Upton Cressett

You stay in a 16th-century turreted Gatehouse, the bright and beamed Coach House, or the newly-renovated Moat House (up to 18 adults plus children if you take all). There’s plenty of space for entertaining, eating together indoors or out and blessed peace for escapees – this is the perfect spot for an inter-generational gathering. For rainy days there are wood-burners, flat screen TVs, board games and books. Otherwise you’ll be spilling out into box-filled borders, level lawns and well-tended beds – barbecues can be arranged.

Convivial meals can be had in the Dragon Hall, a fine dining event or chillout space with a private drawing room and professional kitchen. If you don’t want to cook the house chef can be conjured up, leaving you to sip something delicious from the mirrored honesty bar in front of the Tudor fireplace and admire the Adam Dant murals. History lovers can take an audio tour of the whole estate, walkers can wander woodland paths to a tiny Norman church.

The whole shebang will be grand and memorable.