Liz and I down in Somerset this weekend, renting a house with the group friends we would have been going to Glastonbury with, had the ticket gods not thwarted our plans this year (boo!)

Lack of tickets wasn’t going to stop us enjoying the festivities though (even if not there in person), so I set about trawling Air BnB and similar sites for a place for the eight of us to stay for the weekend. We were looking for somewhere in the countryside-ish, with a bit of outdoor space where we could watch the coverage and sit around and eat / drink (and where Liz and others can feed me bourbon and fried goods to console me when Dolly Parton plays).

The place we found is incredible (it’s even been featured in Homes & Gardens magazine) – we’ll be reporting back on it next week. However it was a tough decision, as there were some amazing properties in the running.  Here are the others on our short list that would be ideal for a summer break with a group of friends/ family:

1. Converted medieval church in Rishangles, Suffolk

You won’t be short of things do do at this stunning property – it comes complete with an Aga, grand piano, log burner inside and chimnea outside, table football table and outdoor games.

2. The ‘Hovering House’ – Brecon Beacons National Park

The most architecturally impressive of the properties we looked at – it actually floats above the forest floor.  And in a beautiful part of the world to boot.

3. Idyllic rural cottage in Saxmundum, Suffolk

A chocolate box cottage with summer house, hammocks and sun loungers in the settings of a gorgeous garden.  It’s a ideal property for a summer getaway.

4. Mid-century Modern Retreat, Ashford-in-the Water, Derbyshire

A treat for design enthusiasts (if we’d have booked this one I’m not they’d have been able to get rid of Liz….).  Also note the fact that it has a games room with pool and table football.

5. Horton Lodge Boathouse, Staffordshire

I found this on a site called Skye’s cottages, and it caught my eye as this lovely house has balcony overlooking a lake, a games room, and small private beach with rowing boat and Canadian canoe(!)  More than enough to keep everyone occupied (though not advisable to try out the canoe / rowing boat after a few drinks….)