Grand gatherings
“The secret, dear Alice, is to surround yourself with people who make your heart smile. It’s then, only then, that you’ll find Wonderland”.
Rally the troops, it's time to get the party back together. Country glamour prevails throughout this cherry-picked collection; a mix of golden stone manors, modern coastal marvels, enchanted millhouses and free-spirited farmhouses hidden in the hills. Formal celebration or languid weekend, live out bucolic fantasies at wooden trestle tables piled high with local fodder overlooking grounds that evoke scenes from Alice in Wonderland.
Lawn games and Champagne towers. Cucumber sandwiches and chess marathons. Swimming pool swan dives and midnight tea parties beneath a sky pinpricked with a spray of stars. This is the year to bask in all the gloriousness of a large group gathering from the environs of a lavish private house with all the bells and whistles.
The Lost Music Hall
Created by a London dandy to serve as his secret retreat from society, this former music hall has been restored in all its Arts and Crafts glory to offer unique escapes in a hidden valley of Devon's South Hams AONB.
Sleeps: Up to 6 guests
From: £1,995 per week, £1,595 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 2 & Up to 12 guests
Pets: Two pets are welcome
Features: Heated outdoor swimming pool (May-September) and games room with table tennis and darts
Ellesmera Mill
This enchanting 400 year old millhouse is chock-full of old-world charm. Set in the South Hams near Dartmouth, the dreamy south Devon coast is almost within touching distance and a short stroll through the valley leads to the sheltered cove of Blackpool Sands.
Sleeps: Up to 10 guests
From: £3,450 per week, £2,995 per short break
Pets: Sorry, no pets
Features: Wood-fired hot tub, sauna, cinema room with table football
Kohtalo
Combe Martin, Ilfracombe, Devon, UK
Kohtalo is a grand design conceived by childhood sweethearts. Just 15 minutes from the Ilfracombe coast and with a hot tub settled under the stars, this luxury holiday home is a modern, welcoming family escape.
Sleeps: Up to 8 guests
From: £2,295 per week, £1,750 per short break
Alternative Group Option: Up to 4 guests
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Hot tub
