Where: In the depths of the rolling hills that are the Staffordshire Moorlands.
What: A glorious stone-built Victorian country house (1871) up a tree-lined drive and set in intimate gardens. Close to Leek.
Weddings: Licensed for weddings and you can choose one of three caterers including (we are delighted to say) Kemp & Kemp Catering.
Who: Call Delphine on 0781 3984949 or e-mail her at dunwoodhall@hotmail.co.uk
What and Where. In the rolling hills between Cheadle and Ashbourne is the compact village of Whiston, and just on the fringes of the village, perched on the edge of a magnificent green valley is their amazing village hall. Its a huge modern structure built into the hill-side with masses of parking, a vast main hall, committee rooms (perfect for drinks if its wet outside), a bar and a kitchen.
Weddings. Not licensed for wedding ceremonies, but a wonderful venue for your wedding reception.
Who. To book the hall call 01538 266711 or e-mail bookings@whistonvillagehall.co.uk
Web: Great modern website at www.whistonvillagehall.co.uk
Where: Deep in the forests of Cannock Chase. The Chase is an area of outstanding natural beauty and very special indeed. An undulating wild area, still populated with deer and not a building in sight, yet all within easy reach of the M6… needs to be seen to be believed.
What: A woodland clearing within which you can create a magical wedding setting with your own marquee or tipi, and a helpful team to help to create the infrastructure for a wedding village.
Weddings: They are set up for wedding parties, but not lisenced for ceremonies.
Who: Contact Bob on 07916 151704 or email info@woodland-weddings.co.uk
Web: www.woodland-weddings.co.uk
In one of the best kept villages in Staffordshire lies the wonderful Village Hall. Clean, bright and spacious with furniture, a bar, main hall (with stage), smaller hall, toilets and even a little external courtyard and a field. There’s great parking too.
To explore using the hall call Enquiries/Bookings on 01782 388784 or alternatively 01782 397629 or e-mail bookings@fulfordvillagehall.org.uk – – or go to the great little website at www.fulfordvillagehall.org.uk
Where: In open parkland within a loop of the River Sow, on the southern edge of Cannock Chase and all just 7 miles from Stafford.
What: A huge house (formerly Patrick Lichfield’s place) with the most incredible assemblage of classically-inspired 18th century monuments, perfectly set in open parkland.
Weddings: Two rooms are licensed for weddings. There are no reception facilities but Shugborough allow you to build your own marquee or Tipi on the lawns and then use your own caterers for a magical wedding far from the 21st century.
Who: Phone the wonderful Ruth Stanway on 01889 881388 or e-mail her at ruth.stanway@staffordshire.gov.uk.
Where: between Stafford and Rugeley in deepest Staffordshire. Just on the edge of Cannock Chase.
What: A private school in a huge old house.
Weddings: Licensed for weddings with plenty of space for marquees for the reception. Or you can use the school dining room for about 40 guests – there are adjacent kitchens.
We got married here and did just that and we loved it. Its all ivy-clad with fab gardens and 18th Century garden monuments for super pictures. We call it ‘faded glory’ – a wonderful venue.
Who: Hilary Stafford-Northcote and her team book weddings (and much else), and its probably best to telephone them in the first instance on 01889 881277. You can e-mail them on admin@saintbedes.co.uk but they don’t always pick up e-mails, so a phone call is always best for this site.
Web: There is no dedicated web site for weddings (only the school).
Where: Just outside Eccleshall on the way to Loggerheads.
What: The most amazing Indian pavilion located within the total tranquillity of the restored 18th Century 2 acre walled garden at Sugnall Hall. Exclusive use for your reception surrounded by fruit trees, beds of herbs, flowers.
Weddings: The perfect wedding reception venue with parking, a ready-made marquee, power water and its licensed for weddings too.
Who: Call Karen Jacques on 01785 850820 or e-mail info@sugnall.co.uk
Web: Go to www.sugnallwalledgarden.co.uk
Where: On a ridge of rolling green hills high above the Trent Valley, near Stone – all a very long way away from the 21st Century.
What: Superb stately home in huge open parkland.. lawns, space, follies, flowers.
Weddings: You can get married in any of three rooms within the house (or in the isolated, Romantic medieval church, 500 yards away). Those couples then wishing to hold their reception in a marquee (on the superb lawns) are free to choose their own independent caterers. NB: this is not currently mentioned on the Sandon Hall website, so do ask when enquiring.
Who: Cheryl Millward will assist if you call her on 01889 508004 or e-mail Cheryl.millward@sandonhall.co.uk
Web: Go to www.sandonhall.co.uk
Where: The gentle hills outside Uttoxeter.
What: Large Victorian country house set in sweeping, immaculate grounds, now a prep school. Eat in the dining room and use the original forms and tables – so characterful.
Weddings: If you are a former a pupil or member of staff you can get married at Smallwood, otherwise, its available to the rest of us for receptions.
Who: Jill Stone is so helpful and will discuss your needs. Call her on 01889 562083, or e-mail her at jill.stone@smallwoodmanor.co.uk
Web: Go to www.smallwoodmanor.com
Where: In the depths of the rolling Staffordshire countryside, hidden away down a dead-end and miles from civilisation and just beyond the village of Ingestre. The House is next door to the village church which is one of the few built by Wren outside London and where many couples get married.
What: Huge stately home, now an arts college with lots of grand rooms and 27 acres of sweeping grounds (which are also yours for the day).
Weddings: Licensed for weddings and plenty of room for receptions with good kitchens that Kemp and Kemp Catering can use. Our friend got married there recently and it was GREAT, so we’ve experienced the site from both perspectives.
ALSO, stroll down the empty road to Ingestre Stables and stay the night after your wedding in THE MOST amazing accommodation ever.. There is a wonderful bridal suite and room for 16 other people in 2 adjacent, superbly renovated (and huge) apartments; your own front doors; all shapes and sizes of horses coming and going in the stable courtyard and all the life, colour and luxury you could wish for millions of miles from anywhere – to see more visit – www.ingestrelodges.com or call the ever-helpful Anna on 01889 271013. Preferential rates at the Lodges for Kemp & Kemp customers.
Who: Back to Ingestre Hall now – contact the passionate Fiona Walklett who books weddings, or telephone her on 01889 270225, or e-mail her at fiona_walklett@sandwell.gov.uk