Our hand-picked shortlist of idyllic country properties have space, history and glorious proportions – just perfect for spreading out and hosting a memorable party
Words: Isabella Eckett
Country properties where you can host a memorable wedding party are always worth seeking out and our Venues Hot List top-five selection offer all the elements you need. There’s space to spread out, spectacular landscapes, perfect venue spaces for hosting ceremony, feast and after party and lots of thoughtful extra touches to ensure you and your guests feel at home.
Oatlands Park, Surrey
A short drive from central London, this historic four-star hotel has recently undergone a multi-million-pound refurbishment. Originally, the site of a grand Royal Tudor Palace and the venue where King Henry VIII married Catherine Howard in 1504, it has plenty of romantic history and its location close to Weybridge is incredibly pretty. Today, you can have your own regal affair in one of the hotel’s lovely event spaces. Take the Mulberry Suite with spectacular lake views or the vast York Suite for celebrations for up to 350 guests. For something more intimate, the Cromwell Suite is the perfect choice. There are 144 bedrooms here, so plenty of space to house all your loved ones and perfect if you want to make a weekend of it. oatlandsparkhotel.com
Deer Park, Devon
The sky’s the limit at this Georgian party pad and you can plan a bespoke wedding retreat to suit your style. Available for exclusive hire, you’re guaranteed to have days packed full of fun. Good news, your four-legged friends are welcome too – worth considering if you want them in that special album shot. Think yoga on the lawn, leisurely brunches and long lunches cherishing every moment with your loved ones. The ultra-stylish house has antique furniture, designer wallpapers and rich velvet furnishings throughout. Get hitched in the decadent orangery, leading out to the romantic Italian gardens. The food is exceptionally innovative – not just for the wedding day but for afterwards. We say that a shared supper of Moroccan Mezze cooked over hot coals makes a great recovery lunch the next day! For the newlyweds, the thatched treehouse is an idyllic hideaway and you’ll feel like you really have entered paradise in this rustic setting. deerpark.co.uk
Rushton Hall Hotel & Spa, Northamptonshire
A 16th century grand hotel with state-of-the-art Orangery designed for weddings, Rushton Hall is also ideally located in rural Northamptonshire. The Orangery has a breath-takingly beautiful stone façade that makes a great backdrop to weddings. It welcomes intimate gatherings or can accommodate up to 280 guests for more extravagant ceremonies. The hotel has traditional charm with a twist of modern elegance and can house all your guests. Bedrooms boast roaring open fires and four-poster beds. Outside the sunken lawn is the place for your most memorable wedding photos. There’s an exciting new Sovereign Wedding Package, complete with a Gourmet Menu chosen by the award-winning executive chef, which pairs beautifully with elegant wines selected by the in-house sommelier. You can check into one of the recently refurbished lodges if you’re making this a long-stay wedding, perfectly private and gloriously set up for the bridal party on your wedding eve. rushtonhall.com
Hales Hall & The Great Barn, Norfolk
This glorious medieval estate is home to buttercup meadows, moated walled gardens and sculpted topiary. It’s the epitome of romance, with a great choice of stunning outdoor ceremony options. At the heart of the estate is the magnificent Tudor barn, comfortably seating 200 guests and beautifully adapted to host great parties. Luxury accommodation includes a converted stable block and the lovingly restored Hales Hall with 40-foot kitchen that is ideal for a gathering of friends and family. The Gatehouse is a charming nest for the newlyweds and will encourage you to stay on for a minimoon. Hales Hall is perfect for intimate weddings or large parties and offers a three-day signature wedding package that is ideal for spending quality time with loved ones. There’s also the option to host a luxurious midweek wedding here. Whichever you choose, the dedicated team go above and beyond to make anything possible. haleshall.com
Hotel Endsleigh, Devon
If you’re looking for a quintessentially English backdrop, look no further than the unbelievably romantic Hotel Endsleigh in Dartmoor, Devon – country properties don’t get much finer. Part of the Polizzi Collection (and sister to the much-loved Hotel Tresanton in Cornwall), Hotel Endsleigh is set in 100 acres of enchanting woodland, with follies and grottos designed by Humphrey Repton. The fairytale gardens offer cascading lawns looking over the River Tamar. You’ll also find a Parterre garden, a little shell house and fabulous rose aisle. The hotel has colourful interiors with 19 individually designed bedrooms for your guests. The Hayloft is ideal for newlyweds and has private entrance from the cobbled stableyard, bright floral wallpaper as you enter, a sumptuous bedroom, cosy sitting room and a large bathroom with a roll-top bath. Trust us, you will never want to leave! thepolizzicollection.com
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