You only turn 30 once. And as you’ve probably been thinking about it everyday since you turned 28 — be it dreading it or revelling in that older, wiser energy — it’d be wrong not to go all out when it comes to celebrating. It’s a milestone. And technically, if you look at it the way we do, your 30th party should be three times better than your 10th birthday, and a third bigger and better than your 20th. So a reserved table at your local pub isn’t gonna cut it. Three decades on this planet, guys. That deserves at least a road trip, a sumptuous staycation, all your favourite food, and a few (dozen) bottles of Prosecco, doesn’t it? And whether you’re kitsch or classic, regal or minimalist, the Internet has options for you, plenty of ‘em.
Click on for our pick of the best self-catered options for your big birthday blowout.
No need to whittle down your guest list here! Accommodating up to 24 people, this Somerset Retreat is something else, all 700 acres of it, set in a serene, secluded Somerset valley. The giant house is the definition of #interiorgoals with its roll top bath tubs, feature wallpaper, neon signs, and airy open plan set up. The dream.
From £1500 per night.
With six bedrooms and accommodation for 20, this Grade II listed vicarage in Yorkshire is a country dweller’s dream. It’s got contemporary furnishings, a beautiful kitchen, and even a roof terrace, but the real appeal is that it’s right on the edge of the Peak District so you can get out and explore the countryside — the best way to rid a hangover!
From £999 per night.
And for when you want to go all out and invite your whole contact list, there’s Northmoor House: a Victorian mansion in Exmoor, which comfortably sleeps 26 in its ivy-clad grandeur. The large kitchen means catering is no problem — and while some of the guests can be prepping the canapés, the rest can be getting competitive in the billiards room, fighting it out over table tennis or a spot of table football. Come morning, after brunch, get out and explore the beauty of Exmoor National Park.
From £2600 per weekend.
Book your cheap RyanAir flights and hop over to Dublin for your birthday shenanigans at this one-of-a-kind restored farmhouse. Pure shabby-chic goodness, it’s a real mix of open-plan loft spaces, exposed stone walls and bright, contemporary décor. With 16 beds, it’s the perfect place for a weekend with friends, where you’re not going to worry about being disturbed.
From £173 per night.
Ever so charming, this 6-bed Edwardian home in Mumbles, Wales is a homely B&B and the perfect base for a weekend by the sea. The beaches of Rotherslade and Langland are mere minutes away, and Mumbles itself is a charming little seaside town. Don’t forget your swimmers!
From £200 per night.
Like something out of a fairy-tale — complete with "Princess & The Pea"-style beds — this beautiful farmhouse in Wiltshire is the ultimate ‘weekend with friends’ abode. The 8-bed, 8-bath house, which sleeps 16, has perfectly manicured grounds complete with a stream and picnic benches in the garden. It even comes with the option of a private chef, so no one has to worry about being cooped up in the kitchen while everyone else is outside popping bottles.
From £400 per night.
Looking for something a little more modern? This loft apartment in Brighton is Pinterest-worthy, all lofty ceilings, wooden floors and original Victorian features. Sigh. It already sleeps 16 but if you’re struggling to whittle down your guest list, North Laine House can be additionally rented to sleep a further 15. Because remember, you only turn 30 once…
From £322 per night.
What better place to welcome in your 30th year on planet Earth than at a bell tent village with all of your closest friends? Embrace the outdoors with boozy picnics, wild walks and nights under the stars. Heavenly!
From £343 per night.
Because some birthdays only deserve the best, there’s Norbury Manor in Derbyshire, an impressive Grade I listed house, that’s the perfect place for a big ol’ get-together. It accommodates 10 and there’s plenty of room to spread out. In summer, make the most of its gardens and local walking paths; in winter, cosy up in the snug complete with wood burner.
Prices start from £1,007 for a three-night stay.
Seeking something really grand? You got it. This 18th-century Carding Mill in Keswich in Cumbria’s Northern Lakes has spacious rooms, contemporary homely furnishings and rambling gardens that give direct access to the Skiddaw Range, so you can get out and explore the countryside. Plenty of pubs to explore in Keswick too, of course.
Prices start from £637 for a two-night stay.
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