Are you longing for summer as much as we are? One of the best things about warm summer evenings is being able to sit in the garden until the temperature drops just enough for the warmth of a fire pit and a cosy blanket to take the chill off. If al fresco dining is an essential ingredient to your summer holiday in the UK, then look no further. We have large holiday homes all over the country where you can spend days, into evenings, outdoors. Sip on a glass of fine wine, take a sundowner on the decking, feast on delicious local produce cooked on BBQs and in pizza ovens, relish a morning coffee with countryside views, picnic among wildlife and relax beneath a star-lit sky.
If you have a special occasion to celebrate, host elegant summer parties and delightful afternoon teas in the garden of a luxury holiday home. Sound utterly perfect?
- Sleeps 8 + 3 dogs
- A pretty seating area with festoon lighting for summer evenings
- Large lawns studded with mature trees and shaded spots perfect for picnics
- A fire pit for cosy nights toasting marshmallows beneath the stars
Set between Buxton and Bakewell, the beauty of the pretty garden at this large cottage overflows beyond the stone walls and into the wilds of the Peak District. Spend sunny evenings dining alfresco on the natural paved terrace before retiring to one of the many hidden nooks of the garden or to toast marshmallows on the fire pit. The large lawn is perfect for children and dogs to run around and let off steam while you kick back and enjoy long conversations over a few drinks.
- Sleeps 10 + 1 dog
- A built-in pizza oven and BBQ
- A firepit area at the bottom of the garden
- A trampoline for children
Warm summer days call for open windows and rolled back bifold doors so you can spill outdoors and soak up the sun. This fantastic large holiday home in Dorset offers a fabulous garden for entertaining, with an al fresco dining area to be envious of. At the head of the chunky wooden table sits the tools you need for a killer outdoor dining experience - a built-in BBQ and pizza oven! It’s the perfect opportunity for the chef of the family to show off their skills.
- Sleeps 12 + 3 dogs
- BBQ lodge
- Covered hot tub
- Two sociable outdoor seating areas
Superbly equipped for outdoor dining, this stunning large house in Cornwall has everything you need for BBQs, relaxing evenings, long summer days and celebrations. There is a covered bar and stool seating area for al fresco dining, where you can escape the heat of the day, but also, the relaxed sofa seating is the perfect place for catching some rays. Slide back the doors from the living room on to the patio and make use of the Sonos speaker system to extra atmosphere.
- Sleeps 12 + 2 dogs
- A small barn decked out for entertaining with a bar
- An outdoor kitchen for all seasons
- Previously featured in Elle Decoration and on a Nigella Lawson TV special
The crème de la crème of al fresco dining, this glamorous barn conversion comes complete with an outdoor kitchen and a separate barn decked out for parties! Host big family BBQs in the undercover outdoor kitchen which features a fire pit, BBQ and huge wooden table before continuing the celebrations into the ‘party barn’ decked out in rustic-chic décor and complete with a bar, wood burner and dartboard! With so many unique entertainment corners to enjoy, Redford Farm Barns is not only perfect for big families, but hen and stag parties too!
- Sleeps 16
- A hot tub for relaxing
- Several stunning outdoor dining areas
- A herb garden and orchard where you can help yourself
Oozing elegance and opulence, this stunning manor house will take your breath away from the moment you arrive along the sweeping driveway and set eyes on the house and gardens. Alvington Manor is the perfect venue for celebrating a big family birthday or a special anniversary. Picture al fresco dining at its finest with delicious lunchtime BBQs using herbs, fruit and vegetables all grown in the kitchen garden. You could put even bring some decorations and host a tea party on the lawn with a game of croquet.
- Sleeps 8 + 2 dogs
- A charming shepherd’s hut for use within the grounds
- Wildlife ponds and meadows for picnics
- Several outdoor dining areas for breakfast, lunch and dinner
A delight from the inside out, this gorgeous barn conversion is the perfect group accommodation. BBQ among formal gardens and herbaceous borders or picnic beside wildlife ponds and in beautiful meadows while you admire nature from close by. As well as several beautiful outdoor dining areas on the patio and among luscious flowers, beside the pond you will find an idyllic shepherd’s hut with glorious views of nearby fells. It is the perfect place for daytime BBQs all together, or a peaceful spot for just a few of you to escape the boisterous but unbeatable fun that comes with a memorable group holiday.
- Sleeps 25 + 2 dogs
- Impressive pizza oven, BBQ and vast outdoor seating
- Separate games room and a play area for children
- Hot tub and splash pool with slide
Designed with fantastic outdoor dining space and plenty of areas for children, this luxury oast house has been made for family holidays. Host pizza nights on the outdoor oven or fire up the BBQ against the backdrop of pretty ponds. While the adults relax after dinner, children can relish the wide-open space outdoors or enjoy some friendly competition in the games room. Soak the night away in the hot tub with a few glasses of good wine from one of the nearby Kent vineyards.
- Sleeps 10 + 2 dogs
- Enjoy 60 acres of private land
- Fire up the BBQ and light the fire pit
- Relax in the hot tub
Set amongst rolling fields on the edge of Exmoor National Park, this beautiful barn conversion embraces the idea of 'bringing the outside in'. Designed so that you can roll back the big glass doors and allow the outdoors to become an extension of the stunning kitchen/diner, outdoor living comes easy here. So, whether you are manning the BBQ, mixing up a Pimm’s or preparing fresh salads in the kitchen, you are always a part of the social hub. There is also a fire pit and hot tub!
- Sleeps 8
- Set within a beautiful walled garden
- A selection of beautiful outdoor dining areas
Tucked away inside a walled garden in Richmond, this stunning large house to rent offers the epitome of English country cottage garden. Wisteria-clad stone walls meander through the garden, flowerbeds overflow with wildflowers, well-established hedgerows sprout beautiful colours, and lush trees provide shade from the heat of the day. Take morning coffee at the top of the tiered walled garden and enjoy the views, lunch on the terrace, soak up the afternoon sun on the lawn and enjoy a glass of wine in one of the many hidden corners of the garden.
- Sleeps 18 + 3 dogs
- Enjoy the snooker room and games and music room
- Tennis courts and croquet lawn
- Set on a 30,000-acre estate
Live like a lord or lady at this large holiday home Scotland. Enjoy the fairy-tale garden and relish the enchanting formal gardens and 30,000-acre estate in the Angus Glens. Aside from a spot of fine dining in the stunning dining room, you can take afternoon tea on the terrace or enjoy a glass of fizz as the sun goes down. If you are celebrating a special occasion, like a birthday or anniversary, why not enjoy canapes on the lawn before heading indoors for a formal dinner? With sprawling lawns, manicured shrubs and acres of gardens, pack a picnic and head out into the estate to find a peaceful spot to lay down a blanket and take in the enchanting atmosphere.
We hope this collection of fabulous large houses with beautiful gardens has inspired your summer holiday, but if you’re searching for something even more special, why not check out our most impressive sea view cottages, party houses that have their own bar and beautiful cottages with hot tubs. These fantastic staycation ideas will help inspire your big UK summer holiday too!
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.