Member Article

Love is in the air at record-breaking Escrick Park Estate

Love is in the air at the picturesque Escrick Park Estate, between York and Selby, where a record number of weddings have been booked this year at the estate’s three distinctive venues.

Estate administrator Helen Pentith revealed that six weddings had already booked for Escrick Park’s peaceful Woodland Wedding venue; three at the majestic Skipwith Hall; and four at the historic Little Theatre in Skipwith.

“We have never been so busy,” said Helen. “Whoever said romance was dead in the 21st century couldn’t have been more wrong, as we have broken all our wedding records. As winter turns to spring, we look forward to hosting a series of wonderful weddings on the estate at our very different and very individual venues.

“For example, our glorious Woodland Wedding area, underneath the bows of 18th century oaks, has six weddings booked for this year, compared with three last year. It is becoming increasingly popular for an outdoor ceremony amid our rolling green parkland with panoramic views,” explained Helen.

“Escrick Park offers glorious uninterrupted views across the former deer park and open landscape stretching for miles. The grounds are mostly facing south, providing a very special location for a wedding.

“Couples love the wide open space and blank canvas of parkland to plan their special day. Our new woodland wedding area is perfect for humanist ceremonies and provides room for up to 100 people. The beautiful archway is crafted from dried oak branches to create a special and magical space for wedding vows,” she explained.

Escrick Estate is a traditional private estate, which has been lovingly owned and nurtured by the Forbes Adam family for over 300 years to create a natural sanctuary and parkland.

The estate also features one of North Yorkshire’s smallest – and most individual – theatres, which has recently been granted a Civil Ceremony Licence to become a wedding venue. The Little Theatre, a jewel in the crown of the historic 18th century Skipwith Hall, was created by the Hon Irene Forbes Adam in 1930, when she converted a disused hayloft into a theatre.

The Little Theatre was lovingly refurbished in 2008 with new lighting, projections, a sound system and a green room. Since the refurbishment the building has been used for business training sessions, mini conferences, presentations, plays, pantomimes, photography studio hire and regular pilates classes. It has a capacity of 60.

Helen Pentith commented: “We are delighted to have received our civil licence, which enables us to hold weddings and receptions there. Our super Little Theatre provides a quirky alternative to a traditional wedding. Whether you or your family members are budding thespians or not, this little beauty is sure to make it a very unique place to say ‘we do’.”

Skipwith Hall, meanwhile, already provides the perfect private surroundings for a marquee wedding or celebration. The beautiful and exclusively private gardens of this Queen Anne Manor House have proved popular with wedding couples throughout the country.

Helen added: “Guests are welcomed in the sheltered Kitchen Gardens, packed with colourful boarders and manicured lawns, cockleshell paths and a pretty pond with fountain in the centre. After your reception drinks, guests can be led to their marquee through the historic wrought iron gates.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Robert Beaumont .