Whether you’re looking for an eccentric country house or a luxury fort retreat, Dan Cooper rounds up only the best and most exclusive around the country
Aynhoe Park
Britain’s most eclectic venue holds more than just a menagerie of glorious, life-like animals – the giraffes are our favourite – but also more than 400 years of private entertaining on its premises. Still a family home to art collector and entrepreneur James Perkins, guests will feel as if they’ve stepped into a Lewis Carroll poem as they step through its doors. Don’t expect to see any opium-smoking caterpillars, however.
Ideal for: weddings, exhibitions and house parties
Capacity: 150
Glenapp Castle
Scotland is the land of the contemporary castle and Glenapp just happens to be a perfect illustration of this. With legendary spa facilities and a renowned gourmet restaurant, Glenapp Castle is a spectacular vantage point for some of the most spellbinding views in Scotland, including the Irish Sea and the Isle of Arran.
Ideal for: weddings, exhibitions and corporate events
Capacity: 50
Spitbank Fort
Spitbank Fort in Portsmouth is a unique private fort hotel that offers its guests a truly secluded luxury experience. Completely decked out with vaulted ceilings and chic contemporary design, Spitbank has all the amenities for an extravagant party, including a reception courtyard, hot tub and cavernous wine cellar.
Ideal for: corporate events, parties and private dining
Capacity: 60
Hambleton Hall
This opulent country house in Rutland has come a long way from its Victorian heritage as a hunting lodge. Now an illustrious hotel on the secluded Hambleton peninsula, its allure and charm has only matured with age.
Ideal for: weddings, meetings and parties
Capacity: 50
North Cadbury Court
There are some houses that were just built and destined to entertain guests. Owned and renovated by the producers of Montgomery Cheddar, North Cadbury Court in Somerset offers guests total flexibility in organising their stay at the house and some of Somerset’s most beautiful surroundings. A true country manor, in every sense.
Ideal for: parties, weddings and exhibitions
Capacity: 150
Lords of the Manor
The Cotswolds is one of Britain’s natural treasures and home to some of Britain’s oldest venues. With eight acres of pristine country grounds and rolling hills surrounding the estate, the award-winning Michelin-starred Lords of the Manor is still a privately owned family home. Its history stretches all the way back to the 17th century, where it was built as a much smaller house. But with centuries of alteration, restoration and investment, the Lords of the Manor holds a much more gallant reputation.
Ideal for: private dining, weddings and corporate events
Capacity: 60
Bovey Castle
Bovey Castle is Devon’s chicest and most private castle. With a tightly strung calendar, the gorgeous design-led castle is only available for exclusive-use hire a few weeks a year. Quite unlike any other.
Ideal for: weddings, parties and corporate events
Capacity: 70
Kinross House
Kinross House and its idyllic environs is grace and elegance personified. Set on the banks of the still Loch Leven waters, the neoclassical Palladian mansion is currently a complete “labour of love” of Mr Donald Fothergill, recently buying and beginning renovation on the estate in 2011. Exclusive-use bookings of the venue are rather hard to come by, but all for good reason.
Ideal for: weddings, parties and corporate
Capacity: 80
Main image: Aynhoe Park
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