Big Cottages Cotswolds: Your Complete Planning Guide
Booking Big Cottages in Cotswolds gives your group the perfect base to explore honey-coloured villages and rolling hills with the kind of space and luxury you simply can't get from hotels. We're talking about properties that sleep 12 or more with spacious living areas and gardens where everyone can actually spend time together.
The Cotswolds offers incredible variety for large groups. You'll find everything from country cottages with hot tubs to massive holiday homes with indoor pools. Many properties feature enclosed gardens perfect for dog friendly breaks and some even offer one night stays for last minute weekend escapes.
Avoiding stress and planning the perfect group break
Which cottage?
Start with your must-haves before you dive into browsing hundreds of holiday cottages. Set your budget first because rental costs for properties that sleep 10 or more vary wildly across the region. A 5 bedroom cottage costs significantly less than a 10 bedroom manor house.
Location matters more than you think. Do you want to be near Bourton-on-the-Water for easy access to shops and restaurants or tucked away in countryside near Stow-on-the-Wold? Consider how many bedrooms and bathrooms you actually need. A group of 14 adults needs more facilities than families with children.
Pet-friendly or pet-free makes a huge difference to your search. Many large holiday houses welcome dogs but charge extra. Modern or rustic affects everything from heating costs to whether you'll have decent wifi for remote workers joining your family reunion.
Plan these in advance
How many bedrooms and bathrooms for your group
Work out the real numbers. An 8 bed property might sleep 20 using sofa beds but you'll have people queuing for bathrooms. We recommend at least one bathroom per four guests for comfortable group accommodation. Check if bedrooms have ensuite facilities because this changes everything.
Bedroom allocation drama
Sort out who gets the master suite before you arrive. Couples with young children often need ground floor rooms. Older guests might struggle with stairs to converted attic spaces. Draw names from a hat if you need to keep things fair for hen party groups or stag dos.
Splitting costs between your group
Create a shared spreadsheet showing the total rental cost divided by number of guests. Factor in whether some people are staying fewer nights. Apps like Splitwise help track who's paid what for self-catering supplies and activities.
Deposits and getting reimbursed
One person usually books and pays the deposit for holiday rentals. Set clear expectations about when you need money back. Most properties require full payment 6-8 weeks before arrival. Chase people early because last minute scrambles cause unnecessary stress.
Hidden fees
Read the small print on holiday lets. Some charge extra for heating during Christmas and New Year breaks. Others add cleaning fees or linen charges. Properties with hot tubs often have supplement costs. Pet fees can add £50-100 per dog to your total.
Group cottage entertainment & activities
Stuff in the cottage itself - Look for big houses with games rooms featuring pool tables and table tennis. Cinema rooms keep everyone entertained on rainy evenings. Properties with indoor pools or hot tubs give you activities without leaving the rental. Large kitchens with range cookers and multiple ovens make group cooking actually enjoyable.
Coordinating group activities like a pro - Create a shared group chat weeks before arrival. Poll everyone about must-do activities versus free time. Book popular attractions in advance because places like Blenheim Palace and Cotswold Wildlife Park get busy. Assign different people to organize specific days.
Creating itineraries that please everyone - Build in flexibility because groups never stick to rigid schedules. Plan one major activity per day maximum. Leave mornings free for people who want lie-ins. Schedule a big group dinner but let people sort their own lunches.
Think about how far it is to activities or attractions - Check actual driving times to places you want to visit. Cirencester sits centrally for exploring but adds 30 minutes to reach Broadway. Properties near Chipping Campden give easy access to northern Cotswolds attractions. Southern locations near Tetbury work better for Bath day trips.
Backup plans for when the weather's rubbish - The Cotswolds gets plenty of rain so book cottages to rent with substantial indoor space. Identify nearby market towns for shopping and cafes. Research indoor attractions before you arrive. Having board games and streaming services saves the day when storms hit.
Some things to plan in advance
- Being too isolated with no shops or restaurants nearby means someone drives constantly for supplies
- Parking inadequate for multiple cars causes daily reshuffling nightmares
- Who organizes everything from food shopping to activities and transport needs deciding upfront
- Who's responsible if something breaks should be clear in your rental agreement
- Managing different sleep schedules in open-plan lodges requires house rules about noise
Top 5 group attractions in Cotswolds
The Cotswolds has transformed from sleepy countryside into one of Britain's most visited regions. These limestone hills contain some of England's most photographed villages alongside stately homes and gardens that work brilliantly for large groups wanting shared experiences.
#1 Blenheim Palace
This UNESCO World Heritage Site near Woodstock offers massive grounds where groups can explore together or split up. The palace itself takes hours to tour properly with state rooms and Churchill exhibitions. The parkland designed by Capability Brown gives you lakes and gardens perfect for picnics with big groups.
#2 Cotswold Wildlife Park
Located near Burford this 160-acre park houses over 260 species in beautiful Victorian gardens. Groups can spend entire days here because there's enough variety to keep everyone interested. The layout means you won't lose people and there are multiple cafes for regrouping.
#3 Bourton-on-the-Water
Known as the Venice of the Cotswolds this village works perfectly for groups because everything sits within walking distance. The Model Village fascinates adults and children alike. Multiple pubs and restaurants mean you can split for lunch then regroup without complicated logistics.
#4 Sudeley Castle
This thousand-year-old castle near Winchcombe offers award-winning gardens and fascinating history. Groups appreciate the flexibility to explore at different paces. The grounds host events throughout summer including jousting tournaments that create memorable shared experiences for parties and family reunions.
#5 Broadway Tower
Standing on the second-highest point in the Cotswolds this folly provides panoramic views across 16 counties. The climb suits active groups and the surrounding country park offers walking routes for various fitness levels. The cafe at the base works well for groups needing refreshments.
Indoor activities
| Attraction | What you'll experience | For groups |
|---|---|---|
| Corinium Museum | Roman mosaics and Anglo-Saxon treasures in Cirencester's award-winning museum | Compact size means groups stay together and visit takes 90 minutes |
| Cotswold Distillery | Gin and whisky tastings with tours showing the distilling process | Group bookings available and experiences can be tailored for different sizes |
| Gloucester Cathedral | Stunning medieval architecture famous as a Harry Potter filming location | Free entry and large enough that groups don't feel crowded |
| Cheltenham Art Gallery | Arts and Crafts movement collection in elegant Regency building | Central location near shops and cafes for splitting up afterwards |
| Cotswold Brewing Company | Brewery tours with tastings of locally crafted beers | Group packages available and works brilliantly for stag dos or casual gatherings |
Visitor FAQs
How far in advance should we book Big Cottages in Cotswolds?
Book 6-12 months ahead for peak times like Christmas and New Year. Summer weekends and school holidays fill up quickly too. You'll find better availability and sometimes cheap deals for midweek breaks or last minute bookings outside peak season.
What size property do we actually need for our group?
Count adults and children separately because a cottage that sleeps 14 using bunk beds differs from one with 14 proper beds. Consider whether you want everyone under one roof or prefer booking two nearby properties. Check living space because a cramped lounge ruins the group experience.
Are Cotswolds properties suitable for hen parties and celebrations?
Many large cottages welcome parties but have strict noise policies and guest limits. Some properties ban events entirely. Always declare your plans when booking because turning up with unexpected guests violates rental agreements and risks losing deposits.
Can we bring multiple dogs to dog friendly cottages?
Most dog friendly properties accept 1-2 dogs but large holiday homes sometimes welcome more. Expect to pay per pet and provide your own bedding. Properties with enclosed gardens cost more but give peace of mind for multiple dogs running around safely.
What's included in self-catering accommodation?
Standard equipment includes fully fitted kitchens with ovens and fridges plus basic cleaning supplies. Linen and towels are usually provided but check first. Properties with hot tubs include chemicals and instructions. Luxury villas might offer welcome hampers and toiletries but don't assume anything.
Finding the right group cottage transforms your Cotswolds break from stressful logistics into an actual holiday. We recommend using sites like Snaptrip to compare hundreds of holiday homes across different budgets. The region offers everything from cheap cabins to spacious manor houses that sleep 20 with pools and hot tubs.
Start your search early and involve your group in key decisions. The Cotswolds rewards proper planning with unforgettable experiences in one of England's most beautiful regions. Whether you're organizing a family reunion or weekend with friends the right accommodation makes all the difference.