Big Cottages Westbury-on-Severn: Your Complete Planning Guide
Booking Big Cottages in Westbury-on-severn gives your group a peaceful base in the heart of Gloucestershire's countryside. This historic village sits on the banks of the River Severn and offers genuine rural charm without being miles from anywhere important. The area has strong connections to England's maritime history and the surrounding Forest of Dean provides endless exploration opportunities.
Large groups love this location because you get proper countryside peace whilst staying within easy reach of Gloucester, Cheltenham and the Welsh borders. The village itself has traditional pubs and local shops, plus you're perfectly positioned for outdoor adventures, historic sites and family-friendly attractions that work brilliantly for big groups staying in holiday cottages.
Avoiding stress and planning the perfect group break
Which cottage?
Start with your absolute must-haves before you even begin browsing properties. We find that groups who nail down their non-negotiables first save hours of scrolling through unsuitable holiday homes. Set your budget first because rental costs for large holiday house options vary wildly depending on season and facilities.
Location matters more than you think. Some country cottages sit in isolated spots that feel romantic until you realise the nearest shop is eight miles away. Work out how many bedrooms and bathrooms you genuinely need rather than guessing. A 10 bedroom property sounds massive but if you've got 20 guests that's still tight.
Distance from the nearest town affects everything from emergency supply runs to taxi costs for nights out. Pet-friendly or pet-free makes a huge difference to your shortlist if you're bringing dogs. The modern versus rustic debate splits groups too, so get consensus early on whether you want sleek contemporary lodges or traditional cottages to rent with character beams.
Plan these in advance
How many bedrooms and bathrooms for your group
Calculate one bathroom per four guests minimum or you'll have queues every morning. Properties that sleep 12 often have just three bathrooms which creates bottlenecks. Look for accommodation with ensuite options in at least half the bedrooms. Check if any rooms have bunk beds because not everyone wants to sleep in a kids' room.
Bedroom allocation drama
Sort out who gets the master suite before you arrive. We suggest drawing names from a hat or rotating if you're booking for multiple nights. Couples usually expect double rooms whilst singles might share, but clarify this upfront. Some 5 bedroom properties have one king and four twins which doesn't suit every group dynamic.
Splitting costs between your group
Use a payment app to track who owes what from day one. The person booking usually pays the full amount upfront then chases reimbursement which gets messy. Agree whether couples pay double what singles pay or if you split evenly regardless. Factor in that some guests might want the 8 bed property whilst others would've been happy with something cheap.
Deposits and getting reimbursed
Most holiday rentals require deposits of £200-500 which you'll get back if nothing breaks. Nominate one responsible person to hold the deposit money from everyone. Snaptrip and similar booking platforms handle deposits differently so read the terms. Some properties for big groups charge per-person deposits which adds up fast.
Hidden fees
Watch for cleaning fees, linen charges and electricity costs that aren't included in the headline price. Properties with hot tubs often charge extra for heating them. Dog friendly cottages might add £30-50 per pet. Last minute bookings sometimes avoid these fees but you risk limited availability, especially at Christmas or New Year.
Group cottage entertainment & activities
Stuff in the cottage itself - Large cottages increasingly come with games rooms, cinema rooms and indoor pools that keep everyone entertained when you don't fancy going out. Properties that sleep 14 or more often have multiple living spaces so groups can split up without feeling cramped. Hot tubs are standard in many spacious holiday lets now and they're brilliant for evening socialising.
Coordinating group activities like a pro - Create a shared document where everyone adds their must-do activities before you arrive. This prevents the "what shall we do today" conversation that wastes half the morning. Assign different people to research and book specific activities so one person isn't organising everything.
Creating itineraries that please everyone - Build in free time because not everyone wants to do group activities all day. We find that one planned group outing per day plus flexible evening meals works better than rigid schedules. Factor in that some guests want adventure whilst others prefer relaxing in the enclosed garden with a book.
Think about how far it is to activities or attractions - Check actual driving times to your planned destinations because rural properties can be further from main roads than you expect. The Forest of Dean attractions are close but Cheltenham or Gloucester take 30-40 minutes. Budget for multiple cars because fitting everyone in one vehicle rarely works for groups.
Backup plans for when the weather's rubbish - British weather will mess up your outdoor plans at least once. Have a list of indoor activities, local pubs and nearby towns to explore. Villas and cabins with good indoor facilities become essential rather than nice-to-have when it's pouring.
Some things to plan in advance
- Being too isolated with no shops or restaurants nearby limits your flexibility for meals and supplies
- Parking inadequate for multiple cars causes daily hassle when people need to shuffle vehicles
- Who organizes everything including food shopping, activities and transport needs deciding before you arrive
- Who's responsible if something breaks should be clear, especially for hen party or stag dos groups
- Managing different sleep schedules matters in houses to rent where early risers might wake late sleepers
Top 5 group attractions in Westbury-on-Severn
The area around Westbury-on-Severn has transformed from industrial heritage to outdoor adventure destination. Groups staying in self-catering properties here can explore everything from ancient forests to historic waterways. The proximity to both the Forest of Dean and the Severn Vale means you get variety without spending hours in the car.
#1 Forest of Dean
This ancient woodland covers 110 square kilometres and offers activities for every fitness level. Groups can tackle mountain bike trails, try the treetop adventure courses or simply walk the sculpture trail. The forest has multiple entry points and facilities including cafes and visitor centres that can handle large groups arriving together.
#2 Slimbridge Wetland Centre
Founded by Sir Peter Scott, this wetland reserve hosts thousands of wild birds plus captive collections. The site has multiple hides, walking trails and indoor exhibits that work well when you need to split a big group. Families appreciate the play areas whilst wildlife enthusiasts can spend hours in the observation points watching rare species.
#3 Gloucester Docks
These Victorian docks have been regenerated into a waterfront destination with museums, restaurants and shops. The National Waterways Museum tells Britain's canal history through interactive exhibits. Groups can book boat trips, visit the Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum or just enjoy the waterside atmosphere with plenty of eating options nearby.
#4 Puzzlewood
This ancient woodland near Coleford features twisted pathways through moss-covered rocks that inspired Tolkien and featured in Star Wars films. The one-mile trail takes about an hour but groups often spend longer exploring. There's an indoor maze, farm animals and a cafe that handles group bookings for lunch.
#5 Berkeley Castle
This medieval fortress has been home to the Berkeley family for over 850 years. The castle offers guided tours covering its role in English history including where Edward II was murdered. The grounds include beautiful gardens and a butterfly house. Large groups should book ahead, especially for weekend visits during peak season.
Indoor activities
| Attraction | What you'll experience | For groups |
|---|---|---|
| National Waterways Museum | Interactive exhibits about Britain's canal network with historic boats and working displays | Multiple galleries let groups explore at their own pace with indoor and covered outdoor spaces |
| Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum | Military history from 1694 to present day with medals, uniforms and personal stories | Compact museum that groups can tour together in about 90 minutes regardless of weather |
| Dean Heritage Centre | Forest of Dean history through reconstructed cottages, mining exhibits and traditional crafts | Indoor galleries plus covered areas mean groups stay dry whilst learning local heritage |
| Cattle Country Adventure Park | Indoor play areas, animal barns and covered activities suitable for families with young children | Large indoor spaces handle big family groups with different age ranges comfortably |
| Gloucester Cathedral | Stunning medieval architecture with Harry Potter filming locations and beautiful cloisters | Free entry for groups to explore independently with cafe facilities for refreshments |
Visitor FAQs
How far in advance should we book Big Cottages in Westbury-on-severn?
Book 6-12 months ahead for peak times like Christmas, New Year and school holidays. Properties that sleep 20 or offer features like indoor pools get snapped up fast. We've found decent availability for midweek breaks and one night stays with just a few weeks' notice outside peak season.
What's the minimum stay for large holiday house rentals?
Most group accommodation requires 3-7 night minimum stays depending on season. Weekend breaks typically need Friday to Monday. Some properties relax minimums for last minute bookings or off-peak periods. Christmas and New Year often have week-long minimum stays.
Are cottages for 10 or more guests suitable for parties?
Check individual property rules because many large cottages ban hen parties and stag dos outright. Family reunion groups are welcome everywhere. Properties marketed for parties will state this clearly. Noise restrictions apply to most rural rentals regardless of size.
Do holiday lets in Westbury-on-Severn allow dogs?
Many properties are dog friendly but check how many pets they allow. Some restrict numbers to two dogs whilst others welcome whole packs. Gardens aren't always enclosed despite listings saying they have outdoor space. Additional cleaning fees for pets are standard.
What facilities should we prioritise for a group cottage?
Multiple bathrooms matter more than extra bedrooms. A large dining table that seats everyone together is essential. Good kitchen facilities including big fridges and dishwashers save arguments. Parking for multiple cars prevents daily hassles. Everything else depends on your group's priorities.
Making the most of your group break
Westbury-on-Severn gives you that rare combination of peaceful countryside and accessible attractions. The village itself provides traditional pub meals and local shops for basics whilst larger supermarkets in Gloucester are 20 minutes away. Groups appreciate not being completely isolated whilst still getting that rural retreat feeling.
The surrounding area offers enough variety to keep everyone happy whether you want outdoor adventures in the Forest of Dean or cultural visits to historic sites. Properties to let here range from converted barns to purpose-built lodges with modern facilities. Many come with hot tubs and spacious gardens that become the social hub of your stay.
We recommend mixing planned group activities with downtime at your rental property. The best group breaks balance shared experiences with space for people to do their own thing. Westbury-on-Severn's location makes this easy because you're never far from something interesting but you're not obliged to be constantly busy either.