Carlton Towers: Spring 23
A spectacular Wedding Venue
Simply put, Carlton Towers really is one of the most unique wedding venues I have ever encountered.
A Grade 1 listed mansion, Carlton Towers is located in North Yorkshire within a 250 acre park. This magnificent home, which dates back to the 17th century, has been designed and constructed with meticulous attention to detail and is an awe-inspiring masterpiece.
Earlier this Spring, I had the opportunity to look around Carlton Towers. My tour guide was Sam, who works within the wedding events team. He, like many others, has worked at Carlton Towers for lots of years. He loves it and it’s easy to see why.
Boasting a rich history, stunning architecture and interior design which is out of this world, I discovered this to be a ‘gem’ of a wedding venue and I can’t wait to tell you more about it.
In this blog I outline everything that Carlton Towers has to offer potential couples and uncover how versatile it can be as a wedding space. This blog includes:
First Impressions
A bit of History
Info on indoor Wedding Spaces
Info on outdoor Wedding Spaces
Accommodation
First Impressions
As you enter the gates of the estate, you'll be transported back in time to a world of grandeur and elegance. The original part of Carlton Towers was built in 1614 and was designed by E.W. Pugin, whose father designed the houses of Parliament. It’s no wonder then, that the windows (which are all original) of this stately home are also very reminiscent of the windows from the houses of parliament. The imposing facade, features intricate stonework, towering turrets, and elegant mullioned windows and is something out of a fairytale. It stands erect looking out onto the vast estate.
Outside, the masterful staircase into the main entrance is one of the first indications of the luxurious experience that awaits you. I took a moment at the top of the steps to look back- imagining a bride or groom with their family on the courtyard below, a glass of something bubbly in hand. The perfect spot to pose for your wedding pictures, against what really is, the most awesome back-drop.
The Illustrious History of Carlton Towers
Carlton Towers is a remarkable blend of various architectural styles, showcasing tastes and trends from over the centuries. The original structure was built in the Jacobean style, characterised by its grandeur and symmetry.
Throughout its history, Carlton Towers has hosted notable guests, including royalty and influential figures. I’d love to have been a fly on the wall.
Carlton Towers was extended in 1777 and Yorkshire born John Francis Bentley who was a renowned architect of the time was commissioned for the interior of the building. Traditionally, Bentley specialised in designing the interiors of churches, previously working on West Minster Cathedral. Carlton Towers is the only house he was commissioned to, in the UK. His involvement can be seen in the breath-taking Gothic Revival chapel which is a prominent feature of the estate.
The arrival of Lord and Lady Gerald Fitzalan Howard, marked a significant chapter in this history. The couple embarked on a journey to transform and lovingly restore he stately home to what it is now.
Enchanting Wedding Spaces at Carlton Towers
One of the most appealing aspects of Carlton Towers, as a wedding venue, is its versatility. Whether you envision a lavish celebration or an intimate gathering, the many reception spaces can be tailored to your unique preferences.
The whole first floor of the property is licensed and the outside too. With multiple rooms available, each with its own distinctive character, you have the freedom to design the perfect setting for your special day. From the Bow Drawing Room to the enchanting Venetian Room, there is a space that can suit every couple's taste. Alternatively, couples may choose to marry in the beautifully landscaped gardens or in the secret vineyard hideaway.
Let me tell you what I learnt from Sam and explain what makes each space so different.
State Rooms
From the Grand Reception and Armouries (which I’ll tell you about later) you enter the main state rooms, of which there are 3 and together can host up to 250 guests. Whether you have that many guests or not, is actually irrelevant to how well the space works. As Sam pointed out, the ceilings are high but the rooms are not overly wide so that even when there is just a small number of people in the space, the room doesn’t feel too expansive.
The state rooms can be divided into three functional spaces.
The first room-The Venetian, is often used to hold a ceremony (with wood panelled doors being shut to enclose the space). Guests can then loiter here, with their post-ceremony refreshments. Alternatively, couples may choose for their guests to go back into the grand reception with its dazzling chandeliers, for their drinks reception. This also gives guests the option to spill out onto the steps outside and courtyard below.
From The Venetian is the Picture Gallery, with a smaller ‘holding space’ known as The Card Room, in-between. Couples often choose The Picture Gallery for their wedding breakfast. The Card Room is the perfect place for guests to peruse the seating plan and view the wedding cake before sitting down to eat. It would also lend itself to a more traditional wedding format, where guests line up in this space to greet the newly married couple before sitting down to enjoy the wedding breakfast and speeches.
The state rooms share ornate hand painted walls, wood flooring, exquisite wood pannelling, high ceilings and grand windows. They are all adorned with luxurious textiles and sumptuous curtains which have hung there since the beginning.
Each room houses different antiques adding to the distinctive character of each space. A ‘gallery wall’ in The Picture Gallery, for example, houses all the pictures from Charles and Ethel Temphurst’s personal collection which were brought over from Paris and Rome. Amidst the portraits and other significant pictures, hang two tapestry banners which have previously hung in the Vatican!
Guests lucky enough to enjoy a wedding breakfast in this space would have plenty to talk about. It’s a sight to behold!
Grand Reception and Armoury
Some couples choose to hold their wedding ceremony in the main entrance/reception to the property and it’s not hard to see why.
Forget your standard ‘checking in’ reception, this space is just as grand and opulent as the rest of the building. Masterful fireplaces and beautiful seating, welcome you into the space.
A prominent feature of The Reception is the breath-taking staircase. It spirals round from the first floor and then down into the reception/entrance. A bride or groom could walk the stairway, pause for a photograph whilst their guests gasp at their arrival and then saunter down to meet their love.
Getting married in the reception would also be the perfect choice for those that want to make use of the outdoor courtyard but don’t want to rely solely on good weather. The courtyard is lined with tables and chairs. Guests could wander inside and outside, as they wish.
Bow Drawing Room
The efforts of Lord and Lady were not limited to the aesthetics alone; they also focused on creating comfortable and inviting spaces. They introduced cosy sitting areas, luxurious upholstery, and soft lighting to ensure that each room served its purpose while maintaining a sense of elegance.
This I found to be the case particularly, in the smaller Bow Drawing Room. Despite the obvious luxury, it was clearly a family room with precious, personal family pictures documenting important moments in time (birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, holidays etc) and beautiful scatter cushions across the sofas. This space can also be used to host smaller, more intimate wedding ceremonies.
Breathtaking Outdoor Settings
Courtyard
For those looking for a more intimate setting, the courtyard provides a romantic and picturesque location for their ceremony.
This would be an ideal space to really take advantage of the outdoor surroundings: The estate boasts sprawling gardens, serene lakes, and rolling parklands, providing a breath-taking backdrop for your wedding photography. Imagine capturing timeless moments against the backdrop of a centuries-old house or taking a romantic stroll through the well manicured gardens. What a way to impress your guests!
One of the real advantages of using a wedding celebrant is being able to take full advantage of this outdoor space. An outdoor wedding ceremony embraces the essence of nature and offers a captivating ambience that is difficult to replicate indoors. It creates an enchanting atmosphere that is filled with beauty, tranquility, and a touch of boho glamour. Just imagine the warm sunlight filtering through the canopy of leaves, casting a soft, dappled glow upon the ceremony space. It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it.
Vinyard
Adding to the allure of Carlton Towers, a recent addition that has captured attention is the charming vineyard nestled within the estate's grounds. In Sam’s words, this is their ‘sweet spot’. The vineyard, with its neatly arranged rows of lush vines, offers a memorable setting for intimate weddings of up to 30 . Enclosed by an original 17th Century Stone wall (with the entrance through a medieval looking doorway) is akin to something you would find in the wine regions of Southern France.
Couples will be able to choose if they want to be married at the end of the vines under the archway or exchange vows under the protection of an open -sided pavilion, against the majestic 18th Century backdrop.
The grapes grown in the vineyard are carefully hand-picked and transformed into a range of wines which are crafted on-site.
Imagine toasting to a newlywed couple with a glass of Carlton Towers' own wine, each sip an expression of the estate's rich history.
Luxury Accommodation
One of the standout features of Carlton Towers is the luxurious accommodation on offer. The estate boasts 16 individually designed bedrooms. I didn’t see the rooms myself, but I have it on good authority that each has their own unique character and charm. From the opulent four-poster beds to the freestanding bathtubs, the rooms are designed to make you feel like royalty. In fact, I imagine wedding guests lucky enough to stay, wouldn’t want to leave.
Anything else?
The estate also offers a range of activities and experiences to make your wedding weekend even more special. From archery and clay pigeon shooting to wine tasting, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
The estate's experienced events team will work closely with couples to create a bespoke wedding package that includes everything needed to make a wedding day unforgettable. I really did find all the staff I encountered to be not only extremely professional but also friendly and welcoming. I saw first-hand how attentive they were with their guests and have no doubt a couple getting married at Carlton Towers would receive first-class service.
As a final note, it’s worth adding that Carlton Towers is not solely limited to those couples with a budget to match the opulence of this wedding venue. With such a range of wedding spaces and packages on offer, each wedding is bespoke and unique at Carlton Towers. It really feels that this special wedding venue has something to offer every budget and style.
To learn more about other Yorkshire based wedding venues, check out my other blogs: 5 Top wedding venues
Photographs by Raj and Jade Weddings
