The West Country has long been favoured as a UK holiday destination, and we’ve got some fabulous properties for large group stays in this part of the world. Like this beauty, tucked away on a private estate deep in the Somerset countryside; snooze space for 18 people in 9 en suite bedrooms, an indoor swimming pool and a games room.

That age-old tradition of a hen night has evolved to become a hen weekend these days, and there’s something very nice about that – spending a whole weekend with a group of your best and trusted friends ahead of tying the knot and slipping comfortably into married life. Finding the perfect property for a hen weekend for a large group of gals (and boys!) is easy with Sleeps12; we’ve got some fabulous self-catering accommodation for large groups of up to 30 people, with all the top notch facilities that make a hen weekend even better – like swimming pools, hot tubs, saunas and steam rooms.

We’re delighted to show you our latest addition – this fantastic large group holiday home just a few miles from Bath and very close to the lovely little town of Bradford on Avon. The Plough used to be a country pub, and as with all country pubs these days it was a case of use it or lose it; it didn’t get used so it was lost, but fortunately it was rescued and sympathetically transformed into supersize self-catering accommodation for up to 29 people.

Birthdays should always be celebrated, especially those milestones like 30th, 40th and 50th birthdays and so on; we all seem to be staying younger for longer these days so push the boat out, make an occasion of it and get yourself a great group of people together and head for one of our fantastic large group holiday homes to celebrate in style.

We were over at Culmbridge House last week, following its recent redecoration. Redecoration? It’s more like a transformation! This large group holiday home has seen a whole new look, but what’s amazing is that the fresh modern style blends seamlessly with the essential character of this lovely Victorian house. There’s always been something special about this property but now it really is gorgeous, the revamp has brought out the best in it yet it still feels nice and homely. It’s absolutely spot on for those big family holidays where grandparents and aunties and uncles come along too, you know, if you’re celebrating a special occasion, an 80th birthday or something. Culmbridge House is perfect for that, and for those holidays where two or three families get together, because the house sleeps up to 14 people, plus room for 2 cots and 2 toddler beds.

Our holiday houses have such amazing facilities, it's little wonder that they're so popular for big family holidays, hen weekends and self catering corporate breaks. Book one with a hot tub and straightaway you'll add to the fun; the kids love it, the grown ups love it, even the older generation, and any experienced hot tubber will tell you how incredibly relaxing it is to sit back in the warm water and chatter away without a care in the world.

This beautiful 15th century chateau is a dream for large group holidays in France, not far from Poitiers in the heart of the Poitou-Charentes region. Trust us, it doesn’t get much more perfect than this; 5 bedrooms sleep 15 people, there’s heaps of room, unique interiors, a heated saltwater pool, and 23 acres of private grounds to wander in.

Crumbs, is it really June already?? Before you know it you’ll be packing away the school uniforms, the PE kits and the lunchboxes and it’ll be the SUMMER HOLIDAYS! Yikes! Already?! So what are you doing, where are you going? What’s the weather going to be like? Ah, the weather. Well, we’ve had some fabulous sunshine lately and the weather forecast tells us there’s more to come, which is great news; best to get out there and enjoy it, make the most of it. Don’t we all love those long lazy days spent outdoors with friends and family, the enticing aroma of a barbecue, butterflies flitting about, flowers blooming, a table full of food, kids all happy playing together; that’s what it’s all about.

A high hedged lane takes you down the hill to Riverside, tucked away in the tiny hamlet of Curload out on the Somerset Levels, and wow, what a dream! Once you’ve pulled up and got out the car it’s like you’ve left the whole world behind. Out the back, just a few feet from the kitchen door, the River Tone drifts lazily past; beyond it are miles and miles of unruffled countryside, the green fields and watery moors that this part of Somerset is known for. At the front beneath a leafy arbour is a hot tub, yours to soak in 24/7; oh, the lure of an afternoon’s immersion whilst the sun beats down, or a moonlight wallow…

We appreciate that organising a large group holiday or short break isn’t the easiest of tasks. Trying to agree a date when everyone's free is half the battle; weekends tend to be more difficult as that’s when people have things on – more social commitments, the grocery shop to do, football practice, rugby matches, and so on. Arranging a mid-week break can be less stressful, especially if you don’t have school age children to worry about. And of course, there’s the bonus that things tend to be a little quieter during the week; at weekends the world and his wife go to the beach or the local beauty spot at the first sign of sunshine. The pubs are quieter midweek, which means you can have a really relaxing lunch or dinner out; no queues at the bar, no long wait for your food and no squeezing through packed tables to get anywhere.