There’s nothing more fun than a house party where family or friends can be comfortably accommodated in a country home with masses of large, well - appointed rooms. It’s fairly difficult to find residences which are a) spacious enough for such a gathering and b) available to rent for weekends or short breaks. Whether you’re thinking about that long overdue family reunion or scouring for group accommodation for hen or stag parties, you are likely to want somewhere which is easy to reach and where there is plenty to do. A remote castle in the Scottish Highlands might sound like something different but your fellow guests wont thank you for spending so much time travelling to and fro.
We went in search of a classic country property which was not too far off the motorway network and which offered plenty of alternative things to do and interesting places to visit.
Symondsbury is a typical Dorset village so reminiscent of Thomas Hardy’s novels and situated a stone’s throw from the charming seaside town of Bridport. It lies pretty well half way between Bournemouth and Exeter so is quite accessible from the M3 and M5. Right in the heart of the village is Symondsbury Manor, a historic manor house standing in two and a half acres of garden and offering superb self-catering Dorset accommodation for groups of up to 23 people. Whenever nobody is up for the self-catering side of things, the cosy Ilchester Arms pub is only a few metres’ walk away.
The Manor may have played host to notable guests such as Thomas Hardy himself and the Sir Mick Jagger family but this is definitely not just a playground for millionaires and celebrities with accommodation prices starting at a relatively modest £ 120 per person per day.
Although the property is a popular venue for weddings, it is equally sought after by families and groups of friends looking for somewhere large enough to accommodate a sizeable party under one roof but small enough to still have an intimate feel about it. Those staying for more than a day or two will find plenty to do in the area with the resorts of Lyme Regis and Weymouth only a few miles away.
The historic and quaint harbour town of Bridport is right on the doorstep sitting on the Jurassic Coast at the western end of the famous Chesil Beach. This market town was traditionally the main centre of rope and net production and most nets at Wimbledon and on professional football grounds are still made in the locality.
Bridport has often been dubbed “ Notting Hill On Sea “ because it is so fashionable with well-heeled owners of holiday cottages and has speciality shops and market stalls to rival anything on Portobello Road.
Cartwheel Holidays specialise in Group Accommodation in Dorset. For more information please visit http://www.cartwheelholidays.co.uk/
