Are you planning to get married in (or near) Hampshire ? Here is a short list of some of my favourite locations in this area (not in any particular order).
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Rhinefield House Hotel
Although Rhinefield House has existed in its present form since the 1880s, there have been dwellings on the site since the New Forest was first proclaimed by William the Conqueror in about 1097. To him, the forest represented an area, conveniently close to his capital of Winchester, in which he could pursue his favourite sport of hunting. The use of the forest as an exclusive hunting ground waned during the reign of Charles II. In 1877, many of the Crown Lands were “privatised” and Rhinefield passed to the Walker family. In 1885 the only daughter of the family became engaged to a Lieutenant Munro RN and her father’s engagement present was £250,000 with which to build a family home at Rhinefield.
After their marriage in 1887 the couple adopted the name Walker-Munro and supervised the construction of an impressive country seat comprising the Great House, a Hunting Lodge, stables, gardener’s bothy (small hut or cottage) and a Gate Lodge. The Great House, designed by architects Romaine-Walker and Tanner of London, incorporates a mixture of styles, reflecting the personal tastes which the Walker-Munros acquired in their travels. Thus Tudor combines with Gothic architecture, while inside the Grand Hall has many features of Westminster Hall and the master’s smoking room reproduces the splendour of the Alhambra Palace in Granada.
The house was left to their only son Major Ian Walker-Munro who emigrated to Kenya. Rhinefield remained in the possession of his family until death duties forced his widow to dispose of it. In 1999 Hand Picked Hotels purchased Rhinefield House and, with the completion of a planned programme of refurbishment and modification, the twin aims of restoring Rhinefield House to a condition worthy of its magnificent New Forest setting, while providing unrivalled facilities for business and pleasure in superior surroundings has been completed.
Rhinefield House Hotel, Rhinefield Road, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, S042 7QB (01590 622922, rhinefieldhouse@handpicked.co.uk, https://www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/rhinefield-house/)
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Balmer Lawn Hotel
Built originally in the mid 1800’s as a hunting lodge, the Balmer Lawn is a classic country house hotel set in the very heart of the New Forest National Park, just outside the village of Brockenhurst. Originally thought to have been called Palmers Lawn (a historical typo culminating in Balmer Lawn), it is mentioned in the Doomsday Book.
During some of the most dramatic chapters in modern British history, the Balmer Lawn Hotel has played its part. During the First World War the Hotel was commandeered and used as an Army Hospital. The local area has a strong link with New Zealand as some of their Army was located here. In the Second World War, the Hotel was first used as an Army Staff College, and subsequently became the Headquarters of the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division as they prepared for the Allied Landings in Normandy. In 2016, with local dignitaries and the Canadian Military Attaché present, a Maple tree was planted in the grounds in memory of the brave men that never returned home.
In October 1997, the Hotel returned to private ownership with Chris & Alison Wilson as its proprietors.
Balmer Lawn Hotel, Lyndhurst Road, Brockenhurst, Hampshire, SO42 7ZB (01590 421040, info@blh.co.uk, https://www.balmerlawnhotel.com/)
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New Place
Ornate wrought-iron gates lead you to a Grade I listed manor house set in over 32 acres of landscaped gardens.
New Place, High Street, Shirrell Heath, Southampton, Hampshire, SO32 2JY (01329 833543, sales@newplacehotel.com, http://legacy-hotels.co.uk/hotels/new-place-southampton)
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Langrish House
An historic Cromwellian Manor House dating from the 1640’s, and privately owned by the Talbot-Ponsonby family since 1842 (with a short break of 25 years), Langrish House is the home of the 6th generation. The House and its beautiful grounds are stunning, set amidst rolling lawns and lovely timbered grounds with a small lake in the narrow valley below. Langrish House is located in the heart of the South Downs National Park, at the head of the Meon Valley and only 2 ½ miles from the market town of Petersfield.
Langrish House, Langrish, Petersfield, Hampshire, GU32 1RN (01730 266941, frontdesk@langrishhouse.co.uk, https://www.langrishhouse.co.uk/)
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Cantley House
Cantley House Hotel is a privately owned classic Victorian manor house with a distinctive 17th century barn, set within 50 acres of stunning countryside located on the outskirts of Wokingham. As the former home of the Marquis of Ormonde, the property has a grand yet homely feel with quirky and eccentric surprises at every turn.
Cantley House Hotel, Milton Rd, Wokingham, Berkshire, RG40 1JY (0118 989 5100, reservations@cantleyhotel.co.uk, https://www.cantleyhotel.co.uk/)
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