Words: Anna Galbraith
There’s no better way to shake those city blues away than escaping to the country for the weekend – ideally with your finest friends in tow.,
When is comes to hosting the ultimate summer soiree, you will be hard-pressed to find a more idyllic backdrop for your venture than the Cotswolds. All you need is somewhere to stay. Specifically, one of the most luxurious and grandest properties available. With a pool. Oh, and maybe a steaming hot tub. Ideally one with enough space for 34 of your selected friends… (Oh, and don’t forget the wine).,
If you’re looking for some holiday inspiration, you’ve come to the right place — read on to discover GJ’s curated a list of nine rental properties perfect for an unforgettable event.,
Best for a summer pool party: Home Farm Evenlode
This summer’s heatwave has had everyone daydreaming of jumping straight out of the office window and into their own private pool. If you’re looking for the perfect weekend escape with a pool to party in, Home Farm Evenlode is a recently fully renovated former farmhouse and barns not far from Stow on the Wold which features a gorgeous outdoor pool within its terraced gardens.
Perfectly positioned within a border of sun loungers, this pool is just waiting to provide the epicentre of your country escape.
Best for feeding the 5000: Little Sodbury Manor
With the hefty responsibility of herding all of your friends and keeping them fed, watered and entertained (all whilst balancing a cocktail in one hand) — the chance to have someone else take on the responsibility of cooking up a feast can prove invaluable.
At Little Sodbury Manor, the services of a live-in housekeeper and cook are at your disposal, so that you can busy yourself with the important work of socialising without having to worry whether or not your one-pot dish will stretch far enough.
Best for a well-stocked bar: No.38 The Park
The staple of any great party is a drinks cabinet that never runs dry. At No.38 The Park, you are actively encouraged to feel well and truly at home, with access to a particularly impressive drinks cabinet — satisfyingly stocked with everything necessary to get strangers talking as if they were old friends and even your most sensible friend making terrible life decisions.
Look no further than this elegant Cheltenham townhouse for the perfect spot to curate your bespoke houseparty in style.
Best for a garden party: Kingscote Park
Take your party outdoors and make the most of the 28 acres of gardens and parkland that are yours to roam at Kingscote Park. Kingscote Park House is a stunning Regency house with eight beautiful double bedrooms and is decorated in a classic style.
Perfect for family and friends that want to celebrate in style, there is also a large kitchen, dining room, drawing room, music room and a retro jukebox to provide your tailor-made soundtrack.
Best for accommodating a longer guest list: Temple Guiting Estate
Save yourself from the awkward job of cutting down a guest list by opting for this magnificent estate which can sleep up to 34 of your favourite people, whilst entertaining them in style.
These bedrooms are split across a selection of exclusive buildings, to give everyone their own space — whilst the estate has plenty to keep everyone occupied, with a tennis court, two hot tubs and a private boating lake.
Best for a hot tub party: Temple Guiting Barn
The time-honoured tradition of the hot tub party might recall regrettable memories of bygone university days for some, but allow Temple Guiting Barn to change your perception.
This contemporary self-catering barn conversion with five luxurious ensuite bedrooms sleeps up to 12 guests and sits amongst a secluded garden, so that you can enjoy your hot tub in total privacy.
Best for a dance on the roof: Dryhill Lodge
This lodge seems to have been tailor-made to cater for country parties. Inside, an elegant cantilever staircase leads up to the large first floor open plan living space that opens out onto a full width ‘skydeck‘ terrace giving epic views over the Severn Vale and beyond.
There is an integrated wood burning stove, Bose sound system and high specification kitchen with a separate Liebherr larder and wine fridges. Dance the night away, with the wine within reach.
Best for some splendid isolation: The Lake House
The Lakes is a private estate set amongst 650 acres of idyllic Cotswold countryside just 90 minutes from London, that enables owners to experience the very best of the British seasons.
A gated community where nature and design work in harmony to provide the ultimate rural retreat and lifestyle. The Lakes by Yoo is a playground simply made for lakeside partying.
Best for dancing the night away: Langley Park
Saving the best for last — Langley Park is an 18th Century Georgian listed mansion sitting in 85 acres of parkland.
Langley has 11 bedrooms and eight bathrooms in the main house and a further two bedrooms and one bathroom in the attached cottage; where the Billiard and Table Tennis rooms are to be found. Oh, and there’s also a fully equipped cellar Night Club. Case closed.
Looking for some more inspiration for your summer retreat? Here are the 9 properties we want to spend the season in…
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