Cornwell Manor Estate

GROUND FLOOR
Shallow steps, surrounded by box hedges and ornate urns lead into the main entrance hall, in the classic English Country style, with stone floor and 18th Century fireplace. In particular with the fire light, the Hall is a welcoming room after a day out in the countryside, perfect for afternoon tea, and can also be used for larger dinner, or drinks parties.

Next door, the drawing room has an Adam-style chimneypiece and Rococo plasterwork and aubusson carpet. Above the fireplace is a family portrait of Rachel, Countess of Dudley and her son Roderick Ward. It is a pretty room, with wonderful views of the garden during the day, and a glamorous atmosphere in the evening, and guests can play backgammon on the games table in the corner.

The dining room ,with it’s original Jacobean paneling, is the oldest room in the house. The paneling gives the room a warmth which large dining rooms often lack. The table seats 16, so is perfect for intimate dinner parties and family Sunday lunches.

Connecting the dining room and Hall is the inner staircase hall. The Georgian open-well staircase is surrounded by family portraits and busts, the main ones being a larger than life portraits of the First Earl and Countess of Dudley.

The Ballroom – added to the house in the 1930s – has a large sprung floor which can accommodate 150 people. Ideal for larger dinners, parties, Christenings, we have chosen this room as one of our civil wedding location.

BEDROOMS
The guest bedrooms upstairs benefit from a spectacular view over formal lakes and of the surrounding Cotswold countryside.

The blue bedroom is dominated by a magnificent Regency carved bed, with furniture from the family home of Himley, (near Dudley in the English Midlands). Next door, a light yellow bedroom with four poster bed, and comfortable sitting area, and en-suite bathroom, is a great favourite with lady visitors.

The owner’s bedroom looks out over the lakes, and has been recently redecorated in a modern French style, with soft blue walls, a large cupboard, (with hidden television), and bed and sofa covered in pretty fabrics from India. There is a large modern bathroom with walk in shower. Adjoining is a dressing room with equally spectacular views.

The Attic floor above has three more bedrooms with bathrooms.

THE GARDENS
To the east of the house there is a terrace and formal Italian style garden leading to the Ha Ha. It is an ideal spot for outside drinks and meals.

In front of the house, is a Croquet lawn which leads to a Ha Ha and waterfall. The design is Clough Williams-Ellis, who terraced the valley, canalising the sparkling never ending spring fed stream into and through artificial pools, cascades and classical bridges. Guests can play croquet here and trout fishing is available in the lakes overlooked by the house.

At the back of the house is a wall enclosed triangular pool garden, with ornate hedges and views of the dovecot and stables. The pool house has a Sauna, bar, shower and bathroom. From here, you can enter the huge kitchen walled-garden through a heavy wrought iron gate.

The garden has numerous pear, apple and plum trees and vegetables planted to supply the house throughout the year.

In addition to the formal garden there are beautiful walks through the substantial surrounding park and woodlands and estate beyond. The private hamlet of Cornwell also contains a number of listed buildings.

The Village
At the heart of the estate is the hamlet of Cornwell, an un-modernised medieval village that is can be traced back to the doomsday book. There is a small canal running through the village and a playground for the children.

The Church
The small Norman church is a short distance from the Manor house and village, is easy to miss under a canopy of trees. There are services there once a month, and it is used for christenings, weddings and funerals. The harvest festival is a big annual event for the village, still very much a farming community.

Wildlife
Cornwell is a working estate, with a mixed farming enterprise, including arable, cattle and sheep. Alexander Ward, is a keen ornithologist and together with Natural England has created a large number of bird friendly environments, including two wetlands areas. Cornwell is now home to nesting lapwings, grey-lag geese, swans, and game birds such as pheasants and partridges. There are deer, hares and recently otters have been reestablished.

The Shoot
Cornwell Estate is a 200- 250 bird shoot. There is limited availability for private hire with guests staying at the Manor House.

A UNIQUE WEDDING VENUE
Cornwell is probably one of the most romantic places to get married in Southern England and the bliss is that you will have Cornwell all to yourself.

Perhaps you rent the house for the weekend or week, have you rehearsal dinner in the ballroom, get married in the church and dance the night away on the lawn. Or, you could walk from the church with your guests to the ballroom and have a Wedding breakfast. You can get married, or have a blessing, in the Church, which can fit 80 or in the ballroom, (licenced for weddings), which can fit 100.  The garden is perfect for a large marquee,  and could easily accommodate a wedding for 250, but a smaller more intimate site is the Ballroom garden, which can accommodate a marquee for 140, so you can create the day, weekend or week that is unique to you:

Church
Cornwell Parish Church is truly rural wonderful place to get married. It  accommodates 80 guests and has such a special atmosphere when it is filled with guests and flowers.  It is necessary to have connection with the Parish to get married here, or attend some services in the run up to the wedding. However, it is possible to have a blessing without being considered a resident.

Ballroom
The Ballroom is a spectacular room  for a civil wedding ceremony and can accommodate 100 people.  It is possible to put up a marquee in the adjourning garden for your reception afterwards. Making the whole area a seemless location.

A Field
You could get married in the middle of the countryside, which is becoming increasingly popular. Cornwell would be an ideal place to do this.

Large Garden Marquee
If you wish to give a bigger party, a marquee in the garden outside the house is a unforgettable location. With the Manor house as a backdrop and looking out over the ha ha to the lakes, this is your rural idyll. Choose a classic English Marquee, an India Rajasthani tent or a Kata Tipi tent from  Scandinavia, to create the atmosphere you want.

Suppliers
We have a list of well trusted suppliers of wonderful marquees, top quality caterers ,  flowers and we can provide you with a list of fantastic suppliers.

Personal Wedding Planner
If the whole thing seems overwhelming we can offer you the services of our in house wedding planner.