11 minute read
HISTORY IN THE MAKING
MAKING history We round up some of Kent’s historical venues
ST JULIANS CLUB
01732 458 261 | www.stjulians.co.uk
St Julians, just outside Sevenoaks, is an elegant Georgian country house set amongst charming and beautifully manicured gardens and 70 acres of woodland. A secluded and exclusive private club since the early 1950s it overlooks the Weald of Kent and offers a traditional yet unusual location for your special day.
The Lounge is the original drawing room of the house, with long bay windows that open on to the external flagstone terrace. It has a beautiful marble fireplace and Steinway grand piano, which is available for use on the day. Double doors lead to the Victorian Conservatory, which boasts an incredible canopy of wisteria giving fragrant blooms up to four times a year. The Gallery offers the same amazing views and the bay window is the perfect spot for an intimate wedding ceremony.
The venue has space for 60 ceremony and wedding breakfast guests, with up to 80 for a standing evening party. Private use of the three main function rooms is included, as well as the privacy of the flagstone and grass terraces across the front of the house. You’re also offered a complimentary food and wine tasting, where you can work with the team of experienced chefs to plan your bespoke menu. Social membership of the club is also gifted to you both for one year.
FASCINATING FACT
The present house of St Julians was built in 1836-1837 by John Herries, who was chief commissary responsible for supplies to the army during the Napoleonic wars. He went on to become an MP, retiring in 1851.
HAVENFIELD HALL
01634 669 758 | 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. 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.
FASCINATING FACT
Havenfield Hall’s interior has been restored to bring it into keeping with the building’s character and charm, with just a few modern touches added for comfort. Each of the seven bedrooms has its own unique decorative style.
PORT LYMPNE HOTEL & RESERVE
01303 234 111 | www.aspinallfoundation.org/weddings
Multi award-winning wedding venue Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve boasts 600 acres of private parkland featuring Kent’s largest wild animal park, home to over 900 endangered animals. The impressive mansion, overlooking Romney Marsh and the English Channel, places a number of opulent spaces at your disposal and can adapt to meet your requirements.
First up, The Spencer Roberts Room showcases a hand-painted mural of animals, some of which live on the Reserve. Perfect for intimate occasions it can seat 50 for the “I dos” and 30 for the wedding breakfast. The larger Long Room on the other hand, offers wonderful views and can accommodate 100 for the vows and 50 dining. For the evening bash the mansion can host 100.
However, if al fresco celebrations are your thing, don’t miss the impressive Moroccan Courtyard, which can host 25 for your ceremony and reception. It boasts original details from the 1920s and is decorated with items all the way from Marrakesh. Alternatively, the Iceberg Terrace can host 100 for vows, with views of the Lime Tree Avenue and Trojan Steps.
Best of all, if you’re looking for something completely different, being located within a wild animal park means the venue can build a bespoke VIP safari or include an animal experience just for you.
FASCINATING FACT
The Grade II listed Port Lympne Mansion was once home to politician and art collector Sir Phillip Sassoon. Built in the early 20th century, its rooms are adorned in murals by renowned English artists such as Rex Whistler, Spencer Roberts and Martin Jordan.
FULL OR TWILIGHT WEDDING PACKAGES
STARTING FROM AS LITTLE AS £3,250!
A WEDDING AS UNIQUE AS YOU ARE... Your wedding is one of the most exciting and important days of your life – one that you will cherish and remember forever. If you are looking for a dream wedding venue in Kent, St Augustine’s is where dreams come true. At St Augustine’s we believe that every wedding is different. With a wide variety of rooms and spaces from which to choose, St Augustine’s is a truly unique venue and can offer: Weddings perfectly tailored to your needs whether an intimate gathering or 200+ guests • Huge flexibility with many function rooms to choose from for your big day • Elegant outdoor ceremonies in our beautiful gazebo • Deconsecrated chapel for religious, civil ceremonies, wedding breakfasts or reception • Spacious banqueting hall with capacity for 215 guests • Late licence until 1.00 am • Stylish bridal dressing room • Fabulous wedding cuisine, sumptuous banquets and deluxe buffets • A dedicated wedding co-ordinator • It’s your day and we promise it will be perfect, right down to the last tiny, exquisite detail. *Registrar fees are not included.
Call 01843 830150 or email, info@staugustines.uk.com today to book your viewing 125 Canterbury Road, Westgate-on-Sea, Kent CT8 8NL | www.staugustineskent.com |
https://parkershots.com
PENSHURST PLACE AND GARDENS
01892 870 307 | https://weddings.penshurstplace.com
Set in an estate of 2,500 acres, the 14th-century house boasts sandstone walls and an impressive sweeping driveway – the perfect combination of an inspiring castle and an intimate country manor house.
Brimming with character, the oldest part of the manor is Baron’s Hall. An awe-inspiring candle-lit space, it has an original firepit, a chestnut single-span roof, arched windows, original suits of armour and Medieval trestle tables. It can accommodate 200 ceremony, 136 dining and 200 evening reception guests.
The Sunderland Room sits atop a spiral turret staircase and adjoins the Minstrels Gallery overlooking the Hall. Its part-panelled walls are hung with paintings offering an Elizabethan feel. It can host 136 ceremony, 88 dining and 140 evening reception guests. Also available for ceremonies indoors is The Buttery (40 ceremony, 30 dining and 50 evening guests).
If you prefer to exchange vows in the open, the Inner Courtyard surrounded by climbing roses is an option. It can host 120 for your ceremony and 200 for an evening reception. It can accommodate a marquee too, with capacity for 160 dining and 210 evening guests. The South Lawn can also hold a marquee with space for 300 loved ones. There’s even the option to hold a humanist ceremony amongst the formal gardens or wider parkland.
FASCINATING FACT
Penshurst Place was originally built as a country retreat for the Lord Mayor of London in 1341. It was also once used as a hunting lodge for King Henry VIII and now regularly features in TV and film productions.
SOLTON MANOR
01304 448 844 | www.soltonmanor.com
https://jamesgristphotography.co.uk
Solton Manor offers the perfect blend of a historical luxury manor house and a stunning contemporary converted barn, all nestled amongst 10 acres of glorious gardens and grounds.
The beautiful summerhouse in Godric’s Garden, overlooks the Kent countryside and is a wonderful spot to say “I do” al fresco accompanied by 150 guests. Alternatively, inside for receptions as well as vows, you can choose from the Tudor Room (100 guests), the Barn (150 guests), or the more intimate Bell Tower Room (50 ceremony guests and 24 dining).
Complimentary use of the Dovecote Cottage is offered for your on-the-day bridal preparations. There’s also accommodation onsite for you and your guests – somewhere to rest your weary heads at the end of a wonderful, albeit tiring, day. Plus, there’ll be an experienced wedding planner on hand to answer any questions you may have and guide you along the way.
FASCINATING FACT
The history of Solton Manor can be traced back to the Domesday, book compiled in 1086, and boasts Grade II listed status.
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