Big Cottages Bourton-On-The-Water: Your Complete Planning Guide
Booking Big Cottages in Bourton-On-The-Water gives your group a perfect base in the heart of the Cotswolds. This honey-stone village sits on the River Windrush and draws visitors year-round with its low bridges and traditional architecture that dates back centuries.
The village works brilliantly for large groups because everything clusters within walking distance. You'll find properties that sleep 12 or more guests with spacious living areas and gardens. Many holiday homes include hot tubs and some even feature indoor pools for year-round entertainment.
Avoiding stress and planning the perfect group break
Which cottage?
Start with your must-haves before browsing hundreds of properties. Set your budget first because rental costs vary wildly between basic accommodation and luxury villas with pools. We recommend deciding on your total spend before looking at anything.
Location matters more than you think. Some large cottages sit right in the village centre whilst others occupy countryside spots a mile or two out. Consider whether your group wants to walk to pubs and restaurants or prefers total privacy.
How many bedrooms and bathrooms does your group actually need? A 10 bedroom property sounds perfect for ten couples but check bathroom numbers. We've seen groups book massive houses only to find three bathrooms between twenty guests.
Pet-friendly or pet-free makes a huge difference. Dog friendly properties with enclosed gardens cost more but save the hassle of kennels. If anyone in your group has allergies then filter out pet-friendly options entirely.
Modern or rustic affects your stay significantly. Country cottages with original features look stunning but might lack the dishwashers and modern kitchens that make group catering manageable. Properties with contemporary interiors often work better for big groups.
Plan these in advance
Bedroom allocation drama
Decide who gets which room before arrival. The master suite with ensuite always causes arguments. We suggest allocating rooms based on who booked first or drawing names from a hat to keep things fair.
Splitting costs between your group
Create a shared spreadsheet showing the total rental cost divided by attendees. Some groups charge per person whilst others charge per room. Factor in whether children pay full price or reduced rates.
Deposits and getting reimbursed
One person typically pays the deposit then collects money from everyone else. Set clear deadlines for payment and use banking apps that track who's paid. Chase people early because last minute dropouts leave you covering their share.
Hidden fees
Check what's included in the rental price. Some properties charge extra for heating during winter or cleaning fees on top of the advertised rate. Holiday lets sometimes add booking fees that bump up the final cost by hundreds of pounds.
Group cottage entertainment & activities
Stuff in the cottage itself - Look for properties with games rooms featuring pool tables and table tennis. Large holiday houses often include cinema rooms with huge screens. Houses to rent with hot tubs give you evening entertainment whatever the weather. Some lodges and cabins feature indoor pools though these command premium prices.
Coordinating group activities - Create a shared group chat weeks before arrival. Poll everyone about must-do activities versus optional extras. Book popular attractions in advance because group tickets for parties of 14 or more often need advance notice.
Creating itineraries that please everyone - Split into smaller groups for daytime activities. Not everyone wants the same experience. Some might prefer walking whilst others want museums. Regroup for evening meals in your self-catering accommodation.
Distance to activities - Check driving times to major attractions before booking. Bourton-On-The-Water sits centrally for Cotswolds exploration but some rental properties occupy remote spots that add thirty minutes to every journey.
Backup plans for bad weather - British weather demands indoor alternatives. Research rainy day options like nearby towns with covered markets and museums. Your group accommodation should have enough space that people aren't climbing the walls if stuck indoors.
Some things to plan in advance
- Check parking capacity matches your group size - many cottages for 10 or more guests only have spaces for three cars
- Assign one person as organiser for food shopping and meal planning to avoid chaos
- Clarify the damage deposit policy and who's liable if something breaks during your stay
- Discuss quiet hours because managing different sleep schedules prevents friction in large groups
- Verify mobile signal strength if you need connectivity for work or coordinating activities
Top 5 group attractions in Bourton-On-The-Water
Bourton-On-The-Water transformed from a working village into a tourist destination whilst keeping its authentic character. The village offers attractions that work brilliantly for big groups including families and hen parties looking for daytime activities between cottage time.
#1 The Model Village
This one-ninth scale replica of Bourton-On-The-Water sits behind the Old New Inn. Built in 1937 from local Cotswold stone it recreates the entire village in miniature. Groups love photographing themselves next to tiny versions of buildings they've just walked past.
#2 Birdland Park and Gardens
This wildlife park houses over 500 birds across nine acres of woodland and riverside gardens. You'll see penguins, flamingos and tropical species in naturalistic habitats. The park works well for mixed-age groups because it's compact enough to explore in two hours.
#3 Cotswold Motoring Museum
Seven exhibition rooms showcase vintage cars, motorcycles and motoring memorabilia from the 1920s onwards. The museum includes a recreation of a 1930s garage and toy collection. Car enthusiasts in your group will spend hours here whilst others browse quickly.
#4 Dragonfly Maze
This hedge maze challenges visitors to reach the central viewing tower. The design incorporates a dragonfly shape visible from above. Groups enjoy the competitive element of racing to find the centre first.
#5 River Windrush walks
Footpaths follow the river through the village and into surrounding countryside. The flat terrain suits all fitness levels. Groups can walk together or split up and meet back at one of the five bridges crossing the water.
Indoor activities
| Attraction | What you'll experience | For groups |
|---|---|---|
| Cotswold Motoring Museum | Vintage vehicles and recreated period scenes spanning a century of motoring history | Compact layout keeps groups together and appeals to multiple generations |
| Model Village | Intricate miniature recreation of the entire village with working features | Quick to explore and provides unique photo opportunities for everyone |
| Birdland indoor exhibits | Tropical bird houses and penguin viewing areas protected from weather | Accessible paths and seating areas accommodate groups of varying mobility |
| Local craft shops | Traditional Cotswold crafts, jewellery and homeware in historic buildings | Groups can browse independently then regroup at nearby cafes |
| Village pubs and tearooms | Traditional British food and afternoon tea in characterful settings | Several venues accommodate large groups with advance booking for meals |
Visitor FAQs
What size property do we need for our group?
Count heads carefully and add one bedroom as buffer space. An 8 bed property suits 14 guests if some couples don't mind sharing. Properties that sleep 20 give everyone breathing room. Check bathroom numbers match your group size to avoid morning queues.
When should we book for Christmas or New Year?
Book 12 months ahead for peak dates. Holiday cottages that sleep 14 or more get snapped up fast for festive breaks. Last minute availability exists but you'll pay premium rates and have limited choice of properties.
Can we book for just one night or a weekend?
Most large holiday homes require minimum three-night stays. Weekend bookings typically run Friday to Monday. Some owners accept one night bookings during quiet periods but expect higher per-night rates. Snaptrip and similar platforms show minimum stay requirements clearly.
Are there cheap options for large groups?
Basic self-catering properties without hot tubs or pools cost significantly less. Booking midweek rather than weekends reduces prices. Split the cost between more guests to make luxury properties affordable. Group accommodation for stag dos or family reunions often works out cheaper per person than hotels.
What about properties for hen parties or celebrations?
Many large cottages welcome parties but check terms carefully. Some owners prohibit events or charge extra for celebrations. Look for spacious properties with gardens and entertainment facilities. Cottages to rent that specifically market to groups usually have more relaxed policies about gatherings.