A guide on how to plan a successful large family group holiday.
A staycation at a beautiful country house is the perfect setting for reuniting and creating memories with your extended family. The Wye Valley, with its rolling hills and lush countryside, provides an idyllic backdrop for such an occasion. Let's dive into some tips on organizing this grand get-together and ensure that everyone enjoys the experience to the fullest.
First, communication is key. Establish who will bring what to ensure there’s no duplication or missing essentials. A spreadsheet is a useful tool for this. List down everything from toiletries, board games to essential cooking ingredients. This process can also make packing for a large family holiday in the Wye Valley a breeze, as everyone knows what to bring.
With a large group, it's vital to have plenty of room for mingling and bonding. Choose a large country house that provides multiple common areas like living rooms, patios, or lawns. This allows everyone to have their space during downtime, yet offers common areas for joint activities. Luckily at BHHL we have 12 large house to select from - take a look at Wye Rapids House for example. Sitting in the stunning location of Symonds Yat it has 11 ensuite bedrooms allowing up to 26 of you to stay at once in absolute comfort. It has a huge dining room with views across the river and an additional games room. Within a very short walk there are three excellent pubs, 2 restaurants, and best of all a romantic river ferry for beautiful circular walks.
Speaking of activities, plan a mix of indoor and outdoor fun. The Wye Valley is renowned for its beautiful walking trails, canoeing opportunities, and historic landmarks. At the house, board games, movie nights, or even a family cooking competition can add variety to the holiday.
This brings us to our next point - cooking for a large group. One big family cooking tip in a holiday house is to plan meals in advance. Consider dishes that can be prepared in bulk, such as pasta, casseroles or BBQ. Additionally, cater to dietary restrictions by having alternative options available. A great idea is to have each family responsible for one meal, spreading out the responsibility and giving everyone a chance to show off their culinary skills.
It’s also important to consider downtime and individual preferences. Not everyone might want to participate in every activity. Having quiet spaces for reading or relaxation, and optional activities ensures everyone feels comfortable and included.
In conclusion, the secrets to a successful large family holiday are good communication, advance planning, and consideration for individual preferences. Keep these tips for large family holidays in mind, and your grand reunion in the Wye Valley will be remembered fondly for years to come. Happy holiday!
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packing for a holiday in the Wye Valley -
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Bowley Hall
Prices from £3,740.00
Bowley Hall is a 12 bedroom Manor House sleeping up to 31 guests in stunning Herefordshire countryside. With a bar, games room, cinema room, extensive grounds, outdoor pizza oven and Hot Tub (hire charge) its the perfect venue to relax in style and comfort. 3 lounges, huge baronial dining room, modern kitchen, brakfast room - its has everything you need. Licensed for weddings up to 170 with Marquee.
- 9 Bedrooms in Hall + 3 in Coachhouse
- Sleeps up to 31 + 4 infants
- Games room, table tennis, pool,
- Bar/Party Room/Cinema Room
- Dining table sits 32
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Holly Tree House
Prices from £1,995.00
Charming villa above Symonds Yat, sleeping 22 in 9 bedrooms overlooking River Wye. Two lounges, a large dining room and patio plus covered, outdoor Hot Tub and Games Room. Short walk to 3 pubs (with excellent food), river ferry, and flat riverside circular walk - super pet-friendly. Loads of activities inc canoes and paddle boards. verty safe and secure, no traffic. Ideal multi generation holiday cottage. Holly Tree House provides accommodation in an idyllic retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
- 9 bedrooms sleeping 12 - 22
- 8 Bath and Shower/Loos
- Covered Hot Tub
- Pet Friendly
- 3 Pub/Restaurants walkable
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The Anchor
Prices from £1,995.00
Set in the heart of Lydbrook in the Forest of Dean and previously know as The Anchor Inn, this cosy village pub, which dates back to the 15th century, is now a charmingly converted holiday cottage sleeping 20 in 7/8 ensuite bedrooms. Lovely Games Room and covered Hot Tub. Enclosed rear garden, pet friendly. Walk to village pubs, shop and chippie! Easy access to riverside.
- 7/8 ensuite bedrooms sleep 22
- G/F room, sofa bed & bathroom
- Dogs and other pets welcome
- Covered Hot Tub
- Dine 20 round one table
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River Wye Lodge
Prices from £2,850.00
Converted Coaching Inn on the banks of the River Wye, with park and canoe launch - short walk to village shop, pub, Indian takeaway and fish and chip shop. Sleeps 26 in 12 bedrooms, 10 having glorious views of the River Wye. Accessibility ramp to the front door and the ground floor houses a wheelchair friendly twin room with an en-suite wet room. Huge dining room and lounge, 2 connected kitchens, playground outside. Games Room. Pet friendly.
- 12 Bedrooms sleeping 26
- Covered Hot Tub
- Games Room
- Dine 26 round one table
- Twin disabled bedroom wet room en suite
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Bromsash House
Prices from £2,800.00
Bromsash House is a grand Manor house boasting six acres of land. 5 bedrooms in the main house sleep 12 adults . There is a Lodge with 3 double bedrooms sleeping a further 6 and Games Room.. The gardens are huge and boast a huge array of unusual trees, fruit trees, rose bushes, and magnolias, creating perfect areas in which to play and explore. Patio with lovely furniture and Hot Tub. Bromsash House sleeps 18 in total.
- 1 Hot Tub
- 2 Pets Welcome
- Max sleepers 18
- Linen Provided
- Sky TV
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Wye Rapids House
Prices from £2,650.00
13 bedroom (11 ensuite) converted hotel overlooking the River Wye rapids at Symonds Yat. Large dining room , bar, lounge, patio, riverside garden plus outdoor hot tub (that can be hired) and games room. Plenty of room to relax and enjoy the sights and sound of nature all around you. An ideal pet-friendly cottage for large group holidays. With flat walks and 3 nearby pubs and restaurants, Wye Rapids provides an idyllic retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life for up to 30 guests (26 adults max plus 4 children)
- 11 ensuite Bedrooms plus family room and shared bathroom sleeps 26 adults plus 4 children
- Hot tub hire available
- All dine together
- Fully commercial kitchen
- Offroad parking for 16 cars
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Monnow Valley Studio
Prices from £3,450.00
Sleeps 24 in 11 bedrooms , world famous recording studio on banks of the River Monnow, full of memorabilia with Party Room, Games Room, Cinema Room, stunning dining room, huge modern kitchen, hot tub (hire charge) . Pets are not allowed. peaceful, quiet , safe with no traffic, fishing and swimming from the garden. Licensed for Weddings - 50 max.
- Outdoor Hot Tub
- Huge soundproof Party Room
- Games and Cinema Room
- 11 bedrooms sleeps 24
- Licensed for weddings up to 50
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The Manor on the Monnow
Prices from £2,850.00
Majestic Manor House sleeping 24 in 11 bedrooms, huge lounge and dining room. Big kitchen and separate breakfast room. Games room and covered Hot Tub in 2 acre safe and private grounds. On the banks of the River Monnow, fishing from garden and wild swimming a very short walk. 10 minute flat stroll into town, the Manor is perfect for town and country group self catering in the picturesque border town of Monmouth. Pet friendly.
- Games Room and Hot Tub
- Fishing from riverbank
- Wild swimming 100 yards
- Galleried Hall with woodburner
- 11 Bedrooms, 9 Bathrooms
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Forest House
Prices from £2,650.00
This 11 ensuite bedroom converted 4* Hotel sleeps up to 25 in the centre of Coleford, the heart of the Forest of Dean - Hot Tub, 2 Lounges, Games Room with pool table, Large dining room, fantastic kitchen. Off road walks and cycling from door. Pet friendly. Short walk to shops, pubs, restaurants. A perfect location for sampling the huge array of activities and attractions in the Forest of Dean.
- 11 Ensuite bedrooms sleeping 25
- Covered Hot Tub
- Games Room with Pool Table
- All Dine Together
- Pet Friendly for 2 dogs
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Fairlea Grange
Prices from £1,995.00
This striking gothic townhouse in the heart of Abergavenny is full of character and inspired Alfred Hitchcock's classic movie The Lady Vanishes. It was the childhood home of Ethel Lina White who wrote the original novel. If you want your stay to evoke a dramatic atmosphere this is the holiday home for you! 9 bedrooms, sleeping up to 24 people with 2 lounges , 2 kitchens , games Room, Hot Tub, enclosed garden in walking distance of town centre and Station. Pet friendly.
- 9 bedrooms, 7 ensuites
- Pets Welcome
- Games Room
- Covered Hot Tub
- Near Brecon Beacons
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High Cloud Farm and Barn
Prices from £2,200.00
The secluded hilltop retreat of explorer, adventurer, and author Christina Dodwell, High Cloud Farm, a perfect location for 3 generation celebrations, with maps, books, pictures and artefacts in evidence everywhere. This remote rural cottage on the Wales borders offers total privacy as a large party house or holiday retreat. Hot tub and heated Swimming Pool (May till October). farmhouse sleeps 12 and Barn sleeps 12. Everyone can dine together in the Barn. 3 Kitchens, Games Room, pet friendly.
- Dining table seats 24
- 10 bedrooms sleeps 24
- Large games room
- Heated outdoor swimming pool
- Covered hot tub
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Pencraig Court
Prices from £3,200.00
Classic country house sleeping 36 in 11 bedrooms midway between Monmouth and Ross on Wye overlooking the river. Pet friendly, stunning rooms, large grounds, games room. On site 3 bed cottage sleeping a further 8 available. Large grounds and gardens and a drive with an extensive parking area, totalling 3.6 Acres. Hot tub hire available.
- 11 Ensuite Bedrooms sleeping 36
- Attached 3 Bed cottage sleeping 8
- Games Rooms with Table Football and Pool table
- Hot tub Hire available
- Pet Friendly
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Symonds Yat Lodge
Prices from £3,950.00
A comfortable 25 bedroom (all ensuite) converted guest accommodation situated on the banks for the River Wye. Huge dining room, lounge,bar, games / party room and mature gardend. With flat walks from the door Symonds Yat Lodge is the perfect place for celebrations and large group holidays. Pet friendly, parking. Sleeps 50 guests. Prices are based on 30 guests in 15 bedrooms with 10 extra bedrooms available at an additional charge.
- 25 ensuite Bedrooms
- All dine together in huge dining room
- Licensed for Weddings - for up to 100 guests
- Pet friendly
- Country pub within 5 minute walk
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Carefree Cottage
Carefree Cottage is a pretty 3 bedroom cottage sleeping 8 midway between Ross on Wye and Monmouth
