Large Group Houses in Gloucestershire

Large Group Accommodation in Gloucestershire

Gloucestershire is three counties in one. The Cotswolds, which have their own page, climb the eastern edge. The Severn Vale in the middle has Gloucester, Cheltenham and Tewkesbury. And west of the river is the Forest of Dean, with the Wye Valley on the Welsh border. This page covers the houses outside the Cotswolds: around Mitcheldean and the Forest, and south of the M4 at Badminton, where some of the largest group houses in the south-west are, sleeping up to 34.

Why Gloucestershire Works for Group Stays

It is central and it is quick to reach: two hours from London, 45 minutes from Bristol, an hour from Birmingham and Cardiff, with mainline trains to Gloucester and Cheltenham. A large group house in Gloucestershire puts a Regency town, a cathedral city, a river gorge and an ancient forest within an hour of each other, and the big nights out in Bristol, Bath and Cardiff within reach of a taxi.

Things to Do in Gloucestershire with a Large Group

In the Forest, stand on Symonds Yat Rock above the Wye and then canoe the river beneath it; explore Puzzlewood and Clearwell Caves; cycle the Forest trails. In Gloucester, the cathedral's fan-vaulted cloisters (Hogwarts, in the films) and the Victorian docks. In Cheltenham, the Regency terraces, the Promenade and, in March, the Cheltenham Festival. Further out: Westonbirt Arboretum, Sudeley Castle, Slimbridge Wetland Centre and the Severn Bore when the tides are right.

Eating and Drinking

Cheltenham has the county's best restaurants and bars, concentrated in Montpellier and along the Bath Road. Gloucester Quays has the docks restaurants. In the Forest of Dean, the Speech House and the village inns around Coleford and Mitcheldean do a country dinner. The county's cider makers, farm shops and the Severn's elvers and salmon give a private chef plenty to work with, and a cider and cheese tasting at the house is the obvious local evening.

Ideal Occasions

Gloucestershire suits big family gatherings and reunions that need 20 to 34 beds under one roof, hen and stag weekends that want countryside by day and Cheltenham or Bristol by night, Cheltenham Festival house parties in March, and corporate retreats that need to be reachable from London, Birmingham and Cardiff in the same morning.

Nearby Destinations

The Cotswolds page covers the eastern half of the county. Herefordshire and the Wye Valley are next door, Bristol and Bath are under an hour south, and Cardiff an hour west.