Your Herts and Beds Wedding - August/September 2020 (Issue 81)

There’s nowhere quite like The Cloisters, which is a fascinating venue that never fails to enchant visitors. Designed and built at the turn of the last century, this special space displays distinctive architecture featuring towers and turrets that are perfect for wedding photos – a truly hidden gem. The premises is situated on private land with a car park capable of hosting 80 vehicles, an outdoor decking space perfect for barbecues or an outdoor bar and grassy bank. Ceremonies take place in the Main Temple, under a domed ceiling and with seating for up to 120. It can be decorated to suit any theme and offers a distinctive atmosphere for the big day, not as formal as a church venue, yes still providing grandeur, history and spectacle. Receptions can be held in the Dining Hall, suitable for up to 120 diners at round tables. It has a dancefloor and easy access to the nearby bar. The bar itself can be used as a reception area, with the separate Long Bar being available for a cocktail bar or celebratory drink. WE LOVE… Apart from the amazing architecture of the building’s exterior, a feature that stands out is a large marble fountain that can be decorated and provides both a captivating first impression for guests and a lovely backdrop for photographs. Established in 1623, Rothamsted Manor is an impressive Grade 1 listed Manor house set in 12 acres of beautiful gardens surrounded by woodland in Harpenden, Hertfordshire. The manor’s exterior offers impressive historical features including beautiful stained-glass family crests in the windows, a stunning clock tower and curved gables. The venue sits in the vast grounds of Rothamsted Research, the world’s oldest agricultural research institute, which is home to some of the world’s oldest science experiments. The 12 acres of landscaped gardens make the perfect backdrop for wedding photos, with statues, treelined walkways and a beautiful rose archway. The Great Drawing Room was added to the manor by Sir John Lawes in 1863 and features an impressive fireplace dating from the early 1900s, original portraits dating back to the 1500s, as well as wood panelling. This is the largest space and is perfect for a ceremony of up to 115 guests and 76 for a seated wedding breakfast, or up to 120 for a standing buffet or drinks reception. Other ceremony spaces include The Library for 55 people, this can be transformed into a receptions space with 44 seated or 76 standing people for the reception. The bookshelves are concealed but the highly decorative fireplace provides a perfect backdrop for a wedding ceremony. The floor has a cream carpet, wood-panelled walls and a stunning ceiling. Say ‘I do’ in The Lounge which seats 75 loved ones for the ceremony and 50 seated to 90 standing for a reception. The Lounge walls are panelled, covering some extensive, rarely seen murals on the east wall. Alternatively, why not opt for The Orangery, a beautiful space with lots of natural light and large, arched windows with views over the gardens? Historically known as the Loggia, it features a wonderful marble and limestone chequerboard floor that lends itself perfectly as a bar area or drinks reception room. On a fine day, it’s ideal for guests to spill out onto the outside veranda area to enjoy drinks and to appreciate the wonderful gardens and grounds. One of the smallest rooms in the Manor is the Spanish Leather Room, ideal for more intimate gatherings. It can also be used as a room to meet with the registrar before the wedding ceremony. Any event held at Rothamsted Manor will wow any guests and support the amazing agricultural research that takes place on the estate. WE LOVE… The venue can be hired exclusively if a couple wishes to do so, and a free tasting session is offered prior to the wedding. THE CLOISTERS, LETCHWORTH GARDEN CITY 01462 678 059 | www.thecloistersletchworth.co.uk ROTHAMSTED MANOR 01582 938 500 | www.rothamstedenterprises.com/rothamsted-manor LOCAL VENUES 21