Well, another year is racing by and here we are in September - a rainy one for us down here in the West Country! Before we know it we’ll be heading into winter and the festive season; time to think ahead and start planning your celebrations. It’s a time of year when luxury large group holiday houses are in demand for pre-Christmas gatherings – a good idea for several reasons. Get comfy and we’ll tell you why.

A good pub walk might be something that’s on your list for when you’re down in Somerset on your large group holiday. We’ve picked out 5 of our favourites that are on the doorstep or within a few miles’ drive of our luxury holiday houses and our local town of Ilminster. Feel inspired, pack your walking boots and your rucksack!

When you’re staying near Ilminster for a large group stay in Somerset, it’s an opportunity to shop local and enjoy the best of the enormous bounty of produce that’s sown, grown, raised or made in this beautiful part of the UK. Join us on a round up of the best places to shop for a true taste of the West Country, supporting the local economy and doing your bit for the world by cutting down on your carbon footprint.

Not a lot of people know this, but there’s so much joy in a midweek break, with so many advantages over weekend stays. Apart from the fact that midweek breaks are less costly than weekend stays, there are several benefits to getting away Monday to Friday. It’s less busy, the roads are quieter, there’s more flexibility and it means you can switch off from the hustle and bustle and tune into some serious downtime.

Wellness retreats are a big thing right now – hardly surprising considering how hectic life is these days and the bad news we see daily in the media. The perfect antidote is an escape to the countryside for a few days of rest and relaxation along with activities that are good for body and soul. With careful planning you can strike the balance and achieve an idyllic wellness break.

Let’s talk holidays, large group holidays (well, why not, it’s what we’re good at!). Do you prefer to stay in a hotel, or is a holiday home more your thing? We all have our opinions, but if you’re not sure on this one, have a read of our top 10 Benefits of Choosing a Holiday Home Over a Hotel, and then decide.

People often book our luxury large group holiday houses for big family holidays and to celebrate special birthdays and anniversaries with their nearest and dearest, so we’ve put together the ultimate guide to planning a multi-generation family holiday.

Our latest blog puts the spotlight on our local Somerset town of Ilminster, just a 10 minute drive down the road from where our luxury large group holiday houses are tucked away in the tiny hamlet of Cricket Malherbie. It’s a peaceful town with a very relaxed air, interesting independent shops, an arts centre, good places to eat, a recreation ground and nature reserve.

That most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner and it’s time for us to say a very Merry Christmas to you all from Malherbie Group Stays. We've welcomed our guests for the festive season and although we’re on hand to help as needed, we are looking forward to taking a short break and spending time with friends and family.

We have exciting news to share with you! Our luxury large group holiday house Beaverbrook 20 has scooped a prestigious Visit England Rose Award 2024! We are over the moon! The Rose Awards are given to selected accommodation providers across the country who provide visitors with the warmest of welcomes and celebrate establishments where the owners, management and employees provide outstanding experiences for their customers.