26 | UK Enterprise Awards 2023 Apr23402 Best Luxury Country House & Wedding Venue 2023 - Dorset Nestled within six acres of lush woodlands, beautiful meadows, and vast fields, Abbots Court is a luxurious countryside retreat and wedding venue situated in the picturesque county of Dorset. The venue’s talented team members work tirelessly to deliver bespoke experiences to each and every guest they welcome, utilising their honed skills and in-depth knowledge of the industry. Previously, the spacious Victorian farmhouse of Abbots Court operated as a first-class restaurant and luxury B&B, until it was repurposed to function as a tranquil countryside escape and dreamy wedding venue. The house and grounds have been lovingly transformed with the addition of a modern wedding pavilion, a bespoke oak and glass structure that can host wedding breakfasts and evening celebrations of up to 150 guests. Abbots Court has also worked hard to expertly refurbish its stunning Victorian wedding stables, which can now be used for ceremonies of up to 80 people. Alternatively, ceremonies can be held outside in the house’s original walled garden, perfect for a warm summer’s day. In terms of accommodation, the farmhouse offers nine bedrooms and seven luxurious bathrooms across three floors, comfortably sleeping 18 guests or up to 22 on request. Guests are also invited to use its six boutique glamping pods, each equipped with a double bed and its own amenities. The retreat also boasts a wood fired hot tub for its guests to enjoy. More than just a nice place to stay, Abbots Court provides guests with the opportunity to appreciate the simple pleasures of life, from long, lazy walks through the rolling Dorset countryside to cosy evenings spent with loved ones. Alongside this, the retreat provides guests with every comfort they could wish for. Whether guests are marrying on its incredible grounds or simply escaping from their day-to-day lives to immerse themselves in luxury, Abbots Court aims to provide everyone it welcomes with unforgettable experiences and memories that last a lifetime. This goes far beyond the amenities it offers; the house would be nothing more than a building without the hard work and dedication of its team. Abbots Court is blessed with a highly skilled, talented, and passionate team, who are all committed to delivering memorable getaways and weddings. In recruitment, the venue seeks individuals who fit in with this ethos. It believes that, while experience and expertise are important, passion is key to creating the strongest team possible. This has allowed Abbots Court to establish an industry-leading workforce. At Abbots Court, the team primarily value authenticity, quality, and care. These have truly helped shape the business over the past three years as its staff have worked to repurpose an iconic historic retreat without compromising its original character. The hard work and dedication of the owners, James & Simon (pictured bottom left), were pivotal in the restoration of Abbot Court’s Victorian wedding stables. Thanks to them, where there was once a derelict outhouse, there is now a pictureperfect venue for couples to exchange their vows. Furthermore, in what is now a beautiful walled wedding garden and all-new pavilion, the Abbots Court team were able to repurpose land previously used as an allotment to create an incredible summer wedding space, complete with a pergola, seating areas, and a pétanque court. None of this would have been possible, without Head Gardener, Sarah’s love and passion, and sheer hard work. Based in rural Dorset, Abbots Court is grateful to have the support of its local communities across Winterborne, Kingston, and Blandford Forum. The retreat is dedicated to supporting local and UK-based businesses. For this reason, it primarily uses nearby suppliers and traders, adding to the authentic rural living experience for guests. The venue handpicks the highest quality local produce to enhance the standard of service it provides. As a result of the remarkable experiences it has delivered, both as a wedding venue and as a countryside retreat, Abbots Court has amassed an impressive 5-star rating on Google, with 80 reviews left so far. In their feedback, visitors often mention its picturesque location, grounds, and scenery, as well as its luxurious bedrooms, communal areas, and facilities. Furthermore, many guests have left reviews to thank Abbot Court’s, team who work tirelessly behind the scenes to create phenomenal getaways and weddings, catering to any and all requests. In particular, those who celebrate their wedding at Abbots Court seem to have endless praise for Cat & Christina, the Events Manager, and Estate Manger, who are friendly, helpful, and willing to go above and beyond to meet the needs of the couples they work with. Considering the plethora of positive feedback left by guests of Abbots Court, it is no surprise that the company has been awarded Best Luxury Country House & Wedding Venue, Dorset, in the UK Enterprise Awards 2023. Having achieved a multitude of success in its work at Abbots Court, the company is excited to have plans for an additional rural retreat and wedding venue at the historic Almer Manor. Located in a neighbouring village, the manor offers the space necessary to cater to weddings of over 150 people, whilst maintaining the countryside seclusion and exceptional standards that Abbots Court is known for. Work is scheduled to begin on the manor’s farmhouses and outbuildings in mid-2024 onwards. We congratulate the Abbots Court team on their success in this year’s UK Enterprise Awards programme and look forward to seeing how these exciting plans unfold in the coming years. Company: Abbots Court Web Address: www.abbots-court.co.uk
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