Donningtongrove

Donnington Grove HOTEL & Country Club

An Unforgettable Berkshire Wedding Venue

A Brief History of Donnington Grove

Donnington Grove is a fascinating chapter from a bygone era of English decadence. The original owner was James Pettit Andrews (1737-1797), a noted British Historian and translator whose major work was “A History of Great Britain”. It was Andrews who had Donnington Grove designed and built by John Chute in 1763, in the “Strawberry Hill Gothic” style of his friend Horace Walpole.

Walpole was the aristocrat who penned gothic novel “The Castle of Otranto”, a suitably dark and dramatic forerunner to genre classics such as Dracula and Frankenstein.

The project was no Travel Lodge. With ornate battlements, pillars and statues it was expensive both to build and maintain. After Andrews departure in 1783, subsequent owner William Brummell had even grander designs - eventually expanding the estate to some 850 acres (and he didn’t even play golf).

The house became the childhood home of his son, Edwardian style icon “Beau” Brummell (1778-1840), the man who revolutionised fashion and is credited with introducing the suit and neck tie to menswear.

Decadence and Wartime: Later Years: The house and grounds then passed through the hands of three different owners until it was requisitioned by Allied Supplies Ltd. during World War Two. Post war, the estate was sold to the cousin of Winston Churchill, the Hon. Reginald Fellowes, although his hell-raising wife Daisy Fellowes (1890-1962) will be a resident more familiar to most.

A woman of extravagant tastes and decadent habits, described as “the very picture of fashionable depravity”, Daisy was heiress to the Singer sewing machine empire.

Besides trying to seduce dozens of famous men (including Winston Churchill) she also enjoyed spicing up cocktail parties with various illicit substances and had one of the most lavish collections of jewellery in Europe.

Daisy’s little cottage retreat can still be seen in the Donnington Grove grounds; it was here she would allegedly take shelter or sleep off the excesses of the her wild parties.

Donnington Grove remained in the Fellowes family until bought by Shi-tenoji International in 1991.

This organisation was responsible for the wonderfully tranquil temple area and ornamental gardens which form one of the most unexpected and handsome corners in the grounds. The Japanese buyers bought the site with a view to developing a top class golf course. This task fell to former Welsh Ryder Cup player and legendary golf architect Dave Thomas, who began work on the eighteen holes you see today. The Donnington Grove Country Club opened on June 12th,1993. In 2005 the Donnington Grove estate changed owners again and it is now privately managed. The recent focus and redirection of the business will ensure it remains a successful independent and unique hotel in Newbury.

Wedding Reception Packages Every step of the way, Donnington Grove Hotel aims to meet and surpass expectations to ensure that your special day will be truly memorable. For the most intimate to a big, grand affair, Donnington Grove has a choice of suites and function rooms all of which can be set up to provide the wedding of your dreams at a price to suit your budget. Donnington’s wedding planner has experience with all sorts of events, from the traditional to working around a specific theme, for example, creating a Morroccan style Hideaway.

See For Yourself...

There is a great range of dishes on our Wedding Breakfast menu and the hotel is happy to do a pre-wedding tasting to ensure satisfaction with the menu and dishes selected. No wish is too large or too small in the quest to ensure that every wedding is perfect.

The happy couple can greet guests and have arrival drinks served in the stunning grounds or in one of the stylish suites with their beautiful period features. There is the attraction of a private bar and all the space required for evening entertainment such as a disco or live band. With attentive service, a magical setting and that special touch, you couldn’t find a more charming wedding venue in the Newbury area. The hotel has a spacious, period Honeymoon Suite and 36 bedrooms to accommodate guests overnight.

Top Class Accommodation in Berkshire

Our rooms retain many of the character features that epitomise Donnington Grove’s grand setting and provide all of the basic comforts you would expect in a 3-star hotel.

There are a number of different room styles, from Classic standard rooms to superior rooms and an extremely spacious suite. Each individual room, en suite with bath and/or shower, comes equipped with a quality hospitality tray, digital flatscreen TV, high speed Wi-Fi, hairdryer and Donnington-Grove’s own bottled still and sparkling water.

Many of the luxury rooms in the main house and the lodges command fine views over the beautiful grounds and the River Lambourn.

Cloudy Suite This elegant traditional room can accommodate up to 30 delegates seated and up to 50 for a drinks reception. The room has a WOW factor, with high, beautiful painted ceilings, an open fire place and three huge windows that overlook the grounds. The Cloudy room is licensed for wedding ceremonies and is the perfect mid-sized setting for a dinner or celebration. It also has the benefit of connecting to the Kennet room and the Marquee, so can be multi-functional for business or leisure use.

Kennet Suite The Kennet is the largest function room in the main house at Donnington Grove. It boasts an original fireplace, high ceilings, a built in dance floor with a door leading onto a patio. The room is ideal for larger business meetings, conferences and functions offering the benefit of a choice of layout.

The Kennet also leads directly into the Marquee, which is a fixed addition to the main building that can add a social venue to conclude a conference. The room’s connection to the Cloudy Room provides additional functionality, ensuring a suite of rooms that can be extremely conducive to good business.

In addition to its suitability as a business venue, the individual or combination use of rooms is perfectly suited to weddings and other social events.

Marquee With a bigger capacity, the marquee is ideal for major functions and meetings. It is also adjacent to the Kennet, to form an ideal combination of rooms for a dinner dance or large wedding. The marquee is heated and provides a warm cosy atmosphere for winter parties and celebrations.

Fabulous Food For Your Wedding Day

Donnington Grove does the utmost to ensure that the food on your Wedding Day is as delicious as the day is memorable. Two main packages are available - helpful for those on a budget and a starting point for those who want to create a bespoke day. With plenty of choice using locally-sourced ingredients, there should be something to tempt all taste buds. Depending on season, there are Emerald and Diamond packages, both of which are all inclusive, priced per person and offer the following as basic with exclusive use.

• Drinks on arrival • Set three course meal • Half a bottle of house wine per person • Evening room hire, disco and buffet • Complimentary accommodation for the bride and groom

Our Head Chef

Displaying a passion for traditional cooking with a touch of innovation, Donnington’s Head Chef, Catalin Pop, aims to provide guests with a satisfying menu of dishes that make dining here an enjoyable experience. His favourite cuisine is Mediterranean, although British food and the excellent fresh and seasonal provenance of the local area inspires his craft.

Permanently fascinated by the kitchen from the age of four, Catalin has risen steadily through the ranks, first running his own Italian Restaurant before becoming a Chef in the pressurized atmosphere of large hotels where he had the pleasure of cooking for star guests including Nicole Kidman and Natalie Portman. After six years at the helm in Donnington Grove he continues to delight in the availability of good quality local produce, focussing on flavour to create dishes that continue to delight guests. One of his most recent projects is the development of a kitchen garden, the contents of which will feature strongly on the seasonal menus.

Grand Days Out Fine Fly Fishing in the Heart of Berkshire One of the hidden treasures of Donnington Grove Estate is the beautiful River Lambourn that runs through it. This an absolutely delightful chalk stream: not too wide, bright gravel bottom and gin-clear water. In short, this is ideal territory for stalking the wild brown trout in wonderful surroundings.

Fishing is available on the river for a length of approximately half a mile. It responds well to both traditional dry and wet fly tactics throughout the season. A good head of wild browns are supplemented with carefully stocked, locally reared fish to provide a first class sport.

Anglers can move between the river and lake, but fishing is restricted to fly fishing only. For guests looking to get the very best from their fishing trip, we would highly recommend the services of resident guide, available for hire by the day.

The river trout season opens mid April and closes on the 30th September, although we also offer fly fishing for grayling through the winter months. It’s a quiet and ideal time to learn the art of fly fishing so that by the time the season starts, you are expert enough to anticipate landing a fish or two!

Clay Pigeon Shooting Clay shoots at Donnington Grove are available throughout the year, with professional tuition and excellent rates for all abilities, including complete beginners. Sessions can be arranged for individuals or groups, ideal for pre-wedding parties, Stags and Hen nights.

Why not come and test your aim?

Besides Donnington Grove’s golf course and on site activities, there are plenty of other things to do in Newbury and the surrounding area. Beautiful walks and heritage sites offer a sense of tranquillity to guests, while those looking for thrills or diversion will find Newbury Racecourse and Newbury town itself a fine day out.

See next page for shortlist of recommended attractions.

The Racecourse, Newbury For a day of excitement, action and a small wager or two, little beats a day at the races in Newbury.

This historic course has been making hearts as well as horses race since 1905. See their website for details of various events and all news on the current racing calendar: www.racecoursenewbury.co.uk Donnington Castle Overlooking our grounds, this 14th Century Castle ruin is a focal point of the surrounding landscape.

Golfers and guests like to admire it from a distance but you can get much closer for a more intimate viewing. For more on this Berkshire landmark, visit www.berkshirehistory.com/castles/donnington Highclere Castle Set amidst a huge estate, this spectacular heritage site is home to the Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. It is perhaps most famous as the set for hugely successful ITV drama series Downton Abbey. Highclere has a fascinating history and sits in the most beautiful grounds. The Castle is only open to visitors for around 70 days a year (typically during the summer, Easter and Bank Holidays .

However, when closed, you can view the majesty of the property up close whilst enjoying a hearty walk around the grounds. For more details please visit : http://www.highclerecastle.co.uk or to book a tour, contact: theoffice@highclerecastle.co.uk Watermill Theatre Theatre lovers are well catered for at this friendly, popular venue that runs shows ranging from Shakespeare to foot-stomping musicals. The quaint and very characterful Theatre is set in beautiful grounds and is a quite different theatre going experience. As well its productions, it runs a programme of workshops and events for all ages. Well worth a visit.

For further information please visit the website at www.watermill.org.uk Sandham Memorial Chapel “Britain’s answer to the Sistine Chapel” features the best work of British war artist Sir Stanley Spencer. The display is a truly moving experience, paying a fitting tribute to Britain’s forgotten war dead. The property is managed by the National Trust and visits must be prebooked either online or by calling 01635 278394. It is closed during the colder months from October 31st, but reopens again on March 21st. There are also some fine walks and views in the area.

More here: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/s The Living Rainforest Sample the heat and fascination of a tropical jungle habitat without leaving the country at this immersive attraction for all ages. You’ll learn all about this fascinating eco-system and discover various birds, bugs, lizards, monkeys and even a crocodile or two in the process: Get up close with nature by visiting www.livingrainforest.org Newbury Town and Shopping Experience With easy parking, a pedestrianized central high street, local markets and plenty of shops, cafes and eateries, Newbury is an attractive town for a day out- ideal for golf widows and other non-players!

Not too far away is the village of Hungerford, also offering plenty to browse around with some lovely select boutiques and antique shops. www.visitnewbury.org.uk/shopping/

Redcrest specialise in marquees, equipment and services for just about any occasion - private parties, weddings, christenings, corporate functions and many more.

Our mission is to go above and beyond our clients’ expectations. And our vision is to be the best marquee company around.

Our values are to: exceed our contracted obligations provide the highest quality product offer an unrivalled level of customer service We pride ourselves on the service that we provide and the product that we deliver. Our marquees are all of the highest quality and, as well as the standard ivory linings, we offer exquisite hand printed linings to give your event the wow factor.

We also have a variety of canvas tents of all sizes, including a Mughal tent and smaller Raj tents from India, plus the traditional looking PVC pole tents, for those who want something a little bit different.

We would love to hear from you if you are looking to plan an event in the Berkshire, Hampshire, Wiltshire, Oxfordshire and London areas.

Please contact James or Abby Collins on 01635 581153 or 07980 741756 Alternatively email on info@redcrestevents.co.uk Website www.redcrestevents.co.uk

GRAHAM’S HOG ROAST Once you have eaten a Graham’s Hog Roast you won’t want anything else

Our Speciality Is A Traditional Wood Fire Hog Roast • • • •

Also available Gas Hog Roast and DO-IT-Yourself Choose hog or Any combination of meat.

Family run business with over 20 years experience We cater for garden parties, birthday, weddings, and up to large corporate events • Also available traditional ice cream trike to bring some retro glamour and sweetness to your event.

Contact Charlie or Graham Charlie: 07778 385886 or 0118 9713443 • Graham: 07971 918674 www.grahamshogroast.co.uk

Simply Bows and Chair Covers have a huge range of chair covers to suit every style of chair with a fantastic range of sashes, the colour range is extensive which means we can compliment any colour theme giving your event that extra wow factor.

We can also offer a bespoke range of table cloths and table runners which are exclusive to Simply Bows and Chair Covers.

All of our range are made to measure and are designed by our in house team making them a perfect fit.

No event is too small or too large We would also be delighted to discuss any bespoke manufacture to purchase requirements you may have or packages you may like us to supply for daily/weekly linen hire.

Please contact your local office: www.simplybowsandchaircovers.co.uk enquiries@simplybowsandchaircovers.co.uk

For All Your Weddin g Needs!

Music from our in house DJ using professional sound and mixing systems. Up lighting for that extra wow factor as well as complete hall decorations.

Book our DJ and lighting and get 10% discount of all other wedding supplies and decorations purchased from our shop including: Balloons, confetti, favours and much much more.

With over 20 years experience we will ensure that your wedding is everything that it should be.

VISIT US AT: 3 Cheap Street, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 5DD CALL US ON: 01635 552244 • MOBILE: 07789208733 EMAIL: info@pageantparty.co.uk • WEB: www.pageantparty.co.uk

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We pride ourselves on providing a Personal Wedding Car Service which is tailored to meet your individual requirements. We are passionate about customer service and we deliver our Service with Sensitivity and Care.

You can be reassured that your Luxury Mercedes S Class will arrive with a smartly attired Chauffeur, impeccably presented with attention to every detail.

Fare Wise Travel can manage your honeymoon travel arrangements or advise, plan and pre book all of your wedding arrangements including legal information, to ensure a truly memorable occasion.

We can also set up a “wedding moon” or a “honey pot” and easily arrange and administer both – so taking any stresses and strains out of the planning for your big day.

Experience the difference with Fare Wise Travel.

For further information or to reserve your Mercedes Wedding Car Please contact us and we will be delighted to help.

01488 686858 www.farewise.com 5 Kennet House, 19 High Street Hungerford RG17 0NL Fare Wise wedding advert.indd 1

Mi Car Chauffeurs T: 01635 812066 • M: 07593 393612 E: info@micarchauffeurs.co.uk W: www.micarchauffeurs.co.uk 31/03/2015 13:26

Your Pristine Silver Wedding Car will be beautifully dressed with Ribbons and hand tied Bows, dainty floral posies for the interior and Complimentary Champagne.

We understand how Special and Important your Wedding Day is to you and we are here to provide an Exemplary Service ensuring that you have a relaxing and memorable experience.

BUTTERCUPS & DAISIES Wedding Flowers • Bouquets • Buttonholes

We can help you to celebrate your special day.

Your wedding is unique, so we pride ourselves on our flexibility to meet your requirements.

01635 869 689 or 07787 560276 Email us: sarah@buttercups-and-daisies.co.uk www.buttercups-and-daisies.co.uk Visit us (by appointment only):

6 Riverside Studios, Lower Way Farm, Lower Way, Thatcham, Berkshire RG19 3TL

We are very grateful to the businesses whose advertisements appear in this publication. As a mark of our gratitude we would like to draw the attention of the readers to their details and announcements. We are required to make it clear however that neither Excellmedia nor the distributor can accept responsibility for any services or workmanship that they may undertake.

Telephone: 08450 707040 | www.excell-media.co.uk admin@excell-media.co.uk This brochure was produced by excellmedia The Barn at Westwinds, Bank Lane, Warton, Preston PR4 1AT

The Lonsdale F lower Company Wedding & Events Florist

Berkshire’s Leading Wedding Video & Wedding DVD Videographers

www.provideouk.co.uk

Photo credit: Samantha Jane Photography From her studio in Kingsclere, Hampshire, Saranna creates floral designs for weddings and events across Berkshire, Hampshire & beyond.

Her style is natural, yet elegant and always incorporates an abundant mix of seasonal blooms and foliage that capture your personality and preferences, whether that’s a favourite colour, flower or a piece of jewellery that is significant to you.

Each design is as individual as you are; after all it’s your dream, your style, your day!

Contact Saranna to arrange a no obligation consultation at the flower studio in Kingsclere or perhaps you prefer to meet at your chosen venue; the choice is yours.

Tel: 07753 125 991

Email: saranna@thelonsdaleflowercompany.co.uk Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheLFCo Website: www.thelonsdaleflowercompany.co.uk

We offer a personalised service to suit your needs Tailor made packages for all budgets For any wedding, no matter how big or small Offering you irreplaceable record of your wedding day Over 25 years of film production experience Complete professional service from start to finish

01635 524319 • 07766 754944 • info@provideouk.co.uk 42 Kingsbridge Road | Newbury | Berkshire | RG14 6EA

Donnington Grove HOTEL & Country Club

Grove Road, Newbury, Berks. RG14 2LA T: 01635 581000 • E: enquiries@donnington-grove.com www.donnington-grove.com