IT’S SNOWTIME

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Our roundup of the region’s cosiest venues

MAUNSEL HOUSE

01278 661 076 | www.maunselhouse.co.uk

Situated amongst 100 acres of stunning gardens, orchards and lakes you’ll find Maunsel House. As you reach the end of the chestnut treelined driveway you’ll discover the main entrance, draped in wisteria and climbing roses. The House has a lovely feeling of eccentricity along with an eclectic mix of interiors and memorabilia. It features 13 luxurious bedrooms, many of which have four poster beds. The King’s Room, often used as the wedding suite, is one of the largest and offers the biggest four poster bed as well as a free-standing copper bath. Outside in the gardens where resident peacocks roam, along with doves, geese, ducks and Shetland ponies, you’ll find the bandstand, pergola and Victorian kitchen and herb garden.

Ceremonies take place in the Regency Ballroom, which is ornately draped in gold curtains and features gilded mirrors. There is space for 102 seated – 180 with the extension. The dining room is also available and can seat 35. It’s beautifully decorated in an elegant sage green with a 16th-century Tuscan solid walnut table. St. Michael’s Church too is nearby and can seat 50. Alternatively, if you prefer to say “I do” al fresco, the pergola, which can seat 180, is just the spot. Situated at the back of the house it’s complete with a covered walkway, that leads into the walled garden.

For the celebrations, you’ll adjourn into the Regency Ballroom. It can accommodate 90 nearest and dearest for a seated wedding breakfast, or with the marquee extension, 180. You can also enjoy open-air dining in the pergola area for the same numbers. The bar area within the house is a wonderful focal point offering a traditional pub-like atmosphere full of antiques.

ORCHARDLEIGH ESTATE

01373 472 550 | www.orchardleigh.net

Nestled amidst 500 acres of stunning Somerset parkland is family-owned estate Orchardleigh. The estate boasts a beautiful 19th-century stately home, romantic island church, 18-hole golf course and plenty of luxurious accommodation. Exclusively yours on you big day, with expansive gardens and views across the estate and lake, Orchardleigh House provides unlimited stunning backdrops for the all-important photographs.

The House offers a selection of elegant indoor spaces and cosy log fires, making it ideal for winter weddings. The grand Ballroom provides a beautiful space for the wedding breakfast and because Orchardleigh is a private house, residents and guests can celebrate until dawn. The House can sleep up to 85 guests within 41 opulent bedrooms, with further accommodation available in the estate cottages if required. What’s more, the Grade II listed Palladium boathouse on the lake has been recently renovated and is available exclusively for the happy couple as a luxurious retreat the night after the wedding.

You have a choice of five wonderful spots to say “I do.” The Ballroom can host up to 100 loved ones, in The Great Hall there’s room for up to 144, The Belvedere is the new outdoor ceremony space and can also host 144, and The Pergola has space for unlimited numbers. The estate’s island church is an incredibly romantic place to exchange your vows. Lit purely by candlelight due to it’s location, St Mary’s can be found on an island at the heart of the estate.

Reception drinks can be hosted on The Terrace and in the breathtaking surroundings of the gardens. Alternatively, if it’s too chilly outside you can move inside to The Great Hall and vestibule, which boasts glorious open fires lit for the winter months. The Ballroom as a capacity of 165 guests for the reception. It has high ceilings and stunning feature windows making it an elegant space to host your wedding breakfast.

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QUANTOCK LAKES

07879 812 516 | www.quantocklakes.com

Quantock Lakes is an exclusive-use Somerset barn wedding venue offering accommodation for two nights from wedding eve. It boasts three barns for you to enjoy, all sharing breathtaking views across the lakes and the famous Quantock Hills and brought to life by the family owners. Plus, new for 2021 is the fabulous Farmhouse with incredible bridal prep space complete with hot tub, sauna and handcrafted bar.

The glorious grounds offer you the opportunity to stroll around the meadows and beautifully-kept gardens, and follow the path to the ancient oak tree with romantic rope swing. Watch the sunset across the lakes as you toast marshmallows around the firepit, or relax on the lake pontoon as you enjoy the outside feature lighting once the night draws in.

Ceremonies are most popularly held in the Rustic Barn with its original features and cosy low beams. There’s space here for 100 nearest and dearest. Alternatively, the Quantock Barn boasts tall ceilings, an inglenook fireplace and fabulous views. Suitable for larger gatherings, it can accommodate 250. For outside “I dos” the lake pontoon is licensed also with a capacity of 250.

The Meadow Barn is an elegant space for your wedding breakfast and speeches. With bifold doors, giant chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling drapes and panoramic views is can host 250. Quantock Barn is your party barn for the evening as well as the central hub for the day. It has standing capacity for 400.

THE GRANGE

07932 165 718 | www.thegrangesomerset.com

Set in its own parkland and gardens, The Grange is not only impressive but welcoming, feeling more like a home where receiving your guests will feel personal and just a little bit grand. The driveway sweeps towards the front of the house for the perfect start to any reception party. The House sleeps 22 in luxury double bedrooms with mainly en suite bathrooms.

The grounds of this magnificent Georgian rectory give a sense of peace, privacy and seclusion, while offering sweeping lawns and ordered flower borders. What’s more, the terrace and walled gardens offer plenty of beautiful areas for those special timeless photographs. There’s also a vegetable garden and greenhouse full to the brim with organic fruit and veg, available for any chef to use.

The Orangery seats 50 for the ceremony and many more for a drinks reception. It can also host the same number for a seated wedding breakfast and can open up onto the garden or a marquee for a less formal celebration with up to 150 guests. There are other reception rooms available too for more intimate gatherings, the dining room for example would seat 20 for dinner.

Once you’ve tied the knot, why not stay on for a mini-moon? The House is an ideal holiday location with pool, tennis court, sauna and horses, plus many local attractions are on the doorstep, with the heavenly local countryside to explore.

HAMSWELL HOUSE

07710 727 773 | www.hamswellhouse.co.uk

Hamswell House is a beautiful historical venue with the main facade a fine example of the English Renaissance. Whereas the garden-facing exterior on the other hand, with its stone arch and French window is early 18th century. Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the romantic gardens make for the ultimate backdrop and from the terrace, perfect for drinks, there are stunning rural views. You and your guests are free to explore the pergola with its wonderful old wisteria, the walled gardens and the terraced herb garden, which all make idyllic photography locations.

Exchange your vows in the romantic 18th-century orangery, which boasts high arched windows and a Costwold stone room. It can seat 40 inside and during the summer, more guests can watch and listen from outside on the lawn.

Receptions are held in an elegant marquee, which is custom-built and decorated to your requirements. This can seat up to 240 for a wedding breakfast.