While there’s certainly a place for champagne soirees on the rooftop and five-course meals in the banquet hall, city centre hotels aren’t the only option when it comes to party planning. Think outside the box and you can unlock access to beautiful rural properties just outside the capital. From heritage-listed manors in Hampshire to luxury barn conversions in Sussex, rural houses will elevate your event to a whole new level.
There are unique benefits to both options, and ultimately your decision will depend on your personal preferences and the type of party you’re throwing. To make your decision-making process a little easier, we’ve put together a guide comparing city centre hotels and rural London party houses.
More for your money
When it comes to making the most of your budget, rural houses offer incredible value for money. In the city centre, you’re limited to hotels and B&Bs with standard two, three and four person rooms. While there are some amazing four- and five-star hotels to choose from in the capital, quality does come at a price. If your guest list exceeds 10 people, your room bill will quickly start to add up.
In comparison, rural party houses in London maximise your budget without compromising on luxury. Many properties can easily sleep over 20 guests, without a bunkbed or pull-out sofa in sight. Instead, you can expect lavish bedrooms complete with en-suites and sweeping views. You’ll enjoy all the comforts of a luxury hotel, including high thread count linen, plush pillows and luxe rain showers.
Luxury facilities
From swimming pools and private hot tubs to home cinemas and games rooms, rural houses treat your guests to a myriad of luxury facilities. While many hotels do offer similar amenities, you’ll generally be sharing them with other guests. Book a rural retreat and you’ll enjoy exclusive access to the entire property, and all the luxury facilities that go with it.
Family-friendly atmosphere
If you’re planning a multigenerational party like a family reunion, rural houses really do outclass city centre hotels. Family-friendly facilities like swimming pools, home cinemas and games rooms make country properties ideal for entertaining younger guests. Not to mention huge dining tables that the whole family can gather around.
A social atmosphere
Where hotels tend to limit socialising to common areas like the lobby bar and rooftop terrace, rural homes offer endless opportunities for your guests to connect, bond and enjoy each other’s company. Every inch of the property is yours, ensuring your party can extend to every room in the house.
Escape to the countryside
Hotels in central London do offer a certain allure, but there’s something magical about escaping to the countryside. If you really want to astonish your guests and make a glorious first impression, nothing compares to welcome drinks on the terrace of a luxury property in the English countryside. Surrounded by rolling lawns and lush woodland forests, rural houses also offer an idyllic setting for rest and relaxation.
No time curfews
Parties are generally noisy affairs and when you stay at a hotel you do need to be conscious of your fellow guests. If the festivities run past 12am you may find yourself receiving a stern knock from the night manager. In comparison, rural properties offer you total autonomy over your curfew. If you don’t want to hold back on uncorking that midnight bottle of fizz, you’ll love the freedom that comes with a rural London party house.
Discover a new area
Renting a rural home for your next party is a unique chance to venture beyond the capital and discover a new area. Stay in the Cotswolds and you can dine at chef-driven restaurants, explore postcard-perfect villages like Whichford or plan a day hike along the famous Cotswold Way. Stay at a manor house in Norfolk and you can spend the day building sandcastles on Southwold Beach, laughing at playful seals in Horsey Mere and admiring contemporary works at the Norwich Arts Centre.
Easy public transport access
A rural retreat doesn’t have to mean travelling around all weekend, with many kate & tom’s properties accessible by public transport. From Regency townhouses in the heart of Cheltenham Spa to church conversions in Hastings, many of our properties are within walking distance of major train stations with excellent connections to Central London.
If you’ve opted for a secluded country estate or manor house, why not organise a private driver to whisk your guests from the closest train station to your party pad? We also offer stunning properties in enclaves like Greenwich – a great compromise if you want to escape the city and enjoy a rural aesthetic, without venturing too far from Central London.
More flexibility
If you love getting creative with your parties, rural houses offer a huge amount of flexibility. For example, you’ll enjoy total control over drinking and dining arrangements. This means you can hire a private caterer for the night to prepare a gourmet meal, create your own mixology bar with themed cocktails or host a barefoot BBQ on the lawn.
At luxury properties like Ewelme Manor, enlisting the services of private chef James Benson is a hugely popular addon. A former guru at venues like Claridge’s and The Lygon Arms, James creates mouth-watering three course meals using fresh, Cotswolds produce. Maybe you want to book a property with a tennis court and host your own mini-Wimbledon tournament. Perhaps you’re looking for a space to host a sumptuous, full-frills spa weekend for a bride to be. The sky really is the limit, so get creative and plan a party for the ages.
Party houses near London
Whether you’re celebrating a milestone birthday, masterminding a hen weekend or planning a corporate event, rural houses take you beyond the city and offer an utterly unique setting for your London party.
At kate & tom’s we’ve cherry picked an incredible selection of rural properties, all within an easy drive or train ride of London. From Tudor halls in Norfolk, luxurious manors in Hampshire to seaside cottages in Sussex, we thrive on helping our clients pin down the perfect London party house.
Get in touch today on [email protected] to find out more about our holiday cottages, discuss your unique needs and get one step closer to your dream London party house.
