Spotlight on... OXFORD AND AROUND

Where to wed in this iconic city and its surroundings

Vanbrugh House Hotel Launches Two New Wedding Packages

Vanbrugh House Hotel in Oxford has launched two bespoke luxury packages to make getting married even more special. The boutique property nestled in Oxford’s bustling centre that’s home to 22 stylish bedrooms now offers the Bride & Bridal Party Package and The Wedding Night Package – perfect for those getting married in one of Oxford’s many quirky city-centre locations.

Whether it’s a bride and her party wanting to get ready, a romantic spot for the first night of married life, or a base before saying I do, the two deluxe suites with secluded gardens and a private entrance offer a separate, pampered space to kick-start married life in – complete with four-poster beds, lavish Mr and Mrs bathtubs, luxury touches like slippers and The White Company toiletries and a digital concierge for guests to make use of during their stay.

The Bride & Bridal Party Package is the essential ‘pre-party’ package, perfect for brides or groups looking for a space to get ready for the big event. The bride – and friends - can stay for the last night of singledom in lavish surroundings, before waking up to a champagne breakfast hamper in the room. The suite has a separate entrance with a VIP private area to welcome everyone, with a red carpet and champagne waiting on arrival. The spacious suite offers a great area for the bridal party to put the finishing touches to their big-day look, with large bathrooms with separate showers and baths, as well as plenty of sink space and mirrors, too.

The Wedding Night Package offers newlyweds a one-night stay in a private deluxe suite to retire to after their big day, packed with romantic touches to make the first night extra special. Decorated with rose petals on the bed, drinks on arrival and a peaceful pamper kit filled with bath bombs, bath salts and eye masks, this is a special way to start married life. A delicious breakfast hamper filled with locally sourced produce, fresh juices and pastries delivered to the door the next morning provides the final finishing touch to waking up as a married couple.

Vanbrugh House offers a bespoke service and the team is happy to discuss any personal touches that guests would like to include in the package, whether it’s a selection of cocktails in the room, pampering products, or decorations.

Packages include everything from champagne on arrival paired with its very own VIP private area and red-carpet entrance to the suite and are priced on request.

For more information or to enquire, visit the website www.vanbrughhousehotel.co.uk/special-offers

This privately owned house is built in an early Georgian style and surrounded by a private parkland with spectacular views across the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The gardens boast a mix of parkland with mature trees and an area with contemporary sculptures. There are also stunning water features as well as manicured flower borders and during spring, the grounds are filled with wildflowers.

The Entrance Hall where receptions take place and The Ceremony Room have both been beautifully decorated and restored to the highest level. The oval-shaped Ceremony Room boasts tall ornate ceilings and can accommodate up to a maximum of 60 guests while the panelled Entrance Hall has windows facing the beautiful Chiltern hills and the obelisk that sits in front of the house.

Ceremony licence? Yes

Contact: 07885 932 691, www.britwellhouse.co.uk

•We love...that the team can offer a champagne reception with canapés after the ceremony.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Oxford Belfry, part of The Q Hotels Collection is the perfect place to hold a wedding. Surrounded by the gorgeous Oxfordshire countryside, the charming courtyard and pagoda provide the perfect backdrop for an outdoor ceremony and some truly spectacular photographs. Inside, there’s a choice of rooms to cater for celebrations of different sizes including the Trinity Suite with its private bar.

Located just a stone’s throw from Oxford and with lush green landscapes all around, the hotel invites guests to step back in time and indulge in the simple pleasures of the Great Outdoors. The DoubleTree by Hilton Oxford Belfry lies on the tranquil cusp of the sprawling Cotswolds, with iconic sites like Blenheim Palace and winding countryside treks right on the doorstep. With 154 comfortable bedrooms, including several family rooms, there’s ample space for wedding guests.

The hotel’s dedicated events team will help couples plan everything that their perfect wedding needs, from seating arrangements and entertainment to food and drink.

In need of some pampering before the big day? The DoubleTree by Hilton Oxford Belfry has an incredible spa on-site which offers a selection of treatments to help couples relax before walking down the aisle. Why not gather loved ones for a group pampering session and a glass of prosecco?

From romantic and intimate to large and contemporary, there’s a choice of rooms to choose from whatever the occasion.

The college Suite

This classical room is perfect for a wedding, large dinner or other celebration. The College Suite has large windows, flooding the room with natural light and overlooking the gardens. Licensed to hold civil ceremonies for up to 300 guests, the dedicated lounge and courtyard area also allows for up to 500 guests for a sparkling evening reception.

The Trinity Suite

The Trinity Suite has wall-to-wall French doors overlooking the landscaped courtyard, ideal for a champagne reception. With space for 180 guests for a dinner or up to 400 for a reception, everyone is guaranteed a great event – plus the private bar means everything you need is in one space

Highlights: Licensed to hold wedding ceremonies

• Stunning cour tyard and pagoda

• A choice of rooms for hosting celebrations

• Dedicated events staff, including a wedding planner Hotel spa offers a range of deluxe treatments

• 154 rooms for accommodating the couple and their guests

• Self-catered weddings available

To find out more visit, www.theoxfordbelfry.co.uk

- www.britwellhouse.co.uk -

Britwell House is a privately owned house and built in an early Georgian style situated in a romantic setting with an exceptional view towards the Chilterns.

The house is only open to the public for special occasions such as CIVIL CEREMONIES and WEDDING RECEPTIONS.

We are able to receive parties up to 60 people.

For more information call: 07885 932691 / 01491 613354 or email: contact@britwellhouse.co.uk

Hawkwell House Hotel has appointed a new wedding planner to help put the venue on the map as the ultimate destination to host bespoke wedding ceremonies and celebrations in Oxfordshire. Lauren Hill has been appointed to boost the hotel’s event planning services and create bespoke wedding packages for couples.

In 2021 Hawkwell House joined the Mercure hotel group and underwent a £3.5 million refurbishment and rebrand to transform the venue into a boutique hotel equipped with all amenities for guest comfort and 77 bedrooms.

The hotel now sits within three acres of landscaped gardens and features a stylish restaurant, lounge bar and elegant heated terrace. The interior design incorporates an Oxford theme throughout with hints of vintage Oxford fashion like Oxford brogues and Oxford shirts.

With three versatile event spaces, the hotel can cater to wedding celebrations of all kinds. Lauren tells us: “The Thames Suite, which is the lergest of our event spaces, is perfect for parties looking for a traditional wedding experience. Meanwhile, the Cherwell Suite is ideal for smaller, more intimate celebrations. As one of the only venues in Oxford with the capacity to host outdoor ceremonies, we can offer a truly unique wedding experience. Our peaceful gardens make a stunning backdrop for large or small weddings or the perfect spot to enjoy drinks before the wedding breakfast.”

Lauren adds: “Our wedding and event spaces are self-contained with their own bar, terrace and bathrooms so couples can enjoy their special day away from the day-to-day activity of the hotel. Next to the main hotel is Elm House, a self-contained 15-bed house which is perfect for wedding parties who want to experience an intimate, private stay within the hotel grounds. For couples that desire it, we can even offer exclusive use of the entire hotel.”

To encourage couples to host their wedding at Hawkwell House, Lauren has created a special, discounted wedding package for Fridays and Sundays. The all-inclusive package caters to up to 100 guests and includes ceremony and reception room hire, a threecourse wedding breakfast, access to the bridal suite and a DJ for the reception for just £5,950.

General manager Nick Jefford added: “We wanted to take our wedding and event planning services to the next level so we knew we needed a dedicated wedding planner to help us achieve this.”

He adds, “Lauren’s combined years of experience and brilliant contacts in the industry made her a standout candidate for the job and will help us elevate the guest experience.”

For more information on weddings and events at Hawkwell House Hotel, visit https://mercureoxfordhawkwellhouse.com

This hidden gem situated at the foot of the Chiltern Hills in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty offers elegantly styled suites, great food, high-quality service and beautiful surroundings.

There’s a wedding package to suit every type of celebration. The talented team recognise that every wedding is different and are flexible and happy to discuss specific requirements to ensure that the hotel and grounds provide imagination and flair.

The various wedding packages include the Head Over Hills Package for mid-week weddings taking place from Sunday to Thursday. A 10% discount applies and this is aimed at a minimum of 50 guests. It includes, but is not limited to a red carpet on arrival; a seasonal wedding breakfast menu; drinks on arrival (bucks fizz or orange juice); white table linen and napkins; room hire for the wedding breakfast and evening reception; a glass of house wine per person during the wedding breakfast; sparkling wine to toast; a menu tasting for the couple and a hot and cold buffet for 80 evening guests (four items). There’s also a complimentary overnight stay for the couple including breakfast with preferential accommodation rates for wedding guests.

The Twilight Package is based on 100 guests and includes room hire from 7 pm; a cake stand and knife; a reception drink (Pimm’s or bucks fizz); a six-item finger buffet; a DJ and disco plus white table linen. There’s also the Sweetheart Package, and the Lovebird Package which includes a hog roast for a minimum of 50 guests.

The wedding breakfast menus (which differ depending on which package is booked) include oak-smoked salmon to start, cornfed chicken as the main course and a trio of chocolate desserts. For the evening catering, couples can choose from a pizza bar.

All of the 49 bedrooms at the hotel provide comfort for guests with specially discounted accommodation rates available. These preferential rates can also be extended before, and after the wedding day.

For more information, visit www.lambertarms.co.uk

The Randolph Hotel By Graduate Hotels Has Partnered With Made For Life Organics

Inspired by Oxford’s storied innovators and university alumni, this 151-room hotel sits in the city’s cultural epicentre. Within walking distance from the world-famous Old Bodleian Library and Ashmolean Museum, The Randolph’s recent renovation has seen the redesign of the common spaces, the lobby and guest rooms, as well as the introduction of a new spa. Bold hues, architectural elements and locally inspired art bring to life the narratives of Oxford’s past, with in-room paintings of Oxford alumni and well-known author and playwright, Oscar Wilde. The hotel has historically hosted members of the royal family.

The Randolph Hotel is redefining wellness by partnering with Made For Life Organics to offer an incredible selection of holistic and therapeutic wellness services. Inside the Wellness Centre, guests can relax in the steam, sauna and sensation shower or get pampered in one of the four private treatment rooms.

Other highlights include:

• Led by executive chef Chris Emery, The Alice is the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant and bar, serving classic British dishes. Additional spaces include The Snug, The Morse Bar (a local favourite), The Drawing Room and The Lancaster Room, where the signature afternoon tea is served.

• The illus trator John Broadley created the artwork featured throughout the hotel, taking inspiration from the celebrated British cartoonist Osbert Lancaster, a former resident of the hotel who paid for his keep-in paintings. The illustrations unite Emery’s menu, the city of Oxford and ideas from the story Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

• Local attractions include gin and whisky tasting at Oxford Gin Distillery, an interactive class led at the hotel by the Oxford Soap Company, and a floral workshop by The Garden of Oxford.

To find out more and to book, visit the website www.graduatehotels.com/oxford-uk

CHERWELL BOATHOUSE, OXFORD

Couples searching for a quintessentially English venue will enjoy all that this family-run restaurant, Oxford’s largest punting station and riverside marquee, has to offer. It’s perched on the banks of the idyllic River Cherwell, close to the centre of Oxford, allowing newlyweds to arrive at their reception in a chauffeured punt.

The Lower Boathouse at ground level with the river provides an industrial chic-inspired space for a reception and also offers an outdoor terrace. Alternatively, the Conservatory can host up to 45 guests for dinner.

The marquee can seat up to 125 guests and the front sides and doors can open to reveal the river views and meadow located on the other side of the river bank. The marquee features white lining, statement chandeliers and romantic, atmospheric lighting.

Ceremony licence? No, but blessings can be enjoyed Contact: 01865 552 746, http://cherwellboathouse.co.uk

We love... that couples and their guests can enjoy some punting on the river in hand-crafted punts.