MIND YOUR MANORS

Mind your manorsCOUNTRY HOUSE VENUES Our roundup of Kent’s stately home and manor house venues

KNOWLE COUNTRY HOUSE

01474 822 262 | www.knowlecountryhouse.co.uk

As you sweep along the venue’s driveway, it’s easy to be captivated by the charm and elegance of this fine Victorian mansion, set in one of the most beautiful and historically interesting spots in Kent. Having recently undergone extensive renovation work, the venue now boasts a gorgeous conservatory with a bar, and the lovely gazebo with surrounding patio used for outdoor ceremonies has been given a new lease of life. The wonderful location never fails to impress visitors. Set in 14 acres of gardens and orchards, with a wildlife area, the grounds burst with colour whatever the season and offer views of the distant River Thames.

Located less than an hour’s drive from London with excellent rail links, The Knowle can accommodate weddings with up to 90 daytime guests for the ceremony and wedding breakfast, with space for an additional 80 in the evening.

Receptions can be celebrated in the main restaurant with 90 loved ones or for more intimate gatherings, in the Octagonal Room (The Charles Dickens Room) for 10 nearest and dearest. Alternatively, the Garden Room can accommodate 40 guests and leads into the Victorian conservatory, an extended lounge area for everyone to enjoy. Irrespective of the numbers there’ll only be one wedding on any day, offering total privacy and sole use of the premises, with no hiring or hidden charges.

Located in the centre of the House is the venue’s new getting-ready room, perfect for all your preparations. A large room bathed in natural light, it features full-length mirrors, plush furnishings, Bluetooth stereo and a privacy screen.

https://jeffoliverphotography.com Artist’s impression

PORT LYMPNE HOTEL & RESERVE

01303 234 111 | www.aspinallfoundation.org/weddings

Port Lympne Hotel is a multi-award-winning wedding venue set within Kent’s largest wild animal park, home to more than 900 endangered animals. It provides an idyllic setting with sensational views from a variety of beautiful locations around the estate. Once the opulent country estate of Sir Philip Sassoon, Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve boasts 600 acres of private parkland. Built in the early 20th century, the mansion is resplendent with delightful mural-painted rooms by famous English artists such as Rex Whistler, Spencer Roberts and Martin Jordan. With a number of opulent spaces at your disposal, the mansion can adapt to meet your requirements.

The venue offers a wide variety of indoor and outdoor locations for your ceremony. The newly-appointed garden pergola is set among 14 acres of manicured gardens and can seat 120. Also, new and exciting for 2022 is the orangery and terrace. A creative salute to the theatrical entertainment style of the Gatsby era it can seat 160 for the “I dos” and reception. There’s also the intimate Moroccan courtyard with a capacity of 25 for ceremony and wedding breakfast. It includes original details from the 1920s and has been decorated with items from Marrakesh. Finally for the al fresco spaces is the Iceberg Terrace, which can host 100 loved ones allowing them to enjoy views of the Lime Tree Avenue and Trojan Steps.

Moving inside the mansion, the Spencer Roberts Room can host 50 for the ceremony and 30 for a wedding breakfast. This stunning space boasts hand-painted murals of animals, some of which can be found in the park. The Long Room can accommodate 100 for the vows and 50 for a seated meal and offers wonderful views over the Southern Terrace and 600-acre reserve.

HAVENFIELD HALL

01634 699 758 | www.havenfieldhall.com

Hidden away from public roads, Havenfield Hall sits at the end of a long drive that opens up to reveal the building’s grand scale. Its interiors have been restored to bring them into keeping with the original structure’s character and charm, with just a few modern touches added for comfort and each of the seven bedrooms has its own decorative style.

As you walk past the front of the house and around to the back where it opens onto the gardens, you’ll find the external games room, complete with full-sized snooker table and bar billiards table. Further on, there’s the Old School House, Cart Shed and bar, which hug a central courtyard, providing the perfect space for live bands, DJs and entertainment.

The Old School House is your indoor ceremony option (80 guests), it features high ceilings and exposed timber beams, large windows and French doors, allowing natural light to flood in. For al fresco vows the Cart Shed and Courtyard (100 guests) are available, this open-faced oak-framed structure opens out onto the paved courtyard providing a lovely option that can be dressed according to your theme. Finally, for the ceremony, The Bandstand also offers a charming outdoor location for 120 loved ones.

Welcome drinks can be served in the courtyard or on the lawned area, making use of the gardens and grounds. The three buildings that surround the central courtyard can all be utilised for the reception.

ONE OF THE UK’S MOST EXTRAORDINARY AND SPECTACULAR WEDDING VENUES

A magical place to dine and dance the night away, our stunning newly appointed glass orangery and terrace.

aspinallfoundation.org/weddings | 01303 234 111 Nr. Ashford, Kent, CT21 4PD

HOATH HOUSE

01732 617 270 | www.hoathhouse.com

This magnificent Victorian mansion is located in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, overlooking the border between Kent and Sussex. As well as breathtaking views from its high position, it also boasts accommodation for 80 guests, an outdoor heated swimming pool and luxury glamping domes. Plus, conveniently situated, it’s a mere 10-minute drive to most local train stations.

The gardens, which burst with colour throughout the seasons, showcase 100 different varieties of plants across its six acres. They’re a hive of wildlife activity and offer distant views of the Kent-Sussex border.

The “I dos” can be held al fresco beneath a Victorian ceremonial arch with 200 loved ones looking on surrounded by the beautiful gardens. Alternatively, the main house can accommodate 80 for the ceremony, set in a large 18th-century room packed with character and history. Meanwhile, the marquee, which is designed and fully-equipped for any style of ceremony can play host to 300 to witness your vows.

Receptions also take place in the marquee for 300 whatever your theme or vibe, and for smaller guests lists, the House can welcome 80 for the celebrations.

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HAYNE HOUSE

01303 262 555 | www.haynehouse.co.uk

www.daleweeksphotography.co.uk

Set near the historical village of Saltwood and the Hythe Coast, Hayne House is an elegant wedding venue nestled within the serene and tranquil setting of an immaculately landscaped private family estate. The combination of traditional country-house charm paired with the modern sophistication of the Orangery make this venue a one-of-a-kind.

Surrounded by beautiful landscaped English country gardens and fronted by uninterrupted floor-to-ceiling French doors, The Orangery also boasts stunning overhead roof lanterns flooding it with natural light. It provides a natural link to the gardens and every angle of the building is wonderfully photogenic. Built from sustainable materials you can host a wedding here any time of the year in a setting that’s simultaneously flexible, contemporary, stylish and eco-chic.

Say “I do” al fresco under cover of the Garden Pavilion or elsewhere in the gardens, with up to 120 loved ones. Alternatively, during the cooler months, you can opt to exchange vows inside The Orangery, which also has space for 120.

Later on, you can dine in style with a seated wedding breakfast in The Orangery accompanied by your 120 nearest and dearest, and invite an additional 30 to join you for the evening revelries bring the total guest list up to 150. There are hand-crafted bi-folding doors to separate the dining and ceremony areas if required.

Next to The Orangery is Hayne House, the former hunting lodge of Edward VIII, which has been lovingly restored. Within the house are are five en-suite bedrooms, plus the sumptuous honeymoon suite. There’s also another bed and breakfast on site with five further bedrooms, which can accommodate up to 22 guests.

GREAT EXPECTATIONS

Here at County Wedding Magazines and Events HQ we’re looking forward to kickstarting our Spring wedding show season. From must-visit local fairs in some of the region’s best wedding venues, to our larger Signature Wedding Shows home to more than 100 exhibitors each, we can’t wait to welcome back our couples and help plan their wedding days.

Here’s what to expect when attending one of our events...

Whether you’re joyous that restrictions have passed, or are still a little hesitant, couples can rest assured our venues are continuing to maintain some of the government guidelines and measures to ensure everyone can feel comfortable and enjoy the day:

• Attendees will need to pre-register to attend events • There will be allocated time slots for visitors • All venues will also have enhanced cleaning procedures, with hand washing and sanitising facilities still available • Spaces between exhibition booths will be maintained to ease congestion • Optional face masks • Anyone with symptoms must refrain from visiting

Each event will boast a huge range of specialists who will be on hand to talk through your planning ideas and requirements; venues, bridal boutiques, photographers, florists, cake makers and more, there’s everything you could need to plan your wedding under one roof.

On the day refreshments will be available to purchase from each of the venue’s on-site restaurants, bars and cafés, and attending our exhibitions is free!

For more information on any of our exhibitions visit County Wedding Events’ website.

We look forward to seeing you at one of our events. Sarah

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Sarah Ellis, Sales and Events Director County Wedding Events.

Psst! Our pre-registered Signature Wedding Show visitors will have the chance to win a £250 gift voucher courtesy of Spabreaks.com

A date for your diary...

ASCOT RACECOURSE, 24TH APRIL, 2022 THE BRENTWOOD CENTRE, 2ND OCTOBER, 2022 MERCEDES-BENZ WORLD, 9TH OCTOBER, 2022 WEMBLEY STADIUM, DATE TO BE RELEASED