READER, I MARRIED HIM

I married him READER,

From Jane Austen to R.D Blackmore, many authors have found inspiration for their love stories in the region. Check out our roundup of local venues that could’ve stepped straight out of the pages of a novel

NORTH CADBURY COURT

01963 441 238 | www.northcadburycourt.com

A luxury stately home set among 1,500 acres of Somerset countryside, North Cadbury Court offers you the freedom to create your own dream wedding. The house, estate and all facilities are exclusively yours for the big day, allowing you and your guests to relax and stay for the weekend in complete privacy. From the grounds you’ll be able to enjoy views of the private lake, down to Cadbury Hill Fort, thought to have been King Arthur’s Court of Camelot.

The main house offers 21 luxury bedrooms and 19 bathrooms, beautiful grounds and gardens, spa wing with heated indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and gym as well as a casino, fully-equipped disco cellar, snooker room, three tennis courts, croquet and three-hole golf course starting from the rooftop. As if all of that wasn’t enough, you’ll also benefit from access to the lovely Yacht Club by the lake, complete with double bedroom, and space for camping on the grounds. Plus, there are four B&B cottages in the converted Coach House, which can sleep a total of 32.

You can exchange your vows in the Ballroom (300 guests), North Hall (150 guests) or the adjacent St Michael’s Church (250 guests). Alternatively, for outdoor “I dos” you have a choice between the Lake Gazebo (150 guests) and the Garden Gazebo (300 guests).

When it comes to the celebrations The North Hall again is a great spot. With its wood-panelled walls and lovely alcove that’s perfect for a bar counter, it’s often used for drinks receptions and can host 100. There’s also the Sitting Room next door, complete with old refectory tables, which can also be used to set up a bar area.

The Morning Room and Library combined can hold 100 loved ones and allow you to easily spill out onto the lawns when the weather is fine. Whereas the log fires add a cosy atmosphere in the winter. Then, when your evening guests arrive you can all hit the dancefloor in the basement disco, where there’s unlimited late-night music.

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BAILBROOK HOUSE HOTEL

01225 855 100 | www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/bailbrookhouse

Set on a hillside, Bailbrook House Hotel overlooks the glorious landscapes of Bath and the Avon Valley. Reached via a private tree-lined drive the handsome manor house was built from stone in various shades of soft gold and boasts intricately carved pillars, decorative stone flowers and pretty bows above the entranceway. It benefits too from large sash windows, which give it a romantic feel, allowing in plenty of daylight.

Dating back to the 1790s, Bailbrook House retains every bit of the characterful glory of its bygone years with striking original features including delicate cornicing, crystal chandeliers and dramatic feature fireplaces. It also boasts a conservatory bar with outdoor terrace as well as 94 stylish bedrooms and suites featuring four-poster beds and roll-top baths.

There are five licensed ceremony rooms offering you the choice of intimate Georgian mansion-house splendour through to larger and more contemporary spaces. Say “I do” in the Princess Elizabeth Room: complete with Georgian features, it can host up to 20 nearest and dearest. The Duke of Clarence Room also complete with Georgian-style décor can accommodate 40. In the mansion house too is the Queen Charlotte Room – slightly larger, it has a capacity of 65. When it comes to more modern spaces, there’s Lansdown, which can host up to 90 guests; and the Brunel Suite, with ample room for 130.

You’re also spoilt for choice when it comes to the drinks reception, which can be hosted in the Conservatory, Front Terrace, Royal Lounges or Cloisters. Then, you’ll be able to move into your wedding breakfast, which can be enjoyed in the Duke of Clarence Georgian dining room (40 guests), Queen Charlotte Room (60 guests), two AA rosette fine-dining restaurant Cloisters (65 guests), Lansdown Restaurant (90 guests) or Brunel Suite complete with self-contained bar (130 guests).

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CROWCOMBE COURT

01984 618 752 | www.crowcombecourt.co.uk

Set in the Quantock Hills, Crowcombe Court is a Grade I listed squire’s mansion. Built in the 1730s in the English Baroque style from beautiful amber-coloured bricks with Bath stone for the pilasters and frontispiece it cuts quite the dramatic, yet romantic, figure. Meanwhile, the interiors are sumptuous and elegant, with 11 superb rooms with king-size beds, Edwardian furniture and en-suites.

The beautiful grounds of Crowcombe Court offer many a stunning backdrop for those all-important photos. There’s the lake, the delightful hydrangea beds, the Croquet Lawn and lawned circle in front of the house. Guests are more than welcome to explore these beautiful grounds throughout the day.

The Great Hall is a beautiful space for a ceremony and can seat 100 loved ones. The intricate, original Italian plasterwork provides a grand and luxurious backdrop for such an important occasion. The Carew Room on the other hand is ideal for more intimate “I dos.” What’s more, there’s a new gazebo overlooked by the Quantock Hills, offering you a spectacular spot for al fresco vows.

Celebrate in style in the Victorian Ballroom with its high ceilings and stunning chandeliers. It can seat 100 guests for a formal wedding breakfast. Afterwards, party the night away with 150 of your friends and family in the nightclub-style Undercroft. It has a music license until 12pm as well as its own fully-stocked bar.

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HESTERCOMBE GARDENS

01823 413 923 | www.hestercombe.com/weddings

The historical buildings here certainly have plenty of wow-factor, offering stunning views across the venue’s Edwardian gardens, and beyond to the imposing Blackdown Hills. With fifty acres and three centuries worth of lovingly restored gardens for you and your guests to enjoy, the scenery at Hestercombe can never be called into question! Why not escape for a few minutes of quiet time together and discover lakes, cascades, temples, rills, shade-dappled pathways and romantic corners.

There are several venues nestled amongst the gardens, and we start with The Orangery. A light-filled setting for your ceremony, this beautiful space is made from Ham stone and was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. After the “I dos” guests can spill out onto the lawn and enjoy some drinks and mingling. It can host 90 for this part of the day.

For a wedding venue with a difference, there’s the classically-inspired 18th-century Temple Arbour. Perched high above the Pear Pond, it offers breathtaking views across the garden and beyond into Taunton Vale and can host 112 for al fresco vows.

Bampfylde Hall dates back to 1680 and boasts high ceilings and dramatic timber beams, it can host 150 for the vows and up to 112 for your first meal together as newlyweds. Hestercombe House too can host both the ceremony and reception amongst its period rooms and is ideal for more intimate occasions.

www.jamesandkerriephotography.co.uk

HOLBROOK MANOR

01963 824 466 | www.holbrookmanor.com

Combining romance, English country style and a little bit of magic, Holbrook Manor is set in the heart of the old Wessex countryside on the borders of Somerset, Dorset and Wiltshire. Steeped in Georgian elegance, it also boasts modern facilities offering the perfect blend of the old and new.

From the dressing room, which is available from 9am on wedding morn, you’ll take the grand staircase down to one of the beautiful ceremony spaces. The Garden Room is a neutrally decorated space with large sash windows looking out over the gardens and grounds. What’s more, with the high ceilings, chandeliers, direct access to the terrace, pillars and light-enticing window, this room offers the utmost elegance. It can host 150 of your nearest and dearest for both the ceremony and wedding breakfast, with 250 in total for the evening bash.

The Morning Room is ideal for more intimate ceremonies and can host 60 loved ones and is also available to adjourn to for a drink and canapés reception if you’ve chosen to wed in one of the other spots. Alternatively, say “I do” in the open air on The Terrace, suitable for 150 guests.

Holbrook Manor includes a complimentary menu tasting for two in all of its packages and also offers up to five garden rooms for the prewedding night, which are located just a short walk across the grounds.

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THE ROYAL CRESCENT HOTEL AND SPA

01225 823 333 | www.royalcrescent.co.uk

The Royal Crescent Hotel and Spa offers an iconic one-of-a-kind destination for a wedding ceremony and reception. Its location in the centre of the historic Royal Crescent in beautiful Bath ensures plenty of photo opportunities, and its acre of hidden gardens bring all the romance and green space of a countryside wedding. In the summer, lavender lines the flagstoned pathways and roses scent the air. The hotel is known for it’s five-star service, and with a variety of interior and exterior event spaces to choose from you have the opportunity to make your day your own.

All of spaces here are available for both ceremonies and celebrations. The largest is The Dower House Restaurant, with capacity of 100. It’s an elegant space that opens out onto the gardens. The Walled Wedding Garden with licensed pergola is your very own special space. It’s ideal for a romantic outside ceremony or reception and features a standalone Garden Villa, which sleeps eight people, perfect for getting ready in the morning and staying over at the end of the day.

The most intimate of spots is the peaceful Library, which can host 20. There’s also the Sir Percy Blakeney Suite for 30 guests. Overlooking the Crescent lawns, its neutral pale pink décor will suit any wedding palette and it features an adjoining living area and bedroom.

OLD BRIDGE

01460 240 855 | www.old-bridge.co.uk

This 16th-century manor and mature gardens provide a picture-perfect backdrop for your entire special day. Built in local honey-coloured ham stone, the house is close to the venue’s on-site marquee and is integral to the overall ambience.

The magnificent marquee itself, comes fully-lined, heated and carpeted, complete with new dancefloor, bar, stage and furniture, ready for you to decorate according to your theme. You’ll have access at least the day before as the team never book back-to-back events. Receptions can be hosted here from May to September, with space for 200 seated and 250 for the evening.

Ceremonies take place throughout the year in the Great Hall, which seats 75. If the weather is kind, the front porch too is licensed so any number of guests could be outside to witness vows taking place here.

The gardens are dominated by a massive 400-year-old sweet chestnut, from which there hangs a triple-seat swing, wonderful for photos. The wooded area is uplighted at night and a small stream flows past the weeping willows, there are also formal lawns, rose beds and colourful borders. These gorgeous grounds are available for you and your guests to enjoy. Previous couples have well and truly made the most of them setting up garden games, bouncy castles, street food, ice cream vans, a picture story through the trees and jam jars with tea lights.

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