We appreciate that organising a large group holiday or short break isn’t the easiest of tasks. Trying to agree a date when everyone's free is half the battle; weekends tend to be more difficult as that’s when people have things on – more social commitments, the grocery shop to do, football practice, rugby matches, and so on. Arranging a mid-week break can be less stressful, especially if you don’t have school age children to worry about. And of course, there’s the bonus that things tend to be a little quieter during the week; at weekends the world and his wife go to the beach or the local beauty spot at the first sign of sunshine. The pubs are quieter midweek, which means you can have a really relaxing lunch or dinner out; no queues at the bar, no long wait for your food and no squeezing through packed tables to get anywhere.
It’s tempting, surely, and worth taking a few days off work for. Just imagine lazing about in a big garden, toddlers happy on the play equipment, steaks sizzling on the barbecue – whilst everyone else is at work. There’s something quite satisfying about that, isn’t there? And imagine taking a splash in a nice warm pool, or sitting back in the hot tub with blue skies above, fluffy clouds drifting by. Imagine relaxing and chatting in the sauna with some of your nearest and dearest, having a chilled out game of ping-pong, or shooting some pool – whilst everyone else is at work.
You could be ambling through summer meadows, knee high in lush grass, buttercups and poppies, on your way to a cosy country inn for a pint of the local brew in the beer garden, butterflies flitting in and out of the hedgerows, birds twittering in the trees. Or strolling along the beach, waves gently lapping the shoreline, an invigorating sea breeze in your hair, ice-cream in hand. Sounds a bit corny, but it’s true – almost all of our properties are out in the countryside and most are within easy reach of the coast. Our midweek breaks are from 4pm on a Monday to 10am on a Friday, which gives you ample time to chill, so let’s take a look at what we’ve got with availability in June and July; that midweek break with your large group could soon be happening.
Snucked away in a tiny hamlet a few miles from the market town of Ilminster in Somerset, is Beaverbrook 20, which can actually sleep up to 10 more people at an extra charge per guest. This converted barn is of vast proportions and what makes it one of our most popular properties is the fantastic spa hall - not just a heated pool but also a bubblywubbly hot tub, and an amazing sauna. There's also a big games room with a pool table, air hockey, table tennis and table football, and well, just wait til you see the open plan living/entertaining area; the middle of it is dominated by a long chunky dining table - imagine the feasts! Outside there's a very private walled garden, with a Nordic style BBQ lodge, a sturdy play train, and plenty of space for a sunny barbecue. You'd be wise to snap this up quickly as availability is low and we've got a very appealing offer on the price of a midweek break in June.
Tucked away in a sleep hamlet on the Somerset Levels is Walnut Arbour, sleeping 12 with room for 2 more at an extra charge per person. It’s easy to reach from the M5 and the A303, but once you’ve turned off the main road it’s a different world. You’ll find this luxury holiday home a few miles along the winding lanes, and all around is the enchanting landscape of the Levels. Anyone who books Walnut Arbour is in for a treat because what you’ll have is your own private spa with an amazing indoor pool, steam room, hot tub and sauna. Throw open the windows, let the sunshine in, walk along the river to the pub for lunch or to climb Burrow Mump and enjoy the glorious views. The perfect leisurely mid-week break.
Also on the Somerset Levels is our latest addition, Orchard View, a converted Dutch barn on a working farm, sleeping 12 in 6 bedrooms, plus one more person at an extra charge. It’s all very swish and very up to date inside with table football and a pool table to keep you amused. Outside it’s utterly bucolic, with heaps of pastoral charm; far reaching countryside views, a field just over the hedge, and at the end of the garden a lovely little orchard, frothy with apple blossom in the spring; an old tractor rests beneath the trees, bashes to bashes, rust to rust, and sheep lazily graze. Book a mid-week break at Orchard View in June or July, sit in the sun on the patio or in the hot tub, and take it all in. Happy days.
At the foot of the rugged but beautiful Quantock Hills in Somerset, Thorncombe is one of five timber-clad lodges close to the village of West Bagborough (great pub -The Rising Sun) and not far from Taunton. Thorncombe sleeps 12 people plus there’s a cot and toddler bed available. What’s it got? 5 ensuite bedrooms, a commodious open plan living space, a games room with a pool table – and its very own indoor swimming pool. The garden has a big patio for dining alfresco and there’s play equipment and a trampoline, if you’ve got litt’luns on board. Book it up quickly for a midweek summer break to unwind and de-stress.
For peaceful seclusion in the most spectacular setting, you can’t beat House on the Hill on the borders of Dorset and Wiltshire; a mid-week treat guaranteed to serve up a generous dose of relaxation. Surrounded by the beautiful countryside of the Cranborne Chase AONB, the fields just stretch on and on and on to the far horizon, and at night, apart from the stars and the moon, the only light you’ll see is the one atop the tower of Salisbury cathedral, some 12 miles away. It’s astonishing, this place, unique in style, quirky interiors, and it’s packed with gorgeous artwork and shelves full of books. House on the Hill sleeps 12 people, with room for 4 more at an extra charge per person, dogs are welcome, there’s a swimming pool (outdoor), and a games room, and if you really want to go out, there’s plenty to do and see nearby; walking, cycling, fishing, golf, horse riding, shopping, and some excellent places to eat.
Check out these fabulous properties and book your summer mid-week break today, for less than the price of a good hotel per person.