Barnsdale Lodge Photo: Elli Dean
Kilworth House Hotel
Photo: Elli Dean
Hothorpe Hall
Hothorpe Hall is a magnificent, historic country house catering for civil ceremonies and dining for up to 110 guests and up to 200 for the evening reception. It’s a classic, elegant venue and an excellent choice if you need to accommodate large numbers in your party. A stylish option. Theddingworth, Leicestershire LE17 6QX, 01858 881500, www.hothorpe.co.uk
Kilworth House Hotel
Set amid 38 acres of rolling parkland in rural Leicestershire, the elegant Italianate, late 19thcentury Kilworth House offers the whole package for your fairy-tale wedding, whether you have 20 or up to 200 guests. It has a licence for the civil ceremony, a range of beautiful rooms for the reception, a two AA Rosette restaurant and a large number of luxurious rooms to house the bridal party and guests. Lutterworth Road, North Kilworth LE17 6JE, 01858 880058, www.kilworthhouse.co.uk
Normanton Church
Oakham Castle Photo: Elli Dean
The Woodlands
One of the most iconic buildings in the region offers a romantic setting for a civil ceremony right on the water, with space for up to 100 guests. Registrar availability needs to made in addition to booking the church. A trip on Rutland Belle could add to the fun! A local classic! South Shore, Rutland Water LE15 8RP, 01780 686800, www.anglianwaterparks.co.uk
Oakham Castle
An oasis of peace in the heart of Oakham with its atmospheric Norman Great Hall, 12th-century sculptures and a unique collection of ceremonial horseshoes, Oakham Castle provides one of the most impressive heritage venues in the area. It can hold up to 120 people for civil ceremonies and 90 people for evening receptions. This ancient building takes guests back in time while still offering all the benefits of Oakham beyond its extensive grounds. (The gardens are great, too, if you’ve got lots of children at the wedding and you need somewhere for them to run off steam. They can learn all about royal history while they’re indoors, too.) Market Place, Oakham LE15 6DR, 01572 758440, www.oakhamcastle.org
Rushton Hall
Set in 25 acres of beautiful grounds, the 16thcentury Grade I-listed Rushton Hall Hotel and Spa makes a magnificent setting for a wedding and is licensed for civil ceremonies. Highlights include its romantic new Orangery, which can host up to 280 guests for a wedding breakfast. Crystal chandeliers, high ceilings and beautiful large windows with views onto the gardens make this a spectacular venue. At time of printing, the 4 Red Star Hotel’s restaurant was the only one with 3 AA rosettes in Northamptonshire. Nr Kettering, Northamptonshire NN14 1RR, 01536 713001, www.rushtonhall.com
Rutland Water Golf Course
This venue offers views towards Rutland Water, a marquee-lined barn for up to 180 guests or a balconied function room for a smaller affair. Lodge Farm, Oakham LE15 8HB, 01572 737149, www.rutlandwatergolfcourse.co.uk
The William Cecil
Standing on the edge of Stamford, with the celebrated Burghley Estate as its neighbour, The William Cecil is licensed for civil ceremonies. Events can take place inside in one of their stylishly designed, historic reception rooms, or the happy couple can say “I do” in the quintessentially English and romantic Garden Pavilion, set in gorgeous gardens. St Martins, Stamford PE9 2LJ, 01780 750070, www.hillbrookehotels.co.uk
The Woodlands
For an enchantingly whimsical, nature-inspired vibe (“Rustic Luxe”), The Woodlands is perfect. You can hold your ceremony outdoors at The Hideaway, an idyllic licensed space nestled by the River Welland. If the weather proves inclement, you can move inside The Woodlands, where floor-to-ceiling glass keeps the woods in sight. There’s room for 60 seated or 150 for a reception. Guests can stay in one of the lodges, and the bridal suite is a treehouse. Magical! Theddingworth, Leicestershire LE17 6QX, 01858 881500, www.hothorpe.co.uk STAMFORD LIVING MARCH 2018
47