France doesn’t have the monopoly on castles stays. This chateau in the cute Belgian village of Aywaille sits on the banks of the River Amblève. It enjoys a secluded spot, surrounded by nature and yet is just a short amble to the centre of Aywaille for cafés, restaurants and shops.

With green wooden shutters and a stone tower, it’s the epitome of a lowlands castle. Inside, it’s divided into seven separate apartments, each with its own living room, dining area and kitchen, so this place would suit a big group that enjoys a sense of personal privacy. Wood-beamed ceilings and flagstone floors in the living rooms create a sense of the old world and the entire building is dotted with old marble fireplaces and spiral staircases.

Group gatherings can take place outside where there are loungers and space to dine on the lawn. The gravel patio with its wood-fired barbecue is the perfect spot for group meals if the weather is fine. It’s decked out like a beer garden with parasol-covered tables and chairs.

Home truths:
*This home is made up of several self-contained apartments and therefore, apart from the outside space, there is no large communal space to gather
*Your host doesn’t allow group gatherings here – this includes stag and hen parties
*At capacity, twelve of the guests will be on double sofa beds in each living room
*All of the bedrooms contain single beds pushed together to make doubles
*There is plenty of space for parking here