Group Retreats Reviews 

We enjoyed a wonderful weekend at Olive Cottage, celebrating our golden wedding anniversary with all of the family. There were 11 of us altogether and there was plenty of room for the children to play and the adults to relax in the evening. The hot tub was a great 0success!

We had a wonderful family getaway this Easter weekend. Some issues with the hot tub which was a shame but currently being investigated. Wonderful property with plenty of space and excellent amenities.

Great place and really enjoyed the hamper with the goodies. We only used three of the bed rooms and it might be even better with a bigger group.

We had a fantastic time. It was a family Easter get away 18 of us for 2 nights at the saham Grove Hall. We all loved the house was spacious, very clean and a really equipped kitchen.we enjoyed the hot tub, pool and played games in the garden. We planning to go again next year 2026. Definitely recommend.

We had a lovely stay. The house was perfect for 21 people. The views and the garden were beautiful. We would Definitely recommend it .

There was a group of 25 girls who stayed at Abbey House for a hen do last weekend. I couldn’t recommend it or Group Retreats any more. The house was amazing and extremely well equipped and the communication throughout from Group Retreats was great. Highly recommend!

What a wonderful weekend we have just had at Alward House near Salisbury. A beautiful house with stunning grounds & views. 23 of us from 6 months to 91 years old had a great stay. Loads of room for us all, spacious living areas, really well maintained and stocked with crockery and everything you can think of that you'll need. The heated outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, tennis court and table tennis table all just a short walk away kept everyone entertained. Ross the caretaker manager was really friendly & helpful particularly when a power cut knocked the gas out a couple of times - this being the only reason knocked down to 4 stars instead of 5. A truly memorable family weekend.

Just returned from a 2 night stay at glentworth hall for my daughters hen party with 19 girls What a fantastic place so much space lounges,cinema room games room,dining room and the most well equipped kitchen I've every seen we didn't want for anything. The bedrooms were very grand and the whole place was immaculately clean. Stuart the caretaker was super helpful when we had a slight problem with the projector but soon sorted it out and was very friendly throughout. The outside space was well kept and great especially for our old style sports day. The swim pool was a great bonus. Everyone was happy and complimented the whole weekend. Would definitely look at group retreats first when looking to book a large party get together again their communications were spot on.

An amazing house with wonderful grounds. Saham Grove Hall is an ideal accommodation for large groups of people wanting to spend time together. Everything was spotlessly clean, the house including bedrooms is spacious and the facilities - snooker table, outdoor pool, hot tub and tennis courts are ideal for a break away together.

Had an amazing time At Alward house. F The facility’s and the house were absolutely stunning maintained to a very high standard. Met the caretaker Dwayne who was great he showed us everything we had questions about. We had a great company get together thank you

Just enjoyed a great family stay at Castle Eden.
Group Retreats made the booking & check in process hassle free.
Venue was as expected, clean, tidy & well equipped with everything we needed.
I have no hesitation in recommending booking stay with Group Retreats

Myself and a large group of friends stayed at Castle Eden for the weekend. The house was beautiful. It made a fabulous venue for us to relax in and have a weekend of fun activities. The building was generous in space and character and had so many multifunctional rooms which made the stay successful. Everyone commented on the beautiful house and grounds. It would be a pleasure to return one day in the future.

We stayed in Fawley Court in Hereford and the place was wonderful, in particular the hot tub and pool! It met our needs and we had a wonderful 2 night stay. Group Retreats were great to deal with throughout.

When booking such a large property for so many friends I was nervous that something would disappoint. All i can say is wow. Nothing disappointed. In fact all my expectations were exceeded in every way. It was clear that this was going to be the case from the communication from Group retreats but i was still nervous.

All the details have been thought through properly at the property and our caretaker "Stu" was exceptional answering our silly questions.

I would certainly be looking through there portfolio of properties again if i was booking another weekend for so many friends

We had a fantastic stay at Saham Grove Hall for my wife's 50th birthday weekend. Sleeping over 20 people, the house is huge and rooms and facilities were excellent that catered for all ages with the games room, hot tub and tennis court keeping the children occupied. We self-catered and the kitchen had all essentials required and we wanted for nothing.

The only gripe we had was that a local walkable pub would’ve made the experience perfect instead of the 20 minute car journey to the nearest town. First world problems I know!!

The weekend was made easy to book and I found Nicola at GR very helpful and easy to speak to. Many thanks to GR for your help.

The large group we had are already in discussions to return in future and maybe make it an annual gathering. Highly recommended!

We had the most fabulous time at Ashfield Place Farm. It was easy to book and I was kept fully informed and up to date. The caretaker on site was so helpful and supportive. I truly recommend this place and hopefully one day we'll be able to go again.

The stay was for a church retreat for 3 nights 4 days. The house was big enough for 30 people adults and children. We had self catering and the kitchen was well equipped with all essentials. I am definitely coming back! Thank you to the team for their professionalism and ensuring the stay was a smooth transition from the checkin and check out.

Absolutely sensational stay, cannot recommend enough. The quality of maintenance on the property, from the pool to the bedroom and communal areas, definitely a place I have and will recommend. Great facilities for families, friends and all the above. The attention to detail and maintenance of the place is exceptional, and I really have nothing negative to say about the place apart from I wish I owned the place lol.

A Truly Magical Stay at Fawley Court – A Perfect Family Retreat

From the moment we arrived at Fawley Court, we knew we were in for something special. Our family of thirty—adults and children alike—spent three unforgettable days in this breathtaking country house, and it exceeded every expectation.

The house itself is nothing short of spectacular. Steeped in history yet beautifully maintained, it offered the perfect blend of old-world charm and modern comfort. The rooms were spacious, elegant, and inviting, with stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Every detail, from the luxurious furnishings to the warm, welcoming atmosphere, made us feel instantly at home.

The facilities were simply outstanding. The grand dining room became the heart of our gatherings, where we shared delicious meals in a setting that felt like something out of a period drama. The fully equipped kitchen made it easy to cater for our large group, and the staff ensured everything was seamless.

The swimming pool and spa area were a real highlight. there was nothing better than unwinding in the heated pool or relaxing in the jacuzzi. The children were in their element, running freely through the gardens, while the adults enjoyed peaceful walks and moments of quiet reflection in the serene surroundings.

The grounds themselves are magnificent—expansive, beautifully landscaped, and full of hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Whether we were enjoying morning coffee on the terrace or simply taking in the fresh country air, every moment felt like a privilege.

What truly set this experience apart was the sense of togetherness Fawley Court fostered. It was more than just a stay—it was a chance for our family to reconnect, laugh, and create lifelong memories in the most perfect setting imaginable.

A huge thank you to Group Retreats for making this experience so seamless and special. If you’re looking for an extraordinary retreat for a large group, look no further. We will cherish our time here forever and can’t wait to return.

The castle is very grand and the surroundings are stunning . We stayed over Christmas so had a lovely time as a family .

There are alot of positives and unfortunately a few negatives .
We were charged 3 times the price of a normal stay with a cost of £9036 for 5 days. Therefore at this price are expectations were pretty high.
The castle needs alot of TLC , whilst most of the rooms were wonderful . On arrival there were dead flies ( or dying flies ) in all the rooms on the first floor . It appears there was a issue with cluster flies . This was consistent throught the stay . Room 9 was filthy, stains on floor and walls , badly maintained and the mattresses were old and springy . Room 5 mattress sloped down and had another one underneath that was broken. Enamel on the lovely baths had peeled off and 3 of the showers weren't working . One leaked out , one never got hot and the other needed the head replacing . The downstairs was freezing but upstairs super hot . we had to buy my mum and electric blanket to stay warm downstairs !! The Microwave wasnt working
, the food in the fridges froze some if the food which was a nightmare trying to cook on Christmas day !! No washing machine as advertised and the sauna didnt work although we chopped wood to use it that way. The hot tub and sauna are outside , there is a door that leads from the conservatory which was also unuseable due to the roof falling in . This meant you had to walk outside and around to access these . Unfortunately it was pitch black as no lighting ! The caretaker was lovely and tried his best to support . He replaced the Microwave and washing machine a few days later . Although it wasn't the best as one if the kids had been sick on the first night so I had to wash the sheets in the bath. The pool table had no working cues so we had to go out and buy some . The tv and Xbox didn't have leads so the kids couldn't use those . Only one TV throughout and WiFi is terrible . We raised all of this mostly on the first day and the caretaker advised that group retreats advised us to flip the mattresses and there nothing they could do . They flatly denied this when I spoke to them . Whilst the castle has some great features and is huge , the response re a complaint was why I give them 2 stars . Whilst they acknowledged some if the issues , the response was condescending and implied that we were making it up as no guests before or after have had these issues . Customer relations needs alot of work , I don't ever complain about anything but it was duely warranted on this occasion ..I sent in videos and photos to reflect my concerns . I was worried as I have seen other reviews where they have refused to give deposits back . To be honest we left the castle cleaner than when we arrived.
We didn't have any issues with this being refunded .
In a snapshot group retreats need to work on there customer service skills and take some accountability instead of reacting it back when there are issues . Although the team leader who I spoke to about the response to the complaint was lovely and tried to be as accommodating as she could .