SPOTLIGHT ON SOUTH CORNWALL

Spotlight on... SOUTH AND WEST CORNWALL

HOTEL TRESANTON, ST MAWES

This hotel by the sea is formed of a cluster of houses built on the waterfront providing a stunning backdrop for weddings. Located directly below the hotel is the property’s new Beach Club consisting of three terraces set just above the waterline that’s now available for exclusive-use ceremonies and receptions of up to 50 guests. The Mediterranean-style club echoes the Amalfi coast, with blue and white striped umbrellas and semi-tropical plants.

Guests can dine from the barbecue menu that provides a great alternative to a formal wedding breakfast and includes a selection of local seafood, salads, grilled meats, delicious desserts and West Country cheeses, all prepared by a personal chef who will cook to order. Should the balmy weather decide to break, the Cinema function room acts as an indoor alternative for up to 50 people.

There are a variety of other venues available at the hotel with a range of capacities. The restaurant can cater for up to 70 loved ones while the private waterfront terrace called the Nook can host up to 30 guests. Couples wanting to marry in a church can do so at the 14th-century St Just in Roseland Church close by.

The hotel welcomes intimate celebrations too, offering the option of a private candlelit dinner or wedding ceremony for two. Tavern Beach is located in front of the hotel and is easily accessible, making it the ideal spot for photographs.

The hotel’s eight-metre classic racing yacht, Pinuccia, is available for hire for up to six guests, hosted by an in-house skipper. Should the tide be right, the happy couple can depart a wedding service from St Just in Roseland Church and arrive at Hotel Tresanton by water.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01326 270 055, https://tresanton.com

♥ We love... that weddings at Tresanton are always bespoke, tailored to each couple.

POLURRIAN ON THE LIZARD, MULLION

This clifftop retreat located on the unspoilt Lizard Peninsula boasting panoramic coastal views offers easy access to the South West Coast Path as well as its sandy beach, Polurrian Cove. The white exterior complements the surrounding 12 acres of gardens set against the backdrop of the Atlantic Ocean while the contemporary communal areas offer a relaxed vibe with quirky furnishings.

Ceremonies take place in a choice of areas including The Vista, a light and airy space enjoying wonderful views that are available for exclusive and non-exclusive-use weddings. The Marconi Room is ideal for intimate ceremonies of up to 60 guests while the Cove View Suite is a versatile, bright and airy room for up to 90 guests equipped with a private bar and outside terrace where sunset views can be enjoyed. The restaurant, with its bright modern furnishings and coastal views, provides another option seating up to 60 people.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01326 240 421, www.polurrianhotel.com

♥ We love... that as part of the Exclusive Package, all guests staying over will receive bed and breakfast and the happy couple will be invited to a food tasting and a one-night stay in a sea view room before their wedding. There’s also an Elopement Package available for couples only.

THE ROSE GARDENS AT ROSWARNE HOUSE, HOLMAN PARK

This new wedding venue is a classical Regency country house standing in six acres of historic parkland boasting antique furniture throughout, marble and polished oak floors, a magnificent staircase with four granite pillars, fireplaces and beautiful plasterwork, among other features.

There are nine ground-floor rooms including a Ballroom, Music Room, Library and Orangery with five pairs of French doors opening to the side lawn. The lawns to the south and west of the house feature benches for outdoor entertaining and there’s a rose-filled Arabic garden with flowerfilled archways leading through to another secret lawn where a marquee can be placed.

Ceremonies take place in The Drawing Room, a large square-shaped space for up to 30 guests. The Ballroom is a long area with atmospheric lighting that can accommodate up to 35 loved ones for the ceremony while the Hallway boasts a working fireplace and can accommodate 25 people. The Orangery, a quarter-circle room with a marble floor, can host up to 50 guests and al fresco woodland ceremonies are also encouraged!

Receptions can be held in the Orangery (with its catering kitchen), the Ballroom or in a Raj tent marquee plus there’s a helicopter landing on the grounds for couples wishing to make a grand entrance!

Ceremony licence? No – can be done on request Contact: 07771 518 869, www.roswarne.co.uk

♥ We love... the accommodation available for up to six people in three bedrooms, plus a further five bedrooms if required.

BRIDLE & GROOM WEDDINGS LTD – LOVE NATURALLY! LISKEARD

This new rustic-inspired wedding venue is situated on a nine-acre working farm with chickens and donkeys that can appear in photographs with the happy couple or greet guests around the firepit!

Blackwater Farm is the home of Bridle & Groom Weddings, open between March 15th and October 31st each year. It’s accessed via the Well field which is the venue’s glamping site where couples can spend their first night together and their guests can also stay over with the opportunity to share a blackwater breakfast the following morning.

Ceremonies take place in the Garden Wedding Room for up to 60 guests (including the registrar and the couple). For those wanting a church wedding close by, the Garden Wedding Room can be transformed into a comfortable retreat where guests can relax and mingle with self-service tea, coffee and sweet treats available during the evening.

A short walk along a farm track leads to the large open-air, all-weather marquee which seats up to 150 loved ones for the wedding breakfast and reception. Hidden at the heart of this magical venue, secluded behind trees and hedges, is a fountain, woodland lawn, an Eq-wine horsebox bar and a prosecco wall. The booking office adjacent to the lawn can be used as a sweetshop or ice-cream bar during the reception.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 07932 976 167, www.blackwaterfarmcornwall.co.uk

IN SECLUDED & ACCESSIBLE EAST DEVON

Unique outdoor venue with a willow ‘cathedral’, silver birch ‘church’ and barn. Glamping and farmhouse accommodation for relaxed weekend weddings.

WWW.HIGHERHOLCOMBE.CO.UK Instagram @higher.holcombe

Weddings for up to 150 guests Stunning country location Accommodation Outdoor or Indoor Ceremonies Lakeside, Barn & Farmhouse Weddings Weekend Packages Relaxed Family Atmosphere

DEVON’S BEST RUSTIC VENUE

I DREAMED a dream

Fabulous fairytale-inspired settings

HIGHER HOLCOMBE, OTTERY ST MARY, DEVON

This enchanting venue is set in 30 acres of pasture that’s gradually being transformed into woodland glades and wildflower meadows. The spacious modern farmhouse accommodates the main wedding party while other guests can stay in the Lotus Belle glamping tents and cute shepherd’s huts with all accommodation included in the venue hire.

From the orchard, there’s a bridge over the brook that leads to the sandstone terrace located in front of the wooden Old Dairy party barn nestled in the heart of the site. This is a beautifully renovated old milking parlour boasting a rustic neutral colour palette for couples to decorate as they wish and south-facing views of the Devonshire countryside across the length of one wall. The handmade wooden trestle tables can seat up to 80 loved ones on benches or chairs and at dusk, the ambience lighting adds a special touch.

Ceremonies take place outside in The Willow ‘cathedral’ - a specially planted area that features three outdoor ‘chapels’ at the end of the walkway aisle for up to 80 guests. There’s also a stretch tent in the ‘posh paddock’ for outdoor ceremonies (if the weather is unpredictable) or a drinks reception, plus there’s a firepit for use when the sun goes down.

The Silver Birch ‘church’ is an avenue of silver birch trees providing shade for al fresco ceremonies of up to 60 guests with a secluded, romantic feel and this space also lends itself to an outdoor picnic as an alternative to the wedding breakfast.

Receptions take place in The Old Dairy barn which is the main reception area for up to 80 people. The farmhouse Mediterranean courtyard can be used for pre-wedding dinners and morning-after brunch.

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Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 07740 978 408, www.higherholcombe.co.uk

♥ We love... the quirky, self-contained Hobbit House honeymoon suite nestled deep in the heart of the grounds. Guests can enjoy glamping in the Lotus Belle tents and shepherd’s huts. There’s also room for up to 10 people to stay inside the farmhouse.

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 property oozes charm and style and offers a range of stunning spaces for every type of wedding.

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-to-ceiling 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.

There’s also the pretty front garden and the spacious Walled Garden which provide picture-perfect settings for a drinks reception on a summer’s day.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01822 613221, www.bedford-hotel.co.uk

BOVEY CASTLE, DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK, DEVON

Set within 275 acres of beautiful countryside and rolling valleys within Dartmoor National Park is this magnificent castle, part of the Eden Hotel Collection, boasting neo-Elizabethan architecture.

There are plenty of activities and country pursuits for guests to enjoy including the 18-hole championship golf course, cider and sloe gin making, clay pigeon shooting, archery, fly fishing and off-road driving. The Elan Spa, which uses ESPA products, promises to relax, revive and restore the mind, body and spirit while The Gentlemen’s Quarter is an exclusive retreat for the discerning gent, offering traditional treatments including a luxury wet shave using Truefitt & Hill grooming products.

The 60 individually designed bedrooms and suites located in the original manor house and private mews offer sweeping views of the woodland, valley, gardens or across Dartmoor. Each of Bovey Castle’s three-storey lodges features three en-suite bedrooms, sleeping up to six adults and eight people in total. Equipped with full kitchen facilities, an open-plan lounge and a dining area that leads out on to a balcony, these 22 self-catering lodges are ideal for wedding guests. For those wishing to stay on after the wedding, the chefs at the castle can provide freshly prepared meals delivered straight to the door.

The hotel features two award-winning restaurants, the 1 AA Rosette Smith’s Brasserie, with a Mediterranean-inspired menu and all-day dining where the terrace overlooks the valley and River Bovey. Opening soon is the Great Western Grill paying homage to the hotel’s history, recalling the glamour of the restaurant’s Art Deco origins, with roots planted in classical cookery, Both establishments take advantage of the local fresh produce available with the game, lamb, aged Dartmoor Farmer’s beef and fish from the coast on the menu.

Ceremonies take place in the stately Cathedral Room for up to 120 guests, in the Adam Room for up to 30 loved ones or in the Library for an intimate gathering of up to 14 people. The Summerhouse can host outdoor ceremonies for up to 120 guests and there’s a selection of stylish function rooms for the wedding breakfast, from the Great Western Grill to the Bovey Room and the Mulberry Room.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01647 445 000, www.boveycastle.com

♥ We love... that exclusive-used weddings can be booked.

FRIEDA AND THE MOON, NR LOOE, CORNWALL

Nestled in a 13-acre smallholding in the beautiful Cornish countryside in an unspoilt natural environment famed for its dark skies and star-gazing is this boho-inspired venue that has been purposefully designed with small weddings in mind.

The Studio is the wedding venue, an oak-framed timber building bathed in natural light with expansive views over woods and farmland towards the sea. It houses an Italianate ceiling and a spectacular Ocean Window which is a celebration of the Cornish seas in stained glass. The wrap-around balcony and three tiers of circular lawns offer endless photo opportunities and are where the vintage horsebox street food truck is positioned for outdoor wedding catering.

Couples can spend two or three nights in one of the two lavishly styled luxury romantic escapes set in their private paddock lovingly named the Tabernacle, a secluded fairytale cabin that sleeps two people, and the Observatory, a copper building with a large sky window above the bed. Each comes with a wood-burning fire and a hot tub.

Ceremonies take place in The Studio or outside on the lawn and evening ceremonies by candlelight can also be conducted. Small receptions can also be accommodated here and in the surroundings. There are also several other outdoor locations ideal for hand-fasting ceremonies including the Hornbeam Circle, an illuminated woodland altar lit with candles and fairylights at twilight, in the surrounding woodland, or down by the spring and stream.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 07870 778 660, www.friedaandthemoon.co.uk

♥ We love... that small reception options include a vintage high tea of homemade sandwiches and cakes or grazing plates served on old-fashioned crockery with antique linens enjoyed either inside The Studio or outside on the lawn. The Stargazy Pie Cafe is perfect for larger groups serving a range of delicious street food options and drinks such as tapas with gin cocktails, curry with Tiger beer and shepherd’s pie with champagne.

POWDERHAM CASTLE, KENTON, DEVON

This magical castle is an exclusive-use wedding venue surrounded by 200 acres of Deer Park that’s home to more than 600 fallow deer. The exquisite interiors include an impressive staircase and the two enchanting open-air ceremony garden buildings, surrounded by the Powderham woodlands, are licensed for ceremonies, providing beautiful contrast to the grandeur of the state rooms inside.

Ceremonies and receptions take place in a choice of areas around the estate with The State Dining Room, home to an impressive open fire, perfect for ceremonies of up to 80 guests, or a banquet for 60. The Libraries are best suited to the reception, with large windows overlooking Deer Park and the Rose Terrace but also seat 70 guests for the ceremony or 90 for dinner. The Music Room is the largest suite accommodating up to 120 guests for the ceremony and wedding breakfast, with the spectacular dome creating a romantic setting for the first dance.

The Rose Terrace is an ideal option for a summer ceremony or an outdoor champagne reception. There’s also The American Garden, a wooded glade of exotic trees from the USA surrounding a hidden garden pavilion providing an idyllic setting for a ceremony or drinks reception. The Belvedere is an iconic landmark providing far-reaching views across the estate and estuary. The tower offers a unique ceremony setting while the Belvedere garden can house a marquee for a reception of up to 90 guests. Finally, The Riding School is a charming, rustic-inspired space perfect for couples wanting a barn wedding. The adjacent garden offers outdoor seating and lawn games and is situated a stone’s throw from the lake.

THE ROYAL HOTEL, BIDEFORD, DEVON

The elegant interior of this hotel provides a historic backdrop, infused with Regency charm, home to 17th-century character from the oak panelling, ornate plasterwork ceilings and even a newly discovered coat of arms.

The striking building, with its presence on the Bideford Bridge, offers far-flung views across the town and excellent photo opportunities, as do the manicured private gardens and access to the old railway adjacent to the hotel.

Ceremonies and receptions take place in the Kingsley Room for up to 30 guests and in the Regency Restaurant for up to 120 loved ones.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01237 472 005, https://royalbideford.co.uk/weddings

♥ We love... that as part of the wedding package, the couple is gifted a luxurious stay in the Kingsley Room with complimentary breakfast. Wedding guests can enjoy accommodation on the evening of the wedding from as little as £50 per person, per night and there’s 15% off weddings booked to take place on a Sunday to Thursday plus a 10% discount for weddings booked on a Friday. Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01626 890 243, www.powderham.co.uk www.facebook.com/powderhamcastle

♥ We love... that for those wishing to make a weekend of their wedding, Powderham Castle offers a unique variety of accommodation. The Honeymoon Suite enjoys views across the Deer Park and Exe Estuary and there’s accommodation for up to 16 guests.

THE BARNSTAPLE HOTEL, DEVON

This contemporary hotel offers a welcoming feel with modern styling throughout. The idyllic setting makes it the perfect place for any wedding celebration with the quaint exterior of the property forming a picturesque backdrop for big-day photographs.

The hotel is based around a pretty courtyard flanked with flowerbeds, encircled by the hotel’s exterior, pool-view rooms and outdoor pool. The courtyard is adjacent to the two stylish function suites and both spaces can be transformed to suit each couple’s vision.

The Ashford Suite, with its private bar, air conditioning and abundance of natural light is perfect for a small ceremony and sit-down wedding breakfast of up to 40 people while the Arlington Suite is best suited to larger affairs accommodating up to 250 loved ones for a ceremony and dinner. It’s home to a dancefloor and opens on to the manicured lawn, perfect for summer soirées.

Ceremony licence? Yes Contact: 01271 376 221, https://barnstaplehotel.co.uk/weddings