SPOTLIGHT ON

SEDGEMOOR & NORTH SOMERSET

Tie the knot in a local hotspot

www.instagram.com/joncraig_photos Dominika Photography

LEIGH COURT

01275 373 393 | www.leighcourt.co.uk

Shielded from the city bustle by Leigh Woods, Leigh Court was designed by architect Thomas Hopper in 1814 for Bristol’s first recorded millionaire. The estate has a rich history: having been a religious sanctuary, a family home, and a hospital, it’s also been conquered by, gifted to and used as a safe-haven by kings for a thousand years. In fact, you may well recognise the graceful Grade II listed mansion from its starring role in various productions including Bridgerton and Poldark.

All of the ground-floor rooms are licensed for ceremonies. While the fairytale staircase, skylights, and patterned floor in the Great Hall make it a popular choice (120 ceremony guests); the blush-coloured Morning Room with its floor-to-ceiling windows and crystal chandelier is favoured by couples looking for a more intimate space (65 ceremony, 56 wedding breakfast guests).

The Tapestry Room is one of the most beautiful rooms in Leigh Court, with enormous dual-aspect windows and elaborate gold and white ceiling decoration (65 ceremony, 56 wedding breakfast guests). On the other hand, the Library (109 guests) and Salon (65 ceremony, 56 wedding breakfast guests) are ideal if you’re looking for a space that opens directly on to the lawns.

When it comes to reception spaces, you’re spoilt for choice. Celebrations can be held in one or indeed, all of the ground floor rooms including all of the above plus the Outer Hall, bar and lounge.

Maximum capacities at the venue are 109 for a ceremony in the Great Hall, 250 for the wedding breakfast across all rooms and 400 for the evening reception, again across all rooms. This number can be extended further with the hire of a marquee or tipis amongst the ample grounds.

YARLINGTON BARN

01278 751 401 | www.yarlingtonbarn.co.uk

Yarlington Barn is located in a charming lakeside spot in the heart of rural Somerset. Set on a cider farm amongst apple orchards and lakes, this family-run wedding venue is hugely versatile allowing you to create your wedding, your way. With the lake, woodland backdrop and rose-clad gazebo all amongst the grounds, your photographer won’t be short of a picturesque backdrop for those all-important shots. Be it the frost of winter, the apple blossom of the spring, the smell of cut grass in the summer or the colours of autumn, Yarlington Barn offers a lovely setting the whole year through.

Inside the licensed barn, you’ll find exposed beams, wrought-iron chandeliers and a touch of countryside magic. Plus, the unusual barrel bar reflects its heritage as a cider farm. The ceremony room here can seat up to 80 of your nearest and dearest for the “I dos.”

The main function space, the Lakeview Room, can accommodate 80 guests for a formal sit-down wedding breakfast at round tables of eight or ten. It boasts a fully-stocked barn and can, needless to say, provide plenty of Somerset’s favourite tipple!

For the evening do, the venue can host up to 160 for a hog roast or buffet with disco and dancing.

www.bradwakefield.com

CLEVEDON HALL

01275 795 895 | www.clevedonhall.co.uk

Clevedon Hall is set in the heart of North Somerset, just 15 minutes from Bristol. A lavish mansion house, it boasts a variety of event spaces offering you the flexibility you need for your special day. The extensive grounds are packed with photo opportunities, from the lake and bridge, to the beautiful meadow, wilderness walk and Hebe’s fountain. If you’re lucky you might even encounter a deer or two. What’s more, the venue is only a couple of minutes away from Clevedon Pier and the sea, the perfect spot for some spectacular sunset photos.

There are several options for hosting every part of your day from vows to celebrations depending on the size of your guest list. The largest is the Orangery, which can accommodate 150 for both ceremony and reception. Complete with a light interior, thanks to its stunning windows, it overlooks the main building and gardens. It’s the ideal space for bringing the outside in. Venue capacity for the evening do is 250.

Similar in terms of capacity for a ceremony is the Great Hall, which can host 140. Alternatively, if al fresco vows are for you, the Gazebo too can host 150. It’s a beautiful setting overlooking the lake.

The Library boasts a wealth of original architectural details, which have been lovingly restored. Here, 100 nearest and dearest can join you for the vows, then later you can hold you wedding breakfast here for 124 guests based on a traditional top table with rounds, or 130 banquet style.

Finally, for more intimate “I dos” the Dame Rosa Burden is the place to be. There’s space for 70 loved ones for the ceremony and 50 for the wedding breakfast. Bay windows overlook the grounds and lake, and the impressive architecture certainly makes for a grand entrance.

www.crossjonesphotography.com

ALDWICK ESTATE

01934 864 404 | www.aldwickestate.co.uk

Aldwick Estate has been described as the perfect marriage between the historical and modern: all the charm of a rustic 17th-century farm happily united with the comforts and efficiency of the 21st century. The venue features two stone barns, the bygone dairy Old Barn and 2013 New Barn, linked by a main reception area, with the brick-walled Cellar Bar behind them.

The gardens and enveloping countryside all present a varied choice of wonderful photographic opportunities. From the plate-glass windows of the New Barn you can enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the gardens, patchwork of verdant fields and the River Yeo right across to the farm’s southern boundary. The vineyards too are a real highlight and produce the wine served at the wedding breakfast.

Both barns are licensed for civil ceremonies, so you’re offered the versatility you need when planning your big day. What’s more, since the venue is exclusive-use, the New Barn can be utilised just as you wish. A light, open-stone barn, you’re encouraged to decorate the neutral interior according to your individual style, wedding theme and palette. The barns can accommodate 160 loved ones to witness the all-important vows, the same number for the wedding breakfast and 220 for the evening do.

The two of you will be offered a complimentary stay in one of Aldwick’s on-site apartments for the wedding night, which are conveniently located just a few paces from the main entrance. The Forge consists of an openplan kitchen and sitting room, bedroom with king-size bed and bathroom with shower.