With Christmas just around the corner, we bring you an inspirational round-up of some of the best luxury stays in the UK for large groups.
Rhapsody, Surrey
A utopia of surreal garden sculptures, topsy-turvy architecture and glass-like pools, Rhapsody (above) has fallen head first through the rabbit hole and landed in the heart of Wonderland. Settled in the Surrey countryside and with a raucous history of revelry, this luxury rural escape, with outdoor heated swimming pool, yoga hut and sunken hot tub, is a self-catering retreat worthy of any Mad Hatter’s tea party. Sleeps up to 12, priced from £13,500 per week, £9,250 per short break. rhapsody.uniquehomestays.com
Hound Lodge, West Sussex
Hound Lodge credit Mike Caldwell
At Hound Lodge, in the midst of Goodwood’s spectacular 12,000-acre estate, life flows at a different pace. This magnificent 10-bedroom country retreat is yours to experience in its entirety, offering a rare opportunity to spend time away from it all and escape the hectic pace of modern life. Up to 20 guests, poa. goodwood.com/stay-dine-relax
The Cookie Jar, Northumberland
Formerly the Convent of Mercy for over 120 years, The Cookie Jar, located on the cobbled streets of Bailiffgate, adjacent to Alnwick Castle, has been beautifully renovated into a charming 11-bedroom hotel. Perfect for shooting, golfing or fishing parties, and for relaxing after a busy day, there’s the resident’s lounge serving pre-dinner cocktails and afternoon tea, The Bistro, and heated terrace and walled garden. Bedrooms boast drench showers, Penhaligon’s toiletries as well as a welcome jar of freshly baked cookies! Much of the properties character and original features have been retained, with room types and names riffing on the building’s religious heritage; ‘Mother Superior’ suites have oversized “heavenly” bathtubs, while ‘The Chapel’ is “the Mother of all Superiors” with a beautiful stained glass circular window and other features from its earlier incarnation as the convent’s chapel. Sleeps up to 22 guests, priced from £175 per room/per night. cookiejaralnwick.com/whole-jar
Astley Manor, the Cotswolds
A beautiful historic manor house, close to Stow-on-the-Wold, with tennis court and croquet lawn, lake and hot tub, as well as the immaculate vegetable garden and orchard. Indoors there’s a cinema room and 8 beautifully designed bedrooms in a classic English country home style. Set in stunning mature gardens this is the perfect pick for a quintessentially English week away. Sleeps up to 15 people, prices from £10,225 per week.
luxurycotswoldrentals.co.uk
Trevenek, Cornwall
Set within the verdant headland of Mawgan Porth, just a short walk to the popular surfing beach, Trevenek is a stunning holiday home with games room balcony, BBQ and dining table. Sleeps 8-10 people. Priced from £2,990 per week, £2790 per short break. perfectstays.co.uk/property/trevenek
Mayfair Town House
A spacious five bedroom immaculately presented and beautifully furnished ambassadorial town house. Sleeps up to 10 people, prices on application. carltoncourt.com
Huntsham Court, Devon
Huntsham Court is an historic private hire country estate with a manor house and gardens and a relaxed ethos. Situated in the beautiful rolling Devon countryside on the borders of the Exmoor National Park and close to Somerset. Sleeping from 10 up to 92 people across 40 luxury bedrooms! huntshamcourt.co.uk
The Old Rectory, Norfolk
A truly magnificent 8-bedroom property with games room, tennis courts and manicured grounds. Priced from £2080 per short break. barefootretreats.co.uk
Stones Throw, Norfolk
A chic Victorian holiday retreat over four floors, moments from the beach. Sleeps up to 12 people, priced from £1045 per week. originalcottages.co.uk
The Lindens, South Dorset
The Lindens is a beautifully renovated 18th century manor house which lies within the peaceful and pretty village of East Lulworth, a stone’s throw from the majestic Lulworth Castle, the idyllic Lulworth Cove and iconic rock arch of Durdle Door. One of two new ‘manors’ from Lulworth Estate’s holiday cottages, The Lindens has been luxuriously renovated to offer a unique escape for large groups, staying on England’s first and only natural UNESCO World Heritage site. The ‘manors’ accommodate up to 18 people, start at £40 per person per night for full occupancy during low season. lulworth.com/stay/the-lindens
Broad Meadows Farmhouse, Worcestershire
Queen Anne style property dates back to the 1690s Sleeps up to 12 people. Priced from £1,510 for 3 nights ruralretreats.co.uk
Newfield House, Northumberland
A glamorous mansion with full-size heated indoor pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room, bar and cinema room. Sleeps up to 14 people. Priced from £3625 for 7 nights coquetcottages.co.uk
Lakes by yoo Glasshouse, The Cotswolds
A unique home with a 100% glass façade. The house is sitting in the lake distinguishing it from any other house on the Lakes by Yoo estate, and most likely also from any other house in the UK! Offering luxurious “outside in living” , the architecture evokes the feeling of living outdoors in almost every corner of the property. Up to 12 guests, poa. thelakesbyyoo.com
Cowdray house, West Sussex
Rolling hills and open skies are not the only features which make Cowdray House a wonderful location. Set in 110 acres of private gardens, grounds and parkland, Cowdray House is a spectacular venue for exclusive-use hire. It was home to the Estate’s original polo field, commonly referred to as the House Ground, and guests today can enjoy polo lessons during their stay. Sleeps up to 44 guests, prices on application cowdray.co.uk
Penthouse, Knightsbridge
Overlooking a quiet residential street close to the designer shops and restaurants of Knightsbridge. Sleeps 6, £2000 per night. capitalhotel.co.uk
