Polhawn Fort is a coastal wedding venue at the end of Whitsand Bay in Cornwall. It was built from 1862-67 and is known as Polshawn Battery, part of a series of coastal defences known as Palmerston’s Follies that were constructed to deter what was felt to be a credible threat of a French invasion by Napoleon III. Polhawn remained as a Royal Navy command post capable of holding a full suite of officers and men until 1927, when it was sold into private hands. From there, it was converted into a guest house and has now been sympathetically restored.
Its location and retaining of a huge swathe of original features means that it makes for a truly unique wedding venue. The Napoleonic Hall, an 80 foot long room that features four original cannon arches and casemates, is the standout, ably complimented by the a drawbridge, spiral staircase, cannon, and original wooden floors.
There’s also a set of steps leading straight down from the fort to a private beach, ideal for both initial alone time as a married couple and for the all-important wedding photos. Both guests and the newly married couple can spend the nights preceding and after the big day in one the bedrooms, each of which retains its mid-Victorian character. This level of flexibility is typical of a wedding at Polhawn Fort, which prides itself on creating bespoke occasions.
As such, weddings can be grand and traditional or intimate and stripped back. Two rooms host wedding receptions. The Napoleonic Hall seats up to 100 guests and is both truly unique and stepped in wow factor. There’s also The Emperor’s Room, which is better suited to smaller guest lists due to its 30 person capacity. Weather permitting, wedding breakfasts are served in the fort’s grounds overlooking the surrounding ocean. Polhawn has strong relationships with a selection of local caterers that will suit most tastes, ranging from banquets to traditional three course meals.