Features
Blue Badge Guide: why the town of Barnard Castle is great for groups
Blue Badge Guide Tom Keating on group friendly attractions in and around Barnard Castle in County Durham.
There’s so much to think about when it comes to deciding which hotel, b&b or other accommodation to book for your group. Here’s our selection of just some of the options from historic hotels to quirky stays.
Ullswater Heights Holiday Home and Lodge Park, Penrith, Cumbria
Leisure Resorts has recently opened this new luxury holiday park, located for groups wanting to explore the Lake District. It offers different types of accommodation including holiday lodges, camping and even glamping tents complete with jacuzzis.
There’s also specially designed gardens on the 70-acre site to enjoy. Leisure Resorts welcomes bookings from groups looking for a quiet and relaxing getaway.
The Royal, Oban, Scotland
Located in the centre of town, close to the harbour and ferry terminal, this 3-star hotel promises “traditional Scottish hospitality” and is a great base for venturing around the west coast of Scotland as well as the islands of Mull and Iona. Part of the Strathmore Hotels group, which owns a number of group-friendly hotels around Scotland and the north of England, was built in 1895 so comes with plenty of history. Golfers can make use of Strathmore’s themed breaks too with special packages featuring at least one round of golf at the Glencruittan Golf Club as well as a full Scottish breakfast to look forward to.
The Devonshire, Torquay
Occupying a stunning 1900s building atop a hill overlooking the Tor Bay, this Daish’s hotel offers an outdoor heated pool available in the summer as well as peaceful lounges and a garden terrace. It’s also just a short walk down the hill to the town centre and there’s a Blue Flag beach ten minutes away.
Oaklands Hall Hotel, Lincolnshire
Built in 1877, this hotel provides a picturesque stay in a Victorian country house hotel, based within five acres of parkland. The coach-friendly site, near Grimsby, has 46 bedrooms and is ideally located for exploring the city of Lincoln, seaside resort of Cleethorpes and port town of Grimsby.
Quirky stops with CoolStays
CoolStays aims to provide the most unique and extraordinary places to stay. Here are just two of their sites aiming to offer groups something a bit different:
The Derwent, Hope Valley, Derbyshire: Classed as ’your very own Peak District hotel’, The Derwent is a huge self-catering house, sleeping between 30 and 40 people. The house also includes its own usable bar, so you can stock up for the night without the dreaded call for last orders.
The Shed, Taunton, Somerset: Keen walkers who wish to combine luxury accommodation with a stroll over the Quantock Hills may wish to spend the night at The Shed, housing a heated indoor swimming pool, trampoline, table football, table tennis table, garden games, climbing wall and playhouse. The luxurious house can sleep up to 20 with the additional hire of Little Bickley, a small lodge nearby with guests also able to make use of a cinema room, books and a piano.
Belle Aire Holiday Park, Hemsby, Norfolk
The holiday park recently unveiled new luxury caravans, with some designed to allow wheelchair access. Group bookings are welcome and even with caravans, your members can all be based near one another. Located a short walk away from some of the east coast’s best beaches, Belle Aire could be an ideal holiday retreat.
Sandy Balls Holiday Village, the New Forest
One of Away Resorts’ portfolio, the 5-star holiday village has luxury woodland lodges, static holiday homes as well as safari tents and camping pods. There’s some new accommodation options too which combine cottage-style lodges with cosy woodland. It offers special group benefits such as discounts, low holding deposits as well as familiarisation visits and free gifts.
Studley Castle, Warwickshire
Warner Leisure’s first new property in more than 15 years, Studley Castle has 209 rooms (four different types) as well as two restaurants, a cinema, bars and lounges, a spa, outdoor pursuits including laser clay and archery as well as what is thought to be one of the largest performance venues on the UK hotel scene.
Duke of Cornwall Hotel, Plymouth, Cornwall
The hotel’s history can be traced back as far as 1863, when it was built as the city’s inaugural luxury hotel. Today it’s seen as an important homage to Victorian-era grandeur, boasting a grand entrance, 72 rooms and a two AA Rosette-awarded restaurant. The hotel accommodates groups, offering special rates and benefits such as free rooms for drivers and tour guides (depending on group size and seasonality).
Queens Hotel, Brighton
Queens Hotel is located on the seafront and in the heart of The Lanes meaning it’s not far away from some of the city’s top attractions like the Royal Pavilion, Brighton Dome and i360. Guests booking a room also gain free access to the hotel’s leisure club which features a gym, sauna and swimming pool, so you’re able to work off some of the food served in its bistro. It’s also very close to Brighton’s Palace Pier for that traditional seaside break full of entertainment, penny-slot machines and coastal views.
Hever Castle, Edenbridge, Kent
For a historic stay in the former home of Anne Boleyn, groups of 15 or more can sleep like royalty in a range of beautiful rooms, offering a unique experience. 28 bedrooms can be found in the Astor Wing and Anne Boleyn Wing while a further four, are placed in Medley Court which forms part of the Astor Wing, accommodating up to eight guests. Whilst there, you’ll uncover more than 700 years of history and an insight into the life of the Tudor queen who came to an untimely end at the Tower of London.
No comments yet