THE LOWDOWN

Just six miles outside of Cheltenham but surrounded by gorgeous Cotswolds countryside is Withington Grange, the kind of self-catering country house that begs for ruddy-cheeked get togethers either in front of the fire after a bracing winter walk or, during summer months, hanging out at in the grounds, playing in the pool, swatting balls on the tennis court or watching your kids on the zip wire. The house, part for the brilliant Luxury Cottages portfolio, whose USP is super-special, premium properties and the kind of guest care you’d get in a top hotel, comfortably sleeps 12 in a variety of bedrooms (most, but not all en suite) and has a charming, higgledy piggledy set up that seems such a feature of English country houses. 

THE VIBE

Relaxxxxxed. Though I seemed to get permanently lost trying to find my bedroom, the lounging around was easy with three separate sitting areas – one more formal, one a small study area where you could bung kids to watch Netflix and a third with a log burner that was closest to the kitchen and was our go-to for drinks, nibbles and a re-run of The Holiday. In the summer you can fling the doors open onto the patio and look down onto the swimming pool or step out to the right for the young children’s play area.

THE BEDROOMS

Six bedrooms, including three doubles, and three further bedrooms configured with two single beds so ideal for kids, friends or escape from family snorers (guilty).

Styling is English country – the owner was brought up in the house herself and so there are family portraits and photos on the walls and windows which give the house a lived in charm. She now lives mainly in the nearby cottage as the house is let out virtually all year round.

I nabbed the master bedroom with its large oak wardrobe, views out onto the garden and an en suite bathroom with a bath that was that was more like a flotation tank.  There are some idiosyncrasies, with one bedroom accessed via another, and a mildly-eccentric home-made paper ‘frill’ stuck on the ceiling to make sure you don’t bang your head. It wouldn’t amuse Kelly Hoppen much, but it made me laugh.

THE KIDS

I didn’t bring my children on this review – every mother deserves a break! – but in retrospect I wish I had, as this is a house that’s made for kids, particularly in the spring and summer, The major draw is the pool of course, but there’s also the tennis court, zip wire, a huge games room, a toddler playground handily next to the main patio area, and oodles of space for running around, or just taking off for some quiet time under a tree. Useless but strangely titillating fact – David Gandy and own young family were the first house guests.

QUAFF & SCOFF

The kitchen isn’t massive considering the number of people the house holds – the table only sits four for example, encouraging numbers to congregate at the large dining table instead.

The kitchen does have an Aga as well as a gas cooker should you want to cook for 12 (Like, are you crazy? Outsource!). A handy 10-minute walk across fields is the excellent Muddy-recommended The Frogmill for long lunches or cosy evenings and you have Cheltenham close by for more restaurant fare.

OUT & ABOUT

It’s fun in all directions here. You can step directly from the house and be on the Cotswolds Way for a romp of a walk in minutes. Cheltenham’s charms are a mere 10 minute drive. Sudeley Castle and Chedworth Roman Villa and also within easy distance.

THE MUDDY VERDICT

Good for: An awesome weekend, Easter, half term or summer escape for families – groups of friends or multi-gen. Plenty of nooks and crannies, rooms and outdoor space for all ages and predilections. Good enough for David Gandy in his budgie smugglers, good enough for the rest of us!

Not for: 12 adults in winter will find it a bit of a squash and a squeeze in the living areas – wait till the sun shines and out you go into the garden.

The damage: From £689 – £1,979 per night. Split it between three families or six couples and it’s a veritable steal.

Withington Grange, Cheltenham through Luxury Cottages. Book here.