Big Houses Directory - Seasonal Offers

	Gascony, France
	Arnauton Arnauton is a delightful, sun-bleached farmhouse in the heart of Gascony. With its roots in the 16th century, it stands in five acres of grounds, its blue-shuttered windows looking out over stunning countryside. The house comes with plenty of entertainment for a party of up to 16, including a big swimming pool, a tennis court, WiFi, a pool table and table tennis. Altogether this is a fabulous base for a big group holiday in one of the most unspoilt corners of France, as well as an idyllic venue for weddings and meaningful celebrations.

	Roxburghshire, Scotland
	Cairns House This vast, converted church provides a fabulous and absolutely unique house party venue. Quoted in the Scotsman as “one of the most arresting homes in Scotland”, Cairns House has featured in Homes and Interiors, Grand Designs and several newspapers for its stunning conversion. The structure has been developed to create a comfortable and truly one-off family home – you'll find cosy underfloor heating, Farrow & Ball paintwork, sumptuous wet rooms, an impressively big living space, interesting Rose windows and a large decking area leading to a sheltered walled garden.

	Midi-Pyrénées, France
	Chateau de Siregand Chateau de Siregand is a beautiful, 10-bedroom chateau, set in 50 acres of private park and woodland south west of Toulouse. Its triumph as a holiday venue for larger groups lies in the fact that it successfully combines the old world charm of antiques, tapestries, quilted bed covers, 1850s wallpaper, original floors and chandeliers with modern day amenities such as luxury bathrooms, flat screen TV and a heated, 20-metre outdoor swimming pool. The house is generously proportioned over two floors and has numerous reception rooms, a large hall and an attractive kitchen. It is surprisingly comfortable and intimate for groups of around 14 or less, but can sleep up to 20 altogether – 17 in the house, with the option of an additional staff cottage sleeping three more. The setting is ideal, only five minutes drive from a charming large village which has shops, bars etc, and only fifteen minutes drive from the market town of Cazeres. When you need big city distractions, the renaissance city of Toulouse is only 45 minutes away, with its opera house, museums and famous markets.

	Devon, England
	Harbour Watch The ultimate big house for beach-lovers, Harbour Watch has its very own private beach! This is an amazing waterside home, with its own beautiful sandy stretch at its feet, a mooring for small boats, and further beaches within walking distance. Light airy rooms open onto a railed, ship style decking with fantastic views over the estuary, across to Salcombe and the 'Bag' (a sheltered haven for all manner of yachts). Here you can spark up a barbecue, enjoy morning coffees, evening aperitifs and dining table meals, all with a changing estuary scene before you. The house is just as dramatic inside, with a big open-plan living and kitchen area, a separate living/TV room, a wet room to get rid of salt and sand after swimming or boating, and a huge amount of glass to take advantage of the setting. The whole house is set in its own, very private and secluded mature grounds and has ample parking. From the garden, steps lead directly down to the beach allowing guests to take advantage of the low water mooring provided. Salcombe, so popular for its sailing and surf shops, pubs, restaurants and food shops, is a boat ride away.

	Kent, England
	Honeywell Barn and Cottage A stunning 13th century barn and cottage for up to 31 people in an Area of Outstanding National Beauty. The location is stunning, close to a conservation village with pub and cricket green, and beech woods with deer and fabulous walks nearby. Many of the original timbers have been used with dramatic effect, exposing a wealth of beams in every room. All rooms are of generous proportions. Underfloor heating has been used throughout, with stunning flagstone flooring on the ground floor and neutral carpets elsewhere. The overall atmosphere is one of extreme light, warmth and family-friendliness, the designer touches including a magnificent wall of ceiling-to-floor glass doors. These fold back completely, giving access to the terrace and garden which face south. You can sit and sunbathe out here in hot weather, or enjoy evening drinks, with unspoilt views across the garden to the fields beyond. A sweeping gravel drive leads up to delightful landscaped gardens and a York stone terrace, all bounded by a hornbeam hedge.

	Dorset, England
	Laverstock House Laverstock House is a magnificent country manor, available for exclusive hire throughout July and August for parties of 12 to 18. The house is part of a 400-acre private estate, situated in the rolling hills of West Dorset countryside, six miles from Bridport. It is skirted by a long sweeping driveway and a spectacular four acre garden, full of well established trees and shrubs, giving a feel of privacy, space and utter tranquillity. An extensive network of footpaths are within easy reach, several on foot from the house, and it's an easy base from which to explore the breathtaking splendour of the Jurassic Coast, West Dorset, Devon and Somerset. The standard of accommodation could match any country house hotel. Six large bedrooms with six bathrooms are arranged on the first and second floors, with an optional additional one-bedroom ground floor flat, known as Admirals Cottage. Reception areas include a large drawing room, a TV sitting room, a study/library and a wood panelled dining room. The large, farmhouse-style kitchen, with its 4-oven Aga, Smeg retro fridge and similarly styled dishwasher, is heaven for foodies, who can source renowned local ingredients in and around Bridport.

	Charente-Maritime, France
	Le Petit Moulin Set in gorgeous, secluded grounds, Le Petit Moulin is a restored watermill, providing wow factor accommodation for a big group of friends and family in the heart of the Charente Maritime countryside. Originally a functioning watermill producing flour (the wheel still turns, and the original bread oven is still in place), the house has undergone major restoration and refurbishment by its enthusiastic owners and their dedicated team. It is charming, historic and decorated in great style. The illuminated mill stream, for example, which runs through the dining room behind a glass viewing panel, is always a great talking point over dinner!

	Devon, England
	Libbear Farmhouse & Cottages Libbear Barton is an exceedingly family-friendly farmhouse on the edge of the historic village of Shebbear, with three accompanying cottages which can be hired individually or together for large group holidays or weddings. The property is owned by a couple whose own small grandchildren regularly visit, and you'll find it has far more than the occasional high chair and cot for children. A long list of sophisticated equipment provided covers everything young families could need, from Advent cups, bath toys, sterilisers, feeding chairs and foot stools, to mini blenders, pushchairs, sand pit, black-out blinds for daytime sleeps and a tot-sized trampoline. Parents holidaying here really can travel light! Besides the farmhouse (sleeping 14), there are three barn-conversion cottages: Badgers (sleeping 9), Moley's Place (8) and Toad Hall (8). All the houses are warm and welcoming, with open fires or log burners. There is a shared games room, a heated indoor swimming pool, plus a soft play area and a separate large outdoor play area with wooden swings, slide etc for the children.

	Devon, England
	Stickwick House A fine, Georgian country house (Grade II listed) on the edge of Dartmoor, with a farmhouse attached on one side and a cottage the other. The house is well-proportioned and has been steeped in family history since the 1780s when life was somewhat slower. Splendidly sited, with immense farmland views, the house comes with a 50-acre organic farm to wander, including a woodland walk with badgers (farm map provided). Stickwick House and the other two properties share a large, sunny, south-facing enclosed front garden and, at the back, a big playing lawn with swings, climbing frame, sandpit and gas barbecue. Nearby, you'll find ducks, chickens, rabbits, and Max, Duke and Rockey, the resident donkeys. A big, rustic games barn contains a small pool table, table tennis, darts, ride-on toys and a dressing up box.

	South Devon, England
	The Hope Cove The location of The Hope Cove would be difficult to beat. Between Salcombe and Thurlestone in the South Hams, it stands in the highest position up the hillside above the quaint village of Hope Cove and its two exquisite beaches. The views from the wraparound sun terrace are Mediterranean in style, extending over Bigbury Bay to the Channel beyond. Recently renovated, this extremely large house sleeps 24, and is the perfect venue for family gatherings, reunions, holidays and big birthday celebrations. It has 11 bedrooms, a living room with floor-to-ceiling windows, a wood burner, a big party table seating 30, full entertainment gadgets and, on the terrace, a hot tub, loungers, a gas barbecue and a table for al fresco meals.

	Peak District, England
	Thornleigh A big group looking for a tasteful self-catering house at the gateway to the Peak District will find Thornleigh fits the bill perfectly. This Victorian house in the heart of Matlock has been renovated with large groups in mind. It has a fabulous Shaker kitchen with a bespoke dining table, chunky wooden tables and beds, slate flooring, a games room, a garden hot tub and a cosy wood burner. The location is pretty perfect for anyone wishing to explore the National Park. You are within walking distance of Matlock's shops, restaurants and bars, and have walks on the doorstep, great cycle routes like Tissington and High Peak nearby, and easy access to the Peak District's major sights, such as Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall and Dovedale.

	Denbighshire, Wales
	Trevor Hall Trevor Hall is a Grade 1 listed Hall of stately proportions, three miles east of Llangollen, just over the Welsh border. The house offers a group of up to 14 the chance to enjoy an eclectic mix of styles, ranging from traditional to wildly eccentric. Cook meals on an Aga in a superbly equipped historic kitchen, enjoy a Regency style cinema room, sleep in sumptuous four poster beds and roam around 165 acres of private woodland, parkland, ponds and bridle paths. If your party numbers bewteen 14 and 20, you may be interested in booking the Coach House, situated down a small gravel track, approximately 300 yards from the Hall. Recently converted from stables, it looks the part but inside is thoroughly modern and stylish.

	Devon, England
	Western Waters Ten minutes from the centre of Dartmouth and award-winning Blackpool Sands beach, Western Waters is an imposing and substantial house, overlooking a lake and pretty valley. The rooms are light, white and bright inside, and feel large and uncluttered. The house works well both in winter and summer, having an indoor heated pool as well as two acres of well-tended, poppy- and rose-filled gardens which are a joy to sit out in.

	Devon, England
	Wonwood House Arrive at Wonwood House and you will never want to leave! With six acres of glorious, quintessentially English grounds, a magnificent heated outdoor pool, a children's play area, orchard, paddock and summer house, Wonwood is a rare find. The house itself is very special too – a handsome, detached country residence, decorated and furnished with style and flair. It was originally a Victorian farmhouse built in the Georgian style, and has large, rooms, ornate ceilings/chandeliers, comfortable sofas and elegant bedrooms. It sleeps 12, with two additional Z-beds for children/teenagers. You can also book the Coach House, within the grounds, which sleep 3.