20/08/2026
“A wonderful weekend for a large group of friends
We stayed at Chettle Lodge for a weekend away with six families — a real mix of couples with kids, couples without, and one of us flying solo — totalling 11 adults, 4 teenagers and 3 children. Check-in was a smooth 4pm on Friday and check-out an easy 11am on Sunday, giving us a full three days to properly settle in and enjoy the place. Finding a property that could comfortably and stylishly bring together such a varied group isn’t easy, and this house delivered on every front.
The house itself, a former hotel, has bags of character and history that you simply don’t get with a purpose-built holiday let. It’s spacious throughout, with a fantastic bar area that became the natural hub for evening drinks, and a big kitchen and utility room that made catering for such a large group genuinely easy. We ran a game of Traitors, inspired by the TV show, across the whole three days, and the house turned out to be the perfect setting for it — plenty of nooks for scheming, a grand dining space for the round-table moments, and just the right atmosphere of intrigue from Friday evening right through to Sunday morning.
The bedrooms were a real highlight — we loved the four-poster bed in particular — and every room having its own ensuite made mornings with a full house completely stress-free. Hot water for showers was instant, even with everyone getting ready at once.
The grounds were perfect for the kids and teens to burn off energy with football and other games, and the setting really is idyllic — the village is quiet, picturesque, and a lovely contrast to everyday life. We’d also recommend a visit to the local village store, which stocks a beautiful range of locally produced, organic goods. Yes, it’s pricier than the supermarket, but it’s clearly supporting the local community, and the coffee, pastries and sausage rolls were all delicious….”
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