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Renting a country house: a practical guide for families and groups

Some holidays are about seeing as much as possible. A country house holiday is about the opposite: gathering the people you care about under one roof, far from traffic and timetables, and letting the days unfold around long breakfasts, walks through the fields and dinners that last until late. Whether it is a family reunion, a milestone birthday or a week away with old friends, a rural house gives everyone room to be together and room to be alone.

The country houses on this page range from simple farmhouses to grand estates, all rented out by their owners. This guide helps you work out which kind of house suits your group, and which practical details can make or break a stay.

Country living, the world over

Almost every region with farmland has its own version of the country house, and each one shapes the kind of stay you will have.

In Argentina and Uruguay, an estancia is a working ranch on the open grasslands, where guests may ride with the gauchos and gather around an asado. In Mexico, restored haciendas with thick walls, courtyards and old chapels offer a very different kind of grandeur. South Africa has farm homesteads in its wine regions and in the wide open Karoo, while Australia and New Zealand have homesteads and sheep stations where the nearest neighbour can be a long drive away.

In New England and rural Canada, clapboard farmhouses and lakeside country homes are much loved for autumn colours and snowy winters. England and Ireland are known for their country houses, from modest stone cottages with a walled garden to stately homes with their own parkland. France has its farmhouses and manor houses, and Italy its rural farmhouses among vineyards and olive groves, such as those found across Tuscany and Umbria. In Japan, traditional rural farmhouses, some with steep thatched roofs, offer tatami rooms, sliding doors and a very different rhythm of country life.

Choosing the right house for your group

Start with the people, not the pictures. Make a list of who is coming, their ages and their needs, and then look at each house with that list in hand.

Count beds, not just bedrooms. A house that "sleeps twelve" may do so with sofa beds in the living room or bunk beds in an attic. That is fine for teenagers, less so for grandparents. Ask for the exact layout: how many double beds, twin beds and bunks, and which rooms have their own bathroom.

Think about stairs and ground floors. Old farmhouses and manor houses often have steep, uneven staircases. If someone in your group has limited mobility, a bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor can be essential.

Look for shared space. A big group needs a table where everyone fits at once, a living room with enough seats, and ideally a second space, such as a games room, a library or a covered terrace, where part of the group can retreat.

Cooking for a crowd

Meals are the heart of a group holiday, so the kitchen deserves close attention. A kitchen that works for a couple can become a bottleneck for fifteen. Check whether there is a large fridge or two, a proper oven, enough pans and plates, and a dishwasher. An outdoor barbecue, a pizza oven or a braai area can take pressure off the kitchen and turn cooking into part of the fun. If nobody wants to cook every night, ask whether the owner can arrange a local cook or a catered dinner, which many country houses offer.

Location, driving and rural roads

The peace and quiet of the countryside comes with distance. Check how far the house is from the nearest village with a shop, a pharmacy and a place to eat, and plan your food shopping accordingly. Rural roads can be narrow, winding, unpaved or unlit, and in some regions they are shared with livestock and farm machinery. On large properties in Australia, Argentina or South Africa, the drive from the main road to the house alone can take a while. Arrive in daylight the first time, and ask whether an ordinary car is enough or whether a vehicle with more ground clearance is recommended, especially after rain.

Also think about how your group gets there. Several cars may be needed, and a house with enough parking saves a lot of shuffling.

Pools, ponds and safety

A swimming pool is often the highlight for children, but it is also the biggest risk. Ask whether the pool is fenced or covered, and agree within your group who keeps an eye on the children at all times. Many farms also have ponds, rivers, animals, machinery and open water tanks. Walk around the grounds together on the first day so that everyone knows where the boundaries are.

Celebrations and house rules

Country houses are popular for weddings, anniversaries and big birthdays, but not every owner welcomes events. A house rented for a family holiday is not automatically available for a party with extra guests, music and caterers. Be open about your plans from the start. Owners may have rules on the maximum number of people on site, noise after a certain hour, fireworks, open fires, smoking and pets. Respecting them keeps things friendly, both with the owner and with the neighbours.

The caretaker on site

Many larger country houses have a caretaker, housekeeper or farm manager living on the property or nearby. They can be a real asset: they know how the heating and the water pump work, which paths are worth walking, and which local restaurant takes group bookings. Find out who your contact person is, when they are available, and whether cleaning or linen changes are included during your stay.

Questions to ask before you book

• What is the exact sleeping layout, including bed sizes, bunks and sofa beds?
• How many bathrooms are there, and which bedrooms have their own?
• Is there a bedroom and bathroom on the ground floor?
• Is the kitchen equipped for our group size, and is there a dishwasher?
• Is the pool fenced, heated or open only in certain months?
• How far is the nearest shop, and what are the access roads like?
• Are celebrations or extra day guests allowed, and are there noise rules?
• Is someone on site or on call if something goes wrong?
• Are pets welcome, and are there farm animals on the property?
• How good are the phone signal and internet connection?

Timing your stay

Each season changes the countryside. Spring brings lambs and blossom, summer means long evenings outdoors, autumn is harvest time in the vineyards and orchards, and winter is for log fires and quiet walks. Remember that seasons are reversed in the Southern Hemisphere: harvest time in Argentina, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand falls roughly between February and April, and Christmas there is a summer holiday. Popular houses are often booked far ahead for school holidays and festive periods, so large groups should plan early.

Tips from experienced group travellers

Agree on a shared budget and a cooking rota before you arrive. Bring a few board games and a speaker for music, but keep the volume modest at night. Pack for the weather of the region rather than the season at home, and bring sturdy shoes for muddy paths. Above all, leave some days unplanned: the best memories of a country house holiday often come from doing nothing much, together.

Browse the collection

The country houses listed on this page are grouped by continent, country and region, so you can easily explore the countryside you have in mind. Each link takes you to the owner's own website, where you can check availability and book directly. Do you own or manage a country house, farmhouse or rural estate? Add your link for free with the button above and help families and groups find their next place to gather.