Venue Review: Wasing Park, Berkshire

Why Book?

Wasing Park is a centuries-old farming hamlet that has been carefully converted into an incomparable storybook wedding venue. There is magic in every corner of the verdant 4,000-acre Wasing Estate, one of the most diverse rural estates in England, and Wasing Park is its stunning crowning jewel.

Wasing can be exclusively enjoyed by the wedding party, who will find a unique space to celebrate and connect, from an unforgettable welcome evening—think acoustic musicians serenading guests in the moonlight—to the final ‘Estate to Plate’ wedding breakfast. And with a peerless offering of activities—from forest bathing to Haka classes—Wasing is best experienced over an action-packed two-or three-day wedding.

There are hundreds of years of character and stories built into the fabric of the buildings, from saying your vows in the postcard-pretty 15th-century Parish Church of St. Nicholas to resting your head at the end of the day in the enchanting old Granary. Wasing uniquely fuses continuity (and a commitment to sustainability) with luxury; and modern polish brings the space bang-up to date. Wasing’s elevated rustic feel makes it an ideal sanctuary to take over with loved ones and celebrate in style.

Venue Style

For the couple who wants to be immersed in nature throughout their celebrations while not compromising on luxury, Wasing Park is wrapped up in the bucolic vibrancy of the Berkshire countryside while being but an hour from London. It is guaranteed to be all-the-more picturesque in the spring, where blossom rules and emerald dragonflies zip through the magical gardens.

Synthesising a relaxed, farmhouse vibe with clever and stylish renovations, Wasing provides that much-sought-after home-from-home feel. Expect classic countryside comforts and mooing cows, but also luxuries (like a freestanding claw tub in your room) and second-to-none service, making every request an easy reality.

Wasing is an ideal choice for a couple who prioritise their peace of mind on the big day. From the very start of the planning process, careful attention is paid to every detail. Wasing’s unique commitment to excellence is evident at every step, executed by an expert team with a distinct ability to put people at ease. The discrete and cheerful staff remain ten steps ahead, ensuring celebrations are stress-free with maximum space and time for fun, while keeping an eye on the clock to make sure everyone is in the right place at the right time.

Set The Scene

Wasing Park can be found ensconced in Berkshire’s green pastures at the end of an epic winding drive. There is an immediate feel of privacy and seclusion—one that encourages you to exhale and relax. Although self-evidently embodying a long and dignified history, Wasing is, without stuffy pretension, a place that can be exclusively yours to have fun with loved ones.

And there is plenty to do. For the ultimate decompression before the big day, head down to the lake to make use of Wasing’s unique Scandi-style Sauna and ice bath for the ever-invigorating hot-cold-hot trifecta. If you need some encouragement before taking a dip, know there will be a dedicated Wellbeing Host on hand to guide you through and offer a soothing herbal tea as a reward. Surrounded by panoramic views of picturesque woodland, here you can relax and unwind in a singularly peaceful setting.

To make full use of all of the fun to be had, extend your stay to a third day and host garden games and activities: perhaps a morning yoga class, a Pimm’s picnic in the woodlands for lunch, followed by an afternoon of activity. Get stuck into all manner of games—there is axe throwing, simulated clay shooting, or target archery instruction on the lawn. Then the day could be topped off with a cricket match at Wasing’s Cricket Pavilion, a post-match barbeque, and toasted marshmallows at Twilight by the fire pit.

Event Spaces

For an utterly charming white-turreted church ceremony of 100 people, look to the Parish Church of St. Nicholas that sits at the heart of Wasing Park. The church has features that date to AD 1200, and a 14th-century cast iron bell that will ring you into the future with the utmost jubilation. On a sunny day, it is singularly idyllic, with streams of light filtering through the stained glass windows.

Or— for a proclamation of love not dissimilar from Pride and Prejudice’s very own— look to the Outdoor Victorian Summerhouse. Surrounded by blossom trees, the Summerhouse features a breathtaking hand-painted mural of wildlife, flora, and fauna that reflects the natural abundance of the estate. It is a thoroughly romantic option that can accommodate up to 160 guests.

With the same guest capacity but a light, breezy, and modern feel, choose The Garden Room. It is a blank canvas to be decorated in your image, wrapped up with views of the surrounding greenery. There are also handy bi-fold glass doors that provide all-important flexibility to enjoy the best of the weather.

The festivities can continue at the Grade II-listed Castle Barn, which can accommodate up to 250 partygoers. To ensure the momentum of the evening is maintained, the dining room will be transformed into a dance floor in under 30 minutes. On the terrace, there is a weatherproof al fresco space, with the protection of an expansive floating stretch tent. Here is a perfect spot for a casual bite to eat, with the theatrical addition of Wasing Chef’s firing up pizzas for hungry guests in the wood oven. The very embodiment of cosy magic at all times of year, lookers-on can wrap up with sheepskins and sit under twinkling fairy lights, soaking up the best of the atmosphere.

Food & Drink

All prospective bridal parties will be invited to a tasting event, where they will sample a set menu (with paired wines) that spotlights the flavour and flair of Wasing’s rich produce. This extra step gives the bride and groom unique insight into the guest experience of the wedding, ensuring everything goes beautifully on the big day.

Continuing an estate-wide commitment to sustainability, Wasing’s food vision is ‘Nose to Tail’. By prioritising the quality of the meat, the resulting menu authentically maximises deliciousness with succulent local lamb and beef from native red Sussex cattle. And in keeping with their ‘Estate to Plate Ethos’, you can expect to taste Wasing’s seasonal organic produce, from orchard grown fruit down to hedge-row herbs.

Outside of the estate, there are a plethora of local artisan suppliers who offer delights, from award-winning Barkham Blue cheese to chalk stream smoked trout from the River Test. And as for your tipple, there are real ales and lagers from local breweries, Rebellion and Renegade, or Wasing’s own gin, infused with a mixture of lemons, rosemary, thyme, and blackcurrant leaves from the garden, sweetened with wildflower honey from Wasing hedgerows. You can also choose local Langham sparkling wines for your toast, who were recently named Sparkling Wine Producer of the Year.

Accommodation

There are 26 bespoke-designed bedrooms at Wasing Park, sleeping 64 people in total. Much of the accommodation brings the historical integrity of the estate to the fore. A lucky duo will stay at The Dovecote, the former home of hundreds of doves that has been renovated into a magical two-floor mezzanine with a custom-made triangular bed at the top of a spiral staircase. There is also the Smithy, a secluded suite away from the main house, formerly the site of the blacksmiths forge. The space boasts the original fireplace, but has been updated with a clean modern finish and a luxurious emperor bed to get lost in. Or opt for The Granary, originally built to store grain but now a cosy two-floor wood-panelled suite, complete with two bedrooms on split floors, ideal for families.

But for the bride and groom, there is a dedicated Honeymoon Suite. Home to the biggest bed in Berkshire, the spacious and light-filled former Hayloft boasts charming original features and every indulgence, from a roll-top bath to a private breakfast area and sun terrace overlooking the estate.

For larger parties, there are additional properties in other areas of the estate, though this is subject to availability. At Kitts Cottage (that sleeps seven) and Home Farmhouse (that sleeps 12 and has self-catering options), guests can enjoy flexibility with space to unwind.

A final top tip: if The Old Estate Rooms are booked, the bridal party will be given private access to Kitt’s cottage for pre-wedding pampering the evening before and then will move to the main venue on the big day. And on the morning of the wedding, there is dedicated space for the grooms to get suited and booted, with use of The Grooms Room from 10:30am.

The Story

Wasing has a 500-year history that can be traced back to 1535, when The Knights Hospitallers settled at Wasing’s Shalford Farm. Beyond this, when John Mount purchased the Estate in 1759, the Estate was brought into the tradition of wayfaring due to its new owner’s successful map and sea chart publishing company— Mount and Page— that produced an array of publications including the English Pilot, which helped Captain Cook’s Endeavour navigate to Australia. This wayfaring DNA is essential to Wasing, and is the spirit upon which new adventures and journeys can be embarked upon and discovered throughout your wedding.

Eco-Friendly

Sustainability and longevity are at the forefront of Wasing’s operations. In 2018, Wasing Farm went organic in order to prioritise the proper regeneration of local soil and ecosystems into the future. Alongside this, there is deliberate attention paid to conservation matters, enhancing biodiversity across the estate and improving water quality. Over 200 acres are dedicated to chosen flower and seed crops that specifically sustain pollinators throughout the year and red-list birds from skylarks to linnets. You will also notice that throughout Wasing’s 26 bedrooms, there is a sustainable heating system with a biomass boiler that uses wood from the land.