Kelmarsh Hall and Gardens

"The Gardens at Kelmarsh Hall are designated by English Heritage (Historic England) as Grade II*, a garden of national significance. The gardens surrounding the Hall are known for their relaxed charm and ‘haphazard luxuriance’. Nancy Lancaster, who lived at Kelmarsh Hall, brought much of the immediate landscape to life during the late 1920s and again in the 1940s, with the help of garden designer Norah Lindsay and landscape architect Geoffrey Jellicoe. Nancy, was a keen gardener who created a soft, beautiful outside space that complimented her English Country House Style interiors. Borders filled with sweet peas and roses framed relaxed seating areas and walkways that provided a backdrop to the diverse views that may be enjoyed from the different aspects of Kelmarsh Hall and provided a stunning venue for lavish cocktail parties in her era. A team of wonderful volunteers have worked tirelessly with experts and our Head Gardeners since 1998 to conjure a sense of the gardens’ heyday from photographs, memories and magazine articles of the period and have created the fragrant, romantic atmosphere that can be enjoyed today. From the sophisticated pastels of the sunken garden through to the showier saturated colours of the 60m long border, the garden leads you on a tour around the perimeter of a triangular walled garden. This secret heart is a relaxing space filled with traditional fruit and vegetables, cut flower beds and a restored vinery. The produce and cut flowers are sold in the Visitor Centre when available. These overlays of history within the gardens contributed to the gardens’ listing by English Heritage as Grade II*, a garden of national significance."

"I recently enjoyed an afternoon tea here with my husband, MiL and a friend. The food is well prepared and presented, and the ladies who work here are lovely. The building and surrounding grounds and gardens are also very beautiful."

"Another stunning historic house country house. House is stunning, excellent volunteer guides throughout the house, all very knowledgeable and friendly. The servant quarters is like a separate venue/museum and extremely well presented. Add to that the excellent tea room and not to mention the gardens. Highly recommended, this was our first visit to Kelmarsh but I'm sure we will return many times."

"It may seem unusual for a wedding photographer to post a review about a wedding venue. But it's the least I can do. Because beautiful house and stunning gardens aside, the entire team always makes me feel incredibly welcome with beaming smiles and excitement. The welcome is so warm it feels like coming home. And this is how it continues for the entire day. Behind the scenes everything is professionally and efficiently run. It's a joy to work at Kelmarsh - and they even remember how I take my tea each time I go! But it's how they treat their couples that's the true test - and if you get an experience half as good as the one I get, you'll be very pleased you chose Kelmarsh!"

"Wonderful house to visit and a super set of house guides. It was a free flow system, but plenty people to ask questions. It was a shame the rain came, but we managed to see some of the garden. Plus a super cafe , lovely cakes and good quality tea and coffee. Many thanks to you all."