Venue Review: The Four Seasons Hampshire

Why Book?

Set in 500 acres of beautiful countryside, the Four Seasons Hampshire is the grand English country stay couples dream of. Set against a show-stopping backdrop of enchanting gardens and rolling hills, the Georgian beauty is a stone’s throw from London with charming staff, a top-notch spa and an endless list of country pursuits to enjoy.

Venue Style: Quintessentially British

Four Seasons Hampshire is the perfect home-from-home haute-luxe estate that’s family-friendly, dog-friendly and country chic for honeymooners, wedding planners or, and quite spectacularly, weddings.

Set the Scene

A mere one hour drive from Central London, Four Seasons Hampshire is a sprawling country estate ramped up with Four Seasons panache. Inside, glamour meets traditional country house, with mirrored walls, chandeliers and comforting country wallpaper. Here, its all about outdoor activities (riding, hiking, falconry, cycling, tennis, birdwatching…) and, of course, the food. Outside guests are greeted by life-size sculptures of boxing hares, wild boar and an incredibly friendly Labrador. Couples will adore the little added romantic extras such as a rehearsal dinner for two under the stars.

Event Spaces

Whether you’re after an intimate orchard ceremony, walled-garden wonder or a large celebration in the heart of the manor, they have the event space for you. For an unforgettable alfresco dining experience with blooming bushes, bewitching landscapes, chirping birdsong in the background there is the The Walled Garden. Then there is the The Ballroom, an excellent choice for grand weddings and celebrations with light-filled floor-to-ceiling windows where you can sprawl out after onto a private lawn and rolling views over the Hampshire countryside. Or for something more statement, make an entrance pouring down the marble staircase into The Mandeville Ballroom before you walk down the candlelit aisle. And for those after a chic-micro-wedding The Drawing Room provides a beautiful backdrop for the wedding breakfast, with its wood panelling, parquet flooring and vintage sofas that would make Downton Abbey blush.

Food and Drink

Martin Brudnizki, the creative powerhouse behind the interiors at Annabel’s and Harry’s Bar in London, is responsible for the look of the flagship Wild Carrot restaurant. What’s really exciting about the food here is that your guests can truly enjoy a fully-catered dinner made with the freshest local ingredients, making you feel great about your carbon footprint whilst enjoying refined and wholesome British food. The bountiful fields, orchards and nearby farms of Hampshire become an elemental part of your wedding, with a tailored menu by the hotel’s Four Seasons Chefs. For something a little extra special we suggest you gather your wedding guests for a welcome reception or rehearsal dinner in Fox Hollow or the private dining room at the Wild Carrot restaurant.

Accommodation

The rooms here will not disappoint. Think ultra-comfy king-size platform beds with squishy pillows and smooth, crisp linen. We suggest you book the William Godson Suite. Positioned at the heart of the house, this suite has breath-taking panoramic views of our 500-acre Hampshire estate and a full marble bathroom with claw-foot tub to pour into the morning after your big day. For blowing-the-budget book the The Royal Suite – the epitome of luxury and perfect for hosting rehearsal dinners or cocktails the night before.

The Story

About an hours drive South West of London, the 18th-century Georgian-style structure sits in Dogmersfield Park, which is no stranger to famous faces — it was here that Henry VIII first met Catherine of Aragon, the first of his six wives. Historic tidbits aside, the luxurious manor house boasts all of the proper modern comforts with idyllic views. The Four Seasons also took lockdown as an opportunity to give the place a further refresh. Revealed in May, the 133 guest rooms, 22 of which are suites, have all been updated and restyled. It also reopened with fresh ideas in play, both for dining experiences (one can can dine in the walled garden or the fishing lodge). For relaxing, the Time For Two package provides couples with bespoke wellness schedules. If ever, now is the time to book your big day here.

Spa

A magnificent pool is the centrepiece of the spa where you can swim outside even on wintery nights and be soothed and warmed by jets. For a brilliant all-rounder that works hard on back, neck and shoulders while still offering relaxation, try the Beeutiful Rose Spice Candle Massage, which uses hot wax for a full-body, hour-long treatment. There’s also Sharkie’s Reef water offer oodles of fun for little page boys and flower girls.

Eco-friendly

This rural retreat is deeply committed to providing sustainable luxury. They are masters of reusing waste to all sorts of things – think toys, garden tools and even aggregates for the road. This is all in aid of reducing the carbon footprint of their operations.