Huge holiday homes for large groups - the big attraction

Sheafhayne, Yarcombe, East Devon

A growing trend for large group holidays is making our big holiday houses more popular than ever, with many of our customers finding that clubbing together with your nearest and dearest means that you don't need to wait for a special celebration to spend a fun, sociable week in grand surroundings. 

Some of our large holiday homes are indeed very grand, and you really can become lords of the manor for a week. For instance, you could take over Sir Francis Drake’s shooting lodge (Sheafhayne), or stroll around the 'Court of the Sovereigns' (at Cadhay).

Lamellen House, St Tudy, North Cornwall

Many also offer large, private gardens, many with acres of beautiful countryside, within which you are free to roam. For instance Lamellen House has 18 acres of woodland gardens and grounds with a well-known collection of camellia, rhododendron, magnolia, conifer and many other species of plants and trees, while Rashleighayes is set on a 150 acre working farm.

These big houses offer much more than grand surroundings, however. Parnacott House has everything you need to keep the family occupied: TV/DVD, toys, dressing-up boxes, puppet theatre, children’s videos, PlayStation 2, Wii and a snooker table.

Blagdon Manor, Collaton St Mary, Devon

Often one of the benefits of booking a big holiday house is the luxury of a swimming pool - you'll find a fine outdoor pool at Blagdon Manor and indoor pool at Western House. Or, if lounging decadently in a hot tub is more your style, try The Barn or Brimpts Barn.

Take a look through our 2013 Big Houses Brochure, or use the Advanced Search function on our website to see which of our big houses best suits your family and friends. And of course you can always call us for human help on 01647 433593.

Idyllic cottages for summer holidays…

If you've been toiling away all year, you'll be heartened by the thought that summer holiday time is almost here - and we’ve some excellent coastal and country cottages to help you experience the best of the West Country.

Enchanting Creek Cottage, in Cornwall’s Med, is an old cob, semi-detached cottage in a wonderful position with uninterrupted views. At the front of the house a lane leads to the shore with quiet, sheltered picnic spots beneath trees, and a slipway where small boats can be launched - it is thought that Creek Cottage was once a fisherman's cottage. It has since been enlarged and updated to make a very comfortable family home - an ideal place to relax and enjoy the area. There are many beaches nearby and the quaint town of Falmouth is just 6 miles away. Sleeps 6.

On the north coast of Cornwall, pretty Courtyard Cottage is one of four terraced, stone cottages looking out from upstairs over the Camel estuary to Padstow and the sea beyond. Just nearby is an excellent family pub and a little-used lane runs one mile down to the estuary (great for birdwatching) and the Camel Trail (coastal cycleway). Sleeps 4.

For larger groups, how about The Manor House on the edge of Exmoor? It’s a big detached Victorian house facing out over its extensive gardens and surrounding farmland, originally built for a life of hunting, fishing and shooting, and now a great family home. Inside is roomy and comfy with some lovely pieces of furniture and a few clues to its history. A big kitchen with an oil-fired Aga and a walk-in pantry will enable you to cook up a feast and there’s plenty of space to either socialise or find a quiet corner. There’s private fishing on-site and lovely moorland walks on the doorstep. And if that leaves you in need of a drink, it's just 400 yards to the local pub. Sleeps 18.

The Coach House in east Devon, is tucked away in a corner of the original walled kitchen garden of the grand house Cadhay. It has been finely converted with flair and thought, and is light and spacious with plenty of beams. This is an exceptional place for garden and country lovers - there's good walking from the front door. Not far away is the small market town of Ottery St Mary, set amid rolling farmland and beautiful woods beside the river Otter, where Coleridge was born and wrote a sonnet to the river. Sleeps 6.

To find a place that’s just right for your summer break, browse our holiday cottages with availability during July in Devon, Cornwall,Somerset and Dorset.

Or if August is the month for you, here's what we have available in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset.

If you need help with your search, simply email us on help@helpfulholidays.com or call us on 01647 433593.

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