‘TIS THE SEASON

‘Tis the season Rekindle this Christmas in a magical snow-capped venue

WYNDHAM TRENYTHON MANOR, CASTLEDORE, CORNWALL

Couples looking for a traditional and remote wedding venue need look no further than this striking manor house with roots dating back to 1872. It’s situated within a 24-acre estate boasting pretty gardens, ancient woodland and a sweeping view of St Austell Bay.

Wyndham Trenython Manor is home to a small converted chapel with stained-glass windows and an unbeatable view of the sea where ceremonies take place.

The elegant Du Maurier Suite can host up to 80 guests for the reception. Home to large wrap-around windows, the sun-filled space is the perfect spot to eat, drink and dance.

The premium wedding package includes a glass of champagne for guests on arrival, a delicious three-course meal with dishes including fresh seabass or roast beef served with seasonal vegetables, as well as an evening buffet and a selection of wines.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01726 814 797, www.wyndhamtrenythonmanor.com We love... the spa rooms by Templespa that are designed as a retreat, ideal for pre-wedding pampering.

TAWSTOCK COURT, BARNSTAPLE, DEVON

Tawstock Court is a fine Georgian country house boasting a castle-like appearance. It sits proudly on a hill with 32 acres of grounds and ancient woodland looking across the North Devon countryside.

The fountain at the front and the 16th-century Elizabethan Gatehouse with its original wood doors both offer a great setting for a ceremony and big-day photographs. Another al fresco ceremony option is outside the front of the house on the grounds with a backdrop of views stretching across the valley to Codden Hill.

The Courtyard has recently been transformed into a stunning space with ambience lighting, plenty of tables and seating underneath a canopy of fairylights, a decked area and swinging chairs.

Indoor ceremonies take place in The Panelled Hall for up to 90 guests with its two carved wooden pillars and working fireplace. The large front doors open out on to the balustrade with the fountain in the background. Alternatively, St. Peter’s Church is a two-minute walk down the bottom of the garden.

Two period-style comfortable lounges form a Gatsby-inspired cocktail and gin bar. The Main Bar is modern, yet vintage in style with a flagstone floor and The Old Refectory, which has been transformed into an elegant function room to host larger receptions has a beautiful parquet floor and reclaimed wood feature wall. In the evening, it sets the stage for a band or a disco with up to 180 guests.

For intimate, smaller wedding receptions, the Grey room holds up to 48 guests and is a lovely space located at the front of the house with period features and stunning views.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01271 446333, www.tawstockcourt.co.uk

POLURRIAN ON THE LIZARD, CORNWALL

This pristine white clifftop location was awarded Silver in the Wedding Venue of the Year category in the Cornwall Tourism Awards 2021/22 and it’s not hard to see why! Not only does the venue, perched on the unspoilt Lizard Peninsula benefit from the best sunsets in the region, but it also offers a variety of wedding packages to suit all budgets, and bespoke menus easily catering for all dietary requirements.

With reception rooms boasting unbeatable views across Mounts Bay and the Atlantic Ocean, a choice of function rooms includes the Marconi Room designed for ceremonies of up to 60 guests (or elopement nuptials) and the Cove View Suite, complete with its own bar, which can host up to 90 people for the ceremony and 100 for the wedding breakfast. The restaurant boasting a Gozney wood-fired oven also provides a romantic ceremony backdrop and top-quality catering is promised for all packages, with highlights on the menu including Thai fishcakes, gin-cured salmon and hake loin.

The property is home to 41 individually styled bedrooms perfect for wedding guests, making this an idyllic coastal spot for both low-key, intimate weddings and larger parties. The venue can also be hired on an exclusive basis, providing use of the entire hotel and 12 acres of cliff-top gardens.

Originally built in 1890, the property was a fashionable railway hotel appealing to distinguished guests. Destroyed by a fire in 1909 and rebuilt, the hotel has hosted glamorous guests from Hollywood’s heyday to Strictly Come Dancing stars. Every bit as welcoming now as it was then, the modern-day Polurrian on the Lizard enjoyed an exciting refurbishment in 2019 and remains a fashionable escape with a health club and spa, seasonal outdoor pool and restaurant serving up Mediterranean-inspired dishes.

Weddings and events manager Megan Walsingham achieved the further accolade of Bronze in the Unsung Hero category in the awards so couples are in good hands as her expert skills promise to remove the stress from the planning process. Megan tells us, “I help from the enquiry stage through to the big day. It’s important to me to have a great relationship with all of my couples and I have worked hard to build great relationships with local suppliers.”

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01326 240 421, www.polurrianhotel.com

We love... that as part of the Exclusive-Use Package, all guests staying over will receive breakfast and the happy couple will be invited to a food tasting and a one-night stay in a sea-view room before their wedding. There’s also an Elopement Package available for couples only.

UPTON BARN &WALLED GARDEN, CULLOMPTON, DEVON

This award-winning, exclusive-use wedding venue offers an indoor and outdoor ceremony space in the beautiful Walled Garden under the Oak Arbour, and in the Cider Barn for year-round celebrations. New for 2022 has been the addition of The Paddock providing the bridal party with a spa-worthy space to get ready in, overlooking the rolling hills and patchwork fields of the Devonshire countryside through the vast floor-to-ceiling windows. The carefully considered interior design details and colour schemes have created ultra-luxe spaces and suppliers are equipped with a hair-washing basin and hair and make-up stations. There are also showers, fluffy towels, premium toiletries and plenty of little luxuries creating a home-from-home feel. This additional space is available to hire from 7 am until the ceremony begins when the wedding coordinator will accompany everyone down to the main venue for the wedding entrance.

The Stalls are located just behind The Paddock and offer guests somewhere seriously stylish to stay on the night of the wedding in new accommodation pods set within a woodland glade. These rustic retreats with Hygge-inspired décor have been designed in a minimalist Scandistyle. The Stalls can host up to eight people (two per pod) and are automatically booked for the night of the wedding to retain exclusivity.

The venue marries the rustic charm of a Devon farm with a modern finish. Included in the wedding packages are the hire of trestle tables and chairs, a large oak barrel to display the cake, all glassware, a woodburning stove and logs, a firepit plus outdoor tables, chairs and parasols.

The venue’s hand-picked collection of local caterers includes Pickle Shack and Mulberry Catering Co, both family-run businesses using independent suppliers and seasonal produce. Both work hard to ensure minimal food wastage.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01884 38302, www.uptonbarn.com

HAREFIELD BARN, CREDITON, DEVON

Although it’s known for its fabulous views and outside space, it’s easy to forget that Harefield Barn is also perfect for winter weddings. The barn is based on a family-run farm amid the beautiful Mid-Devon countryside, just a 10-minute drive from Exeter. The owners are committed to making each day a relaxed and unique experience for each couple, so the number of weddings each year is limited, and the use of Harefield Barn and its grounds is exclusive.

For winter weddings, The Tallet is a dedicated ceremony room, so you don’t need to worry about what the British weather may be doing outside. The vaulted ceiling and flexible lighting provide a calm, chapel-like atmosphere in which to exchange vows. Licensed for up to 100 people, The Tallet can be used alongside the spacious bar and gallery areas, providing plenty of space. Underfloor heating keeps it warm and cosy during the winter and there’s nothing quite like watching the logs crackle in the wood burner whilst enjoying a drink in The Sawpit Bar.

Holding a wedding at Harefield Barn means that couples have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the experience, as their extended hire period gives them the entire day beforehand to decorate and prepare. They also have free choice of their own suppliers (including caterers) to create a celebration personal to them.

There are so many fabulous winter styling ideas to choose from. Why not make the most of the high-beamed ceiling in the Main Hall and suspend twinkling lights overhead, or take advantage of Christmas and style the venue with decorations? Guests can also enjoy toasted marshmallows around the firepit with festive mulled wine or cider.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 07541 121 404, www.harefieldbarn.co.uk

We love... that the team at Harefield Barn are offering a special Winter Wonderland price of £4,800 for any weekend reservations in November and December 2022, and February or March 2023 (excluding Christmas and New Year’s Eve). The package includes free corkage on welcome, table and toast drinks (terms and conditions apply).

ENJOY A SEASONAL MINI-MOON

Founded in 1990 by the Briant family, Tolcarne Beach Village is made up of a collection of quaint beach huts and global-inspired hotel rooms on a private beach on the Newquay coast. The unique destination is open all year round and is bursting with character, filled with antique furniture and locally sourced art from the family travels, from Barbados to Paris. Facilities available at the luxury hotel include a dedicated surf school, an on-site award-winning restaurant serving locally sourced dishes and private hot tub suites all overlooking the incredible Cornish coast. The hotel is child-friendly and dog friendly rooms are also available.

To book, visit www.tolcarnebeach.co.uk