Your Kent Wedding - May/June 2024 (Issue 114)

NETTLESTEAD PLACE, ME18 5HA 01622 328 328 | www.nettlestead-place.co.uk Nettlestead Place is a Medieval 13th-century manor surrounded by 10 acres of picturesque gardens. Set on the west side of the valley, thus affording panoramic views of the river and surrounding farmland, the gardens are on many levels leading down to the River Medway. The property has a rich history and was even mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. In 1921/22, the house was refurbished and enlarged and the basic structure of what is now the inner part of the gardens, including the large sunken pond and the Rose Garden, was established. The present owners, Roy and Annabel Tucker, have lived in Nettlestead Place since 1978 and, with much passion and rejuvenation, have extended the gardens and grounds. Celebrate in style Within Nettlestead Place is the Undercroft, characterised by its three Medieval pillars and vaulted ceiling. This historic location provides a striking setting for weddings with up to 120 seated guests. Located within the Rose Garden beneath a 300-year-old lime tree is the timber Gazebo, licenced to hold outdoor ceremonies. The Rose Garden is surrounded by rose bushes, climbing roses and lavender bushes, all of which offer a heady scent of summer. Set within a boxwood hedging atop a stone wall, the Rose Garden and Gazebo offer a tranquil setting perfect for such a special occasion. A short stroll from the meadow lawn, through the mature garden shrubs and trees, is the wedding marquee. Provided and managed by Cavendish Marquees, it is positioned so as to make the most of the far-reaching views across the River Medway and the sweeping fields beyond. It can accommodate up to 150 day guests and up to 200 for the evening wedding reception. We love... When booking your wedding here, you can enjoy a complimentary menu and wine tasting prior to the big day. PORT LYMPNE HOTEL & RESERVE, CT21 4LR 01303 234 111 | www.aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne/weddings An enchanting setting draped in history, Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is Kent’s largest wildlife reserve, set within 600 acres of magnificent private parkland and home to 900 endangered animals. With picture-perfect panoramic views of the English Channel and Romney Marsh, the reserve’s centrepiece, the Grade II* listed Port Lympne Mansion, surrounded by 14 acres of landscaped gardens, is regarded as one of England’s finest country houses and has entertained royalty, aristocracy, prominent politicians and playwrights for over a century. Celebrate in style The pergola is tucked away within the ancient whispering walled garden and is a whimsically romantic setting to exchange vows, surrounded by 110 of your friends and family. The second outdoor option is the exclusive-use Moroccan Courtyard. Located in the mansion itself, featuring marble columns, antique brass lanterns, water fountains and dramatic, pink, floral-adorned walls, it can accommodate 25 loved ones. For vows inside, the mansion boasts delightful mural-painted rooms by famous English artists such as Rex Whistler, Spencer Roberts and Martin Jordan. The Spencer Roberts room seats 50 for the ceremony and 30 for the wedding breakfast. The Long Room can be used for wedding ceremonies of up to 100 guests (wedding breakfasts of 50) and has wonderful views over the reserve. The venue’s strikingly glass Orangery and Terrace is available for exclusive use to dine and dance the night away. It has a built-in bar, dancefloor, cloakroom and luxury washrooms, with a capacity of 120 for a banquet, 90 with dinner dance-style seating, or 72 cabaret-style. For more intimate gatherings of up to 50 people, the elegant mansion drawing rooms and terraces are perfect. We love... When tying the knot here, you will benefit from a menu tasting included in the package, as well as a one-night stay in the bridal suite in the mansion on the wedding night. A private guided safari can be arranged for you and your guests, creating perfect wedding album moments. These tours offer a journey through the park’s vast Kentish savannah, seeing such iconic animals as giraffes, rhinos, wildebeests, and zebras against a breathtaking coastline backdrop. www.helenenglandphotography.co.uk www.helenenglandphotography.co.uk 30

RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTA0NTE=