Why book?
With its chic country-house and estate and its own private-access beach, this charming Hampshire haven gives fun-loving couples a lush backdrop with a spritz of sea air.
Venue style
For couples who just want to have fun, this enchantingly eccentric private country house makes for a wedding piled high with personality (without so much as a soupçon of stuffiness). One of only a handful of Hampshire country-house venues among myriad hotels, Pylewell stands out for its exclusivity and bespoke options that allow creative couples to unleash their imaginations. The ‘wedding-obsessed’ team here is award-winning and genuinely go above and beyond, sharing their little black book secrets and ensuring every moment is magical. As two of the team were married at Pylewell (with another due to wed in December), this lot have all the insider experience to create a showstopping event. Plus, guests are well-taken care of with a house host, night porter and on-site event manager throughout their stay.
Set the scene
The glamour of Pylewell House is undeniable. Set amid 58 acres of private parkland and verdant gardens dotted with blossoms, it’s hard to believe that this whimsical 1,500 acre estate is only two hours from London (although perhaps the slight salt tang in the air – emitted from the estate’s private-access beach, no less – is the giveaway).
Grand vistas aside, it’s important that guests feel at home here. And once couples set foot in the house itself, that breezy feel of waltzing into your very own country pile becomes evident and makes the opulence of crystal chandeliers, four-posters and endless architectural elegance feel utterly natural. You won’t find too many rules here and, from the plush velvet Chesterfields in the drawing room that invite guests to sink down and rest dancing feet to its dog-friendly welcome, Pylewell sets a tone of ease and comfort that’s simply not found in a staid hotel.
Event spaces
Pylewell offers three outdoor ceremony venues, all with sweeping sea views. The romantic Main Sail seats 180 guests under a soft canopy constructed of nine sail cloths, which, handily, shelters guests from both showers and freckle-inducing rays.
The Circular Lawn is more intimate, a secluded dell tucked amid pink rhododendrons and ideal for spring. For those who require a blank canvas, a ceremony by The Black Gates is recommended.
The Downtown-esque drawing room holds indoor ceremonies. It’s licensed for 130 and can accommodate an extra 50 in the adjacent dining room. A supremely cosy space for winter weddings, it’s also the fallback on wetter days.
Then, onto The Pavilion, aka ‘The Party Playground’. A built-in bar and vast dancefloor mean everyone can let their hair down while floor-to-ceiling glass and panoramic sea vistas create a wonderful light. Helpfully, all essential furniture, such as rustic trestle tables and chairs, is included – and, in keeping with Pylewell planning precision – you and your suppliers have access the day before the wedding from 11am. So there’s no last-minute ‘what-goes-where’ stress and you can perfect each beautiful bloom and every styling detail. Those staying two nights can then check into the house from 3pm and book a catered dinner or savour a tasty takeaway with their nearest and dearest.
For photographs, the inside tip for romantic shots is golden hour, whether that’s by the estate lake, on the beach or framed in a Victorian greenhouse doorway.
Food and drink
Pylewell Park works with just four hand-picked caterers for dining options as divine as the décor. Two are local: provenance-focused Ginger Catering who present dishes decorated with botanicals alongside delicious dessert stations, and The Little Kitchen Company – old hands at family-style sharing options, and renowned for their moreish canapes.
London-based Kalm is all about style: think patisserie bars, oyster stations and interactive courses, while Lettice creates sumptuous seasonal menus curated sustainably and served impeccably.
And the Champagne can flow all night if desired as Pylewell policy is BYOB. Caterers can chill and serve everything from fizz to cocktails (with corkage a reasonable £15 per adult and £7 per evening guest). All caterers can also help with dressing tables and hiring glassware, crockery and linen.
Accommodation
The house accommodates 26 guests – 20 in the 10 quirky bedrooms, all named after Lord Teynham’s children and each with their own whimsical personality. Two gleaming copper free-standing baths and an inviting four-poster bed, make the ‘David’ suite somewhat of a charmer, while for dreamers, ‘Alice’ is a lovely room complete with an old writing desk and a cosy armchair to curl up in. Nine rooms are ensuite, giving everyone enough space to prepare on the big day.
For the VIPs, the self-contained Penthouse Apartment is included. The relaxed space has three bedrooms, a kitchen, living room and private roof terrace – ideal for a blissful glass of fizz when you finally have a moment to yourselves. However, as it sleeps six and is dog-friendly, the Penthouse may well tempt visitors. The day after the wedding, a delicious breakfast buffet is provided for overnight guests.
The story
Pylewell sits on a site mentioned in the Domesday Book that has seen everything from a 12th-century Knights Templar dwelling to a Jacobean Lodge to the current 17th-century construction built by the Worsley family. In 1988, Lord Teynham inherited Pylewell and today many of the Roper-Curzon family live on the estate. In a nod to the grand Ballroom that was knocked down in the 1950s, The Pavilion now stands in its place, hosting a new generation of glamorous guests.
The need-to-know:
Budget: Weekdays from £10,000 (bedrooms not included). Weekends between £18,500-£25,000 including 2 nights with all bedrooms. Extra Sunday stay/event from £4,000. All prices include VAT.
Supplier catering from £130 per guest. Drinks can be supplied by the wedding party. Corkage is £I5 per adult, £7 per evening guest.
Capacity: Outdoor sail structure (licensed for ceremonies, April–Sept) I50 chairs. Indoor/wet-weather option in drawing room (licensed for I30) optional 50 in adjacent room. The Pavilion party space (seats I50, space for 200).
Location: Lymington, Hampshire
Website: pylewellpark.com
Instagram: @pylewellpark
