Big Gaffs for Big Groups

When the Plans Make It Out of the Group Chat

There’s a moment every year when a casual idea turns into a thing. A birthday with a zero on the end. A long-overdue family gathering. A friends’ trip that’s been talked about for years. Suddenly the group chat is buzzing and one question rises above the rest: where can we all stay together without tripping over each other?

In North Wales, the answer lies in our big gaffs. These are boltholes built for togetherness – generous houses where mornings unfold slowly, evenings stretch late, and everyone can find their own rhythm without ever feeling squeezed. Whether you’re bringing the whole clan, holidaying with extended family, two families sharing a break, or a large group of friends, there’s a house that fits the shape of your group perfectly.

For Two Families (and a Dog or Two): Tan y Bryn | Sleeps 10

Perched on the Llyn Peninsula with wrap-around views across Red Wharf Bay, the Great Orme and, on a clear day, the Isle of Man, Tan y Bryn is a house that instantly slows you down. Shoes off, toes wriggling, smiles spreading: it’s that kind of place.

The heart of the house is a beautiful open-plan kitchen, dining and living space where light pours in through wide windows and the outside world feels ever-present. Sunrise coffees, farmhouse-table feasts, fireside evenings: it all happens here, without anyone being tucked away from the conversation.

What makes Tan y Bryn especially brilliant for two families holidaying together is its clever layout. Independent staircases lead to separate bedroom zones, meaning children can stir in the night without disturbing the whole house. With pristine bathrooms, a downstairs cloakroom, and generous storage, it’s a house designed to make group living feel easy.

Outside, the garden wraps right around the house, offering 360-degree views, outdoor lounging, BBQs, and space for dogs to dry off after coastal walks. Llanddona Beach is just minutes away, and when you return, there’s silence, sea air and space to breathe.

For Friends Who Want Space and a Sauna: Coed Helyg | Sleeps 12

Hidden among woodland yet less than five minutes’ walk from the buzz of Abersoch, Coed Helyg is deceptively spacious and wonderfully flexible. With seven bedrooms, six bathrooms and a self-contained apartment, it’s ideal for groups who want togetherness with the option to peel off when needed.

The main living space is made for sociable days: a large open-plan kitchen, dining and sitting area with room to cook, eat, plan and relax as one. Glass doors open onto a balcony perfect for sunny barbeques, while the wood-burner makes evenings feel snug and grounded.

Down slate steps, the separate apartment sleeps four and comes into its own for grandparents, couples or friends who appreciate a little independence. After long beach days or woodland walks, the sauna and hot tub offer a ritual of rest before gathering again for supper. It’s a house that balances energy and calm with ease.

For Beach-Lovers Who Want It on the Doorstep: Sandown House | Sleeps 14

At Sandown House in Trearddur Bay, the sea is part of daily life. A private path leads straight to the beach, making early-morning swims, sandy dog walks and sunset strolls wonderfully spontaneous.

Designed to make the most of its coastal position, the main living spaces sit upstairs, where glass doors open onto balconies and the views stretch endlessly out to sea. Downstairs, bedrooms spill out onto sheltered terraces, creating quiet pockets for rest between beach adventures.

There’s room here for families to spread out, for children to bunk together and relax in their own space, and for everyone to come back together over long meals and salty evenings. It’s modern luxury without fuss – a house that frames each moment of a seaside escape beautifully.

For Luxury, History and a Bit of Magic: Gwynaeth Gwyn | Sleeps 12

Set above the golden sands of Red Wharf Bay, Gwynaeth Gwyn feels like stepping into another era, and then gently back into the present. Built in the 1920s as part of a grand artistic vision, this Arts and Crafts house has been sensitively restored, with terraces, a pool and hot tub transforming it into a truly indulgent group retreat.

Days here drift between lawn games, orchard wanderings, dips in the pool and slow soaks overlooking the sea. Inside, there are multiple living spaces, from cosy fireside rooms to an upstairs sitting room with bird’s-eye views and a discreet bar for evening gatherings.

Bedrooms are thoughtfully arranged to suit mixed groups, with ground-floor options for swimmers and four further rooms upstairs, all with views that remind you where you are. There’s even a separate lodge sleeping six, perfect for extended family or friends who want a little independence while still being part of the whole.

For Very Big Celebrations: Tal y Bont Barns | Sleeps 24

When the guest list grows and the occasion really matters, Tal y Bont Barns rises to the challenge. Sleeping 24 (and more, if needed), this dog-friendly bolthole is built for celebrations. Think weddings, reunions, milestone birthdays and everything in between.

Inside, flexibility is everywhere: a grand hall with open fire and bar, a huge dining room with space for everyone, two fully equipped kitchens, and rooms that range from family spaces to bunk rooms and private cottages. Outside, fairy-lit dining areas, a BBQ hut, wood-fired hot tub and open grounds create a sense of festival-style ease.

Children can roam safely, adults can linger late, and sleepy heads can be tucked up nearby without missing a moment. With views towards Penrhyn Castle and the Carneddau mountains, it’s a setting that feels both grounded and quietly epic.

For Village Life and Woodland Walks: Bryn Afon | Sleeps 14

Hovering above the rushing Afon Llugwy in the heart of Betws-y-Coed, Bryn Afon offers something slightly different: a big group house right in the centre of village life, with mountains, footpaths and waterfalls just beyond the door.

Period features, sash windows and riverside terraces give the house its character, while generous living spaces make it ideal for families and friends gathering together. There’s a games room, snug, and even a dedicated bedroom just for dogs – a thoughtful touch that makes group travel easier.

With multiple en-suite bedrooms and space to spread across three floors, it’s a bolthole that lets you dip between sociable moments and quiet retreats, all while staying rooted in one of Snowdonia’s most beautiful villages.

For Grand Gatherings with a Sense of Occasion: Plas Bodegroes | Sleeps 22

Approached by a long gravel drive, Plas Bodegroes feels like stepping into another world. This Grade II* listed house on the Llyn Peninsula brings Georgian elegance, expansive gardens and Downton-esque grandeur to group get-togethers.

Inside, vast reception rooms sit alongside cosy corners, while the dining room seats 22 with ease: a legacy of its past life as Wales’ first Michelin-starred restaurant. Nine en-suite bedrooms in the main house and two more in the annex mean comfort is never compromised, even with a full house.

Whether it’s a long-awaited reunion or a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, Plas Bodegroes offers space, beauty and atmosphere in equal measure.

Big Houses, Thoughtfully Done

Big gaffs aren’t just about numbers. They’re about how a house makes you feel together. The ease of shared breakfasts, the joy of finding a quiet corner, the way space allows conversations, and memories, to unfold naturally.

So when the plan finally escapes the group chat, you’ll know where to look. Somewhere large enough for everyone, flexible enough for real life, and full of the little details that turn a gathering into something you’ll talk about for years to come.