Romantic and magical, with a colourful history and lots of atmosphere and character, Pauntley Court is a fairly new addition to our collection but my goodness has it captured hearts. Painted a reddish-colour to reflect the warm earthy tones of the landscape around it, Pauntley Court sits above the Leadon valley with only the 16th century Dovecote and the beautiful Norman Church as its neighbours, surrounded by rolling green Gloucestershire countryside.
The birthplace of Dick Whittington (born 1352), Poet Laureate John Masefield described Pauntley as ‘a place of great beauty…’ and inspired him with some of his writings. A now much loved family home, full of warmth, unique charm and a friendly, intimate atmosphere throughout, the house and gardens and surrounding 20 acres can be exclusively yours for three days, sleeping up to 24 family and friends in 10 beautiful and individually designed bedrooms.
It all sounds pretty wonderful doesn’t it and these stunning images by Gyan Gurung only cement our love for this beautiful Gloucestershire wedding venue.
We asked owner Melissa to tell us all about Pauntley Court in her own words.
Melissa says…
Pauntley Court is a unique and very romantic house, full of so much charm and character and yet also very luxurious and intimate. I love the fact that as you drive over the crest of the hill, you can just see the house, with its warm reddish glow, nestling in the trees, with the Dovecote and Church, and rolling countryside beyond. It feels like you have come to a secret and secluded place of your own, away from busy modern day life.
Every room in the house is very individual and exquisitely decorated, often in earthy, terracotta tones such as in the panelled room. All the bedrooms and bathrooms are very homely but of an exceptional high standard so that when you come to stay here for three days for a wedding weekend, you can make Pauntley Court your very own home, with your family and friends. Exclusive use of this unique and beautiful place, with so many different and varied spaces, gives you endless opportunities to create the wedding of your dreams.
The gardens are very special too, forming several enchanting ‘rooms’, with hornbeam arches creating cloisters of green foliage, a sunken garden with an ornamental pond and the ‘ruined yew garden’ which is planted to represent a ‘Great House of Stone’ that was to be built by the Somerset family in the 1700’s.
There are far reaching views from all sides of the house and a short walk down from the house, there is a lake with wild ducks and sometimes a pair of swans nesting on the island. From here, one can wander to where the River Leadon runs, through wooded paths and mown tracks.
The décor has been a gradual collaboration, from when my mother arrived at Pauntley in 1989 up until now. We were married here in the Norman Church and the ceiling in the main stairs was painted in celebration of this. The history of the house is depicted in the murals on the landing walls, showing the colourful characters that have lived and been a part of the history of Pauntley.
Every bedroom has taken its decoration from a certain piece of furniture or curtain fabric as its inspiration for the colours of the cushions or throws. Each one different and named after a character associated with the house. It is a warm, charming and friendly house, with a happy and intimate atmosphere and that is reflected in the the décor.
If I had to choose my favourite room, I would say it is difficult to choose between the panelled room with its enormous open fire place and beautiful hand painted ceiling, parquet flooring and large south facing window and the space where the main staircase is, with its painted ceiling and the old chequered flagstones. Sunlight streams into here in the morning and the view out from the stairs across the sunken garden and beyond is absolutely stunning.
I love meeting people and showing them around Pauntley gives me so much pleasure. I enjoy giving couples ideas about how they could make Pauntley Court their very own for a whole weekend. The house is a wonderful place to gather with family and friends and with the luxurious and stylish accommodation, guests will have time to relax and celebrate in unique surroundings. Its warm and friendly atmosphere pervades throughout. The gardens are so beautiful and have endless gorgeous spaces to have an outdoor blessing or canapés before going into a marquee for up to 150 guests. Equally an intimate wedding for up to 40 guests, using our beautiful ballroom and panelled room, for your reception and wedding breakfast, can be perfect for a smaller wedding.
Every wedding at Pauntley will feel very individual and unique as there are so many options both inside the house and in the gardens, to create a one-off wedding of your dreams.
We do have an outdoor wedding option which will be licensed for civil weddings but there are also numerous beautiful and romantic spaces in the gardens, down by the lake or in the woodland for a blessing or humanist ceremony.
The ballroom will be licensed for a civil ceremony for up to 40 guests and for a Church ceremony, the Norman Church is just next door.
We’d love to show you around our home so why not pop in and visit us at our next Open Day on Sunday 15th September – there will be an opportunity to see the unique and luxurious accommodation across the main house, the bridal wing and the 16th century Dovecote. Discover the beautiful ballroom set for an intimate ceremony, visit the Norman Church next door and walk around the exquisite and enchanting garden spaces.
The marquee will be set up on our flat terrace overlooking the Gloucestershire countryside, full of wonderful local suppliers who will be happy to chat to you about how to create your dream wedding at Pauntley Court.
Based on a weekend wedding in March. Includes 2-night venue hire and accommodation.