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Eastnor
is a dramatic, fairytale castle situated in a
5000-acre estate in the Malvern Hills within an
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The castle,
surrounded by a lake, deer park and arboretum,
with magnificent views of the rolling
Herefordshire countryside, is the home of the
Hervey-Bathurst family.
Despite its
spectacular rural location, Eastnor Castle is only
ten minutes from the national motorway network and
only two and a half hours by car from central
London.
Besides being a
fascinating visitor attraction, the Castle fulfils
many other roles ... as a unique setting for
weddings, private parties, corporate entertaining,
filming and product launches.
The history behind
Eastnor Castle derives from two distinguished
families, the Cocks and the Somers. The Cocks'
family moved to Eastnor at the end of the 16th
century. The Cocks' married
into the Worcestershire Somers' family, and it was
the combination of their estates that gave the
1st Earl Somers the financial means to begin the
construction of Eastnor in 1810.
At that time, the size
and splendour of a country house were the most
obvious indications of the standing and fortune of
any family, and there can be no doubt that the
imposing mass and scale of Eastnor was intended to
reflect the personality and stature of its
creator.
 The style proposed by
the architect, the young Robert Smirke, was Norman
Revival. From a distance, Eastnor was intended to
create the impression of a medieval fortress
guarding the Welsh Borders.
The cost of the
construction of the fabric of the Castle was so
great that the decoration of the interior
inevitably held a lower priority. It was not until
1849, that the 2nd Earl commissioned Pugin, who
had completed the remodelling of the House of
Lords just two years earlier, to decorate the
Drawing Room in High Gothic revival style.
Despite the massive
expenditure on Eastnor, the family fortunes
flourished. By the 1870's, the Somers Cocks'
estates exceeded 13,000 acres. However, the
agricultural depression of the 1870's caused a
decline in the family wealth. When Lord Somers was
appointed Governor of Victoria in 1926, the family
moved to Australia and Eastnor was left
unoccupied.
The revival of Eastnor
was started by Hon. Elizabeth Somers Cocks and
Benjamin Hervey-Bathurst, the parents of the
present owner, when they moved into the Castle in
1949. James Hervey-Bathurst
and his family came to live in Eastnor in 1988 and accelerated the restoration and internal
repair of the Castle.
Weddings
Good food
is an important part of any wedding, and we are
proud of the exceptionally high standard and wide
variety of menus that are designed to cater for a
range of tastes. The best fresh local produce is
used wherever possible, and our wine list has been
carefully selected to offer good quality,
easy-drinking wines at sensible prices.
The
Great Hall, with its 60 foot high ceiling and
roaring log fires in winter months, is an imposing
yet intimate space for the reception, and
conveniently connects to The Octagon Saloon with
French windows onto the terrace lawns. In summer
months, we serve drinks here, overlooking the lake
usually accompanied by a string quartet or small
jazz band.
We
have a licence to hold civil wedding ceremonies in
the Gothic Drawing Room. This richly decorated
room, designed by Augustus Pugin, is a perfect,
romantic setting for the wedding itself. The room
is licensed for a maximum of 80 guests.
The
State Dining Room will seat up to 80 guests at
round tables for a served or buffet-style meal.
If
your wedding ceremony is not taking place in the
Castle, then we offer the option of using the
Great Hall as a dining room, seating up to 150
guests.
For
much larger weddings, the Castle itself can be
used for a drinks reception following by a dinner
dance in a marquee on the lower terrace next to
the lake.
 There are twelve beautiful guest bedrooms in the
castle that are available for the bride and groom
and their family and close friends. Each of the
luxurious bedrooms is individual in style and
character, containing original works of art from
the family collection, and all have stunning views
of the lake, grounds or Malvern Hills.
Our
outstanding facilities and service provide an
exceptional venue for your wedding, and our
experienced and friendly staff will ensure that
everything runs smoothly. We will help co-ordinate
your plans, recommend excellent suppliers and
suggest exciting and innovative touches that will
enhance your wedding day.
Private Parties Eastnor Castle is a family
home which was designed for parties and
entertaining. Eastnor is the ideal venue for
birthday parties, wedding anniversaries, family
re-union or any private party.
Our
experienced team will organise every aspect of
your party and can suggest exciting and innovative
touches which will enhance the event. We will also
recommend tried and tested suppliers who can
provide top-quality entertainment and music.
Delicious food, made with the best fresh local
produce is served with excellent wines and Malvern
Spring Water.
Corporate Events
Dramatically situated
in the Malvern Hills in an area of natural beauty,
Eastnor Castle makes a unique and impressive
setting for all types of corporate entertaining
and events.
Eastnor Castle is available for business or
private use, and our luxurious bedrooms can be
used by small groups wishing to include dinner and
overnight accommodation in their programme.
We
pride ourselves on the highest standards of
comfort, impeccable service and personal attention
to detail. Our experienced and friendly team will
plan and organise your event and your guests will
enjoy a warm and relaxed atmosphere in this truly
exceptional family home.
The
hilly terrain and breathtaking scenery also make
the Eastnor Estate an ideal location for
teambuilding and activity days.
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EASTNOR CASTLE
