Sleeps up to 25Courtyard Cottages
Larger family groups, reunions and milestone stays wanting shared living space and cottage kitchens.
Group stays at Upper Court
Group accommodation in the Cotswolds, for up to 44 guests
A place to sleep, eat and spend time together on one estate.
Upper Court offers group accommodation in the Cotswolds — suited to family gatherings, reunions, company stays and considered celebrations where guests need space to sleep, eat and spend time together on one estate. The whole estate sleeps up to 44 guests, with self-catering cottages, manor rooms and the Gallery for part-estate or exclusive-use group stays.
The estate sits in Kemerton, on the edge of the Cotswolds. It includes self-catering cottages, 6 manor house rooms, the Dovecote, shared grounds and the Gallery: a larger communal space that can be used for meals, games, company sessions or time together.
For exclusive use, the whole estate sleeps up to 44 guests. Smaller group stays can also be arranged, depending on the accommodation required, the time of year and the way your group plans to use the estate.
We work best for groups who want to gather with care: families, old friends, company teams and thoughtful occasions where the setting is part of the reason for coming.
Group stays with space to gather
The best group stays usually have a few things in common: enough beds, enough room to eat, and enough space for people to step away when they need to.
At Upper Court, groups can gather across the cottages, manor rooms, grounds and shared spaces. Some guests want a family weekend with several households. Some are planning a company stay with shared meals and time to talk. Others are bringing old friends together for a milestone gathering, with walks, fireside time and a long table at the centre of the stay.
For guests comparing large cottages for groups in the Cotswolds, the Courtyard Cottages are often the starting point. For larger groups, exclusive use gives one group the cottages, manor rooms, Dovecote, grounds and Gallery, with no other guests staying on the estate.
The aim is not to make every person stay in the same room all day. It is to give the group a place that can hold the full stay: arrivals, meals, quieter mornings, shared evenings and the small in-between moments that make group travel work.
At a glance
| Where is Upper Court? | Upper Court is in Kemerton, on the edge of the Cotswolds. |
|---|---|
| How many guests can stay? | The whole estate sleeps up to 44 guests for exclusive use. |
| What accommodation is available? | The Courtyard Cottages, the Dovecote and 6 manor house rooms. |
| What works for larger groups? | The Courtyard Cottages sleep up to 25. Exclusive use adds the manor rooms and the Dovecote. |
| Is there a shared group space? | Yes. The Gallery seats up to 60 people and has kitchen facilities and a WC. |
| Is the Gallery included? | Included with whole-estate exclusive use; can be added to part-estate bookings. |
| Is catering available? | Yes. Upper Court regularly arranges catering for groups. External catering suppliers are not permitted. |
| Are dogs allowed? | Dogs are welcome in selected cottages, subject to the per-unit dog policy and cleaning charge. |
| What kind of groups suit Upper Court? | Families, reunions, company teams, old friends and considered gatherings where the estate and village setting are respected. |
Is Upper Court right for your group?
Upper Court is a good fit when the group needs privacy, shared space and a calm estate setting. It is less suitable when the main requirement is a late-night party venue.
Well suited to:
- Multi-generational family gatherings
- Reunions, milestone stays and relaxed hen weekends
- Company retreats, team stays, away days and wellness retreats
- Christmas, New Year and seasonal group bookings
- Groups who want shared meals, estate space and quieter corners
Not suited to:
- Late-night party-house bookings
- Loud-noise events
- Amplified music-led celebrations
- Groups looking for a venue-style party space
- Bookings where the plan depends on very late nights or heavy noise
Exclusive use of the estate
Exclusive use gives one group the whole estate for the stay. The cottages, manor rooms, Dovecote, grounds and Gallery are held for your group, with no other guests arriving for a separate booking.
For families and friends, this means several households can gather in one place without needing to book across different properties. For company teams, it means accommodation, meeting space, shared meals and quieter corners can all sit within the same estate.
Exclusive use accommodation at Upper Court works well when the group needs:
- sleeping space for up to 44 guests
- several accommodation areas rather than one large shared house
- a larger room for meals, games, discussions or group time
- access to the grounds and local walking routes
- a staffed family estate with hosts nearby
- clear expectations around noise, use of space and suitability
The estate is particularly useful for groups who want to spend time together without asking every guest to follow the same rhythm. Some people can walk. Some can read. Some can cook. Some can sit outside if the weather allows. The group can gather properly, then spread out again.
Enquire about exclusive useThe Gallery for meals and group time
The Gallery gives groups another useful communal space on the estate. It can be added to part-estate bookings and is included when the whole estate is taken for exclusive use.
It seats up to 60 people and has kitchen facilities and a WC, which makes it useful for shared meals, games, company sessions, planning time or a wet-weather gathering space.
For a family group, the Gallery can help take pressure off the cottages when everyone wants to eat together. For a company team, it can create a natural meeting point away from the sleeping areas. For a reunion, it gives the group one place to gather without turning the accommodation itself into the only shared space.
The Gallery should be discussed during the enquiry stage so our team can confirm availability, setup and how it would work with your accommodation booking.
Our large houses and cottages for groups
The right arrangement depends on the size of the group, the age of the guests, how much communal space you need and whether you want part of the estate or exclusive use.
Sleeps up to 25
Sleeps fourThe Dovecote
A couple, small family or additional guests within a wider estate booking.
Sleeps up to 15Manor house rooms
Additional accommodation for exclusive-use stays.
Sleeps up to 44Whole-estate exclusive use
Multi-generational groups, company teams, reunions and exclusive use.
We had the most wonderful stay with our whole company to celebrate Christmas at Upper Court. Everyone slept well and we had all the resources we needed.
Upper Court
Food, catering and self-catering
Group stays often turn on meals: who is cooking, where everyone will sit, what needs to be prepared in advance and whether the group wants help with catering.
The cottages are self-catering, with kitchens and living spaces that allow groups to keep their own rhythm. Breakfast can be simple. Lunch can be planned around a walk. Children can eat earlier. Dogs can be taken out before the evening meal. Guests can bring what they need and shape the stay around their own traditions.
For larger groups, Upper Court can also arrange catering. External catering suppliers are not permitted, so any catered meals or food arrangements should be discussed with our team during the enquiry stage.
You may want to ask about:
catered meals or group dining optionskitchen use and setupgrocery deliveries or hampersfirewoodhot tub or sauna hirepool heatingfire pit sessionsestate activities
Things to do during a group stay
A group stay works best when there is enough to do, but not too much planned.
From Upper Court, guests can keep the day close to the estate or use Kemerton as a base for Cotswolds outings. Some groups spend the morning walking from the village or heading onto Bredon Hill. Others visit Broadway, Tewkesbury or Cheltenham, then come back for supper and a quieter evening.
For company teams, the stay may need more structure: a morning session in the Gallery, time outside, a shared meal and a slower second day. For families, the plan may be looser: children outside if the weather allows, a walk before lunch, a long table and time together in the evening.
walking from Kemertona Bredon Hill walka village visit to Broadway or TewkesburyCheltenham for arrivals, shopping or a larger town daytime in the groundsa shared meal in the Gallerygames, reading or slower time in the cottagespottery or creative activities, if available for your dates
A note on parties and noise
Some guests arrive here while comparing party houses in the Cotswolds. Upper Court can work very well for groups, but it is not a late-night party house.
The estate sits in Kemerton and works best for groups who want to gather with care: families, friends, company teams and celebrations where the setting is part of the reason for coming.
If your plans involve amplified music, very late nights, heavy drinking or a high-noise format, Upper Court may not be the right fit. If your group wants space, meals, conversation, time outdoors and a place that can hold several households comfortably, we can help you understand which arrangement would suit the stay.
This clarity helps protect the village, the house and the quality of the experience for your group.
Not sure which arrangement your group needs?
If you are not sure whether the Courtyard Cottages, the manor rooms, the Gallery or whole-estate exclusive use would suit your group best, we can help you work through the options.
It helps to know your approximate guest number, dates, whether children or dogs are coming, and whether you need shared dining, meeting space or a quieter accommodation layout.
From there, we can help you understand whether a part-estate booking or exclusive use is likely to be the better fit. You can also see our rates before you enquire.
Discuss your group bookingGood to know before you enquire
- The whole estate sleeps up to 44 guests for exclusive use.
- The Courtyard Cottages are the Coach House and Courtyard Cottage let together, sleeping up to 25.
- The Dovecote sleeps four and sits by the lake, so young children need supervision near the water.
- There are 6 manor house rooms, sleeping up to 15 people in total.
- Manor house rooms are room-only, not self-catering.
- No children stay in the manor house rooms except the Manor House Attic Rooms.
- Manor house rooms are dog-free.
- The Gallery seats up to 60 people and has kitchen facilities and a WC.
- The Gallery is included with exclusive use and can be added to part-estate bookings.
- Catering can be arranged through Upper Court.
- External catering suppliers are not permitted.
- Dogs are welcome in selected cottages, subject to per-unit rules and cleaning charges.
- Seasonal dates may carry different pricing, deposits and minimum-stay requirements.
- Optional extras and activities should be discussed in advance.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Upper Court works well for family groups, old friends, reunions, company teams and considered gatherings. The best arrangement depends on your group size, dates and how you want to use the estate.
The whole estate sleeps up to 44 guests for exclusive use, with the cottages, manor rooms, Dovecote, Gallery and grounds held for one group.
Exclusive use includes the cottages, manor house rooms, the Dovecote, the grounds and the Gallery. Final inclusions, setup and seasonal terms should be confirmed with our team before booking.
Yes, part-estate bookings may be possible depending on the dates, group size and accommodation required. The Gallery can also be added to part-estate bookings, subject to availability and final terms.
The Courtyard Cottages sleep up to 25 people. The Coach House and Courtyard Cottage are let together as the Courtyard Cottages.
The manor house rooms sleep up to 15 people across 6 rooms. They are room-only rather than self-catering, and they are not suitable for children except the Manor House Attic Rooms.
Yes. The Gallery seats up to 60 people and has kitchen facilities and a WC. It is included with exclusive use and can also be added to part-estate bookings.
Yes. Upper Court regularly arranges catering for groups. External catering suppliers are not permitted, so any catering requirements should be discussed with our team during the enquiry stage.
Dogs are welcome in selected cottages, subject to the final per-unit dog rules and cleaning charge. The manor house rooms are kept dog-free.
Children are welcome in suitable accommodation. The Dovecote sits by the lake, so young children need supervision near the water. In the manor house, only the Manor House Attic Rooms is child-friendly.
Upper Court is suitable for considered group celebrations, family gatherings, reunions and company stays. It is not a late-night party house. If your plans involve amplified music, very late nights or a high-noise format, please discuss this with us before booking.
Yes. Upper Court suits relaxed hen weekends and milestone celebrations where the group wants space, shared meals and the estate to themselves, rather than a late-night party. Amplified music and very late nights are not a fit, so it helps to discuss your plans when you enquire.
Yes. Company teams use Upper Court for retreats, away days and team stays: the Gallery for sessions and shared meals, self-catering cottages and manor rooms for accommodation, and the grounds for time outside. Many groups travel in from Birmingham, Bristol, Oxford and London, and we can help you plan arrivals around your dates.
Yes. Multi-generational family reunions are one of the most common group stays here. The cottages, manor rooms and Dovecote let several households sleep across the estate, while the Gallery and grounds give everyone space to gather.
Groups can walk from Kemerton, head onto Bredon Hill, visit Tewkesbury or Broadway, use Cheltenham for arrivals or shopping, or plan a wider North Cotswolds day if the weather and timings allow.
Larger groups and exclusive-use stays should enquire early, especially where the booking involves several households, specific room requirements, catering, the Gallery or seasonal dates.
Planning a large group stay or a special event?
Our team will work with you to create a bespoke experience for family gatherings, reunions, parties and company events.