BOVEY CASTLE, NEWTON ABBOT, DEVON Nestled in 275 acres of countryside with views stretching across Dartmoor National Park, Bovey Castle is one of Devon’s most popular hotels. This iconic luxury country house hotel has won numerous awards, including five red AA stars in 2017 for its exceptional hospitality – the AA’s highest possible accolade. Having been acquired by The Eden Hotel Collection in 2014, it has recently appointed a new general manager Dean Gunston who has worked for the Eden group for more than 13 years. The hotel offers 60 bedrooms along with 22 self-catering country lodges tucked away within 275 acres of beautiful countryside. It’s also home to Smith’s Brasserie, an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, and the Elan Spa, while on-site experiences include falconry, archery, cider and sloe gin-making plus 4x4 off-road driving. Inside, the property boasts a grand Jacobean-style staircase, stonecarved chimneys and the most beautiful hand-carved oak panelling, perfect for a dramatic big-day backdrop. Each room offers a luxurious finish, decorated in a traditional style, with contemporary touches. Ceremonies take place in a choice of function suites including the Cathedral Room with views of the valley from every window for between 80 and 120 guests, The Adam Room with its open fireplace for between 18 to 30 loved ones and the Library with private access to the South Terrace for an intimate14 people. For an outdoor ceremony, there’s also The Summerhouse, set in a quiet corner of the grounds and flanked by tall yew hedges and herbaceous borders. Receptions take place in the Great Western, Art Deco-style suite for up to 120 guests, in the Bovey Room home to sumptuous furnishings for up to 30 people and in the Mulberry Room with its striking chandelier for an intimate 14 loved ones. A complimentary Valley Castle room is available for the couple on the night of the wedding, discounted accommodation is provided for an anniversary stay if the wedding was at Bovey Castle and complimentary menu tasting is offered for exclusive-use weddings. Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01647 445 000, www.boveycastle.com THE BEDFORD HOTEL, TAVISTOCK, DEVON This beautifully restored hotel stands pride of place in the heart of this pretty market town where the hotel’s grand façade is a local landmark. The charming, historic property oozes style with warm and welcoming public areas boasting original features and antiques plus there’s a range of stunning spaces available for weddings. The historic Woburn Room, with its original intricate ceiling and panelled walls, provides the perfect backdrop for a ceremony, whilst the contemporary Gallery 26, an architect-designed space with floor-toceiling windows flooding the room with natural light and with a backdrop of the hotel’s original stone walls is the ideal area for the wedding breakfast and evening celebration. For something more intimate, the oak-panelled Tavistock Room with its feature fireplace is a cosy and sophisticated setting for a small gathering or a private dinner. The pretty front garden and the ancient Walled Garden provide picture-perfect settings for a drinks reception on a summer’s day and complimentary tasting and bridal suite for the wedding couple. It also showcases the skills of the hotel’s gardeners and is home to a fragrant herb garden used by the hotel’s chefs. The 31 individually styled bedrooms include the hotel’s comfortable Classic rooms and the indulgent Four Poster rooms and the Bridal Suite. Exclusive-use weddings are a popular option at The Bedford with guests making use of all of these rooms. Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01822 613221, www.bedford-hotel.co.uk www.snapdragonphoto.co.uk www.louisericheyphotography.com www.louisericheyphotography.com 24 Maggie McCall TWO BRIDGES HOTEL, NR PLYMOUTH, DEVON This country house hotel located on the banks of the West Dart River in the heart of Dartmoor National Park is a former coaching inn. The lawns sweep down to the water with panoramic views offering a backdrop for photographs. The interior oozes character with antiques, log fires and romantic candlelit areas. The individually styled bedrooms range from the Country Rooms decorated in a traditional style to the indulgent Premier Rooms boasting comfortable four-poster beds and spa baths. The Bridal Suite is complimentary for the couple on their wedding night. The light-filled Fountain Room is ideal for ceremonies and receptions with French doors opening on to the gardens, while the historic, oakpanelled Tors Room filled with antiques is another ceremony option for up to 140 guests. There’s also the elegant Riverside Pagoda for al fresco ceremonies of up to 140 guests on the lawn and the Georgian Room for an intimate wedding breakfast for up to 20 guests. Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01822 892 300, www.twobridges.co.uk Maggie McCall
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=