The Old Court Hotel is in the Wye Valley, where the borders between England and Wales meet via the counties of Herefordshire and Monmouthshire. The valley’s eponymous river, Britain’s four largest, is just a short walk away, with the surrounding countryside some of the most breathtaking in the British Isles.
The hotel’s building has stood for 450 years. It was the long-time home of the Gwillim family. Notable members and residents included Thomas Gwillim, who fought with General Wolfe at the battle of Quebec in 1759, and John Graves Simcoe the first lieutenant governor of Upper Canada and founder of the city of Toronto. The current owners have over 40 years experience in the hospitality industry, leaving them in pole position to plan and execute weddings that make lasting memories.
Such a historic and idyllic setting means the Old Court Hotel is the perfect wedding venue. Its interior and exterior has retained much of its 16th-century character, including the original Tudor Dining Room and grand Elizabethan Suite. This is where wedding receptions and ceremonies typically happen, with each room fully adaptable to suit the couple’s exact needs. Keeping the original Tudor room proportions ensures ceremonies and receptions remain intimate and charming. The surrounding gardens are equally as interesting, the perfect fusion of centuries old planning and modern maintenance. Rolling hills make for the ideal backdrop to any wedding photos.
Wedding breakfasts can range from a traditional three course sit down meal to finger food buffets. The ceremony rooms are quickly simply adapted to host these, as well as the ensuring party that can run long into the night.
The Old Court also offers wedding parties 22 en-suite rooms, several of which include a four-poster bed. Guests and the happy couple can stay in these both before and after the big day. There’s also a series of one bedroom apartments, each of which has a wood burning stove, and a self-catering cottage.