SPOTLIGHT ON NORTH BUCKS & NORTH OXON

Once upon a time

Say I do in one of these magical venues

WHAT’S NEW?

HORWOOD HOUSE, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

Championing the very best of locally sourced British ingredients and embracing the hotel’s heritage is Harry’s Bar & Kitchen, the beautiful countryside restaurant based within Horwood House hotel.

With a new menu carefully curated by the hotel’s new executive chef William Dimartino, the restaurant embraces seasonality - a value important to the estate’s first commissioner, Frederick Denny, who employed a dedicated gardening team to ensure the grounds delivered produce all year round - alongside the horticultural heritage synonymous with the hotel’s 38 acres of beautiful gardens and woodlands.

Placing the spotlight on quality ingredients and working closely with local growers and producers, expect nibbles such as whipped smoked cod’s roe alongside starters of coal-roasted Ware beetroot with goat’s cheese mousse and maple walnuts, burratina with pomegranate and toasted almonds, and the chef’s favourite - Isle of Wight tomato with chopped avocado and whipped tofu. A delicious sharing board showcasing local charcuterie from Cobble Lane makes the perfect appetiser, served alongside pickles and celeriac remoulade.

The main courses focus on dishes cooked in a charcoal oven. Expect sirloin and ribeye steak aged for 30 days in a Himalayan salt chamber, expertly sourced from local business, Buckingham Butchers, alongside teriyaki Loch Duart salmon, lamb kofta with onion flatbread and pomegranate glazed grilled chicken. With sandwiches and wraps for light lunches, and delicious vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options such as BBQ harissa cauliflower or a superfood salad, guests will be spoilt for choice.

Desserts are no afterthought with several sweet delights to choose from. Highlights include a tropical rum roasted pineapple brioche with milk ice cream and a lemon and mint posset with raspberry sorbet.

Inspired by the estate’s horticultural heritage and picturesque grounds, the restaurant exhibits rich, textural finishes of velvet, leather and tweed contrasted beautifully alongside the suitably botanical surroundings with a stunning herbaceous arrangement hanging from the restaurant’s skylight – a nod to Percy Thrower, acclaimed TV gardener and son of the restaurant’s namesake, Harry. Choose to dine at the country kitchen table or slink into armchairs for an intimate lunch or a relaxed evening meal. Guests can even take a seat on the expansive outdoor terrace, which overlooks the beautiful British countryside.

The newly refurbished Wedding Ceremony Room inside this Grade 11 listed property seating up to 80 guests is brimming with grand features and provides a neutral ethereal-inspired space. High ceilings are decorated with magnificent detailing, there’s an impressive stone fireplace and a stunning bay window providing plenty of natural daylight. Subtly glistening wall coverings and soft botanical prints complete the romantic décor.

For a picturesque outdoor backdrop, a white wedding pavilion is situated in the historical gardens to be enjoyed throughout the summer months, with a capacity of 190 guests and couples can also choose to use the grounds for a drink reception and photography.

The neutral and spacious settings of the Eyre and Cook Suites can be decorated to any chosen theme, seating up to 190 guests for the wedding breakfast, with the option to add a dancefloor.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01296 722 100, www.horwoodhouse.co.uk

MISSENDEN ABBEY, GREAT MISSENDEN, BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

This exclusive-use, 12th-century period venue has been lovingly transformed with a contemporary feel. The main house boasts exquisite architectural details including unique stained-glass windows and a decorative staircase.

Outside, the beautifully maintained gardens set in 10 acres of picturesque grounds in the heart of the Chilterns are home to a summerhouse, a fish pond and a water feature plus a 500-year-old Cedar tree and the entire house and grounds are available exclusively for weddings.

Ceremonies take place in the Garden Room for up to 100 guests and larger parties of an additional 30 guests can enjoy the use of the Library creating further space. A drinks reception can be held on the picturesque grounds or, in the event of bad weather, in the Garden Room, Bar and Library. The wedding breakfast can be hosted in the adjoining dining rooms for up to 115 guests and a summer option is a seasonal marquee with a starlit canopy accommodating up to 150 people.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01494 866 811, https://missendenabbey.co.uk

 We love... that the bridal suite is complimentary on the night of the wedding.

NOTLEY TYTHE BARN, AYLESBURY

Perched in picturesque rural grounds in the Chiltern Hills sits this lovingly restored, historic 12th-century barn boasting a beam-rafted roof and a white-washed hall and gallery, the perfect backdrop for different big-day themes. The talented team at this family-run wedding venue can provide a complete hosting service, planning every detail for the ceremony, seating, music, and catering.

The beautiful barn can seat up to 140 guests while a permanent marquee can accommodate another 60 people. The doors of the barn open directly on to the manicured garden that has been redesigned by Steven Hendry, a Chelsea Gold Medal-winning landscape architect. There’s a cocktail and canapé lawn plus a recreational lawn where children can run and play safely. A larger marquee can be placed here to accommodate up to 250 guests in total.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01844 201 226, www.notleyfarm.co.uk

DE VERE WOKEFIELD ESTATE, READING, BERKSHIRE

This mansion house hotel, part of the De Vere portfolio of country estate hotels and event destinations, sits on 250 acres of parkland. A £20 million refurbishment saw the renovation of an additional 37 luxury bedrooms, the introduction of a golf driving range and the complete renovation of its modern event destination, Wokefield Place.

Offering 87 luxury guest rooms in the Mansion House, and a further 289 bedrooms in Wokefield Place and Wellington Lodge, each one showcases luxurious, distinctly British interiors blending a heritage colour palette of muted green, grey, taupe and cream with contemporary fixtures and fittings to create spaces that are restful and calming. Classic Roberts radios, quality toiletries and smart TVs are just some of the features that are provided.

The 90-seater 1560 Restaurant & Bar in the Mansion House serves a British-inspired menu, alongside a range of craft beers, wines and classic cocktails. The Whiskey Lounge is another drinking establishment and stylish restaurant The View, and Benedict’s Bar located in Wokefield Place, offer a range of delicious dishes. An outdoor pizza oven has also been introduced on the terrace, which serves artisan stone-baked pizzas on warmer days.

Ceremonies and receptions take place in the Terrace Suite with direct access to a private terrace overlooking the lake. There’s also the outdoor gazebo set against spectacular views licensed to hold ceremonies. Intimate celebrations and micro weddings can enjoy the Palmer Suite, Old Lounge and Mortimer Suite with feature ceilings and stunning chandeliers.

The Wokefield Suite accommodates 280 loved ones for civil ceremonies or wedding breakfast and is home to a private bar, bedrooms and leisure facilities.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01182 077 471, www.devere.co.uk/wokefield-estate

 We love... the mouth-watering choice of menus.

THE MILL HOUSE HOTEL & RESTAURANT, SWALLOWFIELD, BERKSHIRE

This privately-owned, family-run fine country hotel is home to beautifully landscaped gardens and views stretching across to the River Loddon. The Georgian house nestled in the grounds has enjoyed a careful restoration keeping the tall ceilings and spacious reception rooms and offering a home away-from home feel with all of the comfortable bedrooms providing en suite facilities.

Exclusive-use weddings can be enjoyed with ceremonies taking place in The Garden Room for up to 100 guests and the Cottage Suite for an intimate 50 loved ones. Both enjoy patio doors leading to the garden and stunning vistas. There’s also the option of getting married outside under the Cedar Pavilion.

The wedding breakfast can be enjoyed in the permanent marquee for up to 120 loved ones seated and up to 200 guests can be hosted at the reception. There’s air conditioning and heating available for weddings in all seasons and during the winter, log fireplaces and cosy corners inside the hotel provide a romantic ambience.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01189 883 124, www.themillhousehotel.co.uk