Category Archives: News

Shabby Chic Wedding Ideas

Shabby Chic WeddingA shabby chic style wedding is the ultimate choice for any couple wanting to inject bundles of personality to their special day. Shopping for original pieces to complement your theme is an absolute joy, as there is so much scope and choice, regardless of your budget. The tradition of ‘something old, something new’ really comes into its own here as you add authenticity and style with your own unique combination of vintage finds and beautiful new pieces.

Choosing The Perfect Brides Outfit

Kate Middleton really nailed it with her famous lace sleeved dress on her big day, adding a touch of romance and vintage chic without overdoing it. Silks, linens and lace in subtle off whites are excellent choice to fit in with a shabby chic theme. Accessorise with delicate, vintage look purses and hair slides, adding a string of pearls to create a stunning look that makes it appear as if you have just stepped right out of a Jane Austen novel.

Shorter shift style dresses are an attractive and comfortable choice that will make it far easier for you to dance the night away free from restrictions – this could be particularly important if you are going to be navigating marquees and country barns on your big day!

Decorate With Vintage Look Jars

There are so many different ways to accessorise your event with glass jars. Vintage mason jars come in a variety of different colours and look incredible filled with flowers as a centrepiece, holding candles as decoration or filled with traditional sweets on a buffet table. Smaller jam jars can be equally effective; use tiny decorated jars to create sweet wedding favours for your guests, fill with tea lights for a warm and intimate look, tie to chairs along the aisle and fill with wildflowers, paint with chalkboard paint to create stylish table numbers… The options are endless.

Glass jars can be dressed with ribbons, lace, silk flowers, vintage fabrics, or a simple string of sequins creating a look that is on point and budget friendly.

Subtle Details

Dress your chairs simply by adding colour coordinated ribbons to tie in with your scheme. Burlap table runners are a great choice for decking out your tables as this natural look will coordinate seamlessly with just about anything you choose. A lovely touch is to add a lace trim to the outer edge of your runners.

Mismatched vintage china is a fun and eclectic choice for your reception tables and you will find many companies online that hire all kinds of vintage tableware for events.

Make It Personal

A rustic barn provides a wonderful backdrop for a shabby chic styled wedding. Once bedecked with lashings of flowers and bunting you will have a gorgeous, intimate environment for celebrating your special day with your favourite people.

Asking key family members and loved ones to prepare readings or perhaps sing at your event really emphasises the personal feel of a wedding. There is nothing like a heartfelt piece about love and the future for generating a few happy tears and some lasting memories.

Choosing Your Wedding Flowers

Keep it natural and oh so pretty with hand tied arrangements of seasonal wildflowers, fresh herbs and grasses or freshly cut peonies. Simple potted plants such as daisies or herbs can make the most wonderful centrepieces, looking bright and vibrant in keeping with the rustic, shabby chic theme at a minimal cost.

Plan Your English Country Garden Wedding

Garden WeddingIf you are tying the knot during the spring or summer months and are attracted to the idea of an English Country Garden wedding, then here at the Big House Company have several impressive wedding venues in the county of Somerset that would provide you with the ultimate backdrop for your theme.

English Country Garden weddings are all about letting the outdoors in and taking inspiration from nature. Think tea parties, bunting, English roses, pastel hues and jugs of Pimm’s served on a lush green lawn.

If you are in the process of gathering inspiration for your perfect English Country Garden wedding, then you have come to exactly the right place, as we have plenty of ideas to help you to create a gorgeous, stylish and truly memorable event…

  1. Blackboard Signs & Arrows

Let your guests know which way to go with some fun blackboard signs and arrows. Be playful and fun with your wording and help everyone to navigate their way around the venue with ease. There are plenty of ways to be creative with your signage and you could even use it as a photo prop in your wedding photos.

Country Garden Bunting

Bunting is a wonderful accessory for any country garden wedding and the colours can be chosen to tie in with the rest of your theme. Floral prints, stripes and pastels are just a few of the options and you could of course opt for personalised bunting in key areas around the venue.

Drape bunting inside the venue, your marquee and around the grounds to add soft colour and oodles of style and personality to your event.

Tea Party Food Flags

Why not decorate part of your feast with some tiny food flags and label them with cute comments such as ‘eat me’, or ‘pick me’, or even ‘I do’!

Food flags are the perfect addition to cupcakes, strawberry tarts and any other sweets and treats on your desert table.

Classic English Blooms

Choose classic English blooms to tie in with your theme, creating gorgeous bouquets with peonies, sweet peas and roses. With this relaxed summer theme, there are so many ways to present your floral arrangements on the day.

Pretty jam jars finished with twine, metal buckets and even watering cans are just a few of the receptacles you can use to make a unique centrepiece!

Shimmering Tea Lights

What better way to light up your event after dusk than with bundles of pretty tea lights to create a relaxed, magical atmosphere. You can never have too many of them, hang little holders from trees, and use their wonderful shimmering glow to light up pathways and steps, table settings and seating areas.

Go Bare

No, not you – your cake!

Naked cakes, with their natural and organic style have created a trend that does not appear to be going anywhere, anytime soon. Garnished with natural elements like succulents, moss, lavender or colourful fresh fruit, a naked cake is a wonderful alternative that combines seamlessly with this particular wedding theme.

A Style That Never Tires

I hope that we will have provided you with at least a few ideas worth stealing. The English Country Garden theme is a style that never tires, celebrating all things that are natural and British.

Do get in touch with us at the Big House Company if you would like some information about booking one of our luxurious wedding venues for your wedding!

Things To Do Whilst Visiting The Cotswolds

Car travelling over a Bridge in Cotswolds, England

Cotswolds, England

If you have booked yourself a stay in our luxurious Cotswold Manor, the chances are that you will be so blissed out in your gorgeous surroundings that you will feel reluctant to stray too far! Nonetheless, we have plenty of great ideas for days out in the Cotswold’s if you do fancy exploring the area, so without further ado, here is our insider’s guide to some well-loved local hotspots:

1. Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens

This is a beautiful place to spend the day and as the largest privately owned zoological collection in the UK, the Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens boasts over 260 different species of animals within its 160 acres. Features of the park include a reptile house, bat shelter, insect house, tropical house, train ride and a glorious woodland walk.

With plenty of convenient facilities including a café with fresh snacks and refreshments, ample picnic areas, dog-friendly zones and an adventure playground, there is plenty to keep you fed, watered and occupied during your visit.

  1. Tewkesbury Abbey

If you are into visiting historical sites then you should make time to go to Tewkesbury Abbey. Tewkesbury Abbey boasts the largest Norman tower in the world and its exterior arch is the largest in Britain. The church is operational as a religious place of worship and you may like to take the opportunity to attend one of the regular mass services.

  1. Dragonfly Maze

If you like a good maze, the Dragonfly Maze is going to exceed your expectations. This maze is renowned for being a bit tricky so it is great fun to work together to identify the 14 clues which will help you to successfully get to the middle. Great fun for families and friends and a chance to bond as you work together to find the ‘treasure’ at the centre of the maze.

  1. The Model Village At Bourton-On-The-Water

This popular model village has fascinating features such as its collection of tiny manicured bonsai trees. For decades, visitors have been captivated by the display of detailed scenes and houses exhibited.

This unique hotspot offers a unique experience for visitors of all ages; do not forget to capture a few images of you and your group posing as giants before you leave! (Adults and children alike will have a whale of a time doing this!)

Situated at the rear of The New Old Inn with its beer garden, bars, children’s play area and patio, this exquisite miniature village that has been open to the public since 1937 is a truly great spot for a day out with your family and friends.

  1. Cotswold Distillery

Are you passionate about whisky or gin? If so, a trip to the Cotswold Distillery would be a great choice for you. Known as the best distillery in the area, the Cotswold Distillery is home to the finest natural spirits. Visitors enjoy a tour of the distillery, complete with an actual tasting of some of the gin and whisky that is produced on site. Gin lovers may be particularly interested in the eclectic range of flavoured gin available.

Friendly and knowledgeable guides provide insightful information on the brewing and production process. Before you leave, remember to pop into the distillery shop to choose a few fine bottles for sampling later!

  1. Cotswold Falconry Centre

As a bird lover, what could be more epic than spending a day at the Cotswold Falconry Centre, learning how to handle birds and observing these magnificent creatures soaring above your head?

Home to over 130 birds from dozens of different species, the Cotswold Falconry Centre with its hawks, eagles, owls, falcons and kestrels is a fabulous choice for a day out. In addition to regular, well-presented bird shows, the centre also displays breeding aviaries and provides visitors with detailed information regarding the different birds.

There is ample space for an alfresco picnic on dry days and the well-stocked shop is brimming with bird themed gifts. An interesting gift idea for yourself or a loved one would be one of the experience packages on offer at the centre including a flying course or an evening with the owls.

  1. Cotswold Motoring Museum

How about visiting the Cotswold Motoring Museum, which is home to a variety of classic cars, motorcycles, vintage cars, and original motoring artifacts, all under one roof? The large and rather eccentric collection that the museum offers integrates the different phases of the motoring world throughout the 20th century.

Apart from being wowed by the captivating ensemble of fine motors, you will also get to learn plenty of interesting facts through the numerous information cards and knowledgeable staff who act as tour guides, both enhancing your visit.

Local Hotspots Part 2

Glastonbury TorFollowing on from Part 1, where we shared some of our favourite local hotspots in Somerset with you, here are a few more places and landmarks that are special, making them popular with visitors and locals alike…

  1. The Willow Tree

This fabulous, award-winning restaurant is conveniently situated right in the heart of Taunton in a beautiful 17th Century character building making it a great choice for a special meal with friends.

Ever since it was first established in 2002, the owners have taken this eatery from strength to strength and The Willow Tree is now widely regarded to be one of the best restaurants in the entire region.

This is a charming space with unbeatable food and great service. Take advantage of the waterside terrace during the warm summer months where you can enjoy an alfresco drink or meal in a wonderful little oasis.

  1. West Somerset Railway

This heritage line is one of the longest preserved lines in the UK and a great experience for visitors of all ages. The slightly worn carriages somehow add to the authenticity, transporting you back in time as you absorb the breathtaking scenery. There is lots to see and do along the route and numerous events to get involved in during the year. Take a magical trip to see the candle lit night in Dunster before Christmas or a trip on the Santa special, complete with Santa and his elves, presents, port and mince pies!

  1. Wells Cathedral

A visit to this incredible building is an absolute must if you are in the area of Wells in Somerset and it is easy to appreciate what makes this landmark so popular when you are standing there and it has literally taken your breath away. The cathedrals impressive history is evident in every detail as you explore the space and you may be able to time your visit so that you can enjoy the acoustics of the building whilst some carols or hymns are practiced!

  1. The North Somerset Butterfly House

This hidden gem is a relatively small attraction but what it lacks in size it makes up for in substance. There is always plenty to see and do and the space is particularly well geared up for little ones. If you have even the faintest interest in butterflies, this is a great attraction to visit. Take your time strolling around the pathways and admire the beauty of the different varieties as they flutter around you.

I almost forgot to mention the cake! You will find large slices of delicious cake in the cafe on site along with lots of other homemade fare. Overall, this is a wonderful way to spend a morning or afternoon in Somerset.

  1. Glastonbury Tor

Glastonbury Tor is a historical national Trust site in Glastonbury, a picturesque, conical hill topped with the roofless monument of St Michaels Church Tower. This is a truly special place with a wonderful atmosphere and energy. Prepare yourself for a bracing walk to the top, with a fantastic payoff of the most incredible, far-reaching 360-degree views over Somerset to reward you for all of your hard work!

Glastonbury Tor is a unique and impressive landmark with a fascinating history.

Our Local Hotspots – Part 1 – Somerset

Glastonbury torSeeing as several of our Big Houses are situated in the beautiful county of Somerset in the south west of England, we thought it might be a nice idea to share our insider’s guide to some of our favourite local hotspots.

Let us introduce you to some places that are well loved by the locals…

  1. Cheddar Gorge

Britain’s largest gorge was created over millions of years by waters from the ice age and has a depth of 449ft. Cheddar Gorge is renowned as a world famous beauty spot and well worth a visit if you are staying in the area. Take in the most magnificent 360-degree views of the dramatic landscape by climbing Jacobs Ladder all the way up to the Lookout Tower, then have fun exploring the incredible stalactite caverns, (the most beautiful in Britain) below.

This popular tourist spot attracts in the region of 500,000 visitors each year and is the site where the oldest complete human skeleton in Britain was discovered, back in 1903. The skeleton, known as ‘Cheddar Man’ is estimated to be more than 9,000 years old.

  1. Thermae Bath Spa

Treat yourself to an incredible spa day at Thermae Bath Spa, in the heart of the city of Bath. This wonderful setting is a unique blend of old and new as the well known historic spa buildings have been blended with new design, enabling you to bathe in warm mineral rich waters just as the Romans did more than 2,000 years ago, in a contemporary setting!

Choose from over 40 wonderful spa treatments, relax in the indoor Minerva Bath, invigorate your senses in the aroma steam rooms, or take in the spectacular views of this beautiful city from the comfort of the open-air thermal pool on the roof!

  1. Hestercombe Gardens

Step through over 300 years of fine garden design at this inspirational estate, which is open to visitors all year round and has excellent facilities for families and children. Wander through the Georgian Landscape Garden, take in the views from the Victorian Terrace and last but not least, explore the incredible Edwardian Formal Garden that is widely accepted to be one of the finest examples of the famous partnership between Edward Lutyens and Gertrude Jekyll.

Between the extensive gardens and the excellent indoor facilities, it is easy to make a day of it at Hestercombe. Art lovers will enjoy Hestercombe Gallery with its contemporary exhibitions and if you are looking something to eat or drink, you are also in luck here!

The Stables Cafe is a fabulous stop for home cooked lunches, delicious cake and tea, or you may prefer to visit the more formal Column Room Restaurant for a three course lunch and yet more spectacular views.

  1. Somerset Lavender

What could be more relaxing than a visit to a small, family run farm that is entirely dedicated to growing lavender? If you have never had an opportunity to visit lavender fields in person and take in not just the fabulous scenery, but also the heavenly scent, then this is your opportunity!

This wonderful farm is situated in Radstock, Somerset and you will find something to occupy your entire group, regardless of age. At harvest time, you can take a tour and gain insight into the process that is involved in distilling the lavender to create essential oil and at other times during the year, you can visit the cafe and the farm shop where you will discover a variety of lavender plants and unique lavender related gifts for sale.

Christmas In A Big House

Christmas In A Big HouseHiring a big house for the festive season and spending Christmas or New Years Eve away from home in comfort with a large group of family or friends is a sure fire way to have an amazing time together and create the kind of legendary celebration that will be talked about for many years to come.

At The Big House Company, we have some beautiful big houses to rent for the festive season. Whether you are dreaming of long blustery walks in the countryside followed by cosy log fires, port and funny stories, or glamorous gatherings where you and your favourite people eat, drink and dance under the same roof until the early hours, we have you covered.

Space & Privacy

Our big houses are ample sized properties that offer plenty of bedrooms, bathrooms and living space, enabling large groups to spread out and socialise comfortably, as well as obtain the privacy required to enjoy some quality free time individually before rejoining the group for more fun.

Atmospheric Properties

The Big House Company have a wonderful selection of atmospheric properties that are literally oozing with style and atmosphere, the perfect backdrop and space for the ultimate Christmas dinner with plenty of room to fit three generations, or your entire gang around the same table comfortably.

Taking The Hard Work Out Of Christmas

Once you are over the battle of writing stacks of cards, nailing the ultimate gifts for your loved ones and choosing the perfect outfits, what you really feel like doing is getting cosy and putting your feet up to relax with a glass of your favourite tipple. The trouble is that the preparation and work that goes into laying on a fabulous celebratory feast demands great organisation skills and an alarming number of hours.

If you fancy opting out of the cooking when hiring a big house, you do have the option of calling in a private chef to take care of the catering for you. That way you and your guests can socialise, relax and enjoy each other’s company, completely freeing yourselves from all of that stress and hard work.

A Winter Break From Home

Being away from home with a great group of people over the holiday season gives every one of you the opportunity to enjoy a change of scenery and a break from home. All of the big houses available for hire in the UK through The Big house Co offer you an extraordinarily special backdrop in terms of their interiors and some fantastic scenes to explore outdoors in the fabulous British countryside.

With complete privacy to use the space as you please and the pleasure of socialising in a homely property that is not your own, you have plenty of scope for a memorable winter break whiling the hours away over long extended mealtimes, hilarious games and crisp walks exploring the history and hills in your surroundings.

A Riotous Celebration Or Relaxed Festive Break

Hiring a big house for the holiday season is guaranteed to make your holiday even more special, whatever your style. The majority of our properties are already booked for Christmas & New Year 2015, but there are still a few left for those looking for something last minute if you hurry!

Keep in mind that it is never too early to book for next winter, for more information about booking any of our properties, drop us a line and we will be more than happy to assist you.

Cheltenham gold cup fun

Horse RaceIf you’re looking for a new experience to share with friends, or if you’re a seasoned race going, the Cheltenham Festival is a treat not to be missed.

With 4 days of great racing from 15th – 18th March 2016 it’s one of the highlights of the jump racing season.  The prize money runs to an eye watering £3.8m for owners and jockeys to battle over.

Set in the beautiful Cotswolds, Cheltenham racecourse lies in a scenic amphitheatre below the Cotswold Hills and makes a fabulous backdrop to some great racing.

It has a wide range of facilities and tickets are still available for most of the enclosures.  Dining in one of the course side restaurants makes it a very special day, but needs to be booked in advance.

There’s shopping too, if you’re in the mood, the Shopping Village has a large variety of trade stands to suit most tastes.

History

The Hall of Fame is definitely worth a visit, with winners’ silks and trophies from years gone by, fascinating information about the history of Cheltenham and a hologram of the great horse Desert Orchid.

Champion Day

The first day of the meeting and features the Stan James Champion Hurdle, won impressively last year by Faugheen, from the on form stable of Willie Mullins (8 winners during the festival!).  Whether that run of form continues is questionable given Faugheeen’s last outing in November in the Morgiana Hurdle.

Ladies Day

A great excuse for the ladies to dress up and have a good time with your friends.  There’s even a best dressed ladies competition!

St Patrick’s Day

Celebrate the day with plenty of Guiness on tap and live music flowing.  Maybe watch some Irish winners too.

Gold Cup Day

Scene of Arkle’s historic 3 consecutive wins in the 60’s, this race is the highlight of the fixture list.  Last year winner, Coneygree on only his fourth outing over fences, was the first novice horse in 40 years to win.  Could he be following in the footsteps of the great Arkle?

Make a break of it

Why not make an occasion of it, get all your friends together and stay locally for the 4 days.  Cotswold Manor is only 30 minutes away from the course.  It’s a wonderful, elegant country house to enjoy after a day at the races.

Hire A Big House For Your Holiday

Screen Shot 2015-11-16 at 08.54.37With families and friends spreading out across the country and beyond, these days it is becoming increasingly popular for large groups to meet together for a fun group holiday in one place. Rather than going to the trouble of booking multiple rooms and apartments to accommodate everyone, it can make far more sense to book one great big house.

Have you ever considered hiring a great big house for a holiday with a large group? Big houses are a great choice for family reunions, events and special occasions, but they are also the ideal choice for holidaying with a great bunch of your favourite people too. Here is why:

A Cost Effective Option

Sharing the cost of a large holiday property with your friends and family often works out to be a far more cost effective option than you might expect. Take Widcombe Grange for example; this luxurious stone built country residence is set in 22 acres of landscaped woodlands and at full capacity, 24 friends sharing the rental cost of this property in high peak season would pay less than £45 per person, per night (at current rates).

Hire in mid or low season and the rates are obviously considerably lower, so sharing the cost of your holiday as a group is undoubtedly a great value option for your well-earned break!

Private Access To All Facilities

Another great benefit when holidaying in this way with friends is the opportunity to gain private access to all of the wonderful facilities on site. Remaining with the example of Widcombe Grange in Somerset, you would benefit from a variety of fantastic facilities to help you relax, unwind and have fun, including:

  • Heated outdoor swimming pool
  • Games room with pool table, table tennis and table football
  • TV, DVD and Wi-Fi
  • Private boating and fishing lake
  • Badminton & Croquet

The spacious grounds lend themselves perfectly to all kinds of outdoor pursuits, (all of which can be arranged for you on site), including clay shooting, archery and more. With all of this room to yourselves to play and hang out in, you may well find that you have little reason to venture off site at all!

Meal Times Are Made Easy In Your Big House

Coordinating meals out when you are travelling with a large group can be a logistical nightmare. Organising everyone and finding a suitable eatery with a table for 24 is never going to be a straightforward task!

Hiring a big house can remove this hassle from your holiday; simply arrange for meals to be delivered or cooked and even served on site and you can all eat what you want, when you want, however you want, accommodating everyone in the group, free from any issues, or super long waits for large tables!

With full access to the entire kitchen and plentiful dining space, you will also have everything you need to cook up a storm and enjoy the luxury of long extended mealtimes together.

Complete Flexibility

With private access to the entire property and grounds, you and your group have the freedom and flexibility to plan your stay in any way you desire, giving you the unique opportunity to plan your holiday without any of the typical restrictions that apply to hotels, holiday apartments and so on.

This Could Be The First Of Many…

Take one stunning big house in a countryside setting, with relaxing and luxurious accommodation and plenty to explore in the surrounding area, add a great bunch of people and you may find that your holiday is so brilliantly successful that it is just the first of many fantastic group holiday experiences!

The Ultimate Murder Mystery Weekend

Murder mystery

With darker nights and the impending arrival of winter, this is the ideal time of year to host a fabulous murder mystery party. The ultimate event would be organised with the help of a professional company, and hosted in a beautiful period property, creating the ultimate backdrop for your party.

Why not make a weekend of it? Hire an amazing character property in the country; gather up a group of your most outgoing favourites who will happily put their all into their roles and display their acting talent, then head off to create some unforgettable, (often hilarious), memories.

Plan Ahead

Plan your weekend well in advance to ensure that the property you desire is available and make sure that your friends will be free to attend. In the run up to Christmas, weekends tend to get increasingly busy so it is crucial to give your guests plenty of advance notice.

Shy Wallflowers

The best murder mystery parties rely on an enthusiastic group who are willing to let their hair down and play the role of the characters they are allocated with flair! This means that some friends may not be suited to participate in this type of event at all, due to their shyness and inhibitions.

Think carefully about which friends would be best suited to the bigger characters in the plot, keeping in mind that acting skills are not a prerequisite, all that is required is a willingness to take on the role of someone else for a few hours.

Allocate smaller roles to the shy wallflowers within the group, as this way they will have less to say and do during the evening, which will make sure they feel more comfortable, leaving them free to enjoy themselves and work on solving the mystery.

Murder Mystery Menu

Set the scene by combining your murder mystery activity with a ‘Whodunit’ style, glamorous dinner party. When hiring one of our Big Houses, we can arrange everything on your behalf, taking all of the hassle out of the planning so that all you need to do is dress up, get into your role and fully enjoy the storyline and mayhem!

Sitting down to enjoy a mouth-watering meal cooked by a talented local chef in the private space of your hired house is a wonderful way to enhance your event and make the evening even more memorable. With a team on hand to serve and clear each course for the evening, your entire group will be free to concentrate on the action and participate!

Winner Takes It All?

Bring out your guests competitive instincts with some desirable prizes. You may choose to allocate one prize for the person who manages to solve the murder mystery, but it can be fun to have extra prizes set aside for other important accomplishments too! Prizes for the most convincing performance, the best costume or the funniest participant are just a few ideas you could consider.

Getting everyone together at the end of the evening for prizes is great fun and creates a wonderful opportunity to reflect and giggle at the evenings events. Once everybody is able to reveal details of the secrets and schemes that were going on, you will all be amazed at what was going on right under your noses the entire time!

The Kind Of Party That Everyone Will Talk About For Years To Come…

If this is something that you have always wanted to do, why not take the plunge and give it a go? A murder mystery weekend is a great way to celebrate a special occasion or simply gather with your friends for something different and a whole lot of fun. The chances are that some of your friends will really surprise you with their antics and role-playing on the night, as this type of event has a funny way of bringing some people out of their shell in a way you have never seen before.

With some careful planning and a good dose of creativity, you could design and host your own murder mystery party anywhere. However, for the ultimate murder mystery weekend that everyone will talk about for years to come, why not get in touch with us at The Big House Company and let us help you to make a real success of your event!

Weekend Hen Party Houses

Hen Party HousesHiring a big house for the weekend to celebrate your hen party in style is a popular alternative to a night out, giving you and your group the freedom and space to relax, enjoy yourselves and have a truly memorable weekend.

Hiring a private property gives you absolute privacy and enables you to tailor the weekend your way, by including all of the activities that you and your girlfriends love. There is no better way to enjoy your last few days of freedom, than by choosing the perfect big house, gathering up your girls and heading off for a fabulous weekend in the country!

The perfect blend of activities will of course depend on your group of friends and family, but often the best approach is to go for a balanced blend of lively activities and blissful relaxation.

If you are stuck for ideas, or struggling to choose the right activities for your hen weekend, why not take inspiration from five of our favourites:

Clay Pigeon Shooting

Perhaps not the first activity to spring to mind when planning a hen weekend, but this popular activity is incredibly exhilarating and guaranteed to delight the most active personalities in your party, because it is surprisingly physical!

Shooting is a popular country pursuit, a thrilling day out and an utterly memorable and unique experience for any hen group.

Horse Riding

Trekking off into the great outdoors on horseback with a group of friends is one of the most enjoyable ways to spend a few hours in the great British countryside. Relax, chat and have a giggle or two whilst taking in the scenery. You may even be able to tie this activity in with a delicious hearty lunch and a tipple at a proper country pub.

Arrange A Private Dinner Party

Enjoying a mouth watering meal, cooked by talented chefs then served and cleared by a local company in the privacy of your own space allows your group to concentrate on important things like looking utterly glamorous and enjoying each other’s company for the evening.

A formal, three-course celebration dinner complete with canapés creates a wonderful centrepiece for your hen party weekend.

Murder Mystery Night

Arrange a murder mystery night in the comfort of your luxury accommodation and make the night even more memorable by combining this activity with a ‘Whodunit’ style dinner party.

A professionally run, interactive murder mystery night packed with surprises and a great deal of laughter is a fantastic way to have great fun and make memories with a group of special friends.

Spa Style Onsite Relaxation

Book your group a relaxing massage on site, or perhaps indulge in a pre wedding manicure or pedicure. As a group of girls hanging out together for the weekend, it is essential to put aside some time to unwind. What could be better than a few precious hours of feel good relaxation and pampering?

Accommodate Your Entire Group In A Big Country House

Big groups are no problem when you are booking with The Big House Company. The majority of our luxurious big houses are based in Devon or Somerset and sleep anything from 20 – 50 comfortably. Our stunning properties are the perfect choice for your hen party, allowing you and your girls to enjoy an unforgettable luxury rural break.

We offer a large variety of fantastic activities that we will happily arrange on your behalf, either onsite or in the stunning countryside surrounding your big house, taking the stress out of organising and helping you to make the most of your weekend hen break. And once you’re done partying you can start looking forward to an incredible day in one of our wedding venues in the heart of the Somerset.

Gathering Your Big Group In A Big House

Friends laughing

These days we seem to be spreading out further than ever before as new relationships, job opportunities and itchy feet lead us to other parts of the country or sometimes abroad where we establish new lives for ourselves.

The fantastic technology that we have at our fingertips makes it easy to keep in touch with much loved family and friends when we find ourselves living miles apart. Between the various social media platforms, the good old fashioned telephone and video calling, most of the time we are able to keep up to date with what is going on in each other’s lives and maintain regular contact with one another with minimal effort.

Somehow, whilst we are busy keeping up with our work and family commitments, the years seem to fly past at an alarming pace and large periods go by with no face-to-face contact and quality time spent together. Before we know it, babies have become teens and groups of friends in their twenties suddenly find themselves faced with the big 40!

Plan Some Quality Time Out Together

Nothing beats getting together as a group in person to rekindle our relationships and reconnect and it is therefore essential to put some time aside once in a while to get everybody together. Planning a big get together for a large group of family or friends can be a little tricky to organise, but it is well worth the effort as it is guaranteed to be a fun experience and a great opportunity to create some brand new memories as a group.

Create Your Own Special Tradition

Large group reunions and holidays are a great idea for bringing everyone together under the same roof and in many friendship groups and families, these events become an important tradition that everybody really looks forward to. The only trouble with having just a few hours over an afternoon or evening to catch up with all of the people you love is that there is never enough time to get around the entire group and have the kind of lengthy, meaningful conversations you would perhaps like to…

A Large Group Holiday May Be The Answer

When planning a large get together to celebrate an anniversary, a milestone birthday or simply to get everyone in the same location for a well overdue catch up, why not make the most of it by arranging to spend a long weekend or a week together and make it a truly memorable gathering!

Planning an extended break gives everybody the opportunity to fully rest and relax, away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and gives you all plenty of time to enjoy each other’s company over extended meals and activities without having to rush.

Imagine all the fun you could have breathing new life into those hilarious tales of days gone by, reminiscing, laughing and strengthening the special bonds you share.

Accommodating A Large Group

When looking for a large property to accommodate your group, the best place to start is with an accurate headcount, as this will allow you to narrow down the sort of properties that will be suitable for putting up your entire group. With a large headcount, your pool of properties will understandably narrow, but nonetheless, you will be surprised at the number of incredible properties you can hire to sleep groups of anything from 20 up to 50 people!

Hire A Big House In The Country

The Big House Co have a great selection of five star properties to hire in the countryside, providing your large group with a luxurious backdrop for any holiday or event and giving you plenty of space to relax, play and dine together in style.

Each property boasts its own unique features and provides plenty of scope for organising some fun activities on site or in the surrounding area. With free reign over the entire property as the only guests, your group will have the flexibility to organise yourselves and use the space exactly as you wish.

Coordinating A Large Group Holiday Can Be Tricky

Planning any event or holiday with a large group can be a little tricky in some respects, but providing you give yourself plenty of time to iron out all of the wrinkles in advance you will be fine! The moment you arrive and see everyone together under the same roof, you will know without doubt that your hard work was worth it and who knows; it may be just the first of many memorable gatherings.

Planning a large group holiday, hiring a large property in the country, group holiday in the country, hiring a large country house, large group accommodation,

Hiring a large country home to accommodate your family and friends is a great opportunity to get everybody together under the same roof for some quality bonding time…

Have A Go At… Clay Pigeon Shooting

Clay pigeon shooting is a hugely popular activity for corporate events and team building events, big weekender parties and all kinds of other occasions including stag and hen weekends. It’s a fun sport, which can be enjoyed by anyone aged 14 and over and even a complete novice can get to grips with a little guidance through their first few shots…

Clay Pigeon ShootingThe First Clay Pigeons

During the nineteenth century, the sport of game shooting really took off. Shooting parties hosted at great estates throughout the UK became events to be seen at. The only way to bag an invite to the best parties was to be of excellent social standing and preferably an excellent shot, so consequently the Victorians and Edwardians spent a great deal of time practicing prior to attending an event.

Needless to say one way to do this was to shoot clays. During the 1800’s the first clay targets were developed, leading to the introduction of clay pigeons. These clay targets simulated bird flight, making them ideal for anyone wishing to refine their shooting skills.

Clay Pigeon ShootingBig House Clay Pigeon Shooting

Clay pigeon shooting is an activity that can be arranged for you during your stay at several of our Big Houses including Tone Dale House, Berry House and Widcombe Grange. In fact, at the latter two properties we can even arrange for you to do this activity on site.

Basic Instruction

When participating in this activity, you will receive guidance from a fully trained instructor who will assist you in grasping the basics so that you can achieve the best possible shots and get the most from your experience. You will soon get the hang of it; ready for some competitive fun with the rest of your group! Watching a clay you’ve just shot explode in a shower of fragments for the first time is a brilliant feeling.

Clay Pigeon ShootingGetting Prepared

If you want a bit of a head start on your pals then swot up with a few useful pointers by reading our handy guide. Get a few tricks up your sleeve, then lull your mates into a false sense of security by making out that you do not have the first clue about what you are doing!

Our little guide will get you started on the right foot…

  1. Perfect Your Stance

Talking about feet… getting your footing right will help you to maintain your balance, which is an essential part of becoming a good shot. If you shoot with your right hand, your left foot will be your leading foot (and vice versa) so work out which foot is your leading foot and make sure that this foot is always pointed in the direction you are shooting.

Place the majority of your weight on your leading foot and keep your feet spaced at a shoulders width apart for optimum balance.

  1. Don’t Make The Mistake Of Aiming Directly At The Clay

This is the most common mistake made by beginners, but to have a chance of hitting the clay, you must aim slightly ahead of it. It takes time for your cartridge to reach the area you have shot at, so it is all about perfecting your timing and anticipating where the clay will be.

Focus on the spot where your eye first sees the clay and concentrate on the arch of its movement, this way you will soon suss out the best place to aim.

  1. Learn To Trust Your Dominant Eye

Clay Pigeon ShootingYour dominant eye will always give you the correct line of fire, so before you start clay pigeon shooting you should work out whether it is your left eye or your right eye that is the dominant one.

To find out which eye is dominant:

  • Extend your arms and make a triangle using your index fingers and thumbs.
  • Focus on a stationary object, looking through this triangle with both eyes.
  • Close your right eye, if the object remains in view you are left eye dominant
  • If the object remains in view when you close your left eye, you are right eye dominant.
  1. Positioning Your Gun

You need to feel both balanced and comfortable prior to taking your shot and the trick to this is finding the ideal position for your gun. Place the butt of the gun into the groove between your chest and shoulder and then rest your cheek comfortably on the stock.

In this snug position, you prevent the gun from kicking back when you fire it, which is important because this could result in a bruised shoulder or cheek.

  1. Remember To Follow Through

Clay Pigeon ShootingJust as in many other sports, when clay pigeon shooting it is important to follow through with your movement so that after the shot, your movement continues smoothly. This smooth movement will help you to maintain the best possible control over the gun, which will ultimately improve your shot.

Big House Activities

This activity is always an absolute blast (excuse the pun!) and armed with our top tips, you are bound to do really well at it and get a brilliant score! But remember; don’t tell your friends that you had a few tips from us. Shhh….

Find out more about the range of activities available by checking out the activities page on our website. There is something for everyone!

The Big House Co Wedding Checklist – Part Two

 

Last week in part one of our mini series about wedding planning we set out some of the biggest wedding decisions and got them out of the way. We covered everything from working out the budget to drafting a guest list and booking the wedding venue. We also discussed the Wedding Planning with the Big House Companyimportance of getting on the case with the search for the perfect dress and identifying your photographer, florist and wedding cake supplier early on, as the most talented and popular suppliers tend to be booked up well in advance.

Finalise bookings with the suppliers mentioned above and if your wedding catering is not being taken care of in house, you should be finalising your booking with the caterer of your choice early on too.

OK. That’s the tricky stuff sorted. Now to focus on some of the fun details…!

– Your Bridesmaids & Their Outfits

Whether you are organising a small and intimate wedding and have chosen just one or two bridesmaids or you are planning a larger bash with a bigger group of ladies in waiting by your side, once you have the dress, it is time to turn your attention to the dresses your bridesmaids will wear.

Our three top tips for this task are…

  1. Take inspiration from your own dress, making sure that your bridesmaids dresses coordinate with the style and vibe of your own outfit and be sure to take the time of year into account too!Big House Company Wedding Planning Tips
  1. Give your choice of colour some serious thought. Different skin tones and hair colours look best when paired with different colours so be sure to choose a palette that will compliment all of the girls. These days it is not unusual for bridesmaid’s outfits to be picked out in a two-colour palette or even in completely different colours.
  1. Having chosen the colour, (or colours), it is time to think about the style of dress that would best suit your bridesmaids. A great option for a group of girls with very different body types may be to go for similar dresses with varying necklines and cuts to keep everyone happy!

– Getting Your Men Kitted Out

Your next task is to organise formalwear for your groom and all of the men in your bridal party, choosing a style and accessories that compliment the rest of your colour scheme. Again, it is Big House Company Wedding Planning Tipscrucial to take the time of year into account, as heavy formalwear can be particularly uncomfortable in warm weather and you do not want your men looking all sweaty!

Our two crucial top tips to remember here are…

  1. Make sure that your grooms outfit is unique in some way so that he stands out clearly from the rest of the men on your big day.
  1. Make sure that all formalwear has been tried and fitted well in advance of the big day to eliminate excruciatingly embarrassing scenarios like huge shirt collars and ankle swinging trousers. This way you have plenty of time to iron out any wardrobe glitches so that all of the guys in your bridal party look their absolute best.

– Organising Your Wedding Stationery

Your wedding stationery sets the tone for the event, after all, there is nothing like a gorgeous invitation arriving in the post to build the excitement for your guests. Your stationery design gives guests their first glimpse of the style of your upcoming event, be it chic and elegant or a wild barn dance style hooley!

There are lots of different bits and pieces of wedding stationary that you may or may not need, Big House Company Wedding Planning Tipsdepending on your plans, some are fairly essential, for example; save the date cards and invitations, your RSVP cards, directions, order of service, table numbers, menu and place cards.

There are many other items that you may also want to consider, for example; signage, wedding favour tags and your gift list. You will of course also need to think about your thank you cards to send out following the event.

Sending out save the date cards as soon as you have a date set gives people plenty of time to plan time off, transport and accommodation, pet boarding and such like. Then traditionally you would send your invitations out approximately 8 weeks before the big day, allowing plenty of time for the return of the RSVP’s and the finalisation of numbers with your caterers.

Like all other aspects of your planning, the key to choosing your stationery is coordination. There are so many fun styles and quirky ideas to choose from, just be sure to order well in advance, so that all of those bespoke details can be printed and checked with plenty of time to spare.

– Wedding Transport

If you’ve booked a Big House Company venue like Tone Dale House or Widcombe Grange, your wedding ceremony and the reception are to be held in the same place so you may not need to Big House Company Wedding Planning Tipsworry about wedding transport at all. (Although if this is the case, you could consider setting aside some of your budget to book something gorgeous like a classic or vintage car to make a stylish exit in instead)!

There are so many wonderful options to consider for transport to the ceremony plus it’ll make for a great photo opportunity… You are sure to find something right up your street, be it a vintage Rolls Royce, a shiny tractor, a tandem bicycle or even a motorcycle and sidecar!

The Big House Co Wedding Checklist – Part One

The Big House Co Wedding Planning Guide

At the Big House Company we’ve seen our fair share of weddings over the years whether it be attending as a guest, being the bride or groom or hosting them at one of our properties.

Wedding planning is an incredibly exciting process; giving you plenty to look forward to. We thought that it was time we put our collective heads together here at Big House Company HQ and came up with our own handy checklist of things to do you can get planning straight away.

In the first part of this series we’re going to run through some of the tasks that you can get started on straight away and get the get the ball rolling making some key decisions. Before you know it you’ll start to see everything taking shape right in front of your eyes…

First Things First – Set Your Wedding Budget

The last thing you want to do is start your married life with a huge debt looming over your heads, so a wedding budget is essential, to keep your spending on track in the run up to the big day.

Take a realistic look at your finances to establish what you can both afford to spend and verify if any family members are planning to contribute.

Times have changed and whilst traditionally the parents of the bride would foot the majority of the bill in the past, these days this happens far less frequently. If it feels awkward to approach your parents for money, a different approach could be to ask them to pick up the tab for your dress, or your wedding cake, to relieve the financial pressure and stretch your budget that little bit further.

Once you have set your budget, you will need to be disciplined and stick to it. Opening a dedicated account for your wedding expenses is the best way to track your spending and avoid mixing up your everyday money with the money you have allocated for your wedding.

Wedding guest lists are never easy!Prepare A Draft Guest List

Many couples will tell you that this is often the hardest task associated with organising a wedding, but getting a good idea of the numbers you are looking at is crucial as it will help you to choose an appropriate sized venue for the occasion and your numbers will have a key impact on all of your budgetary decisions. This task can be fraught with complications, as you cannot invite every single person you know and there will always be that one family member who is an absolute liability to worry about!

Just remember that sad though this is you cannot please all the people all of the time. It is your special event, so be selective and invite the people you really want to be surrounded with on the day. Every married couple has faced this dilemma to some extent or another. It isn’t easy…

Choose & Book Your Wedding Venue

With your budget and draft guest list in hand; you are now in a position to turn your attention to the wedding venue. You may already have a venue in mind, such as the local church where your parents tied the knot, but if not, there is such a fantastic choice of unique licensed wedding venues throughout the UK that you are certain to find just what you have in mind.

These days wedding venues are anything but boring, you could decide to get hitched on a boat, in a zoo or opt for a stunning period property in the countryside! The Big House Company is very pleased to be able to offer two beautiful houses for hire as wedding venues – Tone Dale House and Widcombe Grange both in Somerset.

If you are able to find a venue you love that is able to offer you an inclusive package with catering, music and accommodation this can be an excellent option, but the most important thing is to choose a location that you both really want, after all this will provide you with the blank canvas for building the perfect event.

Remember to ensure that there will be sufficient local accommodation to put all of your guests up.

You will probably need to make provisional bookings at this stage as you need to juggle a little until you have secured a date with the registrar or minister and any other professionals or supplier you have your hearts set on. Once you are sure that everyone is available on the same day, you can go ahead and confirm all of your bookings.

Book your annual leaveArrange Your Leave

Put in your annual leave request as early as possible to secure time off for your wedding and honeymoon. If you usually have a tough time arranging holiday leave for the dates you need, the earlier the better. You may even want to submit some provisional dates before you have finalised all of the bookings to be on the safe side. You can also let your loved ones know to SAVE THE DATE!

Now The Real Fun Begins!

Good wedding photographers, florists and wedding cake suppliers all tend to get booked up way in advance so make it a priority to get on the case with looking for and securing dates with suppliers whose style appeals to you.

It’s also time to start thinking about that all-important dress, particularly if you are going to have it made to measure. It is wise to leave yourself a minimum of six months to allow for the design, making and fitting of a made to measure dress. Even if you are going to opt for an off the shelf designer number, leave yourself a similar amount of time to find the perfect one as you would not believe the quantity of dresses brides to be usually try on in the run up to their wedding day.

Try To Relax…

Don’t worry, you are going to have a heap of fun in the process and there is still so much more to look forward to! Keep an eye out the next two blogs in this series as we move through the steps on route to the big day itself!

Tone Dale House – House Of Fox

 

It used to be the done thing for successful merchants and manufacturers to build themselves fine houses in the countryside where they could proudly display their wealth and enjoy the country life. In the late 1780’s, when Thomas Fox became partner of his families successful textile manufacturing business in Wellington, Somerset the natural thing to do was just that!

So, a few years later in 1797, he and his wife Sarah began to create their own country residence, Tone Dale House. The Fox’s chose to embrace the Palladian style of architecture that was so popular at that time, heavily influenced by the architecture of the Ancient Greeks and Romans and built their home adjacent to their thriving woollen mill.

Tone Dale House SomersetTone Dale House is an elegant grade II listed property, set in four acres of beautifully landscaped, immaculate gardens, centred around the millstream. The mill, which once played a key role in the family business, Fox Brothers & Co, is no longer in use.

Today this fine, 16 bedroom country property is owned by Ben and Victoria Fox and often referred to by the locals as ‘House of Fox’. Following its careful restoration by the Big House Co, the Fox´s unique country home is available for hire and has proven to be an incredibly popular choice for weddings, group holidays, corporate events and of course, parties.

Bags Of Character, Oodles Of Room

Between the main house and the renovated stables, this vast property is fully equipped to sleep a maximum of 31 guests. Inside the property, you will find plenty of space for dining, partying, relaxing and unwinding, amidst the Fox family portraits and antiques.

Tone Dale House simply oozes charm and whilst the renovation keenly observes the style of this period property, the overall design is incredibly sumptuous and comfortable, creating the perfect getaway pad for families and large groups.

With its south facing aspect, guests can enjoy the marvellous views, looking out across the landscaped gardens and babbling millstream in the foreground, to the beautiful Blackdown Hills beyond. Put simply if you’re looking for somewhere that ticks all the right boxes in then Tone Dale House and gardens are top of the list.

The Local Area

Wellington is a small market town, just 7 miles from Taunton, situated between the River Tone and the stunning Blackdown Hills. The rich heritage and thriving local economy make this welcoming little town an absolute pleasure to visit. You will notice that in addition to the larger chains you would expect to find, Wellington boasts an impressive and diverse selection of independent stores. In fact, to this day, Fox Brothers & Co are still producing fabrics including fine wool and cashmere, which is purchased by designers all over the world including Louis Vuitton.

The Blackdown Hills on the border of Devon and Somerset were first protected as an Area of Outstanding Beauty, (AONB) in 1991 ensuring that this unique and tranquil landscape, which is dotted with ancient features and home to a variety of rare flora and fauna, is preserved for our future generations.

Whilst relatively isolated, the hills are dotted with country pubs, charming villages, and farms and in this special part of the world working communities and wildlife coexist harmoniously.

The Wellington Monument sits on the highest point of the Blackdown Hills and this famous landmark, which was built to commemorate the Duke of Wellington’s victory at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815, is well worth visiting. From this point, the views are simply astonishing, looking across the Vale of Taunton and Exmoor National Park to the Bristol Channel and across to south Wales.

Activities

It is not unusual for guests staying at Tone Dale house to prefer to spend the majority of their time resting, playing and being pampered on site, but the surrounding area is a great spot for all kinds of fun outdoor activities, including:

  • Horse Riding
  • Paint Ball
  • Archery
  • Clay Pigeon Shooting
  • Quad Biking
  • Off Roading
  • Fishing

Tone Dale House is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an exclusive five star property for hire in the beautiful countryside of south west Somerset. The Big House Co can help you to plan and cater for your event and have all the tools you could possibly need to create a magical break or unforgettable event. For more information about the house and its many features then just take a look the section on our website where you’ll find everything you need.