OK so 'hotel' may not be quite the right word to describe the stunning Wooton Country House in Butleigh Wooton, Somerset, but sometimes something a bit more laid back is just the answer for a big group weekend away with friends or family.

Wootton House is a handsome 18th century country property sleeping up to sixteen guests in the rural heart of Somerset. Hidden away on an amazing 1,000 acre estate near Butleigh Wootton, the house has outstanding views across parkland to the monument of Admiral Sir Samuel Hood, perched high on Polden Ridge.

Originally built for the Hood family, the house features an elegant Queen Anne façade and has fine period features and furnishings within. The front entrance hall, which has wood flooring and oak panelling, leads into an equally large back hall with a Steinway grand piano and a second upright piano, both tuned and ready for a few after dinner attempts at chopsticks.

Reception rooms include the drawing room, with its open fire and original silk wallpaper; a second sitting room and a large formal dining room furnished with a beautiful oak table and an enormous carved wood and stone Jacobean-style ornamental fireplace. Both the spacious kitchen/diner and walk-in pantry have original Edwardian butler sinks as well as up-to-date appliances and there's a 4-door Aga to really get you into the feeling of the country lifestyle.

Oak stairs lead up to the landing, with its ornate William Morris wallpaper, and eight bedrooms, including two four-posters, and five bathrooms. There's a further bathroom downstairs and a huge games room equipped with table tennis, pool, darts, a PlayStation and Hammond organ if strolling round the land isn't entertainment enough for the children. Holidaymakers also have a telephone and broadband Internet connection for their own use.

Outside there's a large mature garden with a croquet lawn and hard tennis court while across the fields are fishponds and a small lake in the woods. At the end of the drive is Home Farm where riding can be arranged with the tenant farmer and fresh 'Tor Beef', grazed on the slopes of nearby Glastonbury Tor, is sold. This really is a fantastic rural escape.

Prices start from £1,305 for a week's stay at Wootton House for sixteen guests (pets welcome). For details call
Helpful Holidays on 01647 434063 or look and book on www.helpfulholidays.com searching for ref E12.