looking for a large house to rent for next new year, think ~25 beds.
Anywhere from the Peaks to the Lakes as we travel from as far away as Edinburgh and Brighton. Only consideration is near some good biking / walking.

See if the youth hostel in Edale is open over the period.

A large gang of us descended on it a few years back (a mate was working there but it was closed over xmas and new year)

great biking and walking out of the door.

Hawkshead YHA? The guy who runs it is a mountain biker too 😉

thanks for the ideas, but YHA’s are not ideal for us as we are a group of 8 families. We really need a place with lots of bedrooms not a couple of larger dorms.

Will check them out anyway.

Was going to suggest this place, owned by a friend of mine. A bit further south than your suggested areas but offers walking, canoeing, MTBing, good pubs. Unfortunately I’ve just checked and he’s booked up for next New Year already!

Was looking for something similar ladt week. If you google “group accommodation” or “big cottages” you’ll get plenty of suggestions. There are a fair few sites specialising in mahoosive farmhouses and or small stately homes. Be prepared for sharp intake of breath when you see some of the prices though 😯

dd – I already know of these sites, thing is so does everyone else.
Was looking for something that is not widely advertized.

This year we paid 3.5k, sounds a lot, but turned out to be 200 per adult for a week, so not really that bad at all.

Not in you target arera, but this place is pretty special. We rented it for a weekend for a big party. Nopt cheap tho’ especially over Xmas and New Year.

Look up the Landmark Trust- offshoot of National Trust, rents out historic properties, some of them are huge!

Not the Lakes or Peaks but have stayed here a number of times near Abersoch:

http://www.castellmarch.co.uk/

4 really nice properties right next door to each other all sleeping about 6 people each.

Newlands Activity Centre, Stair, near Keswick.
http://www.activity-centre.com/

Might tick the box as has dorms of up to 8 bunks plus a few twin rooms scattered over the two residential floors. Not sure if they’d accomodate 8 family groups in seperate rooms though, but well worth giving them a ring to see.

Defo ticks the walking/biking boxes. Can even take part in some of their activities as well on Derwent or at Keswick climbing wall. The ghyll scramble is good fun – especially if you get a spell of good weather.

+ 1 for the Landmark Trust as per voodoo-rich’s suggestion, they have some wonderful properties available or why not book up an entire small hotel/B&B?

Friend rented a place near Loch Fyne: a 18th century farmhouse with maybe 5-6 bedrooms, on it’s own peninsula in a nature reserve, for £1K IIRC.

“Taynish” IIRC, amazing place, not sure about mtbing though.

OOoooh second Lanmarktrust, I’ve done a few and they are well cool, if expensive.

Plenty cheaper & nice stuff on cottages4you etc.

holiday rentals is a good tool for this kind of thing:

http://www.holiday-rentals.co.uk/England/Cumbria-Lake-District/r471.htm#/search/region:471/page:1?minBedrooms/4/minSleeps/16/clear/0&1

This sounds ideal for your purposes

http://www.visitcumbria.com/wc/gatehouse-estate.htm

Right out of the way in a stunning setting. I got married there.
Give them a bell. Its an outward bound centre but they will do just accommodation.

toft hall nr leek was good and quirky when we stayed there for sis inlaws wedding

double posting grrr

yup…check the landmark trust.

some awesomely massive stuff on there

Don’t think the Landmark Trust will go to ~25 – MrsP’s family is around 14-15 and we’ve done weekends away in a few of the larger Landmarks, but now running out of options there. Fort Clonque is worth a trip though!

cynic-al – Member
Friend rented a place near Loch Fyne: a 18th century farmhouse with maybe 5-6 bedrooms, on it’s own peninsula in a nature reserve, for £1K IIRC.

“Taynish” IIRC, amazing place, not sure about mtbing though

http://www.aboutscotland.co.uk/argyll/taynish.html

My wee sister looks after it for the owners and it really is a stunning spot(if the weather is right) with its own jetty, boat, fishing and very close to Tayvallich for excellent food/beer!
Firetower trails within 15 mintues, Auchindrain loop within an hr, Fort Bill, Laggan easily reachable for a day trip…so plenty around the area.

http://www.inshriachhouse.com/

We stayed here for a friends 40th – fab old place.

The house itself might not be quite big enough but they have Yurts and possibly camping as well.