FESTI VITI ES Fabulous Absolutely

When a place attracts this much attention from film directors, artists, stylists, actors and the creative industry as a whole, we knew we needed to have a closer look. Well, we agree, there really is something ver y special happening at James Perkins’ p l a c e , Ay n h o e Pa r k ! A c t u a l l y, wonderful things happen there every day. It has become the Mecca of weddings, parties & fantastic creative fashion & film shoots. It is a stylists dream house! So, we asked Thomas Farquhar to drop by whilst he was in Oxfordshire recently to investigate, and his response was...it’s absolutely fffffffabulous!

Aynhoe Park was originally built in 1615, but it has been rebuilt, remodeled and embellished many times since then, as time, tragedy and the imagination of its owners changed its face a c r o s s t h e c e n t u r i e s . Thirteen years ago, James Pe rk i n s b o u g h t Ay n h o e Park, in the years that followed; James undertook the monumental challenge of restoring Aynhoe. James Perkins is a restorer of historic houses, a musicindustry veteran, a collector and an aesthete. In the beginning, Aynhoe Park was supposed to be just one of his restoration projects – A chance to return a classic Georg ian country house to its full glory before m o v i n g o n t o h i s n e x t challenge…he has never left. In the 1990’s, James was well known as the founder and driving force behind danceparty powerhouse Fantazia.

He brings his love of spectacle and talent for entertaining to

the ethos of Aynhoe today. That’s why events at Aynhoe Park are among the most memorable in the country. A n av i d co l l e cto r o f th e

historic, the unusual and the beautiful since he was very yo u n g , Ja m e s h a s t u r n e d Aynhoe Park into a repository of stories told in objects and

artworks. Aynhoe Park is now the passion project and family home of James and his partner Sophie – They are only too happy to

share it with discerning guests and those with something to celebrate. Together, they have both restored it to the grandeur of yesteryear and created a

mesmerizing environment with

an extraordinary 21 st century

personality.

We have fallen head-over-heels for this place, it is a Mecca of a location for all things creative. The Orangery as seen here, is a gallery of classical sculpture swiped from a museum and given an inimitable Aynhoe makeover. The Orangery is whatever you make it and it has been used for fashion shoots, films, parties and weddings. There is also a hire department filled with one-of-a-kind art and whimsical items to add to your setting. It is a fantastic location for filming and shooting, and a perfect setting for weddings, corporate functions and private events...and only 50 minutes drive from London, it is a place for magical place for all kinds of parties for both young and old and a perfect place to stay with 28 bedroom suites. They have just recently renovated the East Wing adding an an additional 12 bedrooms. Up and coming events at Aynhoe Park includes the Formula 1 at Silverstone, the ‘Wilderness Music Festival’ , and, if cricket is your thing, Aynhoe Park is hosting the annual local cricket match, what a fun day that would be. Check the website for dates & details.

AT T H E H E A RT O F 2 5 0 AC R E S O F C A PA B I L I T Y B ROW N C O U N T RYS I D E , T H E 1 7 T H - C E N T U RY S TAT E LY H O M E I S A H O U S E O F S TO R I E S A N D S U R P R I S E S – A P L AC E W H E R E T H E E X T R AO R D I N A RY H A P P E N S E V E RY DAY.

AVA I L A B L E F O R P R I VAT E H I R E F O R W E D D I N G S , PA RT I E S A N D C O R P O R AT E R E T R E AT S , AY N H O E PA R K S P E C I A L I S E S I N U N I QU E C E L E B R AT I O N S T H AT C O M B I N E C R E AT I V I T Y, WO N D E R A N D T H E H I G H E S T S TA N DA R D S O F S E RV I C E .

W W W. AY N H O E PA R K . C O. U K