As we creep towards autumn and the afternoons take on a gloomier pall, what better way to ring in the new season than by whisking family and friends away for a cosy retreat in the countryside?
From eclectic Cumbrian farmhouses to reclaimed Cotswold barns and luxury beach pads along the Cornish coast, we’ve shared our favourite holiday homes across the UK for the perfect autumn group getaway.
Cotswold Farm Hideaway
A cluster of three beautifully reclaimed farm cottages on the edge of Gloucestershire have been lovingly revived to comfortably sleep 12 guests. Design lovers will appreciate the artful touches here, from the chic linen bedding in all of the bedrooms to the paint-splattered crockery and considered curation of coffee table books. Each of the cottages can be booked separately, but a whole farm takeover will allow you to sprawl across the estate, and claim the gardens as your own. The largest of the three cottages, Whitehall, has a generous open-plan kitchen and dining area, which provides the perfect space for hosting large groups – along with plenty of grounds to ramble and enjoy a pre-dinner tipple while admiring the sunset. From here, you’ll be in the ideal location to romp through the north Cotswolds, and neighbouring Somerset.
Three Mile Beach
Mere steps away from the sandy dunes of Gwithian Towans, and a short drive from bustling St Ives, you’ll find the chic, California-meets-Cornwall bungalows of Three Mile Beach. A hamlet of fifteen beach houses, each of these luxury pads is kitted out with airy, open-plan kitchens, spacious living areas, and relaxed bedrooms designed with bold pops of colour. After a morning spent surfing and swimming, spend lazy evenings soaking in the hot tub or steaming off in your private sauna; there are hammocks to lounge on, barbecues to grill on, and even Ooni pizza ovens at your disposal. Guests are endlessly pampered: hampers stocked with goodies are waiting upon your arrival, and the team can even arrange a private chef to whip up evening feasts, with every whim and fancy catered for to ensure the ultimate relaxing retreat.
Durslade Farmhouse
Situated on Hauser & Wirth’s bucolic Somerset estate, Durslade Farmhouse is the ideal getaway for art lovers, sleeping groups of 12 across its 6 characterful bedrooms. Artfully distressed rooms are paired with eclectic interior touches, along with hand-painted ceilings, and plenty of bold artworks to ogle at. You’ll have everything you need within easy walking distance: from groceries at neighbouring Durslade Farm Shop, t0 Roth Bar & Grill for dinner – meanwhile, quaint Bruton is just a short stroll away, where you’ll find a myriad of famed foodie destinations.
Bibury Farm Barns
A clutch of Cotswold barns nestled near the Gloucestershire-Oxfordshire border have been converted into five incredibly luxe getaways. Sleeping between 6-10 guests, each of the reclaimed barns provides the perfect retreat for groups of friends – or book all five as a takeover of the entire estate. Clad in honey-coloured stone, each of the barns boast open-plan kitchens, cosy living areas, and plush interiors in elegant tones; huge king-size beds, wood-burning stoves, and rolltop bathtubs are also a given. There’s no need to worry about bringing along the essentials with you: you’ll find a generous breakfast hamper waiting upon arrival, along with luxurious 100 Acres toiletries in every bathroom. From here, you’ll only be a short hop away from the quaint village of Bibury, as well as a stone’s throw from some of the Cotswolds’ best pubs.
Howgill Estate
Nestled in the peaceful Howgill Fells, Brownber Hall is a reimagined country pile, sleeping up to 15 guests in the heart of Cumbria, part of Kip Hideaways. Inside the revived Victorian manor, interiors strike the perfect balance between homely and eclectic, with bedrooms featuring iron-wrought bedsteads and unexpected pops of print. Two large sitting rooms and an open-plan kitchen/dining room allow for large groups of guests to spread out across the ground floor, with freshly baked sourdough, marmalade, and homemade cakes waiting for you on arrival. Guests are in the perfect location to ramble across the Dales, or drive to the nearby Lakes.
The Lakes by Yoo
Waking up on the water might not immediately come to mind when picturing a stay in the Cotswolds, but miraculously, The Lakes by Yoo have created an idyllic estate in the heart of Gloucestershire that allows guests to sleep by the water without having to drive to the coastline. This sprawling 850-acre estate is dotted with a smattering of glossy private homes and cosy cabins, each sleeping between 4-12 guests. Stunning views over the lakes are a guarantee, as are all of the creature comforts you could imagine (homemade cakes waiting in your own kitchen, breakfast hampers dropped off in the mornings, and luxe toiletries). Days are spent kayaking, paddle boarding and wild swimming (most of the cabins are just steps from the water), before winding down at the estate spa. Don’t feel like cooking up a feast in your cabin? You’ll be a short drive from some of the best pubs and restaurants in the area.
Hiraeth
Deep in the Pembrokeshire wilderness, you’ll discover Hiraeth, a Unique HomeStays property that encompasses a sweet cottage and adjoining timber-clad bothy. Hiraeth – a Welsh word meaning a deep longing for something, especially one’s home – is a rather fitting name for this property, which you’ll dream of long after you leave. Sleeping up to 12 guests across the two properties, interiors have a distinctly Scandinavian feel: expect a melange of woody accents, lime washed walls, and cosy, cabin-like bedrooms. Guests will find generous welcome hampers stocked with Welsh cakes and local honey waiting for them, and days are spent discovering the dramatic coastline before retiring back to Hiraeth for afternoons spent steaming off in the sauna and soaking in the outdoor bath.
ARC Stay, Padstow
A revived country manor presiding over Cornwall’s north coast and situated near thriving Padstow, this formerly listed property has been refreshed to appeal to the modern-day design lover. Expect plenty of characterful touches (exposed brick walls, original beams, and historic fireplaces) balanced against contemporary furnishings and artwork – all in pleasingly muted tones. Perfect for big house parties, the property hosts up to 24 guests across 12 bedrooms – along with multiple reception spaces to relax, dine, and party.
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Lead image: The Durslade Farmhouse
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