GOING LOCAL

www.tomhalliday.com GOING local

Where to say “I do” in north Hertfordshire

SOUTH FARM

01223 207 581 | www.south-farm.co.uk

Surrounded by expansive gardens, South Farm is a family run wedding venue nestled in 20 acres of countryside. The beautiful gardens and rustic wildflower meadows create the perfect setting for wedding celebrations and memorable photographs to treasure.

The venue’s romantic spaces offer couples an enchanting choice of ceremony and reception locations. The welcoming Tudor Barn is the largest indoor space with a capacity of up to 180 people, while The Drawing Room is a more intimate area for cosy winter ceremonies with 35 loved ones. Or why not opt for The Old Dairy, a lovely space with views of the courtyard and garden terrace for 100 guests? The most recently converted space is The Horse Barn, which offers a special ambience with stunning lighting and ancient beams for up to 65 people. If the British weather allows it, The Summer House is a truly magical setting for a ceremony between March and October with views overlooking the gardens.

Indoor drinks receptions occur in The Old Dairy for 150 loved ones or the Grade II listed farmhouse for 50.

Receptions can take place in the gardens for 180 people, weather permitting, or in the Tudor Barn with 146 guests for a formal wedding breakfast, 122 for a buffet-style meal and 200 guests in the evening. The Horse Barn is adjacent to this space and offers an additional dancing space or can be used as a comfortable snug area.

Guest accommodation includes charming bespoke bedrooms, five Romany wagons or camping in the paddocks is available for more adventurous people! Three additional bedrooms are available at the venue’s nearby sister property, Fen Bridge Farm. The luxurious Coach House Suite is complimentary for couples on their wedding day.

All couples booking a bespoke South Farm wedding are invited to a complimentary menu tasting evening where they can see, taste and rate more than 40 signature dishes and visit the five-star kitchen. The venue also offers a range of affordable wedding day packages for those who have a budget in mind.

Did you know? Homegrown organic produce items are picked daily and used by chefs to create delicious menus. Guests are delighted by the charming farm animals who reside happily in the barnyard and couples can enjoy photos with the piglets if they wish!

www.andrewwilkinsonphotography.com www.andrewwilkinsonphotography.com

BARLEY TOWN HOUSE

07734 748 286 | www.barley-village.co.uk/town-house

Barley Town House is one of the oldest townhouses in the country, which was built around 1530 and became the first village hall in the country to be licensed for civil marriages in 1996. The venue has undergone various refurbishments over the years to provide a wonderful setting for intimate weddings and events.

The 16th-century building is located in the quaint little village of Barley and is the perfect backdrop for memorable photo opportunities with a nostalgic, timeless feel.

Exchange vows within the Under-croft, which accommodates 70 seated guests and 60 for the wedding breakfast. Or the Upper Floor, is a great option for a wedding breakfasts with 100 people and evening receptions with 120. Tables and chairs are available for use free of charge and there’s a sound system enabling music or speeches to be heard by guests on either floor or both simultaneously.

The venue provides many romantic settings and lovebirds get complete freedom and creative control to make the space their own. For those looking for wedding suppliers, the team is proud to have a tried and tested list of recommended companies including an in-house coordinator offered with an additional cost.

www.absolutephotouk.com www.absolutephotouk.com

OFFLEY PLACE COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL

01462 768 787 | www.offleyplace.com

Surrounded by 27 acres of manicured lawns, Offley Place Country House Hotel is a 17th-century manor house that has been lovingly restored to its former glory to create the perfect location for weddings.

The traditional, grand features and charm of the original manor house are elegantly complemented with The Conservatory and the Hester Ballroom, two new additions that echo the classic elegance of the house.

Ceremonies can take place in multiple locations at the hotel. Licensed for up to 120 guests, The Conservatory offers an elegant and bright setting with rustic brickwork complemented by the sparkling chandeliers. The Hester Ballroom (250 guests) is ideal for grand and stunning affairs with every aspect designed to create a memorable experience. Or exchange vows in The Salusbury Lounge, a warm and intimate setting for 40 guests. The grandeur of the room will add charm and elegance to all celebrations.

Is there anything more romantic than getting married in a garden of roses? The Rose Garden offers an idyllic setting for guests to be seated among the colourful and vibrant flowers. The peaceful, outdoor setting is the perfect place for couples to start their journey together. Receptions take place in The Conservatory for 78 people or in The Hester Ballroom for 250.

The grand staircase and tiered chandelier not only look great in photographs but the stairs lead up to the hotel’s 16 luxury bedrooms – perfect for guests after dancing the night away.

The venue offers couples exclusive hire, a complimentary Bridal Suite on the night of the wedding and menu tasting sessions for exclusive-use weddings.

www.gnbri.co.uk www.gnbri.co.uk

ROTHAMSTED MANOR

01582 938 500 | www.rothamstedenterprises.com/rothamsted-manor

Established in 1623, Rothamsted Manor is an impressive Grade I listed manor house set in 12 acres of gardens surrounded by woodland. The manor’s exterior offers impressive historical features such as the stainedglass family crests in the windows, a clock tower and curved gables. The venue sits on the vast grounds of Rothamsted Research, the world’s oldest agricultural research institute home to some of the world’s oldest science experiments.

The Great Drawing Room was added to the manor by Sir John Lawes in 1863 and features a fireplace dating from the early 1900s, original portraits dating back to the 1500s and wood panelling. This is the largest space available for ceremonies with 115 guests, 76 for a seated wedding breakfast or up to 120 for a standing buffet or drinks reception.

Other ceremony spaces include The Library for 55 people (44 for a seated reception and 76 standing); or say “I do” in The Lounge, which seats 75 loved ones for the ceremony (50 seated and 90 standing), its walls are panelled with rarely seen murals on the east wall. Alternatively, exchange vows in The Orangery for 35 people, a beautiful space with lots of natural light and large arched windows with views over the gardens? Historically known as the Loggia, it features a beautiful marble and limestone chequerboard floor that lends itself perfectly as a bar area or drinks reception room. On a fine day, guests can spill out onto the outside veranda area to enjoy drinks and appreciate the wonderful gardens and grounds.

One of the smallest ceremony rooms in the manor is The Spanish Leather Room, ideal for more intimate gatherings with 15 loved ones, or it can be used as a room to meet with the registrar before the wedding ceremony.

Any event held at Rothamsted Manor will wow any guests and support the fantastic agricultural research on the estate. The venue can be hired exclusively if a couple wishes to do so, and a free tasting session is offered before the wedding.

Also check out…

THE CLOISTERS, LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY

01462 678 059 | www.thecloistersletchworth.co.uk There’s nowhere quite like The Cloisters, which is a fascinating venue that never fails to enchant visitors. Designed and built at the turn of the last century, The Cloisters is a special space displaying distinctive architecture featuring towers and turrets that are perfect for wedding photos – a truly hidden gem.

THE PRIORY

01438 748 647 | www.thepriory.net Steeped in history, The Priory is grand by anyone’s standards. Built-in the 16th-century by the King’s carpenter, the exposed oak structure of the spacious barn makes this venue a real stunner. The picturesque gardens and terrace provide the perfect backdrop for outdoor celebrations and the all-important big-day photos.

THE BARN AT ALSWICK

01763 273 530 | www.alswick.co.uk With countryside views as far as you can see, The Barn at Alswick is situated in a peaceful setting for any wedding. The tree-lined driveway sets off the rural feel and the venue is a gorgeous blank canvas for couples to put their stamp on. Complete with a vaulted ceiling adorned with wooden beams and large windows, the barn’s always full of natural light and has plenty of snug areas to escape to.