Why fork out hundreds for a night in a fancy Paris hotel when you could live like British royalty for less, and bring your mates with you?
A weekend in the French capital might sound glamorous, but the average luxury hotel in Paris starts from £134 per night.
Five lavish countryside manors on home soil, available through luxury rental company Big House Experience, are all cheaper per person per night than that. And these aren’t poky hotel rooms either. We’re talking indoor pools, hot tubs, cinema rooms and sprawling gardens, all yours for the weekend.
Even better, you get to split the cost with your family or friends, and still feel like the Lord or Lady of the manor.
Here are five show-stopping English homes where a weekend of grandeur costs less than a Paris hotel, and you won’t even need a passport.
Kingswell House, Shropshire
£3050 for three nights. £254 per person, 12 sharing. £84.72 per person per night.
A serene country retreat in Shropshire, ideal for intimate gatherings of up to 12 guests (plus two children). Inside, the house blends elegant design with homely comfort, from the oak-topped breakfast room to a peaceful sunroom, cosy family lounge, and a drawing room bathed in natural light. Deep sash windows frame the gardens beyond, while a cinema room with oversized sofas offers the perfect end-of-day indulgence. Each bedroom features a luxurious Hypnos Lansdowne Cashmere mattress and ensuite, promising deeply restful nights.
Step outside to explore 2.5 acres of private grounds, with mature trees, a tennis court, croquet lawn, and a hot tub with countryside views. There’s also a converted barn games room for table tennis and table football.
Combe House, Somerset
£4097 for three nights. £256 per person, 16 sharing. £85.35 per person per night.
Tucked away at the end of a mile-long drive in the heart of Somerset, Combe House is a grand country manor steeped in heritage and character. With marble fireplaces, antique furnishings, and portraits of notable ancestors, including Major Walter Wingfield, credited with inventing lawn tennis, this family home offers an authentic slice of English history.
Guests can relax in elegant surroundings, from the stately drawing room and snug with a log burner to the library, dining room, and country kitchen. Leisure amenities include a snooker room, sauna, hot tub, gym, and cinema-style TV lounge, while the estate’s 700 acres invite you to wander private woodland, riverside paths, and formal gardens.
Rippon Hall, Norfolk
£5225 for three nights. £261 per person, 20 sharing. £87.08 per person per night.
A picture-perfect country manor, blending neo-Tudor charm with Victorian grandeur. Behind its handsome façade lies everything you’d expect from a classic estate: a grand entrance hall, a sweeping staircase, and a host of elegant rooms including a library, drawing room, and full-sized billiards room. The heart of the home is the kitchen, complete with an Aga and American fridge-freezer, which opens onto a charming courtyard beside a heated outdoor pool, ideal for al fresco dining. Music lovers will enjoy the Sonos system and piano, while each of the ten uniquely named bedrooms offers its own en-suite and a blend of antiques and modern luxury.
The grounds are just as impressive. Stroll through formal gardens, explore wildflower-filled woodlands, and follow the apple tree avenue to a hidden brick folly, a lovely spot for a barbecue or picnic. With a hot tub perfectly placed for sunset views, Rippon Hall offers a peaceful yet sociable retreat, perfect for large gatherings or special celebrations in the Norfolk countryside.
Lynbrook House, Bath
£5752 for three nights. £261 per person, 22 sharing. £87.15 per person per night.
Lynbrook House captures the elegance and heritage of Bath in one remarkable Georgian manor. Once home to the city’s mayor and mayoress, its honey-hued stone and oval entrance hall hint at the grandeur within. Inside, the interiors blend classic charm with contemporary comfort, from cosy log burners and stylish sofas to a state-of-the-art cinema room featuring a 120-inch screen, Apple TV and surround sound. Gather for leisurely dinners in the elegant dining space, then unwind with drinks in the drawing room. A complimentary continental breakfast adds a relaxed, hotel-style touch to your stay.
Step outside to panoramic city views and a garden designed for both relaxation and celebration. Sink into the hot tub with its own changing room, stretch out on yoga mats in the garden room, or cook up a feast at the outdoor kitchen and BBQ area. The nine bedrooms, including a family-friendly bunk room and a more accessible room on the lower ground floor, are thoughtfully styled with en-suites, four-poster beds, and peaceful lounges.
Cedar Tree Manor, Essex
£5750 for three nights. £287 per person, 20 sharing. £95.83 per person per night.
Cedar Tree Manor in Essex is a striking Elizabethan estate where period drama meets modern-day indulgence. Behind its Dutch gables and towering chimneys lies a house full of surprises, from a cinema room with a 126-inch screen to a gym, sauna, and arcade room. The vast wood-panelled entrance hall welcomes you with grandeur (and a suit of armour), while a mix of stylish reception rooms, including a bar, snug, music room and drawing room with pool table, ensures there’s space for every mood. Throughout, you’ll find a blend of Smart TVs, log burners, and a whole-house Sonos system, all wrapped in historic charm.
Set within 60 acres of private woodland and gardens, the grounds are just as captivating. Wander through rose walks, discover hidden ponds, and stroll beneath the ancient Cedar of Lebanon. There’s a 20-metre pool, a hot tub, and plenty to keep children entertained too. Inside, the main house sleeps 14 with additional space in the East House and an accessible cottage, Orchard Cottage, available separately.
