Manor By The Lake: Complete Wedding Venue Guide
Discover Cheltenham's Most Spectacular Wedding Setting
Located in the heart of Gloucestershire, Manor By The Lake stands as one of the South West's most prestigious wedding venues. This comprehensive guide provides everything you need to know about this stunning Victorian manor house, from wedding prices and accommodation options to the beautiful spaces that make it the perfect wedding venue for your special day. Whether you want to get married in summer or winter, this venue offers exceptional options for your love story to unfold.
Manor By The Lake: A Brief History
Set within seven acres of stunning grounds, Manor By The Lake has a fascinating history dating back to the 1850s. Originally built as a private estate for a wealthy Cheltenham businessman, the manor has been lovingly restored to maintain its period features while offering modern luxury. Today, the venue combines Victorian grandeur with contemporary amenities, creating a spectacular setting for weddings and events.
Manor By The Lake Address and Location
Manor By The Lake is conveniently located at:
Hatherley Lane
Cheltenham
Gloucestershire
GL51 6PN
Positioned on the outskirts of the regency spa town of Cheltenham, the venue is easily accessible from the M5 motorway, making it an ideal location for guests travelling across the UK. Despite being close to transport links, the estate's seven acres ensure you feel completely secluded from the outside world.
Exploring the Venue: What Manor By The Lake Offers
Exclusive Use Wedding Venue
Manor By The Lake operates as an exclusive-use wedding venue, meaning you and your guests will have private access to the entire property for your big day. This exclusive hire policy ensures complete privacy and allows you to create a bespoke collection of experiences throughout the house and grounds. Don't forget to ask about their mid-week packages, which can offer excellent value while maintaining the same fantastic service and expertise.
Several Beautiful Spaces for Ceremonies and Celebrations
The venue features several beautiful spaces suitable for different parts of your wedding journey:
The Ballroom
A magnificent space for indoor ceremonies, featuring ornate ceilings, period features, and large windows that flood the room with natural light. The Ballroom can accommodate up to 150 guests for a civil ceremony.
The Lakeside Pavilion
The pavilion offers a picture-perfect setting overlooking the lake for couples dreaming of an outdoor ceremony. This spectacular setting creates fantastic photo opportunities with the water as your backdrop.
The Italian Gardens
Beautifully landscaped gardens are ideal for summer weddings and outdoor ceremonies. These gardens provide a romantic, natural setting surrounded by seasonal flowers and manicured lawns.
The Rock Bar
A characterful space perfect for evening receptions and dancing into the night. The original exposed stone walls create a unique atmosphere for celebrations.
The Maximilian Room
An elegant dining room suited for intimate wedding breakfasts or as a quiet retreat during larger celebrations.
Accommodation at Manor By The Lake
The venue features 12 luxurious bedroom suites, each individually designed with its unique character. These rooms include:
The Bridal Suite: A spacious suite with a four-poster bed and free-standing bath
Executive Suites: Elegant rooms with lake or garden views
Classic Rooms: Comfortable accommodation for friends and family
Having on-site accommodation makes your wedding party convenient and creates opportunities for extended celebrations over multiple days.
Manor By The Lake Wedding Prices and Packages
Understanding the total price of a Manor By The Lake wedding is essential for planning. Here's what you need to know about Manor By The Lake wedding costs:
Wedding Packages
The venue offers several wedding packages to suit different requirements and budgets. Basic packages typically include:
Exclusive use of the venue and grounds
Wedding coordinator support throughout planning and on the day
Ceremony and reception spaces
Three-course wedding breakfast
Half a bottle of house wine per guest
Sparkling wine for toasts
Evening food options
Accommodation for the couple
Typical Manor By The Lake Wedding Prices
While prices vary depending on the season, day of the week, and your specific requirements, couples should budget for:
Peak season Saturday: £15,000-£25,000+
Off-peak or weekday: £10,000-£18,000+
Christmas party or seasonal events: Custom pricing
These figures represent typical ranges, and the venue creates bespoke quotes based on your requirements. To get an accurate quote, you'll need to visit the venue and talk about your vision with their team.
The Wedding Day Experience at Manor By The Lake
When you choose Manor By The Lake for your special day, you benefit from their award-winning team and attention to detail. Here's what happens on a typical wedding day:
Morning Preparations
Your wedding day begins with preparations in the luxurious bridal suite, with plenty of space for hair and makeup artists. The large windows provide natural light, perfect for getting ready photos.
Ceremony Options: Indoor or Outdoor Ceremony
One of Manor By The Lake's greatest strengths is its flexibility for both indoor and outdoor ceremonies. The venue is licensed for civil ceremonies in several locations:
The elegant Ballroom for traditional indoor ceremonies
The Lakeside Pavilion for romantic lake-view vows
The Italian Gardens for summer outdoor ceremony options
This flexibility means you don't need to worry if the British weather doesn't cooperate—you can easily move from an outdoor ceremony plan to a beautiful indoor option. Many couples who get married here appreciate being able to make this decision even on the morning of their big day, with the wedding coordinator ensuring the transition happens seamlessly.
Reception and Celebrations
Following your ceremony, the venue transforms seamlessly for your reception. Typical wedding day timelines include:
Post-ceremony drinks reception with sparkling wine, house wine, and orange juice
Photography around the spectacular setting of the grounds and gardens
Wedding breakfast in your chosen dining space
Evening celebrations and dancing
Late-night food options as part of a lavish extravaganza
The exclusive use nature of the venue means transitions between different parts of your day happen smoothly, with spaces prepared in advance while you and your guests celebrate elsewhere in the house or grounds. This attention to detail helps create a perfect wedding venue experience from start to finish.
Food and Drink at Manor By The Lake
Manor By The Lake is renowned for its exceptional food offerings. Their in-house catering team creates menus tailored to suit your preferences.
Wedding Breakfast Options
From traditional three-course meals to more creative dining concepts, the venue can accommodate a range of styles:
Classic wedding breakfast menus
Sharing platters for a more relaxed approach
Seasonal and locally-sourced ingredients
Accommodation for dietary requirements and preferences
Drinks Packages
Standard packages include:
Reception drinks (sparkling wine, beer, or non-alcoholic options)
Half a bottle of house wine per guest during the meal
Sparkling wine for toasts
Evening bar service
Upgrades are available for champagne receptions, cocktail hours, or premium wine selections.
Planning Your Manor By The Lake Wedding
Working with the Venue's Wedding Coordinator
When you book Manor By The Lake, you'll be assigned a dedicated wedding coordinator who will be your main point of contact throughout the planning process. These experienced professionals:
Help you create a timeline for your day
Coordinate with suppliers
Ensure all details are accounted for
Provide ideas and suggestions based on their experience
Act as your on-site coordinator during your wedding day
The venue's approach ensures nothing is too much trouble, giving you peace of mind throughout your journey.
Planning Showcase Events
The venue regularly hosts planning showcase events where you can:
See the manor dressed for weddings
Meet recommended suppliers
Discuss your ideas with the team
Sample food and drink options
Get a feel for how your day might flow
These events are an excellent opportunity to picture how your wedding might look and feel at Manor By The Lake.
Manor By The Lake Reviews: What Couples Say
Couples consistently praise Manor By The Lake for several key aspects:
The spectacular setting and beautiful grounds
Flexibility to create their perfect day
Attentive, professional team
Exceptional food quality
Seamless coordination of the day
Exclusive use Privacy
Quality of accommodation
Recent reviews highlight the venue's ability to create bespoke events that reflect each couple's style while ensuring the practical elements run smoothly. Many married couples mention the fantastic staff and the excellent photo opportunities throughout the site.
Beyond Weddings: Other Events at Manor By The Lake
While weddings are their speciality, Manor By The Lake also hosts other amazing events throughout the year:
Christmas Parties
The venue transforms for the festive season, offering spectacular Christmas party options for corporate groups or large family celebrations. These events make the most of the venue's fantastic indoor spaces.
Corporate Events
The combination of exclusive use, on-site accommodation, and various function rooms makes Manor By The Lake ideal for business retreats, conferences, and team-building events.
Celebration of Life Services
The dignified setting and beautiful grounds provide a fitting place to celebrate the life of a loved one.
Other Features and Amenities
The venue offers numerous additional features to enhance your experience:
Free Wi-Fi throughout the property
Free on-site parking for guests
Assistance with supplier recommendations
Dedicated events team
Accessibility accommodations for guests with mobility needs
These other features ensure that every aspect of your event can be accommodated with the same attention to detail that Manor By The Lake is known for.
Visiting Manor By The Lake
To truly appreciate what makes Manor By The Lake special, you need to visit in person. The venue hosts regular open days and can also arrange private viewings by appointment.
During your visit, you'll have the opportunity to:
Tour all the ceremony and reception spaces
See the accommodation options
Explore the gardens and grounds
Discuss your vision with the venue team
Check available dates for your wedding
To arrange a visit, contact the venue directly through their website or by phone. Many couples find that a site visit helps them envision how their photos will look on their big day, and the team is always happy to invite you to see the venue in different lighting conditions if that would help your planning.
Is Manor By The Lake Right for Your Wedding?
This venue is particularly well-suited for:
Couples wanting exclusive use of a venue
Those looking for both indoor or outdoor ceremony options
Weddings with guests staying overnight
Celebrations that continue into the night
Couples who value historic character with modern amenities
Those wanting amazing photo opportunities throughout their day
If you're looking for a venue that combines historic elegance with contemporary luxury, where your guests can celebrate, dine, dance, and stay all in one location, Manor By The Lake could be the perfect place for your special day. Its South West location makes it accessible while still providing a feeling of exclusivity and escape.
How to Book Manor By The Lake
The booking process typically involves:
Initial enquiry and checking available dates
Venue visit and consultation
Provisional hold on your chosen date
Contract and deposit payment
Planning meetings with your wedding coordinator
Final details and payment
Due to the venue's popularity, early booking is recommended, especially for peak season dates and weekends. Many couples book 18-24 months in advance to secure their preferred date, particularly for Saturday weddings in summer.
The wedding venue offers different pricing options to suit various budgets, and the team can help you understand what's included and how to create a package that will suit your vision. When you visit, remember to ask about any special offers for midweek or off-season dates.
FAQS About Manor By The Lake
How many guests can the venue accommodate?
The venue can host up to 150 guests for ceremonies and seated dining, with space for up to 200 for evening receptions.
Is Manor By The Lake licensed for civil ceremonies?
Yes, the venue is licensed for civil ceremonies in multiple indoor and outdoor locations.
Can we bring our own caterers?
The venue works with its in-house catering team to maintain quality standards.
What happens if it rains on our wedding day?
The venue has beautiful indoor options as alternatives to planned outdoor ceremony locations.
Do you know if guests can park on-site?
Yes, free parking is available for all your guests.
Does the venue have a preferred suppliers list?
Yes, they can provide recommendations, but also welcome suppliers you'd like to invite to work at the venue.
Can we take photos throughout the entire estate?
Absolutely! The venue encourages you to make full use of all areas for your wedding photos, from the Italian gardens to the lake and inside the historic house. These photos will capture every special moment and create lasting memories of your big day.
Contact Manor By The Lake
For more information or to arrange a visit:
Website: www.manorbythelake.co.uk
Email: events@manorbythelake.co.uk
Telephone: 01242 245071
The venue's central South West location makes it easily accessible from many major cities. Their wedding coordinators are always happy to discuss how they can help create your perfect day at this amazing wedding venue.
As a Gloucestershire wedding photographer who regularly works at this venue, I'm happy to answer any questions about the photographic possibilities at Manor By The Lake. The spectacular setting provides endless opportunities for stunning wedding photos that will help you remember every moment of your special day for years to come. Feel free to contact me to discuss your plans.
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