Different types of group stays
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Different types of group stays

30th November 2023

If you’re looking for accommodation for your next big group getaway, then you might want to take a look and see what your different options are. From opulent, sprawling country estates to giant, rustic barns, or entire glamping sites tucked away in an ancient wood, there are a whole host of different group retreats to be had.

So if you’re sitting down to plan a break with friends, a big family reunion, or a birthday bash, then take the time to see just what’s out there.

In today’s blog post, we’re listing some of the different accommodation types that we feel make for great group retreats.

Different types of group stays

Country estates and manor houses

You just can’t beat a giant country estate sitting atop a hill, overlooking rolling countryside. With huge manor houses full of antique furnishings and classic, traditional style, country estates offer an opulent and luxurious way to unwind with a big group.

These stays tend to include giant dinners in grand dining halls, late evenings in spacious lounges, and moments of downtime in front of the fire in a peaceful drawing room. And once you step outside, a big estate will often have acres of grounds for you to explore that can include manicured gardens or more rustic, authentic countryside.

If you’re staying on an estate, you may just be able to spend all of your time within the grounds, playing croquet, relaxing on giant lawns, and dining alfresco on big patios with incredible views.

Country estates and manor houses on Coolstays.

The Honeybridge Estate

Ashurst - West Sussex

Sleeps 25 + 11 kids

Gorgeous estate in West Sussex for large groups, with an indoor swimming pool, luxury furnishings, modern amenities, and sprawling 17-acre grounds.

Vicarage House

Great Hockham - Thetford

Sleeps 15

A beautiful Georgian home in the rural scenes of Norfolk, with landscaped gardens, a tennis court and a heated outdoor pool…

Cotswold Manor

Temple Guiting - Gloucestershire

Sleeps 10

15th century Cotswold Manor, steeped in English history, beautifully refurbished and available for exclusive use for anyone seeking a discrete country retreat.

Blencowe Hall

Penrith - Cumbria

Sleeps 24

Blencowe Hall is a luxurious Grade I listed fortified manor house transformed by award-winning restoration work in Cumbria.

Belle Isle Castle

Enniskillen - County Fermanagh

Sleeps 26

Space is in abundance at this grand, countryside house, with an opulent interior and a beautiful, sunken garden outside.

Different types of group stays

Big barns

One of the great benefits of Britain’s agricultural heritage is the array of farm buildings covering the land. From old stables to spacious barns, the British Isles are home to thousands of characterful properties that offer a nod to the past. And these rustic dwellings can provide large groups with a fantastic, peaceful place to relax in a truly stunning setting.

There are hundreds of barns listed on Coolstays, with some offering an authentic, rural experience with original features like exposed beams and crooked nooks and crannies, whilst other barns have been given a contemporary twist with modern renovations creating bright open spaces thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows and crips minimalist design.

One thing that all big barns have in common, is that they’re able to provide large groups with a cracking place to stay. These spaces tend to provide a central living space where you can all socialise together before retiring to your cosy bedrooms for a deep, restorative sleep. And, due to their past life as an agricultural building, barns are often located in the heart of gorgeous countryside, ensuring you and your loved ones are only ever a short stroll from a winding path, secluded river, or calming forest.

Big barns on Coolstays.

Upper Valley Barn

Powys - Wales

Sleeps 14

Gorgeous six bedroom barn conversion with hot tub and valley views, brimming with character near Powys.

Tin Lodge

Dilham - Norfolk

Sleeps 10

Stunning barn conversion with a hot tub, cinema screen and table football surrounded by the beautiful Norfolk Broads.

West Barn Lodge

Salisbury - Wiltshire

Sleeps 18

19th Century barn that's been lovingly converted into luxury accommodation for up to 18 people in Wiltshire.

West Barn

Milverton - Somerset

Sleeps 14

Luxurious converted barn with swimming pool in the idyllic Somerset countryside

Bogg Hall Barn

Ganton - North Yorkshire

Sleeps 22

This barn conversion near the Yorkshire village of Ganton has been beautifully restored to sleep up to 22 guests, complete with two hot tubs.

Different types of group stays

Whole glamping sites

Now it’s time for something a little different. If you’re looking for a group getaway amongst nature, then why not hire out an entire glamping site? There are a number of these sites spread out throughout the great British countryside that offer you a rustic, back-to-basics holiday where you can enjoy the great outdoors.

If you were to book a glamping site then you’ll likely have access to your own slice of countryside, whether that’s a peaceful meadow, a private glade, or a tranquil spot on the edge of a lake.

These sites often have hot tubs, firepits, and alfresco seating areas where you can all socialise and eat together. Then, once the sun has set and the stars come out, your rural location will ensure you can make the most of the dark night skies to gaze at the constellations above. And, when bedtime beckons, you can all retire back to your own tipis, yurts, or tents, staying cosy by the woodburner before slipping to a restful night’s sleep. And when you wake up, there are few places better to enjoy a delicious morning coffee than with your loved ones in a quiet spot of British countryside.

Whole glamping sites on Coolstays.

Longlands Glamping

Combe Martin - North Devon

Sleeps Up to 30 (6 per lodge)

Exceptional, multi award-winning Glamping near the North Devon coast…

Redwood Valley - Woodland Cabin & Yurts

Presteigne - Powys

Sleeps 2 up to 13

Go back to basics and back to nature, with a little luxury touch - choose a spacious yurt or your own treetop cabin by the border of England and Wales

The Hide at Manton Bay

Oakham - Rutland

Sleeps 2 per tent

Idyllic glamping spot overlooking the water offering lotus bell tents, safari tents or shepherds huts with wood burners, fire pits and BBQs in Rutland.

Fire Circle

Near Bristol - Somerset

Sleeps 16

Immerse yourself in nature at this hidden camp of bell tents in the beautiful Chew Valley, Somerset.

The Garlic Farm Yurts

Newchurch - Isle of Wight

Sleeps 30

Luxury glamping at The Garlic Farm, gorgeous handmade yurts in Newchurch on the Isle of Wight.

Different types of group stays

Collections of cottages

If you’re travelling with groups made up of different families, work colleagues, or people from multiple generations, then a collection of cottages might be just what you need. You can all gather in the largest space and socialise together before retiring back to your own dwellings at night to relax in peace.

This is perfect for big family reunions where the grandparents can have their own cottage away from their noisy grandchildren and where families with kids can have their own space to get the children down away from the rest of the group. And if you’re travelling with acquaintances, on a work retreat, your own private cottage to retire to at night might just be what you need.

By booking a collection of cottages for your next holiday, you can essentially have your very own village! And who wouldn’t love that?

Cottage collections on Coolstays.

Fair Oak Farm

Mayfield - East Sussex

Sleeps 32

Award-winning Fair Oak Farm, on a private 12-acre estate in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty - the ultimate country retreat

Hazelhurst Farm

Sway - Hampshire

Sleeps up to 30

Cosy cottages beautifully converted from old farm buildings in the heart of the New Forest National Park, available individually or for exclusive hire.

Different types of group stays

Modern, grand homes

If you’re after something uber-contemporary that looks as if it’s been pulled straight from Grand Designs then you should consider a deluxe, modern home for your next retreat. There are many of these wonderful homes throughout the UK, with epic swimming pools, huge walls of glass, modern art, and gigantic open social spaces.

These architect-designed properties offer you all the comfort in the world, and the minimalist design and oneness with their natural surroundings, ensure that you can rest and unwind away from the stresses of everyday life.

These homes often feature high-end amenities throughout, meaning budding chefs will adore cooking in the kitchen with all of its excellent appliances, whilst others can sneak off for a relaxing soak in a huge freestanding bathtub. Add to this hot tubs, rainfall showers, underfloor heating, and cutting-edge entertainment systems, and you’ve got the perfect place to unwind with your loved ones in style.

Modern group retreats on Coolstays.

The Water Shed

Bosham - West Sussex

Sleeps 12

Spectacular eco home by the coast in West Sussex, as featured on Grand Designs, with wild swimming pond, hot tub, sauna, tennis court and huge social spaces.

Barford Beach House

nr. Bude - Cornwall

Sleeps 12 (+4)

Head to the North Cornwall coast at Barford, a stunning holiday home for up to 16 people that offers sea views and luxurious living.

Rockpools

Watergate Bay - Cornwall

Sleeps 10

Stunning contemporary home nestled on the Cornish coast with sleek, modern interiors, hot tub, sauna and breathtaking sea views.

Sheepyard Barn at The Suffolk Escape

Hintlesham - Suffolk

Sleeps 12

Award-winning luxury holiday home in pretty Suffolk, with big pool and a spectacularly peaceful location.

Sunrise

Pendine - Carmarthenshire

Sleeps 12

Magnificent luxury home with panoramic sea views, underfloor heating, sunken hot tub, cinema room and vast open plan living area in Pembrokeshire

Still Waters

Avington - Hampshire

Sleeps 14

Relax by tranquil waters in an ultra-modern, luxury group escape in Hampshire, in the rolling hills of the South Downs.

The Grand Barn

York - North Yorkshire

Sleeps 10

A sophisticated, luxury converted barn, sleeping up to 10 guests in the North Yorkshire countryside, just a short drive from the ancient city of York.

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