We may be biased, but a manor house wedding venue can be pretty special. If you’re not already convinced, we’ve put together five reasons to choose a manor house wedding venue. From rooms brimming with history to Bridgerton-style aesthetics and peaceful seclusion, we think we’ve got a good chance of convincing you as to just how incredible an English country house wedding can be – read on for more.
1. The Tranquil Seclusion of a Manor House Wedding Venue
You’ll generally find that manor house wedding venues are located in quiet, secluded spots. Not only a much-appreciated change for many who have come from busy city life further afield, this seclusion also brings the opportunity to celebrate with your closest friends and family all in one place, amidst a background of the tranquillity and peace of the English countryside. It’s for this that we offer Pynes House as an exclusive use venue, giving all our couples full use of the venue and its grounds for a three-day wedding weekend experience; the perfect way to truly unwind and take it all in.
You’ll find Pynes House nestled within Devon’s beautiful Exe Valley. With rolling hills that stretch into the horizon and an air of relaxation that prompts a deep exhale from all who step onto the soil, our manor house wedding venue really can be your home away from home. We encourage our guests to enjoy and make use of the formal terraces, parterres, magical woodlands and expansive lawns which we are so lucky to have. And though the sprawling countryside offers a retreat sensation, Exeter is just three miles away – perfect for those morning errands or a dash for freshly baked treats. You’ll find some beautiful scenic walks to choose from and quaint, cosy pubs nearby too.
2. Your very Own Bridgerton-Inspired Wedding Aesthetic
From wisteria arches to white stone details and elegant symmetry, there’s a lot to love about the classic architecture from the Georgian style which Bridgerton is based upon. Built in the 1700s, Pynes House is typical of this Georgian period architecture and we’ve been lucky enough to have seen a few Bridgerton-inspired weddings over the years (have a look at Rebecca & Ben’s regency themed wedding here if you’re interested).
If you love the idea of a Bridgerton-style manor house wedding, then have a look at our blog post on our favourite ideas for a decadent and luxurious Bridgerton-inspired wedding just here – from literary quote displays to string quartet recommendations, we’ve got plenty of information for you.
3. Rooms and Exteriors Brimming with History
For those who love a bit of history, a manor house wedding venue could be exactly what you’re after. And even if history has never quite been your area, it’s hard to not fall in love with the magic of celebrating your wedding in a setting brimming with rich stories and interesting tales.
A prestigious Georgian country house for high society, Pynes House is layered with centuries of history. Believed to be the inspiration for Barton Park in Jane Austen’s iconic work, Sense and Sensibility, our manor house wedding venue has quite the history behind it. In her book, ‘In the Steps of Jane Austen’, Jane Austen expert Anne-Marie Edwards states that Barton Park is indeed Pynes House and believes it likely that Austen would have stayed at Pynes House whilst holidaying in Devon. In the novel, the sisters Elinor and Marianne Dashwood wander the countryside that surrounds Barton Park – we invite you to follow in their footsteps.
It wouldn’t be right to move onto the next section without a few words on the royal connections which our manor house wedding venue holds. Following the mid-nineteenth century extensions of the house, the owner at the time, Sir Stafford Henry Northcote, is said to have welcomed Queen Victoria and Prince Albert into his home (more on this in our post on our historical Devon wedding venue, here). A great honour for any house, it’s also believed that the myrtle bush in the rose gardens is from a clipping given to Sir Stafford by Queen Victoria from her daughter’s wedding bouquet. Springs of myrtle have been included in the wedding bouquet of every royal wedding since Queen Victoria and it symbolises love and hope.
4. The statement entrance that only a manor house wedding venue can give
If you’re visiting manor house wedding venues, you’ll quickly notice that there’s a common theme among most – a statement entrance. From long tree-lined driveways to symmetrical paths and grand front doors, historic homes can have quite the wow-factor upon arrival. And what a way to start your wedding experience! We may be biased but we think there’s something pretty special about arriving at a venue with a grand, statement entrance.
At Pynes House, we’re lucky enough to have a tree-lined driveway leading all the way up to the house. One of our favourite spots, it’s been so lovely to hear feedback from couples who have also loved this arrival experience over the years – we’ve included some kind words from one of our previous couples below;
We fell in love with Pynes House the second we arrived. The iconic driveway stole our hearts immediately and after seeing the elegant and airy rooms inside, we knew it was the place where we would get married – Sarah & Adam
5. The Unrivalled Views of a Manor House Wedding Venue in the Countryside
Finally, we wanted to say a few words on the unrivalled views which so many manor house wedding venues have on offer. As most manor houses were originally built for high society families looking for a country retreat, you’ll find that elevation and views often come hand in hand with the seclusion and serenity which English country houses are known so well for.
With views of the beautiful Exe Valley the rolling hills beyond, Pynes House can be the perfect place to take a step back from it all. Plus, you might just see the train on its way down from London as you unwind in the formal terraces and parterres, which is always a pretty special experience.
From fascinating historical tales to the peace and tranquillity that a country house getaway can bring, manor house wedding venues have a lot to offer. To read more about our English country house wedding venue, click here for information on planning a wedding at Pynes House. Or, head over to the blog for our recent room tour of our Exclusive Use Wedding Venue. For recent updates on Pynes House and more real wedding inspiration, do follow us on Instagram and Facebook. For anything else, please get in contact – we’d love to hear from you.