Set among acres of meadows, woodland, orchards and gardens in the Warwickshire countryside, Talton Lodge and Talton House offer two distinctive ways to gather family and friends in one wonderfully characterful setting. On one side, the Kitchen Garden creates an informal, festival-style escape built around outdoor living, shared meals and evenings beneath the canvas. On the other, Talton House brings everyone together within a Grade II listed Queen Anne manor, with beautiful interiors, sweeping lawns and plenty of space to make your own.

Talton Lodge and the Kitchen Garden embrace the more playful side of country living. Sleeping up to 14 guests, or 18 with additional accommodation, the space is spread across two yurts, the Treeboathouse and Orchard Wagon, creating the feeling of having your own private little festival tucked away in the countryside. Two enormous hat tipi marquees provide atmospheric spaces for eating, dancing, chatting, reading and listening to music, while the brilliantly equipped red and green kitchen makes catering for the whole group part of the fun. The Pavilion adds a balcony bar and three bathrooms, giving the Kitchen Garden everything needed for long, sociable days that carry effortlessly into the evening.

A comfortable distance away and separated by a road, Talton House offers a grander take on the group escape while retaining the same relaxed spirit. The Grade II listed manor sleeps 18 guests across nine bedrooms as standard, increasing to 20 with the tenth Courtyard bedroom and up to 24 with additional beds in some of the larger rooms. Surrounded by its own lawns and gardens, the house combines historic character with spaces designed to be enjoyed rather than simply admired. Generous drawing and dining rooms bring everyone together, while a cinema snug, dressing-up cupboards, honesty bar and games room with snooker, darts and table tennis add plenty of personality.

Whichever side of Talton you choose, the wider estate becomes part of the stay. Both Talton Lodge and Talton House share access to the beautiful natural swimming pool, astro-turf tennis court and the surrounding fields, woodland and orchards. Days might involve a swim beneath open skies, tennis or croquet on the lawn, long walks through the estate or simply finding a quiet corner and settling in with a book. Wood-fired hot tubs, outdoor games, terraces and barbecue spaces add even more reasons to spend as much time outside as possible.

There’s flexibility built into both stays too. Talton Lodge Barn, an atmospheric converted 18th-century barn sleeping up to eight, can be added to either side of the estate when more bedrooms or gathering space are needed. Inside, a large wood-burning stove, snug sofas and an oak dining table seating up to twelve create a cosy setting for evenings together, complemented by a range cooker, slate bar, fast Wi-Fi, quality sound system and HD projector. Outside, there’s a private garden, terrace, seating and covered barbecue area for warmer days.

The Poolhouse provides another option for extending a stay. Overlooking the natural swimming pool in the orchard, it sleeps a couple, small family or up to four adults, with a kitchenette, shower room and sofa bed downstairs and a double bed on the mezzanine above. Its private terrace and twin wood-fired hot tub make it a particularly inviting little retreat within the wider estate.

For the biggest occasions, the two sides can come together, opening up Talton Lodge and Talton House for large celebrations, gatherings and events while still allowing guests to spread out across distinctly different spaces. It’s this flexibility that makes Talton particularly special: one group can embrace the festival atmosphere of the Kitchen Garden, another can fill the rooms and lawns of the manor, or everyone can come together and make the entire estate their own.

Whether it’s long tables beneath the tipis, swimming in the orchard, evenings around the fire or a house full of family and friends, Talton is ultimately about gathering people together. Two different spaces, one remarkable estate and countless ways to experience it.