Your Devon and Cornwall Wedding - Sep/Oct 2019 (Issue 21)

A jewel in the crown Y our very own stately home-from-home is the best way to describe the magnificent Huntsham Court. Set in the glorious Devon countryside on the borders of the Exmoor National Park, the private-hire country estate comes complete with impressive manor house, more than five acres of grounds and gardens and a big pulsing heart. From the moment I stepped over the threshold, the charm and feel of the place started to work its magic. Aside from the jaw-dropping grandeur, the immaculate décor and stop-stare features at every turn, the wonderfully warm, welcoming atmosphere was one of my first and most enduring impressions. Our hosts, owners Christopher Badham and Damian Llambias, were there to greet us and the first thing on the agenda for our party was a reviving cup of tea – or something a little stronger! The hospitality kicked in from the get go and never stopped throughout our stay. With a roaring fire in the hearth it was hard to tear myself away from the comfy sofas for the grand tour but Chris and Damian are justifiably proud of what they’ve achieved in transforming the Grade II* listed property into the award-winning wedding venue it is today. It was a rare opportunity for the pair to show off their labour of love as they usually stay very much in the background in order to allow people to take over the place and feel like it’s their own. The relaxed ethos allows couples the freedom to organise and host two days of celebrations in their own way. Although planners and a whole list of tried and tested suppliers are available, you can have as much or as little help as you want. Sleeping up to 92 people across 40 luxury bedroom suites, it’s the ultimate setting for a totally private house party. You can rent as many bedrooms as you need and it’s dry hire so there’s no food, staff or drinks included, which means you don’t have to pay for anything you don’t want. It’s not hard to picture the perfect wedding in such an idyllic setting, there are so many standout attractions inside and out. With five reception rooms, sumptuous individually styled bedrooms and inviting nooks and crannies throughout, not to mention the wonderful outdoor spaces, you can marry inside or out with up to 130 family and friends and enjoy a truly one-of-a-kind celebration. Psst.... Huntsham Court celebrates its 150 th anniversary this year and is said to be the largest flexible private hire country mansion in the UK. With no hidden costs or corkage fees, you can have a free or pay bar, or a combination of both. You can even earn money back to help offset the cost of the wedding by renting rooms to friends and family, so they can party the night away in style without worrying about driving. Visit huntshamcourt.co.uk to find out more. Sarah Reeve gets a taste for the good life at Devon’s Huntsham Court My highlights ❤ Buffet lunch on arrival, help-yourself platters groaning with wonderful local delicacies courtesy of the Devon Pantry (devonpantry.co.uk) . ❤ Archery on the upper lawn; I’d never tried this before, but the no-nonsense instructor from Birds Hill Days (birdshilldays.com ) made it look easy and I even managed to hit the target a few times! ❤ Flower arranging masterclass in the sumptuous Diamond Room with Devon’s Miranda Hackett (mirandahackettflowers.co.uk ). A devotee of natural floral design using seasonal and locally grown blooms, it was a revelation how a few simple stems and foliage can be used to transform a space. Our efforts graced the table at dinner and, if I say so myself, they looked amazing! ❤ Wine tasting in the Library with Bray Valley Wines (brayvalleywines. co.uk) followed by canapés and a taste-sensation gala dinner compliments of Peter Mundy Catering (petermundycatering.co.uk ). REGIONAL VENUES 25