Planning a big event?

The Royals can't be the only ones with a big event on their hands this year but we don't all have a palace to fall back on for the venue.

If you’ve been tasked with planning a ‘do’, fear not! Helpful Holidays can come to your rescue with huge holiday homes and grand houses suitable for large gatherings, both formal and informal. True to our name, we can answer any questions you have about the suitability of our big houses to help you find the best match to your needs.

Here are two suggestions that would be perfect for a once-in-a-blue-moon get together over the summer or Christmas holidays or for a special celebration or small conference at any time of year.

Outstanding Brimpts Barn is right in the heart of Dartmoor National Park, where the East and West Dart Rivers meet in a beautiful wooded valley. It sleeps 32 people if you are prepared to bunk up, otherwise 20 very comfortably in ten double or twin bedrooms, all en-suite.

Spectacularly positioned amid trees looking across the deep valley to open moorland and tors, it is one of five ancient tenements of the moor and has been farmed by the same Dartmoor family for more than 30 years. The owners have received a wildlife habitat award from Prince Charles, as well as farm diversification and food producer awards. Cream teas have been available in the farmhouse since 1914 and as the Visitors’ Book of 1933-1947 catalogues, even during the war people found holiday refuge at Brimpts.

Part of the joy of staying here is the range of both energetic and gentle activities available. Most popular are the farm tours by Landrover, but there is also climbing and abseiling instruction on the 30’ high climbing tower, mountain biking tours, orienteering, pony riding – or simply enjoy a scenic walk or a soak in the hot tub.  

Stunning Rashleighayes Farm, sleeping 16 and set on a working farm with its own outdoor pool, is the ultimate fusion of work and play. Just 1½ miles from Bickleigh Bridge and 3 miles south of Tiverton, this is a house of tremendous charm, a special place of ‘treasured isolation’ in its own deep, hidden, beautiful and unspoilt valley.

The original 17th century house has been sympathetically extended. Its south-facing patio and enclosed lawn garden complete with barbecue are great for lazy summer days. The owner is a farmer and environmentalist who will be delighted to show you round the 150 acre working farm, winner of a Devon Wildlife Trust Silver Award and Highly Commended in the 2008 'Britain's Most Beautiful Farm' awards.

The big comfortable living room and enormous kitchen/dining room are ideal for relaxing and socialising and there’s plenty to keep you entertained in the games room with 10’ home-cinema/TV screen, baby grand piano and half-sized snooker table.

We’ve hand-picked around 600 of the finest self-catering holiday cottages in Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. Take a look at the rest of our Big Houses to find a special place for your event.

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Make the most of the Royal Wedding…

Thanks to the Royal Wedding, Easter and the days on which UK Bank Holidays fall, you can enjoy 11 days holiday by booking just three days off work this April. All you need to decide is the best way to use your free time: a trip to the coast or the country?

View from Lower Stables

Lower Stables is in a spectacular location in Cornwall’s Med and will guarantee a memorable getaway. An amazing view across Maenporth beach competes with the attraction of the property itself. This modern building on the Maenporth Estate boasts a large indoor heated swimming pool, sauna, jacuzzi, table tennis, pool table and two tennis courts in 29 acres of landscaped gardens with large barbecue area, woodland walks and children’s play area.

It's just a short walk along the beach to the nearest restaurant. Other nearby facilities include a scuba school, beachside cafe and bar. Mawnan Smith is just a mile away and the larger harbour town of Falmouth is just over two miles. The area is good for watersports, golf, riding and fishing and many of Cornwall's famous gardens are within easy reach.

Inland retreats like The Coach House (right) in Ottery St Mary, east Devon offer the best of British countryside. The small market town nestles in a wider scene of farms and woodland: scenery that inspired Coleridge to write a sonnet to the river.

The holiday cottage itself is converted from the original coach house in the grounds of Cadhay and offers light and roomy living space with plenty of beams and antiques for character. Guests at The Coach House can tour Cadhay on a Friday and find out why it was named one of Simon Jenkins’ ‘England’s Thousand Best Houses’ and was one of 16 shortlisted by Country Life for their ‘Finest Manor House’ award. The cottage has its own small patio and grassy area overlooking a walled garden, now filled with beautifully kept allotments. This place is exceptional for garden and country lovers with good walks right on your doorstep.

Whether you want to soak up every bit of excitement about the Royal Wedding or escape all the hype, we’ll help you find just the right place for a relaxing spring break. Take a look at the holiday cottages still available for Easter and the Royal Wedding week or give our team a call on 01647 433593.

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Royal wedding breaks...

The extra bank holiday on Friday 29th April 2011 is the perfect excuse to get away for a break in the West Country. Whether you plan to watch or escape the celebrations is, of course, up to you. Here are a couple of ideas...

Watch the wedding...

Gather together friends and family and book this luxurious country house for 25 people near Newton Abbot in south Devon and watch the royal wedding in style on their new big screen, high definition TV. Western House (pictured above) is available from Thursday 28th April so you can all settle in the night before, ready for the big day’s viewing. Afterwards, you can celebrate with a professionally catered party (extra), have a sing-song around the piano, take a dip in the indoor heated pool and play a game of snooker or table football in the games room. The family pet is welcome too.

Escape the wedding...

Hide away in a former Georgian bathing house for two secluded in trees beside the tranquil River Dart in south Devon. There’s no TV or mobile reception to distract you; the only sounds will be the noise of the water, the breeze in the trees, passing boats and the occasional seal. Approached by half a mile of rough track, The Bathing House (pictured above) is set within the 550 acre Sharpham Estate, near Ashprington, which is best known for its small vineyard. Steps lead down to a riverside terrace where you can sit and watch the local wildlife; herons, shelducks, kingfishers and egrets can be spotted along the tidal shore.

Try our advanced search to find just the right place for a relaxing break.