Pre-Christmas Weekends in a Big House: December Get-Togethers for Family and Friends

Every December, the same question comes up: where can everyone actually fit? Your kitchen table seats six, the spare room is already full of, well, spare stuff, and somebody always ends up on the sofa bed. 

This year, there’s a better way. Book a big house for a weekend in the run-up to Christmas and bring everyone together under one roof: grandparents, grandchildren, old friends and the cousins you only see once a year. There’s room for a proper festive feast, space to celebrate, and nobody has to do all the hosting. 

At The Big House Co, we have pre-Christmas weekends available in December at three very different houses in Somerset and the Cotswolds, each with its own festive feel. 

• Somerset Manor, near Taunton. Lavish Christmas decorations, a cinema room and a party space with a bar. Best for a sparkling celebration. 

• Tatham House, Somerset.  Winter walks, an indoor pool and cosy evenings in. Best for a calm, traditional weekend. 

• Tysoe Manor, the Cotswolds.  A games room and Cotswold countryside on the doorstep. Best for a festive weekend in the Cotswolds. 

Weekends in December go quickly. Call us on 01823 662 673 to check dates. 

A big house gives a large group the space to spend real time together in December, without anyone squeezing into a small home or a busy restaurant.

Everyone fits. Our houses sleep 20 or more, so the whole family or your full group of friends can stay together rather than being scattered across spare rooms and hotels.

One big table. December is about the feast. A big house gives you a kitchen built for cooking for a crowd and a dining table where everyone can sit down together.

Space for every generation. Grandparents can relax with a cup of tea while the children run off to the games room. There’s room to be together and room to slip away for a quiet moment.

Christmas before Christmas. Many families now split the big day between in-laws and different homes. A weekend in early or mid-December means everyone can celebrate together, without the clash.

Something to look forward to. December gets busy fast. Booking a weekend now gives everyone a fixed date in the diary and a celebration to count down to.

Somerset Manor is the house for anyone who loves Christmas, because it’s dressed for the season in lavish, over-the-top decorations.

This elegant Grade II listed Georgian manor sits in the village of Pitminster, just outside Taunton, overlooking the Blackdown Hills. In December, the very large, grand rooms are filled with festive sparkle, making it the perfect setting for a sumptuous weekend with family and friends.

There’s a cinema room for Christmas films, a party space with a bar and disco lighting for when the celebrations get going, and plenty of space for everyone to gather. Somerset Manor sleeps up to 26 guests.

Perfect for: a glamorous pre-Christmas party, a festive family reunion, or friends who want to go all out.

Tatham House is the place for a quieter, more traditional festive weekend, with winter walks, long dinners and cosy evenings in.

Tucked down a leafy lane in Somerset, Tatham House sits in three acres of lawns and orchard with views across to the Quantock Hills. It’s ideal for crisp morning walks before a long, lazy lunch, then candlelit dinners around one big table.

Inside, there’s an oak-panelled hall, two elegant living rooms and a snug for curling up with a book. When the weather turns, there’s an indoor pool, a hot tub, a cinema room and a games room with pool, table tennis and table football. Tatham House sleeps up to 22 in 10 en-suite bedrooms, two of them on the ground floor.

Perfect for: a gentle family get-together, three generations together, or friends who want to slow down before the festive rush

Tysoe Manor brings your group together in the heart of the Cotswolds, one of the loveliest parts of England in winter.

Set in classic Cotswold countryside, Tysoe Manor sleeps 22 and has a games room for the evenings and plenty of space to gather for a festive feast.

Tysoe Manor is full of character, with medieval windows, carved oak doors and a grand oak staircase. Sofas gather around wood-burning fires in the drawing rooms, there’s a dining room made for a long festive dinner, and a games room and screening room for the evenings.

Perfect for: a Cotswolds get-together with family or friends before Christmas.

The key is to book early, choose the right house for your group, and share out the jobs so nobody is stuck in the kitchen all weekend.

• Pick your date early. December weekends are the first to go, so agree a date with everyone and book as soon as you can.
• Choose your kind of festive weekend. Do you want sparkle and a party, or walks and quiet evenings by candlelight? Pick the house that matches.
• Check the beds and bathrooms. Think about who needs a ground floor room and who will share. Our guide to how many bedrooms you need can help.
• Plan the feast. Give each family or couple one meal to cook, or treat yourselves to a private chef for the big dinner.
• Mix things up. A winter walk, a Christmas film, games, a Secret Santa or a quiz all help. Find plenty more in our 101 things to do in a big house.
• Bring the little extras. Crackers, Christmas jumpers and a playlist everyone can add to.

Not sure which house suits your group? Browse all our large houses to rent, or call us and we’ll help you choose.

The Big House Co has been helping families, friends and colleagues find the perfect big house since 1996, with thousands of guests having stayed in one of our houses over the years.

As a family-run business, we understand what makes a group holiday work, space that brings everyone together, houses full of character, and a personal touch that a big booking site simply can’t offer. That’s why every enquiry is handled by Victoria and Beverley, who get to know exactly what you’re looking for and help you find the right house for your group, whether that’s a milestone birthday, a big family reunion, or holidays where you can bring your dog along. It’s this personal, hands-on approach that keeps so many of our guests coming back, year after year.

Ready to bring the whole family, dog included? Explore our dog-friendly big houses here or get in touch with Victoria and Beverley via our Contact Us page, email party@TheBigHouseCo.com, or call +44 (0)1823 662673.

The Big House Company. Big enough for everyone. Personal enough to feel like home