Heckfield Place sits at one end of the estate, with one lake in the centre of the grounds and another at the top end. There’s also a walled garden, a Glass House and woodlands, which surround the majority of the estate. It’s a beautiful setting, with plenty to see and some perfect spots to aim for whilst whiling away a morning or afternoon.
The Estate
Located in Hook, Hampshire, less than an hour from London, Heckfield Place is one of Britain’s finest country hotels and wedding venues. Set in an estate of more than 400 acres, the original Georgian home dates back to 1760 and has been restored and reimagined to the highest standards, making it a fantastic place to get married.
A nod to sustainability often feels like a token gesture, but at Heckfield Place it truly is the heart and soul of the hotel and the estate at large. If it’s important to you that your wedding is as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible, it’s a really good choice.
Heckfield Place, Hampshire
Aside from the house itself, key to Heckfield are the Home Farm and the Market Garden, which work together to help make the idea of ‘estate to plate’ a reality. Walking into the house, you can’t help but notice the beautiful flower arrangements throughout, all of which are sourced from the home farm. The fruit and vegetables served in the two restaurants, Marle and Hearth, are produced in the market garden, while the herd of Guernsey cows provide the milk, butter and cream and the chickens provide the eggs.
Wood from sustainable sources is used to heat the water inside the house, which itself is sourced from rainwater that falls on the estate. All in all, it’s a self-sustaining system that’s not only good for the environment, but also enhances the quality of the produce served in the house.
Sustainability
Getting Married at Heckfield Place
There are a number of options when it comes to having your wedding at Heckfield Place, ranging from partial hire to full exclusive use of the entire estate. A partial hire can suit an elopement or microwedding with up to 30 guests, while exclusive use is suitable for up to 120 people and gives you free rein across the entire estate, including all the grounds, restaurants and other facilities. In terms of accommodation, the hotel has 45 beautifully appointed bedrooms, many complete with fireplaces and views across the grounds, so you have the option for having all your guests stay onsite for weddings of up to 90 people.
Ceremony and Dancing Spaces
Heckfield is a flexible venue, with plenty of indoor and especially outdoor options when it comes to your ceremony, reception and dancing. It’s also licensed for wedding ceremonies, so you won’t need to legally marry before your big day. If you prefer to keep things more traditional, Heckfield Church is close by.
The Glass House, which sits within the Walled Garden, is a light-filled space, well-suited to a rehearsal dinner or small get-together with your closest friends and family before your wedding. The Assembly Room works really well for dancing, while the grounds provide countless options for a beautiful outdoor ceremony.
The Bothy Spa
If, like us, you love a good spa (and who doesn’t?!), you’re in for a treat. The Bothy is a brand new, onsite spa, with some of the best facilities you’ll find anywhere. The swimming pool, complete with full-length skylight, is stunning, and the gym, yoga, pilates and meditation facilities are top-notch, with views across the grounds. The Bothy is run by Heckfield alongside Wildsmith, and is a great way to unwind either before or after your wedding, perhaps with a few close members of your wedding party.
Guest Activities
With grounds and spaces like those at Heckfield, you’d expect to be spoiled for choice when it comes to deciding what to do in your down time, and you’d be right! Fishing, falconry, boating and cycling are a few outdoor options, but we especially love ‘forest bathing’ - a chance to leave your phone behind, unwind and reconnect with nature in the woodlands.
Indoors, why not arrange a viewing of your favourite movie at the 67-seat cinema, hold a wine tasting session in the Cellar (surrounded by Heckfield’s impressive wine collection), play a game of chess or sit back and relax with a cocktail at the Moon Bar to round out the day.
Food
When it comes to food, the two restaurants at Heckfield Place, headed up by culinary director Skye Gyngell, really excel. Marle is the restaurant that lives and breathes Heckfield’s ethos; the embodiment of ‘estate to plate,’ with the majority of ingredients being sourced from the estate. Beautifully fresh, seasonal produce cooked simply is the name of the game. The Michelin Guide agrees, having awarded Marle with a Green Michelin Star. If you like your food cooked on the grill, Hearth is going to be your go-to. Think grilled langoustines, loin of lamb and wood-fired flatbread, all sourced onsite or supplied by Heckfield's partners at Fern Varrow, a biodynamic farm in Hertfordshire. …delicious!
Where is Heckfield Place?
Heckfield Place is located in Hook, in the county of Hampshire, in England. Just over an hour from London by car, it’s a great option if you have guests coming from around the world and want to be close to London.
Address: Heckfield Place, Heckfield, Hook, RG27 0LD.
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Photos on this page provided courtesy of Wilderness Reserve
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