Central to the “Irnham Country-Estate Package” The summer of 2020 has been a disaster for many. Some good was bound to come from it though, and so it proved to be for the ebullient Jamie (a.k.a. Sir James Benton-Jones) and the family estate in the beautiful village of Irnham, between Bourne and Grantham.
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f you happen to be running Irnham Hall and 2,000 acres of prime farming estate (and landlord of many of the properties making up the village, including The Griffin Inn) then drastic times call for drastic measures. These included opening parts of the estate to the general public in a ‘socially-distanced’ way, with picnic tables fifty yards apart!
The role played by The Griffin Inn is central in the “Irnham countryestate package” which has been several years in the making.
So, always keen to be meeting people in his very amiable manner (as evidenced by the seven years in which Jamie and his wife Leila have been hosting wedding ceremonies in the idyllic setting of Irnham Hall), the grounds were opened up all through the summer … and so “The Irnham Picnic” was born! I have been fortunate enough to experience this quintessentially English experience several times during the lockdown and I now long for 2021 when, Jamie assures me, the opportunity will be repeated. The delicious food, prepared by Head Chef, Michael Prescott at The Griffin, is collected and then taken to the picnic tables, dotted around the landscaped gardens and beside the lake – a magnificent venue! Despite the vagaries of our English summer weather, the “Irnham Picnic” proved to be a success during such awful times for the hospitality sector in general. The “Irnham Wedding” experience, which our family had found absolutely faultless the previous year, has unfortunately been a notable victim of the pandemic. It is with excitement, therefore, that Jamie informs me that they are already fully booked for wedding receptions in 2021. 4
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The idea has been to offer the marriage service in the small church (if required) right next to Irnham Hall, which is a short walk to the reception in the beautifully appointed and spacious Orangery, with its gardens and ornamental pond. Several cottages have been renovated in recent years in the village and are made available for wedding guests. The Griffin has been totally refurbished, both the bar and eating area as well as the six luxurious bedrooms, and can now fulfil its role as the potential pre-nuptial venue for bride and groom, as well as accommodation for guests too. Jamie is very keen that The Griffin should act as the central ‘beating heart’ of the village, and the excellent reputation built by Head Chef, Michael Prescott, at both The Cholmeley Arms at Burton Coggles and at Belvoir Castle, means that many people are making the journey for a first-rate meal in such a friendly, welcoming setting. Ever the one to add to the sum total of what Irnham has to offer, Jamie explains how there is to be a fish and chip shop at the back of The Griffin, opening this month! For more information, Jamie encourages everyone to access his You Tube performances to fully appreciate, not just the beauty of Irnham, but also the ways he wants to share it with us all. N OV E M BE R 2 0 2 0
