COUNTRY HOUSES & CASTLES

Live out your very own fairytale in one of Devon’s elegant country houses or majestic castles

Pynes House

Believed to be the inspiration for Jane Austen’s Barton Park in ‘Sense and Sensibility’, this elegant Georgian house provides the most breathtaking location for your very own love story. Set within 37 acres of parkland in the Exe Valley, the glorious gardens hint at the immaculate interiors, where you can marry in a choice of state rooms, all bathed in natural light and exquisitely styled. For dizzying romance, take your vows before the grand doors on the entrance steps with the majestic tree-lined avenue and gardens as your backdrop, before feasting and dancing the night away beneath the sparkling chandeliers of the Ballroom or, for larger affairs, in a marquee in the grounds. Romantic details such as the Romeo and Juliet-style balcony and the myrtle bush in the rose garden, which is believed to have grown from a clipping from Queen Victoria’s bridal bouquet, add to the dreaminess, while the beautiful bedrooms make for an incredibly special place to spend the night. pyneshouse.co.uk

Total capacity: 96 for dining in the house, 130 for ceremony in the house (with dining in a marquee)

Civil ceremonies licence: Yes

Guest accommodation: 12 double rooms, plus 4 rollaway beds

Dog-friendly: No (couple’s dog for ceremony only)

Bickleigh Castle

This is the place for a wedding rich in history. Beyond the stirring charm of the 11th century Norman castle, with its Great Hall complete with minstrels’ gallery and roaring log fire, there’s the 6th century chapel, Devon’s oldest building, and a truly enchanting setting for a blessing. The grounds are equally fairytale-worthy – the River Exe runs through the estate’s 1,000 acres of lush landscape and wooded valleys, while a cluster of cosy thatched cottage accommodation creates the feel of a wedding village. Kick-start the festivities with a Friday night feast; get married in the garden pavilion before dancing under the stars in the expansive grounds, with fireworks shimmering on the river. The next day, it’s all too easy to continue the festivities with a tasty brunch and fun on the croquet lawn and tennis court.

bickleighcastle.com

Total capacity: 120

Civil ceremonies licence: Yes

Guest accommodation: for 40 in 18 bedrooms

Dog-friendly: On request

Rockbeare Manor

A ceremony on a pretty outdoor terrace flanked by flower-filled parkland ticks the box for sheer off-the-scale romance – but that’s only part of the dreamy appeal of Rockbeare Manor. Nestled in the countryside near Exeter, the Grade I listed Regency house is light, elegant and stylish yet relaxed, its full-length windows framing 100 acres of glorious parkland dotted with mature trees. Available on an exclusive-use basis, indoor ceremonies take place beneath the twinkling chandelier of the Dining Room, while the light-filled Ballroom hosts sumptuous feasts and revelry for up to 160 guests. There’s also a beautiful balconied Bridal Drawing Room for the preparations, a Billiard Room and 13 plush bedrooms with sink-into-me bathtubs and far-reaching views across Dartmoor. rockbearemanor.co.uk

Total capacity: 160

Civil ceremonies licence: Yes

Guest accommodation: for 30, plus 5 rollaway beds for children

Dog-friendly: On request (couple’s dog is allowed for ceremony/reception but not overnight)

Powderham Castle

Rich in romance and steeped in history, this iconic 14th century castle sits at the heart of 200 acres of ancient parkland on the edge of the Exe estuary. The grounds offer dreamlike backdrops for ceremonies – choose from the American Garden where a garden pavilion is set amidst a glade of exotic trees; the Belvedere, an 18th century tower with panoramic views across the estate and estuary; and the Victorian Rose Garden, where you can marry amidst a castle backdrop and the scent of roses. Inside, there’s the magnificent oak panelled Dining Room, the Libraries and the captivating Music Room, with its stunning dome and estuary views. Bring your dazzling day to a close by retiring to a sumptuous suite for a royally romantic wedding night.

powderham.co.uk

Total capacity: 140

Civil ceremonies licence: Yes

Guest accommodation: for 16

Dog-friendly: Yes

Venue

Hareston Manor

Hareston Manor exudes timeless romance, from the tree-lined drive and sweeping rural panoramas to the 14th century Jacobean house nestling amongst wooded hills and wildflowers in the South Hams. Combining a sense of seclusion with a relaxed, back-to-nature feel, the venue is an eco haven with sustainability at the core of its ethos. Offering 12 weddings per year, the venue’s exclusive bespoke weddings will ensure every detail is perfect, whether you choose an elopement or celebration for 150 guests. Choose from the romance of a ceremony in the picturesque grounds, the candlelit St Martin’s chapel, which dates back to 1379, or the manor entrance, immersed in the beauty of the time-honoured walls and mullion windows, roses and wildflowers. Celebrate in a marquee or tipi before retiring to a luxurious yurt for a wedding night beneath the stars. What’s more, there’s an array of options –from gourmet barbecue evening food and fireworks to pre-wedding clay pigeon shooting – to ensure your wedding is as individual as it is beautiful. harestonwedding.co.uk

Total capacity: 150

Civil ceremonies licence: Yes

Guest accommodation: TBC, please enquire directly for up-to-date information

Dog-friendly: No

Moreton House

A Georgian stately home on the outskirts of the ancient port town of Bideford, new wedding venue Moreton House boasts a range of impressive yet homely spaces and luxurious on-site accommodation. Rich in the beauty of North Devon, the house sits amidst five acres of landscaped tree-lined gardens, while the breathtaking vistas of the north coast are less than two miles away.

Marry in one of the elegant, light-filled rooms or, for something more intimate, before the fireplace in the hall. Venture outdoors and take your vows in the portico framed by the grand entrance or the gazebo in the secret garden. Savour the festivities in the beautifully restored function rooms and enjoy the cosy and characterful accommodation for an extended wedding weekend.

The exclusive-use venue has joined forces with awardwinning restaurant The Royal George to offer a limited number of prime weekend wedding packages, with the catering and so much more taken care of for an unforgettable wedding in this endlessly romantic setting.

moretonhousedevon.com

Total capacity: 70 day, 100 evening

Civil ceremonies licence: Yes

Guest accommodation: for 30

Dog-friendly: Some dog-friendly options are available

Offering sweeping views across Devon’s rolling countryside, Upton Barn & Walled Garden combines stunning indoor celebration spaces with idyllic gardens.

Venue Upton Barn & Walled Garden uptonbarn.com

Photography

Kamila Nowak Photography kamilanowakphotography.com

Planning & styling

Rebecca Marie Weddings rebeccamarieweddings.co.uk

Flowers Floren Studio florenstudio.co.uk

Hire items Glas Events glasevents.com