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Check out these stunning venues with glorious gardens
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ROWNHAMS HOUSE & GARDENS
02380 733 298/07973 742 245 | www.rownhamshouse.com
Rownhams House was built by Sir Isaac Newton’s nephew in 1762 for his new and beautiful bride Catherine Barton, a lady of some fame and fortune. The Georgian house and the Medieval Coach House are situated in 12 acres, home to manicured lawns, woodland areas, a picturesque lake and an ice house. The trees, flower borders, wild meadow and mature plants offer the perfect setting for a wealth of stunning photo opportunities. The large and flat top lawn is well placed for drinks receptions and games such as croquet. It can also be used as a seating area for outdoor wedding ceremonies under the clock tower arch. Weddings for up to 120 people can take place in the Grand Library with its attractive plasterwork walls and ceiling, in the dabbled shade of the woods or by the shimmering lake.
Wedding receptions can take place in the Grand Library with 108 people, in a hired marquee or in the Coach House for smaller weddings. The calming and comfortable Billiard Room and Morning Room offer the perfect spaces for indoor drinks receptions and photographic backdrops should the rain come tumbling down. These areas can also be used for smaller more intimate weddings for up to 60 people.
The Coach House, built in 1600 by the Knights of St John, comprises a number of large rooms that are perfect for evening receptions. The Harvest Room has seating and eating areas, while the Sofa Room is great for relaxing and the hall is where the food and cake is served. There’s also a dedicated room for live music, DJs, bands and a bar. What’s more, the staff want brides to be at their best on their speical day and offers a private Brides Room.
To help ensure the day runs without a hitch, the team offers pre-wedding planning meetings and allows the bridal party and approved caterers access to the house the day before weddings to set up, and the day after to collect and clear everything away.
LEWESTON SCHOOL
01963 211 011 | www.lewestonenterprises.co.uk/weddings
For al fresco ceremonies, the Belevedere at Leweston School is a dreamy setting that’s hard to beat. The magical 200-metre walkway is flanked by trees leading to the picture-perfect spot to say “I do”. Great for the views alone, the venue is the most romantic backdrop for fairytale weddings and that’s not all, there’s a host of other wonderful album-worthy features. A long drive leads up to the imposing historic manor house, set within 46 acres of parkland flanked by Italian gardens with commanding views of the Dorset countryside and beyond. The historic gardens boast statues, ponds and orchards that look breathtaking throughout the year.
There’s a variety of individual rooms, each with splashes of Art Deco-inspired details, offering a range of options for ceremonies and receptions.
As well the romantic Belevedere, couples can marry in the light and airy Lecture Room with views of the garden. Receptions for up to 80 guests are held in the manor house or in a bespoke marquee in the grounds for up to 250 loved ones.
We love… that couples can enjoy a complimentary food tasting session and overnight accommodation, depending on availability.
WINTERSHILL HALL
07849 231 190 | www.wintershill.net
Couples can celebrate their wedding without fear of being disturbed in the magnificent grounds of Wintershill Hall. There’s a choice of wonderful outdoor spaces for a marquee for up to 200 family and friends for wedding breakfasts and receptions, the only problem is which space to choose. The quintessentially English setting is ideal for couples wanting to make the most of the great outdoors on their big day. With the charming Victorian Hall in the background, manicured lawns, flowerbeds and views across the Hampshire countryside, it’s sure to impress guests. The classic English garden looks beautiful in all seasons and as well as having a great list of suppliers, couples are free to bring their own companies to create the vision they have in mind.
OAKLEY HALL HOTEL
01256 783 350 | www.oakleyhall-park.com
With 50 bedrooms, a 2 AA Rosette Restaurant and acres of beautiful grounds to explore, Oakley Hall Hotel is the perfect location for weddings set deep in the countryside.
Immaculately kept gardens and lawns can be found directly at the back of the hotel, creating the perfect backdrop for wedding photos on the Garden Terrace. Areas of woodlands surrounding the property and gardens including a wide variety of large, arching trees – perfect for more dramatic photoshoots.
As couples make their way up the property’s winding driveway, the stunning surroundings and hotel’s grand exterior will take their breath away.
Inside, the venue features an original Georgian interior, but with some modern touches throughout. With one of the largest event spaces in Hampshire, the Garden Pavilion, it’s easy to see why the hotel is so popular and loved.
The venue offers the perfect wedding packages for all sorts of couples and themes. The Woodland Pavilion can accommodate 160 people as well as the Garden Suite, which combines contemporary elegance with 18th-century grandeur. Patio doors that lead straight onto the Garden Terrace creates the perfect setting for confetti throwing pictures.
Located on the first floor, the Steventon Room has three large southfacing windows that provide plenty of natural lighting for ceremonies with 100 people.
For smaller weddings, The Winchester can host 80 loved ones and allows everyone to enjoy all of the benefits of the beautiful interior but in a more intimate setting.
With its beautiful Georgian fire place, ornate chandeliers, and mahogany bookshelves that house romantic novels written by literary greats including former guest Jane Austen, pairs couldn’t ask for a more enchanting setting to tie the knot than the library for 84 people. Or opt for the Garden Room, which is the perfect space that can be partitioned to create a smaller location – the Garden Room.
Wedding breakfasts at the venue take place in the Garden Pavilion with 350 people, a truly jaw dropping space with a state-of-the-art sound system and lighting and its very own bar, kitchen and terrace. Or pick the Garden Suite with 120 guests, the Library with 40, the Garden Room or the Winchester with 60.
Also check out...
CHEDINGTON WEDDINGS
For couples looking for something far from the madding crowd, check out this hidden gem. Tucked away in a secluded valley, weddings can take place at West Axnoller Farm, a sprawling estate in the heart of the countryside close to the unspoilt beaches of the Jurassic Coast.
Check out: www.chedington.co.uk/weddings/west-axnoller-farm THE ELVETHAM
This country house hotel is sure to impress from the moment couples arrive down the tree-lined driveway. Nestled in the middle of 35 acres of lovingly tended gardens and grounds, the impressive 19th-century red brick building boasts a central tower over the main entrance providing the perfect backdrop for standout photos.
Check out: www.elvethamhotel.co.uk
GORWELL FARM
Create dream weddings at this versatile venue. Set in a valley on Dorset’s south coast, it ticks all the boxes for truly bespoke celebrations. The light and airy 17th-century stone barn is big enough to seat up to 130 guests, and there’s space for dancing, a bar and all the facilities and freedom needed to enjoy weddings in peace.
Check out: www.gorwellfarm.co.uk AVINGTON PARK
Wend through the wrought iron gateway, down the long avenue of lime trees to discover this historic venue. Beautiful inside and out, with two conservatories flanking a pillared orangery, Avington Park dates back to the 10th-century and has a wonderfully grand feel to the interior. Pairs will be spoilt for choice for where to pose for stunning photos.
Check out: www.avingtonpark.co.uk
BESPOKE SEAMSTRESS
NEW SEWING STUDIO OPENING SOON 12 Lydgate Street, Poundbury, DT1 3SJ
TOASTMASTER
Over 45 years experience in the wedding industry being one of the UK’s top wedding toastmasters and also performs a beautiful wedding ceremony as a Professional Celebrant.
01264 335 405 | peter.yorktoastmaster@gmail.com WWW.PETERYORK-MC.CO.UK
The award-winning Spitfire Shoot is one of the only purpose-landscaped shoots in the South of England. Set in the beautiful Hampshire countryside we can accommodate all levels of gun from the first timer to the experienced shot looking for pre-season practice. With a wide choice of excellent pubs and restaurants on the doorstep we’ll tailor a day to your individual needs including team building or corporate entertainment, stag and hen parties or just a simple morning or afternoon in the fresh air with friends.
The ground offers a wide variety of English Sporting targets across 11 different stands. Our qualified instructors are here to ensure your safety and have you all hitting clays by the end of the day!
