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.
Mill of Arun
Billingshurst, West Sussex, UK
A tranquil spot on the Arun River sets the scene for a grand self-catering getaway here in rural West Sussex. Throw in a magical four-story millhouse for the family, a romantic couples' barn and English topiary gardens - and the whole family are guaranteed a ball.
Sleeps: Up to 8 guests
From: £3,095 per week, £2,295 per short break
Pets: Two well-behaved dogs are welcome
Features: Hot tub, two kayaks for the river, table football in the games room, fishing is available between June-March
