Some holidays are remembered for the places you visit. Others are remembered for what you eat.

The wonderful thing about a group holiday in the Wye Valley, Forest of Dean, Herefordshire or Monmouthshire is that you can have both.

Imagine wandering through a traditional market, choosing delicious local produce, discovering a small independent food producer or learning something completely new in a cookery workshop.

Then, at the end of the day, everyone returns to a beautiful country house to share their discoveries around one enormous dining table.

If your family or friends enjoy good food, great company and the occasional culinary adventure, this corner of the country has all the ingredients for a memorable getaway.

Start With a Proper Market Morning

There's something irresistible about a traditional market.

The colours, the smells, the conversations with stallholders and the opportunity to discover something you wouldn't normally find in your supermarket.

Ross-on-Wye is a wonderful place to begin.

Its historic market operates on Thursdays and Saturdays beneath and around the Market House, with stalls offering everything from fresh produce and seafood to cheeses, baked goods and artisan crafts. Ross-on-Wye Town Council

It's an enjoyable morning out, particularly when nobody is in a hurry.

Browse the stalls, stop for coffee, perhaps enjoy lunch in town and pick up something delicious for supper.

Across the border in Monmouthshire, there's plenty more to discover.

Abergavenny has a wonderful reputation for food, with its Victorian Market Hall hosting regular markets and specialist events.

Meanwhile, Monmouth has markets on Fridays and Saturdays, while Usk hosts regular farmers' markets.

The official Visit Monmouthshire market guide is worth checking when planning your visit.

And here's an idea for your group: give everyone a small budget and challenge them to bring back something interesting for a shared evening meal.

You'll probably end up with an extraordinary selection of cheeses, chutneys, breads and cakes.

Not necessarily a balanced meal, admittedly, but almost certainly a delicious one.

Discover Herefordshire's Orchard Heritage

You can't talk about food and drink in Herefordshire without mentioning apples.

Orchards have helped shape the county's landscape, traditions and rural economy for generations.

And although cider might be the first thing that comes to mind, there's much more to discover than what's inside the bottle.

The Museum of Cider offers a fascinating introduction to the history of cider-making, housed in a former cider factory with historic cellars and displays exploring the industry's development.

It welcomes group visitors, and guided tours can be arranged by contacting the museum in advance. Visit Herefordshire

For those who would like to get closer to the orchards themselves, local producers offer another interesting experience.

Ross-on-Wye Cider & Perry Company, based at Broome Farm near Peterstow, offers orchard tours and guided tastings by prior arrangement.

Alternatively, Butford Organics offers visits combining an orchard walk, an introduction to cider-making and a tasting.

Both are opportunities to meet the people behind local products and discover the craftsmanship involved.

For larger parties, it's important to check group capacities and book well ahead.

And if some members of your group don't drink alcohol, there's still plenty to enjoy in the scenery, history and stories behind the orchards.

Get Everyone Cooking

Sometimes the best holiday experiences involve getting your hands dirty.

Or, in this case, covered in flour.

The Forest of Dean is home to Harts Barn Cookery School, which offers a range of practical cooking experiences.

From baking and bread-making to seasonal cooking and outdoor food experiences, there's plenty of inspiration for people who enjoy learning new skills.

The school also offers bespoke group bookings and can arrange certain cooking or catering experiences at holiday accommodation. Visit the Forest of Dean & Wye Valley

Imagine gathering a few enthusiastic cooks from your group for a workshop while the others enjoy a leisurely afternoon exploring the area.

Later, everyone can compare notes over dinner.

Of course, there is another option.

If your group would rather enjoy the results without doing the cooking, why not consider arranging a private chef?

A beautifully prepared meal in the comfort of your holiday house can make a special occasion feel even more memorable.

No taxis to organise.

No complicated restaurant bookings for twenty people.

And, best of all, nobody has to volunteer to wash up after three courses.

Explore the Flavours of Monmouthshire

Monmouthshire is a particularly appealing destination for food lovers.

Its market towns, independent producers and beautiful countryside provide plenty of opportunities for a leisurely day exploring.

You might spend a morning discovering artisan food stalls in Abergavenny, enjoy lunch in a traditional country pub or arrange a visit to a local vineyard.

The wider Wye Valley and Forest of Dean also offer experiences ranging from chocolate-making and foraging workshops to farm shops and private dining. Visit the Forest of Dean & Wye Valley

For groups, the secret is not to try to fit everything into one day.

Choose one or two experiences and leave plenty of time to enjoy them.

After all, a long lunch in good company can be every bit as memorable as a carefully organised excursion.

And there's something rather lovely about discovering a favourite local cheese, chutney or preserve and taking a little taste of your holiday home with you.

Make the Holiday House Part of the Experience

One of the pleasures of staying in a large self-catering holiday house is having the freedom to enjoy food together without being tied to restaurant opening times or hotel dining arrangements.

Perhaps your group loves cooking.

Perhaps one person is famous for their Sunday roast.

Or maybe everyone agrees that the perfect holiday meal involves an enormous grazing table, a selection of local treats and absolutely no formal arrangements.

Whatever your preference, having a spacious kitchen and dining area makes entertaining a group much easier.

Many Big House Holiday Lets properties have generous kitchens and dining rooms designed for larger gatherings.

Bowley Hall, for example, has a magnificent dining room, while Wye Rapids House offers a large dining space and commercial kitchen facilities. Big House Holiday Lets

The real attraction, however, isn't simply having enough chairs.

It's the pleasure of sitting together long after the plates have been cleared.

Sharing stories.

Laughing about the day's adventures.

And deciding which local delicacy deserves a permanent place on the family shopping list.

A Simple Food-Lovers' Weekend

You don't need an elaborate itinerary to enjoy a food-focused group holiday.

Friday: Arrive at your holiday house, unpack and settle in. Keep supper simple with a relaxed meal and plenty of time to catch up.

Saturday: Head to a local market, discover independent food shops and enjoy a leisurely lunch. Return with some delicious finds for a shared evening meal.

Sunday: Arrange a cookery experience, visit an orchard or simply enjoy a traditional Sunday lunch together.

Monday: Gather around the breakfast table for one final meal before everyone heads home.

Naturally, the exact itinerary will depend on your chosen house, travel arrangements and the opening days of local attractions.

But that's part of the appeal.

You can create a weekend that suits your group rather than following someone else's timetable.

Good Food. Great Company. Wonderful Memories.

The Wye Valley, Forest of Dean, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire are full of opportunities to discover wonderful food, meet passionate local producers and enjoy memorable experiences together.

And when you combine those discoveries with a beautiful house where everyone can gather, you have the ingredients for something rather special.

At Big House Holiday Lets, our large holiday properties provide the perfect starting point for a food-filled getaway with family or friends.

Bring your appetite. Bring your favourite people. We'll help you find the perfect place to stay.

Explore our collection of large holiday houses at Big House Holiday Lets.

email us now: enquiries@bhhl.co.uk