Wedding Guides - Peckforton Castle

Welcome to the Cheshire Wedding Guide series from Sarah Meredith MUA. This is your opportunity to learn more about some of the most iconic and visually stunning wedding venues located throughout the idyllic county of Cheshire. This time we’re focusing on Peckforton Castle, a mid nineteenth century Grade I listed Victorian country house in gothic revival architecture. 

Sarah Meredith MUA specialises in bridal hair and make-up. From traditional and graceful classic-look wedding styles to the most up to date and vibrant trends in modern wedding chic, Sarah Meredith MUA has the breakthrough ideas and attentive creativity you need to ensure that when you walk down the aisle on your big day, all eyes will be fixed on each and every step.

Introduction to Peckforton Castle 

The foundations for Peckforton Castle were laid down in 1844, with construction coming to completion six years later in 1850. Peckforton castle was paid for by the wealthy Tollemache family (landowners and politicians), and is thought to be the very last fortified home built in England. The property was used to shelter children during WW2, and became a hotel in 1989.

After making the approach to the castle along a picturesque sweeping driveway, guests will be treated to the sight of a stunning sandstone facade – ideal for photos. Inside, guests will find a grand main hall, marble floors, luxury vaulted dining room ceilings, open fires, and many more rustic and romantic features. 

Peckforton Castle – at a glance wedding information:

• Late availability options
• Capacity to host up to 160 guests
• Wedding and civil ceremony options 
• Options for the guaranteed exclusive use of the castle 
• Prestigious AA rated (3x AA Rosettes) onsite restaurant 
•  

The three-storey castle – complete with a five storey renovated tower and Grade II listed private chapel – stands proud atop the Peckforton Ridge (470 ft / 143m), facing Beeston castle at around one mile away atop the Beeston crag. The pair of fairy-tale hilltop castles, separated by a steep and lusciously green valley, provide a truly sensational English countryside view. 

Wedding planning – setting a date at Peckforton Castle

Appointments to meet with Peckforton Castle’s wedding coordination team are available seven days per week. The friendly team consists of several highly experienced and accommodating wedding coordinators, all of whom bring care, attention, and a touch of individual flair. Plans for an elegant, personalised, and truly memorable wedding day are in safe hands. 

After the initial warm greeting upon arrival, the Peckforton Castle wedding coordination staff will provide a thorough guided tour of the castle and grounds. This is an opportunity not only to gain valuable answers to all of those burning questions, but also to gain new insight and begin expanding on any hopes and wishes that the team could help to bring to life.  

Provisional dates held for seven days …

Although the wedding coordination team at Peckforton Castle does realise that setting a perfect wedding date that is suitable for all of the major guests can be a logistical and time consuming hurdle, the popularity of the venue means that provisional dates can only be held for a maximum of seven days before the selected date can no longer be guaranteed. 

Last-minute cancellation deals available… 

As stated on the Peckforton Castle website, one-off last-minute cancellation prices may also be available on occasion, offering “significant” savings on the overall cost of the day. This type of deal will only suit couples ready to tie the knot at relatively short notice, without much time to plan. Please bear this in mind when deciding whether cancellation dates are suitable.

Bridal Suite

The distinctive look and feel of Peckforton Castle is upheld in the stunning bridal suite, complete with four-poster deluxe furnishings. The bridal suite offers plenty of storage, an en-suite bathroom, and high windows with ample floor space (allowing maximum natural light and a generous amount of space to change clothes and prepare for the evening plans).

The spacious bridal suite offers the ideal hair and makeup staging area – this is where Sarah Meredith MUA can prepare the bride for the ceremony in luxury and comfort. 

Remember, not all of Peckforton Castle’s overnight newly-weds choose to stay in the bridal suite, instead opting for a secluded night in the Lodge – please see further details below.  

Guest Accommodation (48 guest rooms and suites)

Peckforton Castle went through a considerable wholesale transformation from Victorian family home to state-of-the-art modern hotel with rustic roots, now offering 48 fully renovated rooms that have stayed true to the original decor and themes. No matter in which of the rooms guests of Peckforton Castle choose to stay, style and comfort are guaranteed. 

Types of room available at Peckforton Castle include:

• Single Room

All single rooms are cosy and well-provisioned, offering the perfect night time retreat for any single wedding guests looking to enjoy the fun into the evening and retire in luxury. 

• Classic Room

The classic rooms offer a superb mix of classic & contemporary decor, complete with a double bed – ideal for couples looking to enjoy the full overnight guest experience. 

• Executive Suite

Each of the double-bed executive suites comes with hand-picked historical furnishings, providing a stylish and bespoke option for overnight guests at the Castle.  

• Four-poster Room

The four-poster room offers a romantic twist on the Peckforton Castle hotel experience, with high ceilings and ample space ensuring an opulent stayover at the Castle.   

• Private Suite 

Indulge in an overnight stay at Peckforton Castle in the fully provisioned guest suite, complete with a separate living area to maximise those indulgent comfort levels. 

• The Lodge

The super-stylish Peckforton Castle Lodge offers an extravagant and private overnight stay, with a capacity for up to nine adults (and two children under the age of 16). The Lodge is an ideal option for families or groups of friends travelling to the wedding together and looking to share an amazing overnight Castle stay.  

Certain rooms and certain packages come with additional features. For example, slippers, flowers, fruit bowls, and other celebration goodies can all be become part of the booking. The Executive Rooms offer underfloor heating, complimentary luxury toiletries, and bathrobes. TVs, Wi-Fi, and 24-hour room service are also available – be sure to ask before finalising the booking.  

The Lodge or the Bridal Suite? Decisions, decisions…

As previously mentioned, The Lodge is regularly requested as an alternative to the Bridal Suite. Both the Bridal Suite and The Lodge provide plentiful floor space and light in which bridal hair and makeup from Sarah Meredith MUA can go ahead in comfort, relaxation, and luxury (ask for the walkaround tour to include both The Lodge and the Bridal Suite before making a decision). 

Ceremony Rooms at Peckforton Castle

Everybody knows that one of the main considerations over choosing to spend the most photographed day of a couple’s life together in a particular venue is the aesthetic appeal of the main hall or ceremony room. Nobody wants to be known as the couple that tied the knot in a tame and mundane business-like side room with low ceilings and strip lighting…

…that’s where the magic of Peckforton Castle can exceed the hopes and expectations of even the most discerning couple looking to add a touch of prestige, a dash of refinement, and a seemingly inexhaustible stream of irresistible visual charm to their big day. Let’s now take a closer look at the details of the wedding ceremony rooms at Peckforton Castle.

Licensed wedding venue

Something that soon to be newlyweds may not have considered is that the wedding venue must be licensed (this is true for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland – however, the same law does not apply to Scotland). Certain criteria must be met in order for the council to grant the wedding venue license (e.g. fire regulations, structural integrity, regular wedding venue use).

Peckforton Castle offers the ideal solution. With a choice of five beautiful rooms that can be set up and adorned with the couple’s choice of wedding flower arrangements, table decorations, seating cover bows/sashes, lighting rigs (and candles), and much more. Host everything from the wedding breakfast and reception to the ceremony or blessing in stylish and blissful surrounds.

While the intimacy and charm of the purpose designed wine cellar may be suitable for couples looking to enjoy a more close-up occasion, the show-stopping enchantment of the grandiose Great Hall is by far the most popular choice. For that reason, we’ll take a look at some of the benefits and features of choosing the Great Hall for wedding ceremonies at Peckforton Castle.

The Great Hall

The Great Hall is complete with arched ceilings and is by far the most popular choice of rooms for the main ceremony. Speak to the wedding coordinators about hosting the wedding ceremony in the Great Hall and begin to excited by the possibilities that this outstanding wedding venue has to offer. 

The Great Hall at Peckforton Castle:

• Stained-glass windows

The high stained-glass windows allow ample natural light to stream into the Great Hall, ensuring a well-lit ceremony ideal for stunning photography from every angle.

• Minstrels’ Gallery

The Minstrels’ Gallery is the perfect place to seat a string quartet – enter the Great Hall to a personalised selection of meaningful music that sets the tone of the ceremony. 

• Open fire

There’s something about an open crackling wood fire that brings people together and warms the mood of the entire room – a superb addition to any wedding ceremony. 

• Arrival through the original main entrance to the Castle

For a truly spectacular entrance that will live long in the memory of all guests, choose to enter the Great Hall through the Castle’s original main entrance to the rear of the Hall. 

Peckforton Castle offers an All-Inclusive Wedding Package for happy couples looking to take all the hassle out of the day and choose from the trusted options and services in regular use at the venue. The All-Inclusive package is the ideal way to keep the fuss to a minimum and allow the professionals to deliver an unforgettable and convenient ceremony. 

All-Inclusive Wedding Package

The All-Inclusive Wedding Package from Peckforton Castle offers extraordinary access to an exceptional range of professional wedding services for a set price. This means that the happy couple can relax in the knowledge that every aspect of the day is being taken care of, from welcoming the first guest and delivering the ceremony (complete with photography) to dining options, drinks menus, and evening entertainment. The package has it all.

The All-Inclusive Wedding Package includes:

• Exclusive use of two rooms 
• Decor and flowers package 
• Photography package (daytime)
• Food and drinks options (please keep reading for restaurant information)
• Evening entertainment – includes lighting, disco (7PM – midnight), dancefloor

All-Inclusive Wedding Package – price…

The All-Inclusive Wedding Package from Peckforton Castle includes full access to the above features and services for up to 50 all day guests and is priced at £7,500.

Extend your stay with an indulgent spa day…

Not included in the package is the use of the on-site Peckforton Castle Spa. This optional extra is available to all guests and may be of particular interest to travelling wedding ceremony attendees who may wish to stay at the Castle for more than just one day. The spa includes features such as hot tubs, a rainforest shower, sauna, and beauty treatments. 

Any Peckforton Castle guests considering making use of spa facilities may also wish to know there is also an ‘all inclusive’ style option available, giving full and exclusive day-long access to the spa. The service provides unrestricted use of all facilities and services, including access to a team of therapists. The service also includes indulgent treats throughout the day (e.g. Prosecco). Spa packages begin at £149 for two people.

Dining at Peckforton Castle

Peckforton Castle is home to two renowned restaurants and a Head Chef best known from twice appearing on the BBC’s Great British Menu. Not only does this ensure that the wedding day culinary extravaganza is sure to stand miles ahead of the competition, but also offers fine dining options to wedding guests staying at the Castle hotel for more than one day. 

1851 Restaurant

Peckforton Castle’s 1851 Restaurant is the winner of the prestigious Taste Cheshire Award and holds three AA Rosettes (only the top 10% of restaurants receive three Rosettes). Serving up a choice of classic French and modern British dishes, the kitchen is known for treating guests to fresh local produce, hand selected for mouth-watering flavours and aromatic splendour. 

The restaurant opens for the evening dining service at 6PM and is child friendly, with vegetarian options available. Prices range from £25 – £55, with an extensive wine list. 

2010 Brasserie

The 2010 Brasserie is located in the Castle’s original kitchen area. Providing light bite meals from midday, the brasserie is informal and cosmopolitan. The adjoining courtyard also provides al fresco dining options (weather permitting, of course). The menu includes child friendly meals. 

Top tip…

Guests choosing to stay over on a Saturday night (Saturday is a hugely popular day for weddings!) can make use of the Sunday Lunch offer – three delectable courses available for under £20. 

Peckforton Castle – Contact

Peckforton Castle is located roughly equidistant between the city of Chester and the town of Nantwich, slightly south of the village of Tarporley.

Stone House Ln, Tarporley, CW6 9TN

Call: 01829 260930

Email: PCEnquiries@BHGUK.com

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If you would like to learn more about our professional bridal hair and makeup, contact Sarah Meredith for a friendly conversation today either by phone, email or online.

Call: +44 (0) 7824 974 527

Email: smeredith1982@hotmail.co.uk

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