Perfect for large families, reunions and get-togethers with friends, this magnificent escape keeps the whole group entertained without ever needing to venture off-site.
Katsura House is an elegant Regency property located within the picturesque Matara Estate near Tetbury, a charming market town in the heart of the Cotswolds. Surrounded by 28 acres of pure beauty, the house offers a peaceful and private retreat for up to 20 guests. With ten individually styled bedrooms and a range of thoughtfully designed living spaces, including cosy lounges with open fireplaces, a formal dining room and a spacious kitchen, it’s the perfect setting for large family holidays, group gatherings or milestone celebrations. Outside, guests can unwind in the hot tub, explore the serene grounds, or simply enjoy the calm atmosphere.
As you arrive, you’re greeted by immaculate gardens, peaceful ponds and a sense of stillness that lingers in the air. At the heart of the estate stands this enchanting house. Step through its impressive entrance into a world of soaring ceilings and refined interiors that immediately set the tone for relaxation.
Inside, you’ll find a collection of inviting living spaces. Curl up beside one of three open fireplaces, bask in the light-filled sunroom, or gather for laughter and conversation in the cosy sitting room. The spacious kitchen makes casual meals a joy, while the formal dining room sets the stage for unforgettable celebrations. A well-stocked library doubles as an entertainment room, perfect for unwinding at your own pace.
The property features ten individually styled bedrooms, each designed with comfort and versatility in mind. The sleeping arrangements include six spacious rooms furnished with king-size beds. There is also a double bedroom, a queen-size bedroom and two twin bedrooms. This flexible layout ensures a restful night for up to 20 guests, making the house perfectly suited for large family gatherings, group retreats, or celebratory stays.
Outside, the private garden invites you to relax in the hot tub or dine alfresco, while the estate is also home to the evolving Matara Centre, a vibrant space constantly refreshed with new gardens, creative designs and unexpected delights.
The Cotswolds is a richly rural area with more than 3,000 footpaths and trails running through farmland and wildflower meadows, as well as ancient woodlands to explore.
For woodland birds, Box Wood tucked away in a valley near Minchinhampton is well worth a visit. Comprised mainly of beech, with some limestone streams running through it, in summer it becomes alive with birds. Listen out for great-spotted woodpeckers and tawny owls, and keep your eyes peeled for treecreepers and nuthatches as they run up and down the trees.
More woods can be found on Crickley Hill jointly managed by the National Trust and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. Located just south of Cheltenham its habitats also include grassland, scrub, and limestone rock exposures. Mixed flocks of tits and finches are common in the woods, while kestrels can often be seen hovering above as they hunt for prey. In summer, the site is also a haven for wildflowers and butterflies.
Cotswold Water Park which straddles the Gloucestershire and Wiltshire border is a vast marl lake system spread over 42 miles. Cleveland Lakes Reserve is made up of two of the largest lakes and is an important site for both wintering and breeding birds including coots, great crested grebes, and little egrets. For bitterns, reed buntings, water rails, and snipes, head to Shorncote Reedbed which also has two bird hides so you can view the wildlife close up.
If you want to see some exotic and rare birds, Birdland in Bourton-on-the-water has a variety of attractions set in nine acres of gardens and woodland. Some of the highlights include the Parliament of Owls, home to eight species of owl, the Pandemonium of Parrots, where you can learn about the 16 species of parrot housed there, and Penguin Shore which has daily feeding displays. There are plenty of spots to have a picnic, as well as a children’s play area, and a gift shop.
Nearby Greystones Farm nature reserve is home to wildflower meadows, Iron Age ramparts, a replica Iron Age roundhouse, a working organic farm, and an interactive discovery barn. The old farm buildings are used by swallows and house martins for nesting and there are plenty of birds of prey to be spotted gliding overhead. There is also the opportunity to view a live camera feed of a barn owl box, and watch the birds as they bring up their chicks.
Farmland birds can be found all over the beautiful Cotswolds countryside. Look out for corn buntings, grey partridges, turtle doves, and yellow wagtails.
