interesting and inspiring blog content. Originally from Ireland, she spent a lot of time in coastal Donegal, so visiting anywhere by the sea brings a special kind of happiness and nostalgia. Her favourite sort of place is anything that makes her say “I wish I lived here!” and as a big foodie, she sees time away as a period of no-holds-barred eating and drinking against a picturesque backdrop.

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