Main image: Haddon Grove Farm Cottages, Bakewell, The Peak District
Perfect for getting all your favourite people together, our large holiday homes are already hot properties for 2023. Featuring hot tubs, swimming pools, games rooms and breathtaking views, you’ll soon see why they are so popular for special occasions and long-awaited reunions.
Read on to discover 10 of our best big cottages from our stunning selection, and find the perfect one for your grand self-catering getaway!
Waternook | The Lake District
Why guests love it:
"This place was absolutely perfect. Amazing home in a private setting. The house has everything you would need. Plenty of spaces throughout for multiple groups to socialise. The large farmhouse table was perfect for a ‘family style’ meal. Communication with Staycation was constant both prior to visit and during." - Erica
Why we love it:
Set within 26 acres overlooking beautiful Lake Ullswater, the Waternook Estate is a spectacular 5 star multiple award-winner designed to bring people together. Sleeping 12-20 between two stunning properties, catch a movie in the private cinema, share cocktails at the lake view bar, soak in the infinity terrace hot tub, and tap into an array of luxury concierge services. It’s a little bit of Hollywood in Lakeland.
Sleeps 12-20.
Rosevean House | North Cornwall
Why guests love it:
"We felt like we were living in a Homes and Gardens magazine. Wonderfully restored, you can expect home from home comforts. Comfy beds, a great kitchen and general living spaces. Large enough for two families and still spaces to be had if you want a quiet corner. Decorated to a really high standard, this house is a pleasure to stay in. It has two garden areas getting sun at different times of the day. The pool table, table football and cinema room are also great touches." - Sue
Why we love it:
Rosevean House is a luxury six bedroom period retreat in the heart of St Agnes, half a mile from the soft sands of Trevaunance Cove. When you’re not making the most of the surf, you can enjoy the magic of the cinema room and basement games room at this large seaside getaway. Stylishly decorated and artfully designed, beautiful social spaces include an open-plan kitchen/dining/sitting room for your large group to enjoy.
Sleeps 12.
Blencowe Hall | Cumbria
Why guests love it:
"We had a wonderful time and cannot fault it! Everyone, adults and children alike, thoroughly enjoyed it and thought it was a beautiful building, lovingly restored with great attention to detail. The South Tower glazing restoration is particularly impressive as are the gardens, enjoyed very much by our family dog Floyd" - Justin
Why we love it:
The Blencowe Hall Estate is a heady mix of uniqueness and luxury. Dine, sleep and relax in the14th-century castle featuring 12 en suite bedrooms. Set within 30 acres of gated and walled gardens, the estate also includes three luxuriously restored barns - Cazenovia Hall, Riverain and Wythburn Cottage that offer you additional accommodation for even larger groups. And all in the perfect Lakes location.
Sleeps 24-44.
The Oaks | Shropshire
Why guests love it:
"A wonderful weekend to celebrate a 25th birthday! The house was perfect for us; gorgeous views, great amenities and the most wonderful walks right on our doorstep! Day 1: Long Mynd and Ragleth Hill (20km). Day 2: Caer Caradoc (13 km). Everyone loved the house and its setting - especially so last night when we could see the Milky Way from the patio. We will be back!! Hopefully we will have a dog by then too!" - Paul
Why we love it:
Quietly nestled in the heart of the Shropshire Hills AONB, this 5 star country house not only has a wonderfully cosy atmosphere inside but a breathtaking landscape outside. A great place to stay with your friends or family, you can walk the Long Mynd at will from the garden gate, lose your kids to the games room and TV snug and live the good life awhile. You can also hire a hot tub to soak up the peace.
Sleeps 10.
Vicarage House & Pool House | Norfolk
Why guests love it:
"Every member of four generations of our family had a fantastic weekend at Vicarage House. All the amenities were spot on as described and everything was done to make our stay delightful. Except for an intrepid two who took to the bikes provided, the family stayed on site all weekend, enjoying the pool, the tennis court, as well as the badminton and croquet sets available. The house is magnificently equipped." - Michael
Why we love it:
Ideal for a multi-generational getaway, Vicarage House & Pool House is simply bursting with entertainment for all ages. Children will be delighted with the games room featuring a table tennis table, Wii and Games Cube, while adults can serve an ace on the all weather tennis court. There is also a heated outdoor pool for added fun and games. Situated in the heart of the Norfolk Brecks, the luxury property is a brilliant base for exploring Thetford Forest on the doorstep – we’ve even provided you with bikes and maps!
Sleeps 15.
Hause Hall Farm | The Lake District
Why guests love it:
"We had the most fantastic time at Hause Hall, Cruik Barn & The Stables. It was so much more than we imagined. The rooms were beautifully decorated and linen spotless as were the bathrooms. The kitchen open plan dining and lounge area was vast. Everything was taken care of.... even down to soap powder for washing machine and dog bowl. We loved the Aga especially when we got back from wild swimming! The hamper was a real treat. That view out of the day room leading into the patio was utterly stunning. We loved just walking out of the door onto the fells.... beautiful. We hiked, cycled, swam, canoed, kayaked, as well as sat watching the raptors, sheep, and deer amongst others. We will be back." - Sarah
Why we love it:
Get family or friends together at Hause Hall Farm, our stunning Grade II listed conversion in the lee of Hallin Fell. It’s the ultimate luxury base to retreat to after time spent exploring the beautiful Lakes and fell walks directly from the doorstep. With incredibly stylish interiors and gorgeous finishing touches, fire up the terrace barbie, drink in the panoramic views and put life on pause…
Sleeps 10-18.
Dairy House | Somerset
Why guests love it:
"The Dairy House is a wonderful venue to host a get-together with family or friends, or both! The setting is beautiful and the house itself is spacious and modern (but in keeping with the history). The communal dining area is particularly lovely. The hot tub is a great touch. Would recommend for a special event!" - Abi
Why we love it:
The Dairy House is a luxurious Grade II listed ham stone cottage near Ilminster in rural Somerset with easy access to the Jurassic Coast. Beautiful and special to stay in, it’s cocooned by a stunning and secluded garden with a wood-fired hot tub. Your kids are catered for too, with a children’s playground and a wild wooded area to explore on site. Beyond its garden, you can enjoy private access to Dillington Park.
Sleeps 16.
Haddon Grove Farm | The Peak District
Why guests love it:
"We were a party of 10 adults and two kids so took the Farmhouse and one of the smaller cottages at Haddon Grove for a week. The cottages were so well equipped and immaculately clean. The bedrooms were all charming and the social rooms very spacious. We also found it very family friendly with a play area, wendy house and swimming pool on site. With COVID regulations the swimming pool was booked one family at a time in one hour slots and we were really impressed with the measures they had put in place to make it safe." - Lydia
Why we love it:
Haddon Grove Farm Cottages are situated just outside Bakewell in the heart of the beautiful Peak District National Park. Once a busy farm where the barns were used for housing animals and storing hay, they now form a hamlet of 10 gorgeous holiday cottages bursting with classic country charm. They share a large indoor swimming pool, games room, play area and three acres of grounds in which you can relax while your children run free range!
Sleeps 2-10. Sleeping 51 between them, you can book as many cottages as you like for big family holidays and celebrations.
Melmerby Hall Estate | Cumbria
Why guests love it:
"We have recently just returned from a weekend at Melmerby Hall and Stag Cottage for my Mum's 80th Birthday. There were 22 of us in total occupying both properties and I can honestly say it was one of the best weekends we have all ever had. Both houses flow brilliantly and cater for everyone's needs. They have thought of everything needed from the welcome hamper to freezers full of ice. With enough space for everyone yet still giving an intimate feeling. We played cricket on the lawn, did one of the recommended walks and were waited on hand and foot by Lynn Hilditch catering on the Saturday evening…" - Clare
Why we love it:
Perfect for those looking to holiday in the country, stunning Grade II listed Melmerby Hall is set in the beautiful Eden Valley in Cumbria. Some of the irresistible features worth making a fuss about include the grand drawing room, Insta-worthy sunny orangerie, second floor billiards room and formal dining hall with massive stone fireplace. Sleeping 18, its 20 acre private estate includes the luxurious Stag Cottage (sleeps 6) and the wonderful neighbouring Kirkbride Hall (sleeps 8) – useful to know if you’re planning to host the house party of a lifetime!
Sleeps 6-32.
Walton Castle | North Somerset
Why guests love it:
"This is such a beautiful building (castle) and private location. I have even run Bootcamps here in the wonderful grounds. I’ve had some great nights at weddings here. it’s really set up for a special celebration/party. I’d recommend to check it out." - Ian
Why we love it:
Walton Castle is a stunning private hill top castle in the heart of Somerset. It comes with its own 10m heated swimming pool, a wood-fired hot tub, a ‘games’ turret with bar, pool table, dart board and table football, a private courtyard and stunning gardens too. With space for 16 people across 8 en suite bedrooms, including 5 Turret bedrooms, it is perfectly suited for bringing your loved ones together. Nearby, explore the cosmopolitan areas of Bristol and Bath.
Sleeps 16.
Published on Sunday 30th April 2023 by Linnie Clements
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