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‘TIS THE SEASON
Check out these magical, snow-capped venues
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PARADE HOUSE, TROWBRIDGE, WILTSHIRE
A prestigious and elegant Grade 1 listed Georgian mansion in the centre of this historic town, Parade House boasts an elegant symmetrical Bath stone façade featuring seven full-size sash windows on the first floor and an impressive carved central pediment. Parade House is approached via its gated front garden and sits in the centre of what Pevsner described as a “stretch of Palaces” along Fore Street. There are six off-street parking spaces to the front of the property available for unloading or carriages.
The property boasts Georgian and Regency-era elegance with a selection of beautifully decorated fine rooms located on the ground floor. A sweeping original Georgian staircase sits below ornately carved covings and a full-size French crystal chandelier, leading to a magnificent, grand, light and airy ballroom situated on the first floor with four chandeliers, silk-curtained curtains and full-length sash windows stretching the entire width of the house. The historic basement vault houses a bar, dancefloor area and cinema room.
All of the rooms are licensed for ceremonies with three principal rooms. The Directors Room, located on the ground floor, is a wood-panelled space with a marble fireplace, arched carving, ornate ceiling and antique furniture that’s licensed for 30 seated guests for ceremonies.
The Drawing Room is an elegant pale blue and white suite that can seat up to 40 guests for ceremonies. It’s also located on the ground floor and is home to stunning period features including originally carved ceiling coving, a marble fireplace and exposed original floorboards.
The Grand Ballroom is a spectacular room on the first floor, accessed via the original Georgian staircase, and featuring seven full-length sash windows with silk curtains, four chandeliers and a polished wood-effect floor. It’s licensed for up to 54 seated guests.
All of these rooms can be used for receptions. Parade House is intended for exclusive use by wedding clients, so guests would have the entire use of the ground and first floors for up to 54 people.
Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 07973 402 855, https://paradehousetrowbridge.co.uk We love... that personal consultations and tastings can be arranged.
*Due to its Grade 1 Listing, Parade House does not have a lift and is therefore not wheelchair friendly. No pets or pushchairs.
Photography of Queens Hotel Cheltenham courtesy of www.bethcrockatt.com
Festive fun
THE QUEENS HOTEL CHELTENHAM
Embrace tradition in both history and style this Christmas by celebrating at the iconic Queens Hotel Cheltenham. Step back in time to a bygone era of opulence and refinement in the Grade II listed building, whilst enjoying all the modern comforts of an exquisite boutique hotel.
Festive Parties are taking place in The Regency Suite from £49.50 per adult throughout December. The Christmas Brunch & Bubbles menu is served from Thursday to Saturday throughout December, between 11 am and 3 pm. The Festive Afternoon Tea priced at £25.00 per person is also available from 12.30 pm to 4.30 pm throughout December.
There’s a four-course Christmas Eve Dinner taking place, priced from £55.00 per adult and £22.50 per child (aged up to 12 years.) The five-course Christmas Day dining experience in Victoria’s is priced from £99.00 per person and £49.50 per child aged 6-12 years, and children aged 5 and under eat free.
Finally, the Boxing Day Gala Dinner is a Black Tie event priced from £55.00 per person and £22.50 per child (up to age 12.) Overnight package stays from 24-27th December start from £395 per person per accommodation and meals.
To find out more and to book, visit https://queenshotelcheltenham.co.uk
BOWOOD HOTEL, SPA & GOLF RESORT, CALNE, WILTSHIRE
This luxury countryside resort is surrounded by 2,000 acres of Capability Brown parkland home to local wildlife, an abundance of history and boasting far-flung views. Access to the resort is via the impressive Golden Gates, designed by Sir Charles Barry, chief architect of the Houses of Parliament.
The outdoor wedding pavilion that hosts summer ceremonies is located on the large open terrace and enjoys panoramic views. At the far end of the resort is The Kerry Suite situated next to the old farmhouse that also offers a ceremony option for up to 160 guests plus an alternative for the wedding breakfast and can accommodate up to 250 guests for the evening reception. It’s filled with light and furnished in a contemporary style, suiting many wedding themes. It’s made up of three internal rooms; the Kerry, Wycombe and Clanmaurice. Each one can be used individually or combined to create one larger suite. There’s a private bar and lounge and an outdoor courtyard ideal for a drinks reception.
Couples booking their wedding at Bowood can expect to receive complimentary food and wine tasting. There are 43 luxurious bedrooms available and discounted accommodation rates for friends and family.
Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01249 822 228, www.bowood.org
THE GREENWAY HOTEL & SPA, CHELTENHAM, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
This 16th-century Elizabethan manor house is home to 21 elegant bedrooms and suites set in eight acres of landscaped grounds enjoying views of the surrounding countryside. The luxurious hotel offers 3AA rosette seasonal cuisine in the Garden Room Restaurant and the indulgent Elan spa with its extensive list of treatments is a must-visit with bridal spa membership available.
Weddings take place in a variety of suites including the intimate Austen Room for up to 20 guests; the Panel Room enjoying far-flung views for up to 35 loved ones and the Garden Room and Drawing Room for larger gatherings.
There’s also The Hide nestled outside on the croquet lawn providing the perfect backdrop for an open-sky ceremony for up to 60 guests with the option of hiring a marquee for a larger party. Exclusive use can also be booked.
We love... that the selection of wedding packages on offer includes special dates for last-minute rates plus a bespoke option where couples can design their dream day. Also included is: • Hire of the Kerry Suite for the wedding reception, from 7 am until 1 am • Use of the hotel’s grounds for photographs • Personal chauffeur and golf buggy for the photo session • An arrival drink per person – choose from Pimms, peach bellini or Bucks Fizz • A three-course wedding breakfast from the seasonal wedding breakfast menu including tea, coffee and truffles • Half a bottle of house wine per person • A glass of prosecco per person to toast • An evening finger buffet • White linen and napkins • A wooden dancefloor • A cake stand and knife • Complimentary pre-wedding menu and wine tasting for the happy couple • The Tower Suite complimentary on the wedding night • Preferential hotel rates, subject to availability
*Based on a minimum of 40 guests, subject to availability, certain dates are excluded.
Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01242 862 352, www.thegreenwayhotelandspa.com We love... the many photographic backdrops including the grand oak staircase, stone-framed fireplace and historic oak tree.
KINGS HEAD HOTEL, CIRENCESTER, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
This boutique hotel is situated in the heart of Cirencester with plenty to see and do just a short walk away. It’s perfectly positioned for visiting the pretty villages of the Cotswolds plus there’s the local farmer’s market that takes place in the square outside and the regular craft and antique events that are held in the adjacent Corn Hall.
A tranquil hideaway, the property boasts a stunning roof-top terrace and a stylish courtyard. It’s home to 64 individually styled bedrooms, 12 apartments, a vaulted spa plus various dining options including an elegant lounge, two fantastic restaurants as well as a deli and wine cellar featuring the best local produce from around the Cotswolds.
The picturesque event spaces include The Assembly Room, a distinctly impressive space with a host of original architectural features including high ceilings, statement chandeliers and a wooden floor. Featuring a private bar, mezzanine area and roof-top terrace that’s perfect for a drinks reception, it holds up to 180 guests for the ceremony and 150 for the wedding breakfast. Other options for both include The Vaulted Cellar which hosts up to 150 people for the ceremony and 100 for the wedding breakfast. With its arched walls, ceiling and exposed brickwork, this unique space has the feel of an Italian wine cellar complete with its private bar.
The Panel Room is the ideal choice for an intimate ceremony of up to 33 people and 30 for the wedding breakfast and boasts sophisticated decor, an exposed fireplace and original wood panelling. The Wine Cellar is also a cosy spot for up to 20 loved ones for the ceremony and 18 for the wedding breakfast. It features a wow-factor glass-walled wine display and bespoke dining table adding an air of sophistication. Those wanting a quiet and intimate ceremony space for up to 22 people can use the Library complete with a bookcase wall adjourned with antiques.
Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01285 700 900, www.kingshead-hotel.co.uk We love... that for couples getting married at the hotel, there’s a complimentary menu tasting before the big day.
FONTHILL ESTATE, FONTHILL BISHOP, WILTSHIRE
Bake Barn is a converted hay store housed in its own walled courtyard with ancient walls from which views of the surrounding hillside and farmland can be enjoyed. To one side of the courtyard, the Loggia provides shelter from the elements and has overhead heaters for colder days and this courtyard can easily fit a marquee to one side with enough room left to enjoy the great outdoors. The interior boasts an impressive vaulted ceiling and large glass doors filling the space with natural daylight. The archery windows look romantic lit with candles at dusk and the large open fireplace with its tall mantlepiece makes this barn the perfect pick for a winter wedding.
Since the relaxation of the law, couples can now host the ceremony outside in any area of the grounds. The courtyard can seat up to 300 guests while the Loggia can seat an intimate 30 loved ones. Inside, the Main Hall can hold up to 100 people for the ceremony and upstairs above the main hall, the Beater’s Loft is a light and airy industrial-style space seating up to 80 guests. This space is ideal for those seeking something a little more contemporary for the evening reception - it makes a great gin or cocktail bar!
The wedding breakfast and reception can take place anywhere within the venue. Live music can be enjoyed in the courtyard with a bar set up in the Loggia. Dinner under the stars is an option, or a marquee can provide space for up to 160 guests. For a more formal dining experience, the barn seats up to 120 loved ones. This is also the ideal spot for late-night dancing with a band or DJ set up at one end of the room.
Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01747 820 246, www.fonthill.co.uk We love... that with no neighbours nearby, there are no curfews and noise restrictions
Photography of The Bradley Hare courtesy of www.martinmorrell.com
THE BRADLEY HARE, MAIDEN BRADLEY, WILTSHIRE
Enjoy a winter minimoon cosy country inn that recently opened in June 2021. It’s located on the Duke of Somerset’s Estate in the beautiful village of Maiden Bradley and is home to twelve sumptuous bedrooms. Guests will experience a stylish yet cosy stay in the cool yet authentic interiors, overseen by James Thurstan Waterworth, ex-European Design Director for Soho House.
Each bedroom is unique with 18th and 19th-century antique furniture and distinctive fabrics repurposed and used for the headboards. All of the rooms offer home-from-home comforts, some with vast elegant freestanding baths and all with sumptuous beds and linens.
Candlelit dinners can be enjoyed at the inn which offers delicious dishes on the menu using the best local and seasonal produce. Couples can enjoy romantic winter walks around the estate or even the splendid and romantic 18th-century world-famous Stourhead gardens.
There’s also The Potting Shed, an aecluded boutique beauty studio hidden within the grounds of Bradley Park. Once an humble gardener’s workshop, The Potting Shed has been transformed into a space to rejuvenate the body and mind. It’s a sanctuary of calm and tranquillity and is the perfect place for guests to retreat, unwind and enjoy a full range of luxury beauty and holistic treatments. The Bradley Hare is also offering a fantastic Christmas menu. Guests can expect delicious turkey crown, stuffing, goose fat potatoes, carrots, parsnips, sprouts, bacon and chestnuts and Christmas pudding or apple crumble for dessert.
Midweek rates start from £135 per room per night including breakfast. For more information and to book, visit www.thebradleyhare.co.uk
