Some occasions are too big for a restaurant table. A sixtieth, a family reunion that finally brings four generations together, a last weekend before a wedding — these need a house, not a booking for twelve at eight o’clock.
We look after a small group of large self-catering houses within easy reach of Bath, taking groups of eight, fourteen and up to twenty-two guests. Every one is yours exclusively for the stay: no other guests, no closing time, no being asked to keep it down.
Milestone birthdays
Fortieths, fiftieths, sixtieths and beyond. The useful thing about a whole house is that the day stretches: breakfast together, an afternoon for people to arrive and settle, dinner that nobody has to drive home from, and a slow morning after. Guests who would otherwise leave at ten o’clock stay for the whole weekend.
Our houses for up to 22 guests suit a large party; for a smaller gathering, up to 14 guests is usually the comfortable size.
Family reunions and gatherings
Reunions have a particular problem: the age range. Grandparents who want somewhere quiet to sit, teenagers who want wifi, small children who need an early bedtime within earshot. A single large house solves this in a way that several hotel rooms never does — people can be together without being on top of each other.
The School Rooms Estate works well for this, with separate buildings around a shared outdoor space, so the party can carry on while someone settles a toddler.
Hen and stag weekends
Bath is a sensible choice for a hen or stag weekend: compact enough to walk, well served by trains from London, Bristol and Cardiff, and with plenty to do that does not involve a nightclub. Staying just outside the city means you get the space of a country house and a short taxi into town.
Several of our properties have a hot tub and heated pool, which tends to become the centre of the weekend whatever else is planned.
Anniversaries and vow renewals
A quieter kind of celebration, and one where exclusive use matters most. Isambard View sleeps up to 22 with a heated swimming pool and hot tub, close enough to Bath for guests to spend a day in the city and be back for dinner.
Christmas, New Year and winter gatherings
Winter bookings work differently: people arrive expecting to stay put. Log fires, a kitchen big enough for several cooks, and somewhere to put twenty coats matter more than proximity to anything. Bath at Christmas is worth the trip in itself, with the Christmas Market running through the streets around the Abbey.
How many guests?
The simplest way to narrow things down is group size:
- Up to 8 guests — smaller family groups and couples’ weekends
- Up to 14 guests — the most common size for a milestone birthday
- Up to 22 guests — full family reunions and larger parties
Why celebrate near Bath rather than in it
Bath itself is short on large houses — the city centre is Georgian terraces and flats, and the few big properties are expensive and hemmed in by neighbours. A few miles out, you get grounds, parking for a dozen cars, and the freedom to make noise, while still being fifteen minutes from the Roman Baths.
It also tends to cost less per head than the equivalent number of hotel rooms, and the kitchen means you are not committed to eating out for every meal.
Planning your celebration
Most groups book six to twelve months ahead for a specific date, and considerably less for a flexible one. Winter and midweek dates are easier. If you are weighing up properties, the things to do nearby and local guide are worth a look — knowing what is within walking distance usually settles it.
Check availability and book, or get in touch if you want to talk through which house suits your group.