Details

The Manor is set in lovely grounds and fingers crossed, we will get good weather to enjoy them. But we selected this venue because of its big spaces and ample room even if we have to keep it indoors.

It is a self catering venue and we have taken it from Friday evening to Monday morning, to make sure that Nat and I get to catch up with everybody properly, in a relaxed setting.

Because it is a fair drive from London, we are aiming to start the Ceremony at 2.15pm for 2.30pm, so you can drive down on the Saturday if you prefer to do that. For those coming down Friday night, there will be a crowd of us at the house, doing a bit of set up for the next day and getting into the drinking, so please come by and join in.

Getting There

The Manor is situated in the Exmoor National Park, two miles from the medieval village of Dunster with it’s National Trust Castle and 5 miles from the seaside town of Minehead.

For Sat Navs please use the postcode for the South Lodge which will bring you to the front drive entrance. TA24 7TB. There is plenty of parking on the grounds.

• By Car: It’s a 3-4 hour drive from London. Either down the M4, turn left at Bristol. Or M3, A303 and A358 to Somerset.
• By Train: Taunton is the nearest train station 24 miles away.
• Exeter Airport is 40 miles (60 mins) from The Manor.
• Bristol Airport is 50 miles (80 mins) from The Manor.

The Ceremony

The actual wedding ceremony will be held either in the building or outside in the grounds, depending on the weather. If you are staying in the cottages, you can wander up when ready. If you are driving, you can park in the grounds and leave your car there.

Celebrations

FRIDAY after 5pm: If you are coming down to Dunster on Friday evening, please let me know in advance if you will come and join us at the house, so I can ensure we cater for everybody. There will already be quite a few of us in the house and no doubt will be getting a bit unruly, while doing a bit of set up for the next day. Please be aware that you will be given something to do if you do turn up – but that’s always fun in a group.

SATURDAY: After the Ceremony, there will be drinks and nibbles while we all go mad saying hello and taking photos. A sit down late lunch / early dinner will follow, with speeches and eventually dancing and falling over. After we stop the main music, we will continue in the room with the bar to have some port or whatever suits you in the early hours. Make sure you have a decent brunch or light lunch as dinner will not start until c.5pm

SUNDAY: Because some of us are staying on Sunday and not everybody will want to rush back to the big smoke. I have arranged for a Paella company to come and make 3 Paellas (Meat / Seafood / Vegetarian)  and some salads and extend our get-together a bit longer over croquet or cricket if it is a fine weekend. 

The Venue

It was important to Nat and I that we made plenty of time to spend a few days with everybody we love, so we have time to get round and speak to you and importantly you all get a chance to catch up too. For those that have been to barbeques at my parents’ house (most of you), I had that atmosphere in mind when looking for a venue, big enough and relaxed enough to accomodate a good old get together. If it is a warm weekend, plan to stay as much time as you can. We don’t get these chances to hang out with each other too often. There is also a great castle and mill to go and see in the village.

NB: Bring a favourite tipple or nightcap. It is a self catering venue and we will bring in caterers and alcohol of the usual variety. However, if there is a particular tipple that you would like to enjoy late into the evening, a rare Tequila, a Port or a great bottle of wine you want to share with anybody in particular, feel free to bring a bottle with you.

Kids

I would like this wedding to be a get-together for us all and I would encourage you to leave the kids with carers if it is convenient, so you can also chill out, get a bit drunk and dance like nobody is watching – confident that your children are not going to upload your antics to youtube. However, if you believe your kids will not harsh your mellow and will enjoy a wedding, they are more than welcome.

Local Accomodation

Knowle Manor is very close to Dunster Village (about 2 miles) where there is a castle and some great pubs. Nat and I stayed in the Luttrell Arms and loved it. There are other highly rated pubs and there are also private cottages (not part of Knowle Manor) right near the gate to Knowle Manor. I can’t vouch for the quality of the cottages, but they would be your best bet if you would like to abandon all driving for the weekend.