HIGHER HOLCOMBE, OTTERY ST MARY Almost 30 acres of wildflower meadows and woodland surround the heart of this wonderful wedding venue with mown trails meandering through the woodland for guests to enjoy. The Old Dairy Barn is at the heart of the venue and is wooden-cladded with cedar and blends perfectly in its rural setting. Fringed on one side by woodland, there’s a sandstone terrace in front furnished with pub-style wooden picnic tables perfect for drinks and nibbles. In front is the stretch tent which is used for shade on sunny days or as shelter from the elements if the weather is looking uncertain. It’s also often used for speeches and reception drinks and the entire area nestles perfectly with views of the Devon meadows in front and the orchard to the other side. The rustic barn has been painted in neutral colours to suit any wedding theme and enjoys gorgeous countryside views through the floor-to-ceiling windows. Furnished with banquet-style rustic tables that can be set up in several ways for a wedding feast, it is also used for live bands, dance parties and late-night munchies. Couples can choose either the secluded silver birch ‘church’ (located a one-minute walk from the main party barn) or the hilltop willow ‘cathedral’ (situated closer to the barn). For couples who have their heart set on an outdoor ceremony, if the weather is looking uncertain, the team will set up seating in the stretch tent directly opposite the Old Dairy barn. Contact: 07740 978 408, https://higherholcombe.co.uk •We love... that couples adore staying in the quirky Hobbit House Honeymoon Hideaway on their wedding night. HUNTSHAM COURT, HUNTSHAM A stunning example of Victorian architecture, this stately country manor house is built in stone with large hamstone windows flooding the house with natural light. French doors open on to large terraces bordered with deep and vibrant flower beds. The beautiful, traditional country house garden with its ancient mature trees is home to the licenced Dovecote set against views of Devon’s rolling hills. Set in a quiet, private, and idyllic location, the village church is walkable, and nestled on the driveway. Inside, the décor is classic country house chic – eclectic yet homely. It combines modern comfort married with timeless style. The different rooms photograph beautifully for wedding pictures, with historic features including stone archways, panelled rooms, marble columns and a 150-year-old mural ceiling. Outdoor ceremonies take place under the old oak Dovecote, under the tipi positioned in the meadow garden, on the upper lawn against a backdrop of rolling hills or under the canopy of giant ancient trees. Inside, nuptials can be exchanged in the book-lined library, in the Jacobean oak-panelled Great Hall with its marble archways and in the Tapestry Diamond Room or the Yellow Ballroom. Receptions take place across five main reception rooms including the Library, Great Hall, the Tapestry Diamond Room, the Yellow Ballroom and the cosy Snug Bar. The team at the venue offer a network of 130 recommended suppliers, and couples are also encouraged to use their own with no corkage charged. Seven hours of venue event planning is included in the wedding hire. The property sleeps up to 100 guests across 42 bedrooms (most of which are four-poster bedrooms) with the ability to have a two-night stay with everyone, resulting in a private country house party. There’s a minimum rental of 21 bedrooms with each wedding, and all weddings are exclusive use with the ability to add bedrooms as and when couples know they need them. Contact: 01398 361 277, www.huntshamcourt.co.uk •We love... that the team offer complimentary engagement shoots, and discounted rates for future anniversaries with a free afternoon tea. https://andreakuehnis.com; https://lifeslittleadventures.photography LOCAL VENUES 25
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