Great Higham Oast and Cottages

Doddington, Nr Faversham

6

4

18

4

If you're trying to find somewhere that works for a bigger family or group of friends, then look no further: Great Higham Oast & Cottages makes life refreshingly easy. Sleeping up to 18 guests across three distinct properties (the main oast house, Cherry Cottage and Plum Cottage), this is a place where everyone can stay close by while still having a little space of their own.

The natural meeting space for time spent together, the main oast house features a generous open-plan living room with wood-burning stove, a kitchen that's well equipped for cooking for a crowd, and a dining table that tends to become the centre of the day, whether it's breakfast before heading out or dinner that somehow turns into an evening of cards and another bottle of wine. Outside, the south-facing patio is an easy place to lose a few hours. Breakfast in the sunshine, a barbecue later on, children disappearing off to play while everyone else catches up – with a space like this, the plans make themselves.

Meanwhile, Cherry Cottage and Plum Cottage each have their own sitting room, kitchenette and wood burner, so they never feel like an overflow. These are proper little cottages in their own right, giving eight of your guests somewhere comfortable to stay without losing that sense of being together.

The heated outdoor swimming pool and tennis court are shared with the wider estate and are only a short walk away. Beyond that, you're well placed for exploring this part of Kent – Canterbury is close enough for a day wandering the streets and stopping somewhere for lunch, while Whitstable and Faversham are easy to reach if you fancy the coast instead.

For larger celebrations, Great Higham Barn is also part of the estate, meaning groups of up to 44 guests can stay together across the wider complex.