SPOTLIGHT ON

www.nealejames.com REGIONAL VENUES

Spotlight on... EAST BERKSHIRE AND READING

Wow-factor wedding venues

WASING ESTATE, ALDERMASTON, READING

Wasing Park is an award-winning, exclusive-use wedding venue situated on a 4,000-acre estate in the beautiful Berkshire countryside offering outstanding facilities in a quintessentially English setting. The historic buildings hold more than 250 years of history and the walled gardens and picturesque lakes provide a romantic photographic backdrop.

The estate hosts a variety of wellbeing activities, including bridal yoga, meditation and traditional yoga classes at its new Pavilion. Workshops are often held here by world-renowned wellbeing practitioners.

Wasing Park sits at the heart of the estate. It’s ideal for a romantic barn wedding and boasts 26 boutique rooms for guests including the fairytale Dovecote, a circular suite with a freestanding bathtub, and The Granary raised up on staddle stones. There’s also a bridal cottage for use the night before plus a room dedicated to the groomsmen and a late-night bar. Ceremonies take place in the Victorian Summerhouse or the glass-walled Garden Room with the wedding breakfast held in the Castle Barn and outside under the new covered terrace (read more about this on page nine). There’s also the option of marrying in the 15th-century Parish Church of St Nicholas located on-site.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01189 714 140, www.wasing.co.uk www.facebook.com/wasing1759 www.instagram.com/wasingweddings

❤ WE LOVE... the organic farm location and ‘Estate to Plate’ ethos meaning the wedding venue can offer the very best produce whilst reducing the impact on the environment.

DE VERE WOKEFIELD ESTATE, READING

This mansion house hotel sits in 250 acres of parkland offering 87 guest rooms including 12 luxury suites. There’s an 18-hole golf course, an indoor swimming pool and gym and an outdoor activity course.

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.

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

❤ WE LOVE... that The Wokefield Suite, located in Wokefield Place, is a separate venue to the mansion house. It’s licensed for up to 280 guests for larger celebrations and is the perfect party place!

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 restaurantquality 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, as well as seasonal cocktails in The Bar, and the Drawing Room where award-winning afternoon tea is served. Alternatively, guests can choose to dine more casually in The Barn. There are buggies on hand to make the journey around the grounds easy for all and those staying at the lodge have access to the Equestrian Centre.

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

❤ WE LOVE... the field-to-fork philosophy where the kitchen team at the venue are proud to grow many of their own herbs and seasonal vegetables on the grounds of the estate. The chefs are passionate about local produce and have carefully selected the finest British ingredients for every dish.

HEDSOR HOUSE, BERKSHIRE AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE BORDER

Situated adjacent to the Cliveden Estate and high above the River Thames in more than 100 acres of historic parkland is this award-winning unique country house wedding venue offering exclusive use complete with spectacular bedrooms. The driveway is flanked by rhododendrons, the ideal big-day backdrop for photographs, and the inside features the Grand Staircase leading into the Centre Hall with its impressive domed ceiling that’s licensed for ceremonies. Receptions take place in the Grand Ballroom and there’s also the option of a blessing outside on the expansive lawn.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01628 819 050, www.hedsor.com www.facebook.com/hedsorhouse www.instagram.com/hedsor