If you live in a big town or city, a large group holiday in a country cottage has a lot of appeal – the peace and quiet for starters, no noise from traffic and sirens, far away from the hustle and bustle of busy streets, it’s the perfect way to spend time with your nearest and dearest, to unwind and recharge any flagging batteries. Whether it’s a family holiday, a reunion of old friends, a hen weekend, a birthday celebration, or a corporate team building break, you’ll find the country cottage ambience just adds to it all and makes your stay so much more special.

Historically, there’d be no such thing as a group holiday cottage because back in days of yore, a cottage was typically a small dwelling, but of course that’s all changed and properties have been extended, knocked through and restyled, and the result is some truly gorgeous holiday homes for big groups. Cottages usually retain much of their original character; chunky ceiling beams, inglenook fireplaces, thick stone or exposed brick walls and window seats, and that’s what makes it all so homely and cosy. Most of us have that stock image of a quintessential thatched country cottage where old-fashioned flowers tumble together in the gardens and roses scramble up the walls; there’s something very romantic and idyllic about it, especially when the cottages stand in attractive villages, or amidst miles of unspoilt countryside.

Group Stays has all kinds of large group holiday homes, and because our properties are mostly in the West Country, in Somerset, Devon and Gloucestershire, we have some enchanting big country cottages sleeping up to 14 people. Some of these have swimming pools or hot tubs, saunas, games rooms and BBQ lodges; all have welcoming rustic inns nearby and plenty of things to see and do in the locality. Let’s take a closer look.