Friday afternoon. Cars are heading in from different directions. Somebody is stuck in traffic. Somebody else left an hour later than promised and one person has already messaged the group asking, “What's the postcode again?” It would be easy to write Friday off as simply arrival day. Don't. When you're taking a large-group weekend away, that first evening can become one of the best parts of the break.

Keep the First Night Simple

Nobody wants to arrive after a long drive and discover they've been allocated vegetable preparation duties.

Make Friday easy.

Arrange a food delivery, bring something prepared in advance or choose a dinner that can happily wait for late arrivals.

Put drinks in the fridge before everyone descends if possible and let people help themselves as they arrive.

The aim isn't an impressive first-night dinner.

It's getting everybody through the door and into holiday mode.

Don't Plan an Activity

Your activity is arriving.

People need time to find bedrooms, unload cars, greet relatives, make coffee and wander around the house saying, “Have you seen this room?”

Children will explore. Dogs will investigate every corner. Adults will gradually gather in the kitchen.

Adventure begins at Bowley Hall

Let it happen.

There are plenty of places to explore across the Wye Valley, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire and Forest of Dean tomorrow.

Tonight belongs to the house.

Let the Group Arrive Gradually

One advantage of a big holiday house is that the weekend doesn't have to begin at a precise time.

Early arrivals can settle in without waiting for everyone else.

Then each new car brings another little reunion.

By the time the final travellers appear, coats have been abandoned, bottles opened and somebody has probably already claimed the best chair.

Start as You Mean to Go On

Friday evening sets the tone for the whole weekend.

You don't need an itinerary.

Put food on the table. Pour something nice. Let everyone sit wherever they like and catch up properly.

Mingling at Bowley Hall

The weekend has already started.

And suddenly you've gained an entire extra evening together without organising a thing.

When people have travelled a long way to spend time with each other, that's rather the point.

Big House Holiday Lets:
www.bhhl.co.uk
enquiries@bhhl.co.uk
01600 732 050