Your North West Wedding - December/January 2024/2025 (Issue 89)

STIRK HOUSE, BB7 4LJ 01200 445 581 | www.stirkhouse.co.uk Built in 1635, Stirk House exudes character and authentic features, which can still be seen today in the magnificent stone arch above the fireplace and the original doorway that has welcomed guests to this special place for more than 300 years. Stirk House is a historic property with a winding driveway, ivy-clad walls, stone mullion windows and vibrant gardens. Boasting spectacular views of the surrounding Ribble Valley countryside and Lancashire’s famous Pendle Hill, your friends and family can enjoy relaxing strolls through the gardens, ancient forest and nature trail. Stirk Tree, affectionately named by past couples, is a sycamore that towers above the grounds and is adorned with hundreds of twinkling fairylights. This is a popular spot for wedding photographs, and the decking area around the tree allows you and your photographer to spend some time taking pictures in a peaceful and lovely part of the venue. Celebrate in style Ceremonies of up to 115 loved ones take place in the timeless Gallery Suite. This charming and intimate room is surprisingly spacious and allows you to customise the décor to suit the theme of your special day. The Ceremony Room is prefaced with a walk through the Conservatory, a serene and elegant part of the hotel that features a spectacular living wall of colour-changing ivy. Wedding receptions of up to 250 guests are held in the Stirk House Ballroom. This room features a large dancefloor, a bar, a separate lounge area, a selfie wall, a fairylight corridor and a huge skylight, allowing your nearest and dearest to dance the night away under the stars. We love... When tying the knot here, you will receive a complimentary stay in the honeymoon suite on the night of the wedding. This suite includes a luxurious bedroom with views of the grounds and countryside, a separate lounge area, as well as a free-standing bath and double shower. BROWSHOLME HALL, BB7 3DE 01254 827 160 | www.browsholme.com A venue with a story, Browsholme Hall is the oldest family home and historic estate in Lancashire. Set in more than 600 acres of countryside, this glorious wedding venue is in the heart of an area of outstanding beauty. Robert and Amanda took over the running of the hall and estate in the 1970s. Continuing the work his parents started, they concentrated on developing Browsholme Hall within the community and making it economically sound and sustainable. The hall is now relevant to the 21st century with biomass-fuelled hot water and heating, energy-saving lighting and clean spring water. More than 20 local people now work in the hall, gardens, the Tithe Barn and the estate as employees or volunteer guides, making Browsholme Hall a significant contributor to the local economy. Celebrate in style Restored in 2009, this authentic stone barn is the perfect balance of tradition, rusticity and romance. The barn has beautiful original features, such as exposed stone, oak beams and flagstone floors, which create a charming atmosphere and a setting for an unforgettable wedding. Outside the Tithe Barn lies the courtyard, which provides a fantastic space for you and your guests to sit back and relax. Ideal to use for your reception drinks, the courtyard is a real sun trap in the summer and catches the truly fantastic sunsets in the winter. Gather around the firepit in the evening with a drink in your hand whilst enjoying freshly made pizzas from the outdoor wood-fired pizza oven. For an outdoor ceremony, The Italian Steps are located by the hall below the historic Yew Walk, the trees of which are more than 300 years old. The ceremony takes place on the stone steps, with the aisle formed down the promenade. It truly is a stunning location where you will certainly have a wedding to remember. Alternatively, The Lily Pond sits at the southern end of the Wilderness Garden, and the pavilion is a rustic building crafted from Browsholme’s own 200-year-old oak trees. The roof is hand-covered in wooden shingles and the setting is very peaceful and embodies an English country garden. We love... At Browsholme Hall, the team reserves all 10 Woodland Lodges and Mews Cottage for you for the night of your wedding. For the night before, if there is no wedding, it can become available for you to extend your stay to two nights. Otherwise, check out the Shepherd’s Cottage, which is the perfect solution for the wedding party or family and friends wanting to stay nearby, or there’s also ample further local accommodation to choose from. www.kerrywoodsphotography.com www.dontdeletethekisses.co.uk 15 RIBBLE VALLEY VENUES

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