FONTHILL ESTATE, FONTHILL BISHOP Bake Barn is a restored shooting lodge perched in a private, remote spot in the Wiltshire Downs on the 9,000-acre Fonthill Estate. It’s one of three venues for hire on-site that also includes Quarry Wood, a stunning woodland spot where a wedding under a stretch tent can be held. Deer Park Barn is the third venue on the estate that’s best suited to intimate micro weddings. The modest stone and tiled exterior of Bake Barn, along with the pitched central glass doors, gives it an old-fashioned village school feel and it’s sheltered by a stone perimeter wall creating a courtyard effect. Partly grass and gravel with a covered loggia area, it’s a self-contained blank canvas ideal for a rural and rustic-inspired real wedding. The interior boasts exposed beams and rafters, repointed stone walls and a wooden floor. A large fireplace at one end provides a focal point and a photo backdrop when decorated for a wedding. Natural light streams through the middle of the building which features glass doors on both sides and upstairs above the main hall, the Beater’s Loft is a light and airy industrial-style space for those seeking something a little more contemporary. Ceremonies take place here for up to 80 loved ones and there’s a separate entrance and private staircase for the bride or groom to enter. The Main Hall can set up to 120 guests for the ceremony and the covered Loggia situated outside in the pretty courtyard is open on one side allowing guests to gather and watch. Up to 30 people can be seated undercover on hay bales or benches with the remainder standing or sitting outside in the courtyard which offers another ceremony option since the laws have been relaxed. Drinks and canapés can also be enjoyed in the courtyard while the wedding breakfast is served inside the main hall. Those wishing to dine al fresco against the uninterrupted views can do this by hiring a marquee to erect on the lawn and these vistas make fantastic backdrops for photographs with the lake and Beckford Arch both being recognised beauty spots. Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01747 820 246, www.fonthill.co.uk ♥ We love... that with no neighbours nearby, there are no curfew and nois restrictions. THE MANOR HOUSE, CHIPPENHAM The Manor House is a 14th-century luxury hotel and golf club located in the historic village of Castle Combe offering a spectacular setting on 365 acres for weddings, first-night stays and staycation honeymoons. There are 21 opulent, individually styled rooms and suites and 29 picturesque on-site cottages including a new private cottage located in Castle Combe. Baker’s Cottage has added a self-catering option to the hotel’s already impressive line-up of accommodation. It’s a two-bedroom, dogfriendly property with a garden terrace, kitchen and lounge. The double bedroom, twin bedroom and sofa bed available in the lounge sleep up to four adults, ideal for wedding guests. The championship-standard, 18-hole golf course is one of the best in the South West. The hotel is also home to the Michelin-starred Bybrook restaurant which has retained its Michelin star for the fifth consecutive year. While this is an adult-only environment, there are informal areas that welcome children throughout the property. There’s also al fresco dining to be enjoyed on the outdoor terraces and a dedicated gin bar. The village is also home to a sister venue, The Castle Inn, a 12th-century pub offering a relaxed dining experience for couples and families. Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01249 782 982, www.exclusive.co.uk/the-manor-house ♥ We love... the convenient location in Wiltshire close to Bath, Bristol and the M4. Interior images of Fonthill Estate courtesy of https://angelawardbrown.com 21 REGIONAL VENUES
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=