Finding somewhere that genuinely works for a large group is harder than it sounds. Hotels fragment people across floors and dining rooms. Separate cottages mean someone is always trudging down a lane in the dark. Westwood solves both problems at once — sixteen people, one beautiful house, no compromises.

The house sits in Lyme Regis, on the Jurassic Coast — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most distinctive stretches of coastline in England. The town is walkable from the front door, the Cobb is fifteen minutes on foot, and the fossil beaches of Charmouth are ten minutes by car. There is enough here to fill a week and still leave things undone.

There are practical reasons why Westwood works so well for groups, and then there are the things that are harder to put into words — the quality of the light through the conservatory in the morning, the way a long dinner at a single table feels different from a restaurant, the ease of a shared breakfast with no need to be anywhere.

The practical reasons first.

• Everyone sleeps under the same roof — no one is in a separate cottage or a different hotel
• Every bedroom has its own ensuite — privacy and independence within the group
• The conservatory dining room seats all sixteen at once — no sitting in shifts
• The fully equipped kitchen means you can cook together or bring in a private chef
• Private off-road parking for up to seven cars — no arguments about where to leave the vehicles
• A dedicated EV charging point for those who need it
• The biomass heating system runs around the clock — the house is warm whenever you arrive
• Lyme Regis town centre is on foot — no organising taxis for a group every evening
• Dogs are welcome — no one has to leave theirs at home

Westwood has been the setting for birthdays, hen weekends, family reunions, anniversaries, corporate retreats and simply the long-overdue gathering of people who matter to each other. What they share is the need for a house that feels like a home rather than a venue, and a location that gives the whole group something to talk about.

Each celebration type has its own character — and its own page with ideas, suggestions and local inspiration.

Lyme Regis is a town with a great deal more depth than its size suggests. You could spend a week here and still leave with a list. Below is a starting point — a full guide to local experiences, services and things worth knowing is on the Make the Most of Your Stay page.

On and near the water

• Fossil hunting at Charmouth — Ten minutes east by car and one of the best fossil beaches in Europe. The Heritage Centre runs guided walks most mornings in season, from around £7.50 per person.
• Sea kayaking and coasteering — Jurassic Coast Adventures offer guided group sessions from Lyme Regis and Charmouth, well suited to mixed experience levels.
• Paddleboarding on the bay — Lyme Bay Watersports hires boards and offers lessons. The waters off the Cobb are calm enough for beginners in settled weather.
• The Cobb — The famous harbour wall is a short walk from the house and, in the right light, one of the most atmospheric places on this coast.

Inland and in the hills

• The South West Coast Path — The national trail runs through Lyme Regis. East towards Charmouth is gentler; west towards Seaton is more dramatic. Always check current cliff conditions before setting out.
• The Woodland Trust — Five minutes' walk from Westwood's front door. The path leads out onto Roman Way and connects to the Ridgeway walkway — ideal for a morning dog walk before a day out.
• Bridport and beyond — The market town of Bridport, twenty minutes west, is worth a morning. Charmouth, Axminster and the Jurassic Coast Trust's wider network of sites fill a longer stay comfortably.

Experiences you can organise in advance

• Beach saunas — Shoreline Sauna on Lyme Regis beach is a wood-fired barrel sauna with views along the Jurassic Coast. Private hire from £60 per hour for up to six; communal sessions from £15 per person.
• Private chef dinner — The conservatory seats sixteen. A private chef turns an ordinary evening into something the group will still be talking about months later.
• Yoga in the conservatory — Local teachers offer private group sessions in Lyme Regis and will come to the house. A sunrise session before breakfast sets a remarkable tone.
• Marine Theatre — The local theatre lists live performances, comedy and seasonal shows throughout the year. Worth checking what's on during your stay.

One of the things that sets Westwood apart from most large holiday properties is the conservatory. It seats all sixteen guests at a single table — something that is genuinely rare in a house of this size. Combine that with a fully equipped kitchen and you have everything you need for an evening that the group will remember.

Cook together

The kitchen at Westwood is stocked and equipped for serious cooking. Many groups plan a shared meal as part of the stay — someone takes charge, everyone contributes, and the resulting dinner has a warmth that no restaurant can quite replicate. Tesco and Waitrose both deliver to Lyme Regis (DT7), so a large grocery order timed to arrive the day before means the kitchen is ready when the group walks through the door.

Bring in a private chef

For occasions when cooking is the last thing anyone wants to think about, the Dorset Chef and several local private chefs based in and around Lyme Regis offer bespoke menus prepared, served and cleared away in the house. It transforms an ordinary evening into something genuinely special — and removes the need to negotiate sixteen opinions about where to go for dinner.

Eat out in Lyme Regis

The town has a good range of restaurants for its size. The Harbour Inn on the beachfront is the personal favourite for fish. Hix Oyster and Fish Restaurant offers something more special for a big occasion. Lilac on Broad Street has gathered real acclaim for its small plates and wine list. Everywhere books up in season — planning ahead is always worth it.

Organising a stay for a large group has its own particular arithmetic — different arrival times, cars that need parking, a dog that needs a walk, someone who needs the EV charger. Westwood is set up to handle all of it, but a few things are worth knowing in advance.

Getting here

Westwood is in Lyme Regis, Dorset — postcode DT7. There is private off-road parking for up to seven cars on a stacked system, so arriving in convoy is straightforward. If the group is bringing more than seven vehicles, Holmbush Car Park on Pound Street (DT7 3HX) is a five-minute walk and handles the overflow comfortably. The dedicated EV charger is in the lower car park — please let Lavinia know in advance if you need it so a space can be reserved.

Booking in advance

Westwood books quickly in the main season — particularly for weekends in July and August, and for bank holiday periods. If you have a date in mind, it is always worth making contact sooner rather than later. Enquiries go directly to Lavinia, who can confirm availability, talk through what the group needs and arrange everything directly.

Local services that need advance notice

Several of the most popular additions to a Westwood stay — private chefs, beach sauna hire, massage therapists and babysitting services — book up well ahead in season. If any of these are important to your group, the Make the Most page has all the provider details and is the best starting point for planning.