28 smart rental houses to book for group holidays
When looking for a group holiday rental, it can be hard to find ones where some bedrooms aren't a dud for the unlucky few guests. Instead, this list of houses to rent is full of plenty of spacious, stately bedrooms, dramatic dining rooms and luxurious bathrooms to make any group holiday – whether it's a festive fancy, hen do or birthday – as good as can be for every guest. There are houses with pools, some in stately homes and even a Scottish castle to choose from.
- The Riding House,</a> St Giles, Dorset","brand":{"name":""},"id":"618937dc30743c94d4ce9654","index":0,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
1/28The Riding House, St Giles, Dorset
Nestled in the grounds of St Giles House on Dorset’s Shaftesbury Estate, the Riding House is a 17th-century stable building stylishly converted into accommodation that brilliantly balances rustic and chic. Many of the original stable fittings have been preserved and now provide an atmospheric backdrop for delightful antiques, textile wall hangings and large, comfortable beds. The main house on the estate is available to hire for weddings, and the Riding House makes wonderful accommodation for guests (it sleeps 18), but it's also a theatrical and surprising place to stay for a holiday in the glorious Dorset countryside.
- Keythorpe Hall</a>, Leicestershire","brand":{"name":""},"id":"6189465777b9da749dd4a230","index":1,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
2/28Keythorpe Hall, Leicestershire
After a long and thoughtful restoration, Keythorpe Hall is opening its doors to guests as an utterly lovely rental house for up to 20 guests. As well as interiors that would look perfectly at home on the pages of House & Garden, there is a walled garden and acres of land to roam through, but it's gastronomy that sets Keythorpe apart. As soon as you unlock the front door, every meal is thought through, cooked with produce grown in the house's own garden or by local artisans, all in a natural and chemical-free way. Chef Nurdin Topham curates all the menus and he's a name you can trust, having earned a Michelin star for his own restaurant and with a 25 year career behind him. It sets Keythorpe Hall apart from the rest and gives this rental a lot more to offer than simply the most lovely interiors.
- North Farm</a>, County Durham","brand":{"name":""},"id":"618937db9b2ce0e907b860e6","index":2,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
3/28North Farm, County Durham
A favourite of House & Garden since we covered its renovation by Rita Konig, North Farm should be a destination for any interior design lover. The house's charming bedrooms sleep 14, and we adore the huge kitchen-dining room with its long farmhouse table and dresser full of pretty china and glass. There's a walled garden where children can roam free, and beautiful vistas over the rolling countryside. You can rent the entire house from £5000 per week.
- Wolterton Hall</a>, Norfolk","brand":{"name":""},"id":"618939a351c95671034bb393","index":3,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
4/28Wolterton Hall, Norfolk
The East Wing of Wolterton Hall, a stately home with Regency furnishings set in acres of private parkland, is a grand and impressive place for a party. The wing sleeps 14 guests in seven enviable bedrooms – think canopy beds and swathes of lovely Colefax & Fowler fabrics – with eight bathrooms to share between yourselves. While the living spaces are full of traditional antiques, the bathrooms and kitchen have a more modern appeal so it offers comfort on every level. The formal dining room makes for a wonderfully dramatic backdrop to dinner parties, while the more relaxed surrounds of the kitchen are a bright and airy place to start the day with breakfast. Outside, there are ample acres of grassland to enjoy and all of the south-facing rooms within Wolterton Hall benefit from a view of the lovely lake. It's a spacious, elegant and refined place to stay.
MAY WE SUGGEST: Inside the splendidly restored 18th-century Wolterton Hall in Norfolk
- Temple Guiting Estate</a>, Gloucestershire","brand":{"name":""},"id":"6189465bf4c358180440b1a6","index":4,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
5/28Temple Guiting Estate, Gloucestershire
Temple Guiting provides a certain combination of deep pleasures that are difficult to find elsewhere. Mentioned in the Domesday Book, the Grade I listed house dates back to the 14th century, but has been sensitively restored with the help of specialist architect Ptolemy Dean. The excellent Jinny Blom also spent a decade thoughtfully crafting the manor’s gardens, and the fingerprints of such considered architectural and landscape design are plain to see at Temple Guiting, a fine Tudor house characterised by meticulous detail and a general deftness of touch. The estate is available for exclusive hire, and can host groups of up to 34 people. An array of amenities include an outdoor heated seasonal swimming pool, a tennis court, two hot tubs, a cinema room, and a private boating lake. Meanwhile, a whole host of services and activities are on offer, including catering, pilates, spa treatments, and helicopter transfers. Ultimate idyllic refinement is to be found in Temple Guiting, where the honey-coloured stone seems to almost glow.
- Ashby Manor House</a>, Northamptonshire","brand":{"name":""},"id":"61893940a4c7bfe01adfee62","index":5,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
Paul Massey6/28Ashby Manor House, Northamptonshire
Ashby Manor House is a distinguished estate with a fascinating 900-year history. Previously transformed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in a grand Edwardian style, it is a family house that is now available to hire in its entirety for large holidays and weddings. Inside, expect neo-Jacobean plasterwork, barrel-vaulted ceilings, framed architectural drawings of the various family houses, Louis XVI-style furniture and portraits of the family who own it. It can accommodate up to 20 people and has ten different reception rooms – ample space to allow everyone their own space. The atmosphere is calm and carefree, providing the perfect setting for a weekend escape. Everyone has their own space and there is plenty to do, with beautiful walks through the fields, a heated pool and a tennis court.
- Borthwick Castle</a>, near Edinburgh, Scotland","brand":{"name":""},"id":"618946587c63ccf00396122e","index":6,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
7/28Borthwick Castle, near Edinburgh, Scotland
Borthwick Castle might only be half an hour’s drive from Edinburgh and the trappings of modern life, but, such is its evocative power, you half expect to see Macbeth prowling ominously down the corridors. This is no pale Disney imitation—this is the real thing, with a tower rising to 110 feet and compelling history to boot. The 15th century keep played host to Mary, Queen of Scots, and was later attacked by Oliver Cromwell’s forces. Borthwick is everything a castle should be, from its magnificent Great Hall with its vaulted stone ceilings, to the twelve splendid bedchambers, invariably reached up spiral staircases and through secret doors. A sense of high octane opulence prevails, thanks to Renaissance oak furniture, crackling fires, and rich colour palettes. Borthwick was once painted by J.M.W Turner, and the sublime watercolour atmospherics, which seem to permeate the entire place, encapsulate why the castle is an unbeatable destination for special celebrations. Exclusive stays also include the award-winning services of chef Derek Johnstone, who has revitalised the castle’s walled garden to specialise in growing historic herbs, vegetables, and fruits.
- Winterton Lighthouse</a>, Norfolk","brand":{"name":""},"id":"61894657bf23f972df259125","index":7,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
8/28Winterton Lighthouse, Norfolk
There is something enigmatic about lighthouses, steeped as they are in traditions of remote solitude, of stormy danger and melancholy, and life lived on the edge of things. It’s safe to say that Winterton Lighthouse, which sleeps eight guests, retains a sense of this liminal ruggedness, but wrapped up in an overall experience of reassuring warmth and comfort; the Norfolk coast is a particularly lovely edge for living on. Mentioned in Robinson Crusoe and used as a watchtower in World War II, the current iteration of the 18th-century lighthouse was designed by Studio Mackereth, with an accompanying garden by Chris Moss. The bright white tower’s imposing outward thrust is contrasted with its elegant, stripped-back interiors, crowned by the lighthouse lantern room on the top floor. It’s hard to think of a better place to watch the horizon, as daylight fades, and the blue goes out of the sea. Winterton Lighthouse is well-executed, wacky, and totally brilliant—the perfect storm for an incomparable group stay.
- Camel Quarry House</a>, Padstow, Cornwall","brand":{"name":""},"id":"6189465beef9bf701c65f881","index":8,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
9/28Camel Quarry House, Padstow, Cornwall
Somewhere between a Bond hideout and a German psychoanalyst’s sommerhaus, Camel Quarry House simply oozes cool. The blend of slate, wood, concrete and glass, all clean lines and slick surfaces, creates a refined mood, which whispers, rather than screams, industrial chic. Yet, with room for 16, a roof terrace with glittering views across the Camel Estuary, and a cedar hot tub among the wondrous Mary Reynolds-designed garden, minimalism does not mean missing out on luxury. Other features of this house perched on the edge of a former quarry include a gym, a sheltered fire pit, a mooring for a private boat, and a live-in housekeeper. Despite this crisp indoor comfort, the house’s elemental surroundings invite exploration. Padstow, and the seafood joys of Rick Stein, are a ten minute cycle along the Camel Trail, the whole seventeen miles of which are ideal for wandering along the North Cornish coast.
- Farleigh Wallop,</a> Hampshire","brand":{"name":""},"id":"6189465bf9cf3d171adad3d8","index":9,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
10/28Farleigh Wallop, Hampshire
Just over an hour’s drive from London, deep in Hampshire’s Austenland, this superb 4,000-acre country estate guarantees a walloping good time. A harmonious mix of history, splendour, and style, the Georgian property is the epitome of country comfort, and provides the perfect retreat for group stays. Guests follow in the footsteps of some of Britain’s most illustrious figures: Farleigh Wallop has hosted everyone from Lord Byron to Queen Elizabeth I. Even the trees are intensely well-connected: one of the apple trees in the orchard is a direct arboreal descendant of the famous tree under which Sir Isaac Newton sat when the apple fell from the tree and the natural philosopher realised the gravity of the situation. There is ample space—with eleven fabulously decorated bedrooms, eight reception rooms, and a grand formal dining room, there is enough room to swing a tiger, let alone a cat. The property comes fully staffed, and the in-house professionals can organise a multitude of activities on the estate, including hot air ballooning, boating and fishing on the private lake, go-karting, clay-pigeon and game shooting, archery, horse riding, and even red deer stalking in the woods. This is Arcadian indulgence at its most extravagant.
- Fforest, Pembrokeshire","brand":{"name":""},"id":"618937dbf9cf3d171adaca6c","index":10,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
11/28Fforest, Pembrokeshire
Set in acres of farmland close to Wales’ unspoiled coastline and rolling hills lies the cosy, elegantly crafted Tŷ Fforest farmhouse. Its stylish interior features artwork by Peter Doig, simple wooden furniture and traditional Welsh blankets. An ideal spot to immerse oneself in nature, guests can enjoy surfing and paddle-boarding on nearby beaches, then set up the church pews in the sitting room for a cinema night. The farmhouse sleeps 14.
- Langley Park</a>, Gloucestershire","brand":{"name":""},"id":"61894658b028fc86ce48840f","index":11,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
12/28Langley Park, Gloucestershire
At Langley Park, the bucolic meets the Balearic. Above ground, this 18th-century listed mansion sleeps 24, with eleven bedrooms and eight bathrooms, a drawing room, and a formal dining room with space to seat twenty. The house is set among eighty five gorgeous acres of formal gardens, wild parkland, and woodland. So far, so Austen-esque Georgian manor. Yet, lurking below ground, there is a fully functional subterranean cellar nightclub, equipped with an LED-lit bar, DJ decks, and a dance-floor: more Fatboy Slim than Fitzwilliam Darcy. Such a feature typifies the house’s bold fusion of the classical and the contemporary. The property is impressively proportioned throughout, and the extensive private grounds are also home to all-weather tennis courts, a football pitch, and an outdoor hot tub, making Langley Park an ideal location for private get-togethers.
13/28Old Lands, Monmouthshire
With an on-site forest school, the family-run Old Lands estate offers children the chance to roam free and try their hands at outdoor skills, such as building dens, crafting and cooking campfire food. It provides accommodation across three cottages and visitors can enjoy meals from fresh produce grown on site. From £350 a week for Wood Barn (sleeps four), and £400 a week each for Stable Court and Horseshoes (both sleep five).
- Abbotsford Hope Scott Wing</a>, Scottish Borders","brand":{"name":""},"id":"6189465b51c95671034bba4e","index":13,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
14/28Abbotsford Hope Scott Wing, Scottish Borders
Sir Walter Scott wrote that, “the seat of the Celtic Muse is in the mist of the secret and solitary hill, and her voice in the murmur of the mountain stream”. Well, Abbotsford’s Hope Scott Wing gives groups a chance to positively recline in that seat—this lavish wing is part of the great writer’s house, serving up a slice of literary history alongside seven luxury bedrooms. Immerse yourself in the landscape which inspired Scott, and get as lost in the rooms of his former home as you might in his prose. Abbotsford House is just an hour’s drive from Edinburgh, and the Wing can accommodate up to fourteen guests. A variety of activities can be arranged, including hot tub hire, golfing in the local area, guided tours, clay pigeon shooting, and banquets in Scott’s majestic dining room. A personal chef is also available upon request.
- The Moult</a>, Salcombe, Devon","brand":{"name":""},"id":"6189465a7c63ccf003961232","index":14,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
15/28The Moult, Salcombe, Devon
The Moult is the stuff that picture post cards are made of. Standing on private headland and sitting in the lee of a steep cliff, the famous pink house enjoys uninterrupted views of the Salcombe estuary. Not that you have to look far out to sea for visual pleasures—the house’s four acres of gardens, with palm trees and agaves dotted on the Victorian terraces, provide aesthetic interest aplenty. Inside, 12 delightful bedrooms, three stylish sitting rooms, and a dining room seating 24 mean that the house is ideally suited for group get-togethers. Perhaps best of all, for those who want a splash of the Riviera to assuage the endless English rain, the Moult’s 22m swimming pool is open and heated all year round.
- Carraigin Castle,</a> Lough Carrib, Headford, Ireland","brand":{"name":""},"id":"636255a206352c110a5ff649","index":15,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
16/28Carraigin Castle, Lough Carrib, Headford, Ireland
Surrounded by over seven acres of green park and woodland is the fantastic Carraigin Castle, built in the 13th century. After a day spent horseback riding, boating or walking, cosy up next to the open hearth in this ancient, grand dwelling. Guest rooms are luxuriously furnished, with some featuring vaulted ceilings and three-light Gothic windows. Fulfil your fairytale fantasy with a stay at this incredible castle. The castle sleeps 12 people in six comfortable bedrooms.
17/28Listed farmhouse,Tincleton, Dorset
Looking for a large country house to sleep up to 14 guests amongst the Dorset AONB? You're in luck as this red brick pile is as impressive inside as out, with acres of grounds to explore, a farmhouse kitchen complete with an AGA, bookshelves lining the walls of the sitting room-cum-library and what's more, it's only 15 minutes from the Jurassic Coast.
- Mask Valley Lodge</a>, County Mayo, Ireland","brand":{"name":""},"id":"6362528f06352c110a5ff647","index":17,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
18/28Mask Valley Lodge, County Mayo, Ireland
Find modern design with countryside sensibilities in this beautiful, secluded lodge on Ireland's wild west coast. Offering the perfect amount of seclusion, the house is nestled into an emerald-green hill with expansive views to the valley and sea below. Whether you wish to dine alfresco on the wraparound terrace, go trout fishing by the river or enjoy the produce from the local farmers markets in nearby Clifden and Cong, you'll be sure to savour your time at this breathtaking getaway.
Sleeps: 8
From: £318 per night 
19/28Mullion, Cornwall
You'll wake up to fantastic, unobstructed views of idyllic Polurrian Beach when you stay at this magical Cornwall family home. With well-appointed bedrooms, a lovely garden and private beach access (an excellent spot for surfing!), there are more than enough activities for every guest to enjoy their holiday to the max.
Sleeps: 6
From: £197 per night
- The Gamekeeper's Lodge</a>, Helston, Cornwall","brand":{"name":""},"id":"659c22d09c8315634f99a89c","index":20,"contentType":"photo","offers":[],"component":"gallery_slide_component"}" data-testid="GallerySlideWrapper">
21/28The Gamekeeper's Lodge, Helston, Cornwall
If this house looks familiar to you, it's because you've seen it on Grand Designs. A former gamekeeper's lodge, this vast house is now a wood and stone marvel, with curving walls, a wraparound terrace and balcony and meticulous design details. The amount of wood used gives it a boho feel, while a hot tub offers an added bonus for guests.
Sleeps: 12
From: £1,000 per night 
22/28Lochearnhead, Stirlingshire, Scotland
This artsy half pink, half stone house has five bedrooms and an incredible setting, overlooking Loch Voil and surrounded by nature. There’s a large deck with ample seating for all guests, as well as a quirky main living space with beamed ceilings and a focal fireplace. Host Mhairi has thought of it all, providing two fridges and two dishwashers – perfect for big gatherings.
Sleeps: 10
From: £267 per night
23/28Charminster Village, Dorset
This enviable Georgian house is set in nine acres of land in West Dorset, and sleeps 11 guests very comfortably. It's been decorated in a charming manner, with country-appropriate wallpapers and textiles, an AGA, four poster bed and lots of modern trappings too to achieve comfort and style effortlessly.
Sleeps: 11
From: £320 per night
24/28Cumbria, near Lake District
Step inside this lovely house and the grandeur of the impressive hallway will take you aback. It sets the tone for the ground floor, which is a lovely mix of period pieces and a new kitchen. Upstairs, while the bedrooms are perfectly lovely, the bedding style is a bit dated but it can be forgiven for the rest of the amenities on offer.
Sleeps: 8
From: £450 per night
25/28Falmouth, Cornwall
When you're at the seaside, you sort of want sea views to make the holiday feel complete. If that sentence encapsulates how you feel, then this Falmouth pad is the one to book, as the terrace has uninterrupted views over the harbour. Inside, it's modern and well-equipped with decoration that hints at the nautical theme.
Sleeps: 10
From: £168 per night
26/28Treyarnon, Cornwall
This house is generous in every way, with large rooms and enough space to sleep 12 guests, a sweeping garden overlooking the sea and even a garden room that functions as a games room. A path leads from the garden directly to the beach and there's an outdoor shower and hot tub for warming up if the sea is a bit cooler than you'd expect.
Sleeps: 12
From: £604 per night
27/28Penzance, Cornwall
Where some AirBnBs clearly feel like holiday rentals, this artistic chapel feels very much like a home, full of the owner's collected finds over the years. An eclectic mix of antique and reclaimed furniture and lots of snug corners make it a wonderful place to unwind after visiting the nearby fishing villages of Mousehole and Newlyn – two of Cornwall's most popular haunts.
Sleeps: 10
From: £462 per night
28/28Bude, Cornwall
The Cob, as this four-bedroom house inland from Bude is known, was designed by award-winning architects and it shows; the double-height dining room has floor-to-ceiling windows and all the floors are heated underfoot. There are three double bedrooms and a bunk room for kids with three single beds but the highlight has to be the cedar hot tub in the garden.
Sleeps: 9
From: £263 per night
