Your Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wedding - April/May 2025 (Issue 112)

THE RETREAT, ELCOT PARK, NEWBURY The Retreat Elcot Park is a Georgian country house hotel, effortlessly combining British sensibility with authentic splendour, the contemporary with the classic, and the local with the worldly. Refined and relaxed, the hotel oozes laid-back luxury in every space, from intimate private dining rooms to sumptuous lounges and elegant restaurants. Built in 1772, The Retreat is a Grade II listed Georgian country house in beautiful red brick with all the features expected of the period, from the pillared porch to the walled garden. Accessed by a winding gravel drive, with lush grounds on either side, the hotel is immediately welcoming. Set within sixteen acres of beautiful, storied grounds and surrounded by glorious Berkshire countryside, The Retreat feels a world away from the everyday. Vast lawns, ancient trees and historic architecture provide an idyllic setting for modern touches like the heated outdoor infinity pool – complete with hot tub, ice bath and bar plus plenty more to explore. Ceremonies and receptions take place in The Portobello Room for up to 36 guests which was at one time the main drawing room of the house. This bright, elegant space boasts a large wooden fireplace, stunning views and beautiful hand-painted wallpaper. St James Library provides an intimate, cosy room with views of the grounds and a spectacular wall of whisky for up to 12 guests while The Oyster Room is a choice accommodating an intimate 14 guests. Adjoining the vintage-travel-themed Atlas Room, the Oyster Room is named after the 100 oyster plates that adorn its walls. A side door provides direct access to the lawn. The Atlas Room hosts up to 60 guests and boasts a magnificent lounge, with beautifully contrasting green and pink furnishings and an immersive vintage-travel theme. The largest space is the sun-filled Orangery overlooking the grounds for up to 80 guests, complete with a long sun-terrace, full of greenery. The pan-Asian restaurant Yü hosts up to 36 guests, decorated in deep vibrant reds that contrast with sand-yellow and natural green seating. Woven fans are displayed on the wall along with Japanese lanterns and colonial lamps creating an exotic yet familiar vibe. No country hotel is complete without an idyllic spa and The Signet Spa is the perfect place for wedding guests to relax and revive. Two pools, a sauna, a steam room, a hot tub, an ice bath, a gym and treatment rooms complete The Retreat experience. Couples getting married at the venue can enjoy complimentary menu tasting and an overnight stay in the Bridal Suite on the night of their wedding. www.retreatelcotpark.com 28

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