The Simple Joy of Doing Very Little
Life is busy.
Families live in different towns, friends struggle to find dates that work, and before you know it another year has gone by without that get-together everyone keeps talking about.
A large holiday house from BHHLchanges that.
Instead of trying to squeeze everyone into restaurants, pubs and hotels, you can have your own space for a few days. People can arrive when they like, settle into their rooms, wander into the garden and immediately start relaxing.
There’s no timetable.
No pressure.
Just good company and plenty of room to enjoy it.
Choose from remote farmhouses, former village pubs or town centre hubs - BHHL has 16 houses in the Wye Valley for you to choose from.
And we're only a few hours away from the Midlands and London
BBQs Taste Better on Holiday
Scientists may not have officially confirmed it, but food always seems to taste better when you're away.
Maybe it’s because someone else is cooking.
Maybe it’s because nobody is rushing.
Or maybe it's because a barbecue automatically creates an event.
One person becomes Grill Master.
Several become Self-Appointed Experts.
A small crowd gathers nearby offering entirely unhelpful advice.
Someone burns the first batch.
Everyone laughs.
And somehow it all becomes part of the tradition.
Whether you're cooking burgers, steaks, vegetarian favourites or fresh local produce, there’s something wonderfully social about everyone gathering around the barbecue while the evening unfolds.
The Magic of Long Summer Evenings
One of the greatest luxuries of summer is simply having more daylight.
After a day exploring the Wye Valley, visiting riverside villages or enjoying countryside walks, you still have hours left to enjoy together.
The garden becomes the centre of everything.
Children play games on the lawn.
Friends catch up over a drink.
Grandparents settle into comfortable chairs.
The conversation drifts from holiday plans to old stories and family legends that somehow get repeated every year.
Before long the sun starts dipping behind the trees and everything takes on that golden evening glow that makes even ordinary moments feel special.
Why the Wye Valley Works So Well
The Wye Valley has always been perfect for relaxed group breaks.
The scenery is beautiful without demanding too much effort.
You can spend the day walking beside the river, exploring local towns, visiting attractions or simply sitting outside with a coffee watching the world go by.
There’s no pressure to tick off a long list of attractions.
People can be as active—or as relaxed—as they like.
That flexibility makes it ideal for mixed-age groups where everyone wants something slightly different from their holiday.
Cider Country
If summer evenings had an official drink, Herefordshire cider would surely be near the top of the list.
The region is famous for its orchards, and many visitors enjoy discovering local producers during their stay. Check out Ross Cider for your supplies
Bring a few bottles back to the house and suddenly you've got the perfect accompaniment to a sunset barbecue.
Of course, there’s always someone who insists they can taste subtle notes of apple blossom and oak.
Everyone else simply enjoys the drink.
Garden Games and Friendly Competition
As the evening continues, garden games inevitably appear.
Someone suggests giant Jenga.
Someone else starts a round of rounders.
A fiercely competitive family member takes things far too seriously.
The children beat the adults.
The adults deny it happened.
The score remains disputed forever.
These are the moments people remember long after the holiday ends.
Not the expensive attractions.
Not the fancy plans.
Just simple fun shared with people they enjoy spending time with.
Enter Syd and Coco
No summer gathering would be complete without mentioning the unofficial inspectors of all outdoor dining activities.
Syd and Coco have very specific responsibilities whenever a barbecue appears.
Syd specialises in strategic sausage surveillance.
His approach involves sitting exceptionally close to the chef while maintaining what he believes is an innocent expression.
Coco prefers quality control.
If food falls on the floor, she considers it her civic duty to investigate immediately.
Together they operate one of the most efficient food-monitoring systems in the Wye Valley.
Whether anyone actually invited them remains unclear.
The Best Part Happens After Dark
As daylight fades, something changes.
Garden lights flicker on.
The barbecue cools down.
People wrap themselves in blankets or pull their chairs a little closer together.
Conversations become calmer.
The stars begin appearing overhead.
Nobody checks the time.
Nobody wants the evening to end.
Those quiet hours often become the highlight of the entire weekend.
They’re simple, unplanned and completely impossible to recreate at home.
Summer, Simplified
The truth is that the perfect summer weekend doesn’t need much.
A beautiful location.
Good food.
A few drinks.
People you enjoy being around.
Add sunshine, a barbecue and a Wye Valley sunset, and you have all the ingredients for a memorable escape.
So gather the family, round up the friends and make that long-overdue weekend happen.
The barbecue can be lit.
The cider can be chilled.
And somewhere nearby, Syd and Coco are already preparing for sausage patrol.
Book your next weekend with houses for 15 to 35:
