SPOTLIGHT ON

Spotlight on... WEDDING VENUES IN WINDSOR AND ASCOT

COWORTH PARK, ASCOT

This Michelin-star country house hotel and spa is part of the Dorchester Collection set in 240 acres of Berkshire parkland. It’s home to 71 luxurious rooms and suites as well as a new three-bedroom gatehouse cottage, North Lodge, which is the second cottage on-site alongside the Dower House. It has been carefully designed and restored to capture the hotel’s charm and residential origins and showcases artwork by local artists. The interiors echo the changing seasons at Coworth Park with antiques sourced from local villages and neighbouring Windsor. It features three spacious bedrooms with the master bedroom being a large airy suite home to a super king-sized bed, tall ceilings, dual-aspect views of the meadow and a private garden. The en-suite bathroom features a copper bathtub, double vanity and a large walk-in shower. The Turret Room features a king-sized bed and a walk-in dressing area and a further double room, known as the Snug boasts views across the wildflower meadow.

Guests can cook for themselves or have a dedicated chef who can prepare the same Coworth Park restaurant-quality food. The chef can also host a private masterclass around the dining table. Guests can make use of the private garden accessed via the French doors with an outdoor dining area, perfect for summer barbecues and al fresco cocktails. There’s also a sitting room with an original open wood-burning stove, perfect for cosy wintry staycations.

North Lodge is the nearest accommodation to The Spa at Coworth Park, a contemporary eco-luxury setting home to eight treatment rooms including two doubles, a manicure and pedicure suite, relaxation room, The Spatisserie, gym, indoor pool and outdoor sun terrace with loungers.

Coworth Park’s Mansion House is just a short walk for guests to enjoy Michelin-starred Restaurant Coworth Park under the culinary guidance of executive chef Adam Smith where a field-to-fork philosophy is followed. The kitchen team are proud to grow many of their herbs and seasonal vegetables on the grounds and the chefs are passionate about local produce, carefully selecting the finest British ingredients for every dish. After dinner, cocktails can be enjoyed in The Bar.

A Christmas or New Year spent at Coworth Park is one that guests will never forget. They’ll be welcomed on Christmas Eve with a festive champagne afternoon tea accompanied by live singing followed by children’s storytime and Christmas card-making. After a three-course dinner, they can enjoy a pianist playing in the Drawing Room from 7pm to 11pm.

On Christmas Day, Father Christmas will pay a visit after breakfast and just before the champagne is served ahead of a four-course lunch. The Queen’s speech will be shown in the Garden Room and then the Mansion House will host an evening dinner and live entertainment. The celebrations continue on Boxing Day with brunch and activities including cream tea in the Drawing Room accompanied by a harpist as well as a children’s party in the Garden Room and a three-course dinner.

When it comes to weddings at Coworth Park, ceremonies take place outside under the picturesque pagoda accessed via a wildflower-clad aisle (why not consider trotting down the aisle on horseback?) The Tower House offers an elegant indoor option and the wedding breakfast also takes place here, or in the Garden Room that features an al fresco terrace. The light and airy Oak Room, the upper-level bar and dining area of The Barn and the Restaurant Coworth Park’s conservatory are other all-season options.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01344 630 539 www.dorchestercollection.com/en/ascot/coworth-park www.facebook.com/CoworthPark www.instagram.com/coworthpark

♥ We love... the festive afternoon tea pastries!

CASTLE HOTEL WINDSOR

This elegant property, part of the MGallery Hotel Collection, is a 108-room Georgian building located in the heart of Windsor in Berkshire. It’s more than 500 years old and marries traditional décor with contemporary features. It has been lovingly restored to preserve its rich history and the iconic surroundings offer a scenic backdrop with views stretching across to Windsor Castle. It’s just a short walk from tourist attractions including the Long Walk, Windsor Great Park, Saville Garden and the River Thames.

Ceremonies and receptions take place in the luxurious Windsor Suite, the oldest and largest ballroom in town that’s furnished with original, restored chandeliers suspended from the ornate detail on the vaulted ceiling. The Sandringham Suite, with its magnificent feature fireplace, is best suited to intimate ceremonies and receptions.

Wedding packages include the Diamond, Gold and Silver options plus a Self-catering Weddings package.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01753 851 577 | https://castlehotelwindsor.com www.facebook.com/CastleHotelWindsor www.instagram.com/mgallerywindsor ♥ We love... the stunning central location.

FAIRMONT WINDSOR PARK

This luxury spa and wellness hotel that officially opens on the 1st January 2022 is primely positioned adjacent to Windsor Great Park and The Savill Garden. It’s home to 200 stylish rooms and suites including the Signature Royal Suite boasting an elegant, timeless feel. Many offer sweeping views of the surrounding grounds, tranquil lake and nearby forests.

The sprawling state-of-the-art Fairmont Spa & Wellness is a destination in itself, inspired by nature with 18 treatment rooms, a six-person hammam, cryotherapy chamber, 20-metre indoor pool, Himalayan salt room, courtyard hydrotherapy vitality pool and a Japanese Ashiyu foot ritual bath. Guests have access to sports performance coaching, an indoor gym with a reformer pilates studio, outdoor tennis courts, a hair salon and a Truefitt & Hill barbers. The spa will also feature a highly advanced 4D body scanner and offer bespoke health assessments that are followed by an evaluation and proposed treatment plan led by a team of specialised wellness experts. Within the spa there’s a private VIP spa area, named the Salutaris Suite, that’s only accessible through a private elevator from the Signature Royal Suite. The VIP spa area features a dedicated treatment room, personal changing area, hot tub, steam room and relaxation area, offering VIP guests complete privacy.

The hotel is home to seven culinary-inspired restaurants and bars including 1215 at Fairmont Windsor Park honouring the farm-to-fork concept serving authentic, high-quality British speciality cuisine. Only the finest locally grown produce from The Royal Farms, Windsor artisans and the hotel’s kitchen gardens are used.

MOREISH serves breakfast, lunch and dinner featuring European and Middle Eastern-fusion dishes prepared in an open-theatre kitchen while The Orchid Tea Room is an opulent setting for afternoon tea including handmade creations from the Pâtisserie and Chocolatier team, alongside a world-class tea selection and fine champagne. Alternatively, Greens Cafe in the Fairmont Spa & Wellness area is a wellbeing restaurant selling a wide selection of freshly made salads and snacks as well as the option for a personalised menu prepared by the hotel’s dedicated wellbeing chef.

The 1215 Bar located adjacent to the 1215 restaurant serves a mix of exquisite sparkling wines and champagnes perfectly complemented by an extensive fine wine list while the Schroders’ Botanicals Bar offers a wide range of local and international gins from world-renowned brands. Guests can take part in cocktail-making classes, led by in-house mixologists. The Library Club, with its Renaissance-style fireplace, is an ideal setting for private events and serves as a lounge offering cocktails, fine wine, whiskies and brandies.

This elegant new wedding destination caters for wedding parties large or small. The reception rooms are set in a separate wing of the hotel and the highlight is the Arora Ballroom which can seat up to 600 guests. It has access to a large terrace and manicured gardens. There’s also a selection of smaller reception rooms for couples wanting an intimate celebration as well as tranquil outdoor areas perfect for summer marquee weddings.

The hotel has recently launched an exclusive wedding and honeymoon package in collaboration with Fairmont Maldives Sirru Fen Fushi – a private island escape nestled in the remote Shaviyani atoll. Couples who book their wedding at Fairmont Windsor Park can jet off to start married life in the Maldives, with exclusive inclusions just for those who wed at Fairmont Windsor Park.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01784 535 555, www.fairmont.com/windsor-park www.facebook.com/fairmontwp www.instagram.com/fairmontwp

One of the largest wedding shows to be held in the South of England

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Pre-register and attend the show to have a chance to win a £250 gift voucher courtesy of

A date for your diary... Sunday 24th April 2022 | 11am to 3.30pm

Hosted at Ascot Racecourse, High Street Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7JX