A TOUCH OF HISTORY

Images of the Kings Head Hotel courtesy of www.dearestlove.co.uk Step back IN TIME These historic venues offer a touch of stately splendour

KINGS HEAD HOTEL, CIRENCESTER, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

This boutique hotel is situated in the heart of the Cotswolds with many wonderful outdoor treats to discover just a short walk from the hotel, from typical Cotswold-style street scenes to enchanting parkland.

The contemporary décor complements any colour theme while the original historic features include the oak flooring, wood panelling and brick fireplaces.

This historic hotel offers nine licensed rooms inside, perfect for ceremonies, from the intimate Wine Cellar to the stylish Panel Room and the Assembly Reception and Assembly Room. There’s a private roof terrace attached to the Assembly Room allowing couples the option for on-site outdoor photographs.

Receptions take place in many of these areas with the roof terrace allowing for a champagne drinks reception and the unique basement space, known as The Vaulted Cellar, providing the perfect party space – there’s even a vaulted spa!

Accommodation is across 60 individually styled bedrooms and 10 one-bedroom apartments. Foodies will love the various dining options including the vibrant restaurants, elegant lounge and the Deli & Wine Cellar featuring the best local produce from around the Cotswolds. For couples getting married at the hotel, there’s a complimentary menu tasting for them before the big day.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01285 700 900 | www.kingshead-hotel.co.uk www.facebook.com/KingsHeadCirencester www.instagram.com/kingsheadciren

♥ We love... that the hotel offers favourable rates for anniversary stays.

CLEARWELL CASTLE, ROYAL FOREST OF DEAN, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

This award-winning, charming venue is nestled in 20 acres of picturesque grounds accessed via a sweeping driveway that is home to a historic Portcullis and a secluded lake that provide a wonderful backdrop for big-day photos. A surprise for guests are donkeys, Molly and Tigger that greet them on arrival!

Ceremonies take place inside the castle in the magical Ballroom which is a grand, church-like setting featuring a 75-foot long aisle set under glittering chandeliers, or outside in the Bandstand with the magnificent castle exterior as the backdrop. The wedding breakfast also takes place in the Ballroom for up to 150 guests with a wide choice of menus available and the opportunity for couples to create their own.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01594 832 320 | www.clearwell-castle.co.uk www.facebook.com/clearwellcastleweddingvenue www.instagram.com/clearwellcastle

♥ We love... that the team can work with couples on their very own bespoke cocktail.

QUEEN’S HOTEL CHELTENHAM This hotel, part of the Mgallery Hotel Collection, originally opened its doors in the same year as Queen Victoria’s Coronation in 1838, leading to the property being named in her honour. Today, it offers original Victorian features that pay homage to its royal name.

It commands a prime position on what is now one of Cheltenham’s most charming Georgian streets, suitably placed for guests to explore the delights that the city has to offer along with a selection of parks including Sandford Park, Pittville Park and Imperial Gardens located just a short walk away.

The hotel’s restaurant, Victoria’s, draws inspiration from the surrounding countryside and farmland, with the team working closely with local producers and farmers to create much-loved classic dishes with a contemporary twist.

Weddings take place in the Regency Suite for up to 120 loved ones with its floor-to-ceiling arched windows and golden chandeliers.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01242 514 754 | https://queenshotelcheltenham.co.uk www.facebook.com/QueensHotelCheltenham www.instagram.com/queenscheltenhamweddings

ANOTHER OPTION Ingleside is a dramatically different venue based in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. It’s a Gatsby-inspired Grade II listed building newly refurbished internally with a theatrical design and plenty of personality. There are 11 individually designed bedrooms, an awardwinning on-site restaurant and Piano Bar called Teatro, heated outdoor dining space and an acclaimed theatre and cinema.

The property is licensed for ceremonies of up to 180 guests with a range of flexible event spaces available and all weddings are tailor-made to suit each couple.

Contact: 01285 648 230 | https://inglesidehouse.co.uk www.facebook.com/inglesideciren www.instagram.com/inglesideciren

♥ We love... the gift vouchers available – the perfect way to say thanks to your bridal party. ANOTHER OPTION The Holford Arms is a multi-award-winning traditional country pub situated within eight acres of Cotswold countryside on the Wiltshire and Gloucestershire border. It’s home to six en suite bedrooms, five luxury chalets, four permanent bell tents for glamping (a bell tent ‘village’ can be erected on request) and camping and campervan facilities are also available. The grounds include vegetable gardens, cider orchards and a vineyard and the friendly team host everything from festival-inspired weddings to more intimate affairs. Weddings take place in the newly built wedding barn and couples have the choice to create their bespoke menu from a barbecue, Thai cuisine buffet, festival-style street food or a lavish three-course meal. Contact: 01454 238 669 | www.theholfordarms.co.uk/weddings-events www.facebook.com/HolfordArms www.instagram.com/the_holford_arms ♥ We love... that exclusivity of the glamping site is available from Thursday to Sunday enabling couples to spend a long weekend with their loved ones – don’t miss the famous Holford Sunday roast!

ELMORE COURT, GLOUCESTERSHIRE This exclusive-use wedding venue offers couples a Grade II listed country house, the Gillyflower events ballroom and a private rural location. Recent developments have seen a newly trained team, which has grown in size, and the walled garden that forms part of the estate having been restored to its original use as a working-produce garden with dishes on the menu using ingredients sourced from it. Longhorn cattle have been successfully introduced and are happily settled, and plans for tree houses to be built on the grounds mean that woodland weddings, treehouse stays and rewilding retreats will be available in early 2023.

Ceremonies take place in a variety of areas in the main house THEMED VENUES including in the hall. Dinner and dancing are enjoyed in The Gillyflower, a romantic space that’s draped in fairylights and home to a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. It’s located in a separate building on the grounds and can be styled to suit any wedding theme.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01452 720 293 | www.elmorecourt.com www.facebook.com/elmorecourt www.instagram.com/elmorecourt