The best big cottages for a multi-generational break
Date published: 8 Jan 2026
Getting everyone together isn’t always easy, but the right big cottage makes it feel effortless. When big families, old friends and three generations need space to stretch out and come together, a well-chosen base can turn a simple break into something genuinely memorable.
We’ve picked out some of the best big cottages across the UK, from coastal showstoppers to countryside hideaways and statement houses made for celebrations. These are places with room to breathe, kitchens built for crowd-pleasing feasts and plenty of corners to escape to when you need a quiet moment.
Whether you’re planning a milestone birthday, a long-overdue reunion or just a rare chance to get everyone under one roof, these big cottages are designed to make it easy. Think flexible layouts, generous living spaces and locations that give every age group something to smile about.
Beachside Retreat, Blackpool
- Bedrooms: 7
- Sleeps: 14
- Pets: No
Big, bold and brilliantly placed, this seven-bedroom townhouse is made for multi-generational getaways with a seaside buzz. Just minutes from the promenade, it balances classic Blackpool fun with space to properly spread out.
A sociable kitchen and dining set-up keeps mealtimes lively, while the comfy sitting room suits wind-downs after a day on the sands. Flexible bedrooms, all en-suite, work for every age mix, and dogs are welcome too. High-energy days out, easy evenings in, sorted.
Kirkstone Pass Inn, Lake District
- Bedrooms: 9
- Sleeps: 22
- Pets: 3+
This one’s gloriously unhinged in the best possible way. Perched high above Windermere, Kirkstone Pass Inn pairs knockout fell views with a private casino, retro arcade games and a full-on 1980s American diner.
Days start straight onto mountain paths and end in cedar hot tubs or the barrel sauna, drink in hand. With the pub next door and Windermere minutes away, it’s big, bold and built for unforgettable stays where no one’s bored.
Southrepps Lodge, Norfolk Coast
- Bedrooms: 8
- Sleeps: 18
- Pets: 2
A gloriously grand country house with centuries of stories in its walls, Southrepps Lodge is tailor-made for big gatherings. Think crackling fires, lofty ceilings, quiet corners for grandparents and plenty of space for kids to sprawl.
The kitchen is built for serious catering, the dining table seats a crowd, and the bedrooms spread gracefully across three floors. Tucked away yet close to Cromer’s beaches, it’s rural seclusion with salty air on standby. The snooker table helps kill time, too!
Heartwell Cottage, Wolsingham
- Bedrooms: 6
- Sleeps: 15
- Pets: 2
Right in the heart of Wolsingham, Heartwell Cottage is one of those places that just works. Big, bright and easy to live in, it’s designed for sociable stays, with open-plan living, flexible bedrooms and a garden hot tub for end-of-day soaking.
Step out to pubs and cafés, or head straight into the North Pennines for walks, rides and fresh air. Comfortable, relaxed and well-located, it’s a countryside base you’ll happily return to.
Stardust Mansion, Surrey Hills
- Bedrooms: 6
- Sleeps: 12
- Pets: No
If your multi-generational break calls for serious wow-factor, Stardust Mansion delivers in style. This Californian-inspired showstopper blends light-filled living with indulgent extras, from the heated pool and hot tub to the gym, steam room and games spaces.
Six calm, ensuite bedrooms give everyone privacy, while open-plan areas keep gatherings effortless. Set in acres of Surrey countryside yet close to London, it’s made for milestone celebrations, slow mornings and long, luxurious evenings together.
Marine House, Pevensey Bay
- Bedrooms: 6
- Sleeps: 12
- Pets: 1
Just steps from the shingle, Marine House is a generous seaside villa built for easy-going, multi-generational stays. Sea-view balconies, a sociable living-dining space and a separate snug with a wood burner mean everyone can find their own rhythm.
Bedrooms are spread across three floors for privacy, while the garden, games room and hot tub keep downtime fun. With parking, beach access and Pevensey Bay on the doorstep, it’s coastal living done properly.
C17th Castle, near Clevedon
- Bedrooms: 8
- Sleeps: 16
- Pets: No
This hilltop castle is multi-generational escapism on a spectacular scale. A 17th-century keep sits at the centre, ringed by turret bedrooms, party spaces and an indoor pool, all wrapped in knockout views across Somerset and the Bristol Channel.
Days drift between lawn games, swims and long lunches, nights call for fireside chats or dancing in a turret. Grand without being stuffy, it’s made for landmark birthdays, family reunions and unforgettable together-time.
Treburthick House, near Porthpean
- Bedrooms: 8
- Sleeps: 15
- Pets: 2
A much-loved Cornish classic with space, views and a proper sense of occasion, Treburthick House is ideal for big, multi-generational gatherings. Guests rave about the comfort, spotless interiors and thoughtful extras, from games rooms to fires for wind-down evenings.
Set in an acre of gardens with sweeping sea views, it’s just a short walk to Porthpean Beach. Beaches, coastal paths and Cornwall heavy-hitters sit temptingly close for days out done right.
Tyn y Cae, Brecon Beacons
- Bedrooms: 13
- Sleeps: 21 (+10 with additional barn)
- Pets: 3+
Set in two acres of grounds on the edge of the Brecon Beacons, Tyn y Cae is a grand Victorian house built for big get-togethers. Two kitchens, multiple living rooms with wood burners and a dining table for 21 keep everything flowing smoothly.
Bedrooms spread across floors mean space to retreat, while the optional adjacent barn can be booked as a brilliant social hub or for an extra 10 guests. Walks, cycle routes and a cracking local pub are all close by.
North Beach Lodge, Scarborough
- Bedrooms: 8
- Sleeps: 16
- Pets: 2
Big house, big personality. North Beach Lodge is a seaside crowd-pleaser with space for everyone to spread out and then come back together. Think hot tub soaks, games-room tournaments, cosy fires and a top-floor den where teenagers can disappear happily for hours.
Eight ensuite bedrooms keep mornings calm, while terraces and patios make the most of salty sea air. With North Bay beach, parks and promenades a short stroll away, it’s Scarborough at its most easy-going and fun.
Still looking for the right fit? Take a look at our large lodges and log cabins if a rural break fits your family, or go upmarket and check out our large luxury holiday homes for a more sophisticated getaway.
Meet the author
Ian LewisIan's worked in travel for over 15 years and has written about destinations across the whole of the UK (and beyond). He loves all kinds of getaways with every member of the family on two legs or four, seeking out the more unique and interesting properties wherever he can.
