We love getting together with friends and family, but often a lunch out or a dinner party simply isn’t long enough to reconnect properly. The large group getaway is becoming increasingly popular, with families or old friends choosing to spend a week or weekend simply enjoying each other’s company. It’s also a great way to celebrate a special event like a birthday, anniversary or engagement.
Self-catering accommodation gives the group greater freedom to socialise together easily – and also, everyone can have a bit of space when it’s needed. Here at Handpicked Cottages, we’ve curated a special collection of luxury holiday cottages for groups in beautiful locations across the country.
If you’re the one who always seems to make the arrangements, we see you! To help you organise your perfect group holiday, we’ve put together a guide to choosing the right accommodation for your getaway or celebration.
If you’ve made a group booking for a specific event such as a sporting fixture, summer festival or theatre trip, this naturally dictates the location. If you don’t have any ties, try to pick a venue that everyone can reach easily. Somewhere like the Peak District or West Midlands is a handy central location, or choose a place with good transport links, like pretty Kent with its London connections or the beautiful countryside around Edinburgh.
Do you want to escape to the country or enjoy a lively city break? A remote country house set in extensive grounds sounds idyllic (with just a hint of Agatha Christie…) or if you’re planning to visit lots of places together, life will be simpler if you’re near a city or town.
Once you’ve pinned down the location, the next decision is the size of property you need. How many people will there be, and what type of accommodation does everyone need? A gathering of family or friends with young children will have different accommodation needs to a group of best friends away for a pampering hen weekend. Will any guests need ground-level accommodation? Does anyone want to bring their dog? What about parking?
Our large group holiday cottage collection starts with lovely old farm houses that sleep three couples, and goes right up to elegant manors that have spacious accommodation for 30-plus guests. There’s also the option of taking a row of luxury lodges so everyone has a bit more privacy. What best suits your group?
Now you can fine-tune your accommodation: what do you want to be able to do without leaving your holiday cottage? Do you envisage long, lazy lunches in the garden or relaxed suppers in a farmhouse kitchen? If you’re on holiday with children, a large garden is a must (and some come with play equipment like swings). Celebrating a birthday or anniversary? Look out for properties with large dining halls or sheltered outdoor eating areas.
Some of our larger houses have their own swimming pools while others share spa and gym facilities with other properties. Many have inviting garden and terrace features such as hot tubs, outdoor kitchens, and large seating and dining areas. Inside, the well-equipped kitchens are a joy to cook – and hang out – in, and look out for additional reception rooms such as libraries, studies and games rooms, which make useful extra break-out spaces.
It may be that you’re all content to enjoy the comfort and privacy of your luxury holiday cottage; however, if you’re celebrating a special event such as a birthday, you might also need to organise a day or evening out.
Adventure days can be a lot of fun: local outdoor activity centres can organise everything from stand up paddle board lessons to pony trekking or foraging for wild food. If your group prefers something a little less outdoorsy, museums, stately homes and galleries often offer pre-booked tours for groups, or the grown-ups could book onto a distillery or brewery tour…
Meals out for a large group usually have to be booked well in advance. Supper clubs and restaurants with private rooms are good places to start, or if you love the idea of dining in your splendid manor house, you may be able to arrange at-home catering.
If you’re planning a large group getaway in the UK, take a look at our collection of spacious holiday cottages with beautiful houses that can sleep 30 (or more) guests in superb comfort. If you would like to discuss your group’s holiday requirements, please contact our helpful team here at Handpicked Cottages.
If you have any questions, you can use our form below to send an email and we’ll be in touch.