These five party places on our Venues Hot List have glamour in abundance, with superb and historic surroundings, grand spaces for a wedding celebration and that extra star quality that ensures your wedding invitation will have pride of place on the mantelpiece
Words: Isabella Eckett
Party places are not in short supply in this country, but some wedding venues have that extra magic – call it star quality or added glamour. Whatever it is, it ensures a simply wonderful party of a lifetime. We’ve picked out five that should be on your radar if you are looking for a unique space for a truly memorable wedding celebration.
The Kimpton Clocktower Hotel, Manchester
This new opening from Kimpton Hotels offers something truly special in the heart of Manchester. Housed in a magnificent landmark building (once an insurance company HQ), the Grade II-listed building is a thing of beauty, and also a short walk from Piccadilly Station. Inside it’s been artfully designed and offers 270 loft-style bedrooms (including 11 suites) that make use of the building’s wonderful high ceilings. They also pay homage to Manchester’s music scene, with some housing vinyls of its most iconic bands. Your guests can enjoy Kimpton signature treats – think in-room yoga and complimentary ‘tuck boxes’. But beyond the wildly cool vibe, this houses some serious period splendour not least the fabulous entrance hall and the biggest hotel ballroom in the north west. kimptonclocktowerhotel.com
Corinthia London
This classic London five-star hotel has everything you could wish for and more. Wedding highlights include the grand Ballroom and the wonderful Private Dining Room at Tom Kerridge’s Bar & Grill, serving up the best modern British cuisine we’ve sampled. The in-house florist will create jaw-dropping floral displays and the award-winning ESPA Life spa is a dreamy retreat in the lead up to your wedding. The team are experts in setting a romantic mood, led by dedicated wedding specialist Alexandra Pisani. This means every little detail of your wedding day is set to be exceptional. Stay the night in one of the hotel’s penthouse suites, with panoramic London views and your own butler to make your experience even more magical. corinthia.com
Four Seasons, Hampshire
This Georgian manor set in 500-acres of enchanting parkland is only an hour from London, but feels a world away. Once frequented by royalty, today it still attracts a truly international guest list thanks to its quintessentially British charm and grandeur. The 16th-century walled garden is one of the most stunning and timeless settings for an alfresco wedding. But inside, the Mandeville Ballroom and events spaces are more opulent than ever, having undergone recent refurbishment. Party places need space to shift the tempo and the options are endless here when it comes to creating a unique celebration. What’s more, the weddings team get to know every couple personally. Your guests can unwind in the spa or go horse riding at the hotel’s stables. A top choice for a romantic getaway, the Wild Carrot restaurant is a culinary treat and the team can organise a dinner under the stars ahead of your big day. fourseasons.com/hampshire
L’oscar London
This lavish boutique hotel in the capital offers something totally different for your big day, and is ideal for couples who want a mix of traditional and new. You can’t beat the hotel’s location in Bloomsbury with the West End, Soho and theatreland all on your doorstep. L’oscar is home to a meticulously restored former chapel, The Baptist, an octagonal double-height space with a sumptuous decor and a sense of occasion to impress your guests for ceremony or after-party. Other choice areas for a wedding celebration include the rich and seductive Committee Room and elegant Library. With an ethos here that the hotel is a theatre that must transport guests, you’ll receive a red-carpet welcome and VIP service throughout your big day. loscarlondon.com
The Natural History Museum, London
We’re excited to share that couples can tie the knot in an intimate ceremony at this iconic London landmark – surely one of the ultimate party places. A wedding (or civil ceremony) can be conducted in one of the 12 licensed rooms. Each space is sure to impress your guests. Take the magnificent Hintze Hall with its iconic Victorian architecture, or the Earth Hall with giant globe sculpture and six-metre dinosaur fossil. There are also a number of smaller galleries, such as Earth’s Treasury or Images of Nature, for those looking to host a more cosy affair. It’s destined to be an unforgettable day and has to be one of the most impressive backdrops for any wedding album. nhm.ac.uk
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