The South-West of England is a place renowned for its stunning landscapes and natural scenery, and so is very popular amongst couples looking for a traditional, romantic setting for their wedding day. With a wide array of locations available – from renovated barns to manor halls to actual castles – choosing the perfect location can be a little tricky, particularly for people heralding from other parts of the country who have never visited the area before.
We at Zankyou have a soft spot for country houses – they encompass the grandeur of a castle, and have views that can rival them with ease, but often provide a far more intimate environment for your ceremony and reception. As such, we have compiled an exclusive list of the top four country houses in the South West available for hire for your big day – the ideal location for your classical wedding.
Berwick Lodge
Located on the outskirts of Bristol, Berwick Lodge is a magnificent country house set amongst 18 acres of enchanting gardens, with a stunning panoramic backdrop that extends across the Severn to Southern Wales. The actualisation of an intimate wedding, Berwick Lodge can hold between 10 and 100 guests, and has a beautiful collection of individually designed rooms which can be hired for your ceremony.
Berwick Lodge is also home to Hattusa Restaurant, an award-winning fine dining establishment with a delicious array of food and wines available for wedding parties. With a fusion of East and West evident in its decoration, this space is the perfect place for a small reception, illuminated by candlelight and with views overlooking the garden.
With 14 guest rooms, there will be no need for your attendees to look for accommodation elsewhere, meaning everyone can enjoy the day together. With luxurious finishing touches, and a wedding planner on site, Berwick Lodge is the ideal setting for your wedding in the countryside.
The Horn of Plenty
Heading further south, we find the Horn of Plenty, a luxury hotel and wedding venue situated in the vast rolling fields of the Devonshire countryside. Due to the relative seclusion of the manor house, a tranquil and exquisite environment is guaranteed, with comfort and relaxation a priority of the staff – one might say an essential feature of any wedding venue!
With luxury rooms and meticulously well-kept grounds, the Horn of Plenty has the capacity for between 90 and 120 guests, although they permit marquees for larger groups, and offer exclusive use of the entire hotel for any wedding parties. There is also an option to get married at the venue, instead of having to travel, with 4 licensed rooms for civil ceremonies; you can also have the event outside, with a view of the unsurpassable Tamar Valley.
With a reputation for excellent food, and situated mere minutes from Dartmoor National Park, the Horn of Plenty is an enchanting option for anyone couple looking for a secluded, peaceful venue where they can celebrate their love surrounded by nature.
Maunsel House
Picturesque, quaint, and unbelievably scenic, Maunsel House is found in Somerset – often described as the most beautiful county in the United Kingdom – and is greatly appealing for those seeking a touch of historic class and elegance. Maunsel House offers access to four unique spaces to hold your ceremony, with perhaps its most alluring being its Victorian Library, which has a large stone fireplace and stunning views over the lawn. Its ballroom can hold up to 162 guests, for those desiring a larger event.
Bursting with wildlife, Maunsel House provides exclusive usage of many of its rooms for weddings, many of which can hold up to 200 guests. The cuisine available is of luxurious quality, with a bespoke menu laden with Somerset-sourced organic produce – they also allow external caterers, for any couples determined to bring their own team.
With their very own chapel, and the opportunity to have either a small or extravagant wedding day, Maunsel Lodge is a highly-recommended option for couples without fixed plans, but who know they want both opulence and character.
Orchardleigh Estate
Located in the charming town of Frome, and a mere 10 miles from the stunning heritage city of Bath, Orchardleigh Estate is grandest of the country houses proferred in this article, a 19th-century Victorian structure. Looking as though it was directly lifted from a fairytale story, Orchardleigh Estate has two spaces for civil ceremonies and partnerships, the larger of which can hold 400 guests. And for any men out there looking to exert a little influence over the venue… it also has a golf course!
Orchardleigh Estate offers exclusive wedding transportation, and, more excitingly, luxury Honeymoon and Minimoon packages (though the latter are exclusive to couples marrying at the venue). These packages include the rental of a yacht moored in Cannes, or a little closer to home in the beautiful harbour in Weymouth.
The Executive Head Chef at the estate will collaborate with you to design your perfect wedding menu, and with enough space in their splendid accommodation for 145 of your guests, Orchardleigh Estate is an exceedingly romantic location for your dream wedding day.
We hope these four locations are a great help in deciding where to host your perfect wedding. For more inspiration, check out our venue page, with inspiration for all types of weddings.
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