Sharing a large holiday cottage with close friends and family not only makes great sense when it comes to cost. It also means that you get to share the cooking, the cleaning and the childcare as well as the odd bottle of wine, once the little ones are finally asleep in bed.
But finding the best big holiday rentals that meet everyone’s requirements is rarely straightforward.
So where do you start when it comes to looking for cheap, large holiday houses to rent in the UK?
How to find large holiday houses to rent in England and Wales
You may well have already stayed with YHA before at one of our 150+ locations in England and Wales, where accommodation options have included both private and dormitory rooms.
Known for our warm and friendly welcome and hugely affordable accommodation, did you also know that YHA offers guests the chance to rent out many of these large properties in their entirety?
Known as YHA Exclusive Hire, you can hire the whole YHA hostel in over 100 amazing locations, from Cumbria and the Lake District down to Wales, Snowdonia and the Brecon Beacons and across to Suffolk, Norfolk and Lincolnshire.
The cheapest large cottages to rent in the UK?
We believe our Exclusive Hire properties represent the best value for money in the UK. And that is not just because you can rent a country house that for just £399 per night. It’s because you also get access to some of the best and quirkiest buildings, which really lend themselves to large group gatherings.
They all come complete with all the bedding you need plus large, well-equipped kitchens, perfect for cooking up a huge celebratory dinner. Or Sunday roast for all the family.
Rent a large country house in the Lake District
YHA Langdale is a huge, rambling Victorian mansion, located in Ambleside, right in the heart of the Lake District National Park in Cumbria, in the North of England.  Which also makes it one of our cheapest country house rentals, with prices from just £299 per night.
Set in extensive grounds, YHA Langdale is actually a National Trust building, close to the Langdale Pikes. Making it an ideal location for everyone from the most hardened hikers to those who enjoy a gentle ramble round the local Lake District towns and villages.
With stunning views of Langdale Pikes and Loughrigg Fell, walkers love to explore the nearby Langdale Valley. YHA Langdale is just 10 minutes’ walk from Grasmere Lake and Loughrigg Fell.
Log fires and extensive grounds
Once inside, there’s plenty of space for everyone. Hang out in the opulent Great Hall, in front of a roaring log fire.
Or chill out on the veranda that wraps around the whole of the front of the building, with views across the huge lawns.
And don’t forget the dogs! As with many of our hostels, when the whole hostel is hired out, YHA Langdale welcomes up to four dogs.
Perfect for multigenerational breaks
While YHA Langdale doesn’t offer formal disabled access, it does offer everything you might need for a multi-generational break with more elderly family and friends.
Facilities include a permanent ramp into the hostel; step-free access to ground floor facilities, ground floor rooms and one en-suite bedroom, ideal for making sure that grandma and grandpa don’t miss out on a much-needed break away with the family.
Large holiday homes to rent in Derbyshire
YHA Ravenstor in Derbyshire is another large country house that’s also available to rent as a huge holiday cottage.
Sounding a little like the merger of Gryffindor and Ravenclaw, this magnificent country house with spectacular views of the Peak District, brings its own magic for all those who stay – not least the kids.
With the kind of space to explore that childhood dreams of made from, YHA Ravenstor offers a vast 60 acres of grounds for guests to explore, complete with formal lawns, woodland, and fields. Perfect for children of all ages.
Located in the heart of the Peak District
YHA Ravenstor’s location in the heart of the Peak District is also a huge attraction for those who wish to leave its vast grounds and explore this wonderful National Park.
The popular Monsal Trail is less than a mile from the hostel, ideal for largely level, traffic-free cycling for all the family.  Whilst mountain bikers might prefer the large network of lanes and bridleways nearby. Raven Tor, one of the largest limestone crags in the Peak District, is just five minutes’ walk from the hostel.
Perfect for climbers
And there’s plenty of climbing within walking distance of the hostel, in nearby Cheedale and Cressbrook Dale.
Horseshoe Quarry is a 10-minute drive from the hostel, with a huge range of sport climbing routes on its vast limestone faces.
Hire a large holiday cottage in Snowdonia
YHA Snowdon Llanberis in Snowdonia in North Wales is located on the doorstep of Snowdonia National Park and is a ten-minute walk from Llanberis High Street.
But metaphorically, this is a location to come and recharge in. A peaceful and tranquil retreat to really get away from it all.
From the hostel you can walk up Snowdon, or from the village you can catch a train up to the top of Snowdon. Explore the history of the region at the Slate Museum or visit Electric Mountain.
But for those that do, this is an ideal site for family breaks and activity breaks, with so much to do in the immediate vicinity.
A large house with the best lakes views in North Wales?
By far one of the most attractive reasons to visit this wonderful, secluded location are the incredible views of Snowdon itself. Take your coffee out to one of the many picnic benches in the grounds and breathe in the Welsh mountain air.
Whatever the weather, there is something to hold your gaze. And if gazing is your thing, then you’ll love the dark skies from this secluded location. Followed by a magical morning light over the lake.
Cheap accommodation in Snowdonia
YHA Snowdon Llanberis includes ground floor accommodation, with ensuite bathrooms, which might be more suitable for those who would rather avoid climbing stairs to bed.
And prices are just as accommodating, with one-night stays from £299.
Discover more about YHA.
