Food, Glorious Food (That You Don’t Have to Cook)
1. Let Someone Else Do the Cooking If you’ve booked one of Big House Holiday Lets’ large properties, you’ve already nailed the first step: space for...
1. Let Someone Else Do the Cooking
If you’ve booked one of Big House Holiday Lets’ large properties, you’ve already nailed the first step: space for everyone. Now, elevate it. Hire a private chef or catering team and let them turn your stay into a full-blown foodie experience.
There’s a growing list of talented local chefs and caterers who’ll come straight to your door, whip up restaurant-quality food, and — crucially — do all the washing up. Whether you want a multi-course fine dining menu or a hearty roast with all the trimmings, there’s someone for every taste and budget.
Imagine the scene: the table set, candles flickering, your group in full relaxed mode while plates of perfectly cooked food arrive like magic. No stress, no mess, no “who’s on washing up duty tonight?”
2. The Restaurants Worth Leaving the House For
If you can drag yourself away from that hot tub, the Wye Valley is brimming with incredible restaurants. Start with The Whitebrook, where chef Chris Harrod earned a Michelin star for his hyper-local, foraged menus — think ingredients picked that morning from nearby woods and fields. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to photograph every dish before you eat it.
Closer to the water, The Saracens Head Inn at Symonds Yat offers picture-perfect riverside dining with proper pub classics and a wine list that’s dangerously tempting. Pull up a chair on the terrace, order something cold and crisp, and watch the canoes drift past.
From Abergavenny to Ross-on-Wye, you’ll find bistros, gastropubs and farm-to-table restaurants that make the most of the region’s incredible produce.
3. Local Producers & Farm Shops
Sometimes, cooking can be part of the fun — especially when you’ve got a kitchen big enough for the whole group to join in. Pop into one of the many farm shops and pick up Wye Valley asparagus (in season), local lamb, crusty bread, and bottles of cider pressed just down the road.
Favourites include Hopes of Longhope, Pengethley Farm Shop, and The Forge at Monmouth for artisan goodies. Or head to Taurus Crafts near Lydney for handmade chocolates and fresh bakes.
Even a simple picnic turns into something special when it’s all local — and eaten with a view of rolling hills or by the riverbank.
4. Perfect for Every Occasion
Whether you’re celebrating a birthday, reunion, or just the fact that everyone’s finally free on the same weekend, a catered meal is the easiest way to make it feel special. From sharing platters to afternoon teas, barbecue buffets to fine dining, the options are endless.
And because most caterers source locally, it’s not just delicious — it’s sustainable, too.
5. Pugs, Pinot & Post-Dinner Bliss
If you happen to spot two black pugs in sunglasses supervising the chef (and perhaps taste-testing a canapé or two), don’t worry — that’s just Syd and Coco, the self-appointed quality control team for Big House Holiday Lets. They take their duties very seriously… unless there’s cheese involved.
Because You Deserve It
When you book a Wye Valley escape, you’re booking time to reconnect — not to scrub pans. So go on, light the candles, open the wine, and leave the hard work to someone else.
After all, life’s too short for soggy pasta and sad cherry tomatoes.
Where to stay
BHHL have 12 wonderful houses, all of which are accessible by private chefs or deliveries. Houses in, or closest to towns include Forest House at Coleford, Holly Tree House and Wye Rapids House at Symonds Yat and Fairlea Grange at Abergavenny but any would be great for your party.
Big House Holiday Lets:
www.bhhl.co.uk
e: enquiries@bhhl.co.uk
tel: 01600 732050