GLORIOUS GARDENS

The green, green grass GLORIOUS GARDENS OF HOME

Our roundup of local venues with the most glorious gardens

ORCHARDLEIGH ESTATE

01373 472 550 | www.orchardleigh.net

Orchardleigh is a family-owned country estate boasting a 19th-century stately home, romantic island church, 18-hole golf course and plenty of luxurious accommodation.

PERFECTLY PRIVATE Set within 500 acres of private parkland and lakes, Orchardleigh House and its accompanying grounds will be exclusively yours for the duration of your wedding day. With expansive gardens and views across the estate and lake, the venue offers no shortage of stunning backdrops for those all-important photographs.

THE “I DOS” You have the choice of four locations for your vows. Inside there’s The Ballroom (up to 100 guests) and The Great Hall (up to 144 guests). Or outside there’s the option of the venue’s newest ceremony spot, The Belvedere (up to 144 guests) and The Pergola, which can host unlimited numbers.

Alternatively, St Mary’s island church at the heart of the estate, illuminated by candlelight, is an oh-so romantic place to say “I do.”

THE CELEBRATIONS The Terrace and gardens offer a space for reception drinks with sweeping views across the estate. Ideal for winter wedding receptions, The Great Hall and vestibule have open fires, and the former also offers a great alternative for post-ceremony drinks if it’s too chilly outside. The Ballroom meanwhile, with capacity to seat up to 165 loved ones for the wedding breakfast and 200 for the evening, boasts high ceilings and feature windows and is an elegant space to host your celebrations.

The venue offers a three-day wedding package, which includes accommodation the night before for up to 18 guests, hire for the entire wedding day including all ceremony spaces, catering and beverages, plus a romantic stay at the Boathouse the night after the wedding.

BERWICK LODGE

0117 958 1590 | www.berwicklodge.co.uk

Berwick Lodge is an imposing red-brick Victorian manor house, which offers you a first glimpse from the end of the tree- and lantern-lined driveway. The interior has everything you’d expect from a lodge, including open fires and wood panelling, but with an East-meets-West twist on the design.

BREATHTAKING VIEWS Set in 18 acres of beautiful gardens and woodland Berwick boasts views that reach across to Wales. The grounds feature a wealth of photogenic elements such as a walkway to Aphrodite’s Dome, ornate fountains, an orchard and a summer house. Keeping the gardens looking fabulous is an ongoing project, managed by head gardener, Robert Dunster, who previously tended the grounds at Highgrove. THE “I DOS” Summeria is an upstairs room lit by skylights in converted stable block, the Mews. An original stained-glass doorway leads you to this room in the eaves, which holds up to 50 nearest and dearest for your ceremony.

Mesopotamia, also in the Mews, hosts civil ceremonies for up to 90 loved ones. This ground floor room has large windows allowing you to take in the views, pillars to decorate and access to a patio area.

THE CELEBRATIONS The dining room, known as Hattusa, can host a wedding breakfast for 20 to 90 guests and up to 150 for the evening do. Its architectural style and crystal chandeliers create a welcoming and intimate atmosphere. Alternatively, elopement weddings for just the two of you are hosted in the pretty little summer house in the gardens.

The venue offers a complimentary menu and wine tasting evening to its couples and most packages include a suite for you on the wedding night.

ALDWICK ESTATE

01934 864 404 | www.aldwickestate.co.uk

Aldwick Estate has been described at the perfect marriage of historical and modern: the charm of a rustic 17th-century farm happily united with the comforts and efficiency of the 21st century. The venue features two adjacent stone barns linked by the main reception, behind which lies the brick-walled Cellar Bar.

GLORIOUS SURROUNDINGS The New Barn and its courtyard offer panoramic views, which flow through the gardens and skim Aldwick’s fields to the River Yeo at the farm’s southern boundary. From the valley rises a patchwork of distant farms and fields to the summit of the Mendip Hills. To the west, the sun sets over Homefield Vineyard, which is a standout amongst the grounds. What better way to commemorate your day than to be pictured amdist the vines that produced grapes for the award-winning wine served at your wedding breakfast?

THE “I DOS” Both the dairy Old Barn and the 2013 New Barn are licensed for civil marriage ceremonies and civil partnerships, with space for 160 of your nearest and dearest.

THE CELEBRATIONS Exclusive-use of the New Barn allows considerable scope to decorate as you wish. A light and open stone barn, it’s neutral colours lend themselves to any theme or palette. The space can accommodate 160 for the wedding breakfast and 220 for the evening do.

You’ll be offered a complimentary wedding-night stay in one of Aldwick’s on-site apartments, conveniently sited just two dozen paces from the main entrance.

www.flynnguardphotography.co.uk

BATCH COUNTRY HOUSE

01934 750 371 | www.batchcountryhouse.co.uk

A comfortable home with a traditional farmhouse feel, Batch Country House boasts cosy lounge areas and ample space. An exclusive-use venue is only hosts one wedding per day.

GORGEOUS GARDENS The venue’s beautiful, award-winning landscaped gardens overlook the Mendip Hills. You’ll find plenty of water features dotted around including ponds, waterfalls and fountains. Plus, the outdoor photo opportunities are endless.

THE “I DOS” Batch Country House is licensed for indoor and outdoor civil ceremonies. Outside, the garden gazebo is available and can seat up to 130 loved ones. Indoor ceremonies are held in the Somerset Suite with beams, minster fireplace and hand-crafted oak doors. It can seat up to 120 for the ceremony.

THE CELEBRATIONS Receptions are most often hosted in the Ivory Suite for a maximum of 250 guests. It’s a permanent building decorated in a marquee style with ivory drapes, chandeliers, starlit dancefloor and canopy. There’s also a full working bar, air conditioning and central heating so you’ll be comfortable whatever the weather.

The venue offers a complimentary overnight stay in the bridal suite on the night of the wedding.

HESTERCOMBE GARDENS

01823 413 923 | www.hestercombe.com/weddings

The historical buildings at Hestercombe have plenty of wow factor and offer unrivalled views across the glorious Edwardian gardens and beyond to the imposing Blackdown Hills.

LABOUR OF LOVE Hestercombe features no less than 50 acres of lovingly restored gardens, representing three centuries of work and featuring lakes, cascades, temples, rills, shade-dappled pathways, and romantic corners. The beautiful scenery is tended by a team of skilled gardeners all year round providing a very special setting indeed for any big day. by Sir Edwin Lutyens, and offers the ideal backdrop whatever your theme. Guests can spill out on the Orangery Lawn and enjoy a drinks reception post vows.

The Bampfylde Hall meanwhile, dates back to 1680 and with its high ceilings and dramatic timber beams it provides a memorable space for your vows. There’s space here for 150 nearest and dearest.

Alternatively, if you’d prefer to exchange vows in the open air, truly making the most of the gorgeous gardens, the Temple Arbour, dating from the 1750s and perched high above the Pear Pond, can seat up to 112.

THE CELEBRATIONS The Bampfylde Hall is home to wedding receptions and can seat 112 guests for wedding breakfasts and can accommodate 150 for the evening do. With a lovely fairylight canopy it offers a charming and romantic atmosphere as you dine and dance the night away.

Hestercombe House too can host intimate ceremonies and receptions in its period rooms.

www.larissajoice.co.uk