There can be little better than gathering up a group of like-minded friends or family and heading off for a summer weekend together. Even more so if you choose to stay somewhere like Roundwood House with its beautifiul surroundings, friendly hosts and delicious, locally sourced meals. When planning the perfect country house weekend, it’s essential to think about what people want to get out of it – fun with friends? New experiences? Beautiful countryside? A chance to get away from daily life and relax? Here are five tips to help you and your guests get the planning underway.
- Research the local area
Check out local websites and tourist guides for some ideas of places to visit and things to do. Roundwood House is situated in attractive woodland with the stunning Slieve Mountains nearby for hikes, mountain biking and scenic drives. If you want to immerse yourself in local history, the pretty towns of Mountrath and Castletown are just a few kilometres away with beautiful architecture, fascinating stories and friendly locals.
- Enjoy a ‘home from home’
Arranging a country house weekend at somewhere like Roundwood House should give your guests the chance to unwind and leave their busy lives behind them for a while. Central to this is allowing people to go with the flow. Plan a loose agenda if you wish, but don’t insist on people following it to the letter. Often, guests who come to Roundwood House simply enjoy spending time exploring the Georgian house and relaxing in the extensive grounds.
- Tuck into delicious food and drink
From a traditional Irish breakfast to start the day to a hearty supper to end it, make sure that your country house weekened includes plenty of local, Irish food and drink. At Roundwood House, you can be sure of menus full of home-made dishes, locally sourced ingredients and authentic Irish flavours, lovingly cooked by Paddy. No country house weekend is complete without sampling the wonderful food and drink that puts County Laois – and Roundwood House – firmly on the culinary map.
- Read – and leave – reviews
Always check out reviews for anywhere you are staying or planning to visit during your country house weekend. Not only will they tell you where to go, they can also provide plenty of other useful information. For example, if previous guests mention the amenities available in your accommodation, you know what you do and do not need to bring with you. Check out the Roundwood House website for ideas of what to expect. Return the reviewing favour if you can – if you appreciated a place or an event local to where you have been staying, leave a review to say so and share your good experiences with others.
- Have fun!
The main thing to do is to remember why you planned the summer house weekend in the first place – to enjoy time with friends and family in a beautiful location, away from the daily routine. So, relax, go with the flow and concentrate on having a wonderful time on your country house weekend!
