In full bloom

We reveal the finest garden venues throughout the regions

What’s new?

Michelin-star restaurant, Bybrook, located within the historic hotel of The Manor House and the iconic Cotswold village of Castle Combe, is now open following a complete refurbishment to entice locals and travellers alike. The restaurant features a new interior design aesthetic, led by interior experts Trevillion, known for their previous work for Foxhill Manor, and Dormy House.

The makeover brings a more visually fresh and modern feel to Bybrook, whilst remaining sympathetic to the history of the property and the heritage of the Cotswolds, with design influences inspired by the kitchen garden and Bybrook river. New additions to the restaurant include the new wine area consisting of a bank of EuroCave wine display fridges where all of the bottles on offer can be perused by diners, discussed with the Sommelier, and chosen to accompany the dining experience. Whilst the dining room delivers a fresh, crisp, contemporary experience, with additions such as the new light fixtures giving the space more ambience, comfortable banquette seating and a garden influence coming from a combination of planters and artwork inspired by nature printed on an antique mirror.

Along with the refresh comes some new dishes from executive chef Rob Potter and his team to the well-loved, award-winning tasting menu. Continuing to be influenced by the seasons, the dishes are inspired by the best of British produce, local farms and what’s harvested from within the grounds of The Manor House. New menu highlights include Salcombe crab with blood orange and grapefruit and salt-aged duck with liver, morel and beetroot. For dessert, there’s an apple with almond, Neston Park honey and Madagascan vanilla.

Private dining has also been part of the refurbishment, with The Saxon Room, offering a private dining space for up to 12 people to enjoy the tasting menu, or The Brook, a semi-private area of the restaurant for up to 40 people. The restaurant also extends out to an updated outdoor area to enjoy a pre or post-meal drink in the sun. Celebrating the abundant kitchen garden where just minutes after being harvested, gardeners are on hand to share their crops with the kitchen close by, a small collection of raised beds will be installed to grow an exceptional variety of vegetables besides the outdoor seating. Giving guests a feeling of participation in the wholesome concept of the kitchen garden to table.

General manager Gaius Wyncoll comments: “We’re so excited Bybrook is now open to local diners and our hotel guests with an inviting and fresh space to dine in, whether you’re a couple looking for an intimate dinner, or a group celebrating a special occasion. We can’t wait to welcome everyone and hear people’s thoughts.”

The Manor House offers an incredible wealth of experiences unlike any other in the Cotswolds. It’s a 14th-century luxury hotel with a championship 18-hole golf course and 12th-century pub all wrapped up in 365 acres of stunning countryside, and located in one of England’s prettiest villages. It’s home to luxurious rooms, suites and mews cottages, with afternoon tea served as well as Michelin-starred dining and more than 180 gins to sample, not to mention delicious gastropub fare at The Castle Inn too.

To book, visit www.exclusive.co.uk/the-manor-house/food/bybrook

WORCESTER LODGE ON BADMINTON ESTATE, XX

Designed by William Kent in 1746, Worcester Lodge is a Grade I listed building that faces south along the three-mile avenue that leads to Badminton House in South Gloucestershire. It boasts spectacular views of the surrounding fields, woodland and Badminton House itself. An idyllic wedding venue, it combines the grandeur of a historical building with the versatility of a modern outdoor wedding.

Inside Worcester Lodge is a grand room flooded with natural daylight through the large windows that are reflected by the mirror suspended above the working fireplace. There are stunning period features including an intricate ornate ceiling.

The venue is in the process of securing a ceremony licence for ceremonies to take place inside the lodge for an intimate 30 guests, under the archway or in a marquee in front of the lodge which is where receptions also take place for up to 40 loved ones.

Ceremony licence? Yes

Contact: 01454 218 203, www.badmintonestate.com

We love... that the four balconies face towards Badminton House.

BIRTSMORTON COURT, NEAR MALVERN

Picturesque wedding venue Birtsmorton Court is a 12th-century medieval moated manor house that’s rich in history, and romance and elegantly decorated throughout. The impressive house is surrounded by an extensive moat and boasts a stunning terrace which overlooks the water. The charming and romantic White Garden provides guests with an intimate sheltered space for ceremonies and receptions. The enchanting Formal Gardens, Top Lawn and Lower Lawn offer year-round options for wedding photography.

Ceremonies take place on the Lower Lawn which seats up to 200 people against the backdrop of the manor house and surrounding moat. The Top Lawn, which also seats up to 200 people is another option overlooking the moat and manor house with views of the surrounding gardens. The White Garden seats up to 80 people and enables couples to marry amongst nature in a garden brimming with white roses and wisteria. There’s also an on-site church for up to 120 people with its high- beamed ceilings and organ.

Inside the venue, the Great Hall seats up to 60 guests alongside the crackling fire while The Barn accommodates up to 180 people, perfect for larger celebrations and offering the aisle of dreams.

Receptions take place in The Linney, a new purpose-built dining space for up to 200 loved ones. This beautiful oak beam structure has floorto-ceiling windows that lift away, opening up to the courtyard gardens on one side, and the party barn on the other. It’s been designed with the Great British weather in mind.

Ceremony licence? Yes

Contact: 01684 833 888, https://birtsmortoncourt.com

We love... the moat and surrounding idyllic gardens, plus the romantic white bridge, perfect for photographs.

Marquees For All Occasions

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Cheltenham Yurt Hire

This family-run business located in the Cotswolds offers the most beautiful hand-crafted yurts for hire that are all made locally. They offer the most stunning venue option and unusual backdrop for weddings, different to marquees and tipis. Often, guests will have not seen them before which adds an element of surprise and excitement.

The Pavilion Yurts are unique in that they have a double-height roof which gives an immense feeling of space. The bright canvas material makes them light and airy inside and photographers love them because they provide the perfect lighting for photos.

The largest yurts can seat up to 150 guests for dining. Some couples prefer to have everything under one roof while others like to book multiple yurts; one for the dining and the other specifically for the evening entertainment, along with other yurts for a bar or chill-out lounge.

There’s a range of sizes available, from the largest ones that are most suited for dining, to the smaller yurts that make great bars, chill-out lounges, and glamping options.

The team at Cheltenham Yurt Hire can provide everything that couples need to create a fantastic outdoor celebration, from pretty things like furniture and fairylights to generators, toilets, stages and PA systems.

We offer an event management service where one of the expert team members will be on hand to take care of any operational issues throughout the day.

The yurts can be hired throughout the year and travel across the country but the team try to stick to weddings and celebrations in the South West as much as they can. Winter yurt weddings are a magical experience, it’s a different vibe. They can be filled with flowers and greenery and luxurious throws and sheepskins to create a winter wonderland, while heaters can be added to keep guests warm all night. During the summer months when it’s hot, the side canvas can be removed allowing the breeze to flow through and showcasing panoramic views.

Contact: 01453 705 130, www.cheltenhamyurthire.co.uk

We love... check out how fabulous these wow-factor wedding yurts look on Instagram, https://instagram.com/cheltenham_yurt_hire

Turn to page 26 to see the real wedding of owners Dionne and David Popplestone.

The Ridgeway Barns Wiltshire

The Ridgeway Barns is a beautifully renovated wedding venue, home to a tastefully restored Georgian farmhouse with intimate event spaces for up to 30 guests and accommodation for up to 15 people. Wisteria creeps up the front of the Georgian farmhouse, embracing the sash windows and framing the doorway, while the 19th-century threshing barn retains the original brick façade and exposed wooden-beamed roof, the perfect backdrop for rustic-inspired weddings.

The grand reception rooms overlook the landscaped gardens boasting stunning vistas across the valley. The expansive lawn is the ideal site for a marquee wedding, while the oak-framed gazebo is the perfect backdrop for a ceremony or blessing for up to eight loved ones (including the registrar) with ample seating for guests just outside.

The terrace provides the perfect spot for a summer drinks reception and guests can gather around the firepit to enjoy the long balmy evenings.

Ceremonies take place in a choice of three spaces with a fourth coming this summer. As well as the outdoor gazebo, the bright and airy wood-panelled ceremony room is perfect for intimate gatherings of up to 32 guests where vows can be exchanged in front of the window or the beautiful stone fireplace. The dramatic garden room provides an alternative space for intimate weddings of up to 30 loved ones and later this year, the magical threshing barn will be licensed for weddings of up to 100 guests.

Ceremony licence? Yes

Contact: 01793 791 746, https://theridgewaybarns.co.uk

We love... that weekend weddings include three days of access, from midday on a Friday until 4 pm on a Sunday. Accommodation for up to 15 people is provided for two nights and a dedicated event manager is on hand throughout to ensure the day runs smoothly.

A few words from some of our brides... (as we couldn’t put it better ourselves)

“The location is stunning, a beautiful Cotswold Manor House with amazing grounds set in the picturesque village of Lower Slaughter with its stream, water mill and quaint cottages, a perfect setting and endless photo opportunities. The Chef Nik and his team did a fantastic job, and all our guests were overwhelmed by the quality of the food and amazing service.”

“The Slaughters Manor House exceeded our every expectation. Our daughter and son in law had a room called Valentine a wonderful suite big enough to hold her and 5 bridesmaids on the morning, with a private garden.”

‘’The wedding breakfast was wonderful, and everybody said it was the best wedding food they had ever tasted.”

‘’ The attentive service throughout the entire day was exemplary, nobody was left with an empty glass and the high level of service was maintained until the party finished in the early hours.’’

We have a genuinely friendly and flexible approach to creating your perfect bespoke wedding, choose from a simple day ceremony through to full exclusive use (for up to 120 guests.) We would be more than delighted to show you around or chat on the phone, Please do let us know you will be calling in, either on 01451 820 456 , or drop us an email events@slaughtersmanor.co.uk

The Slaughters Manor House, Lower Slaughter, Gloucestershire, GL54 2HP 01451 820 456 events@ slaughtersmanor.co.uk www.slaughtersmanor.co.uk/weddings