You’ve planned the walk.
Everyone has sensible shoes.
There’s even been a surprisingly successful discussion about what time you’re leaving.
Then somebody looks out of the window.
It’s raining.
Welcome to the British group holiday. 😂
But here's the thing: some of the best memories from a big house getaway can begin when the original plan is abandoned.
The beauty of having somewhere you actually want to stay
If your holiday accommodation is simply somewhere to sleep, rain can feel rather inconvenient.
A big house is different.
You’ve got room to spread out, places to gather and — crucially — no requirement to entertain 20 people in the same small space.
Someone starts a card game. A few people commandeer the kitchen. The readers disappear somewhere quiet. Coffee becomes lunch and somebody suggests opening a bottle of wine.
Suddenly nobody seems particularly concerned about that walk.
Or go out anyway
Of course, rain doesn't necessarily mean staying home.
The Wye Valley, Forest of Dean, Herefordshire and Monmouthshire have plenty to offer when the weather isn't behaving itself.
Explore a historic attraction. Find a cosy pub. Visit a market town. Discover a local food or drink producer. Or simply put on waterproofs and head into the forest.
There is something rather satisfying about returning from a damp walk to a warm house, changing into dry clothes and announcing that you've definitely earned dinner.
Let the group split up
A change of weather is also a useful reminder that a group holiday doesn't require everyone to move as one enormous unit.
The determined walkers can still go walking.
Others can head out for lunch.
And those who have spotted the comfortable chairs, kettle and remaining cake may decide they are perfectly happy where they are.
Everyone meets again later, with different stories to tell.
Make an afternoon of doing very little
There is a strange pressure on holidays to do things.
Visit this. Book that. See everything.
But when did you last spend an entire afternoon with your favourite people and nowhere else you needed to be?
Get the games out.
Put a film on.
Cook something that takes hours.
Talk.
Nap.
Read.
Sit around the kitchen table long after the plates have been cleared.
These aren't the bits of a holiday that usually appear in the itinerary.
They're often the bits people remember.
You can't plan the weather. Thankfully.
Because sometimes the day you planned isn't nearly as good as the day you end up having.
So if the forecast for your Wye Valley getaway contains a suspicious number of little grey clouds, don't panic.
Bring a waterproof.
Bring a book.
Bring the people you love spending time with.
And let the weather decide whether today's adventure happens outside…
…or around the kitchen table.
Book your break now:
