Uttoxeter (7mls S), Staffordshire - 8 bedrooms, sleeps 15, 3 dogs

Sleeping 15 guests across eight bedrooms, this historic hunting lodge enjoys a rural setting on a working arable farm in Staffordshire. Hens, stags, and canine companions are warmly welcomed to this characterful retreat with The Staffordshire Way walk right on your doorstep. After a fun day of shopping and sporty activities, kick back and unwind in your handsome holiday home, or enjoy an evening out at one of the pubs in the village of Abbots Bromley (2.5 miles) which also has a village shop for essentials and a choice of eateries.

For weekly shops and market town attractions, head to nearby Uttoxeter (7.5 miles). Ample off-road parking and bike storage is available for guests. Step into this handsome lodge which has an air of grandeur and olde-worlde charm with country-style interiors.

Admire the wood-panelled entrance hall and the opulent drawing room with its open fire – the perfect room for pre-dinner drinks, speeches, and storytelling. Recline on leather sofas in the living room and catch up in the heart of the home by the warming wood burner. Share recipes and take turns to prepare feasts together in the spacious farmhouse kitchen where fellow guests can see your culinary masterpiece come to life with the help of the electric range oven and hob and a variety of kitchen gadgets.

Or hide away in the smaller kitchen at the back of the house where you can create a secret recipe to serve in the formal dining room. After your fun celebrations, you’ll find eight plush bedrooms upstairs with beautiful features from timber-beamed ceilings to countryside views, along with six bathrooms (including five en-suites). The bedrooms with zip and link beds can also be reconfigured by request to suit your group.

There’s a handy ground floor bathroom, a ground floor boot room, a utility, and ample space for everyone to spread out and find quiet time. Outside, you’ll find a large lawned garden and a seated patio terrace where you can relax and make plans for a new day. There is a separate games room located just by the property in an out building with impressive snooker table.