Should you choose to book the Hall for your forthcoming marriage, we will issue you with a set of Housekeeping Notes. The Notes are our way of ensuring that the Hall remains as it is today – and has been for nearly 700 years – a unique and private home with a uniquely peaceful atmosphere.

You will find below a sample of the Notes. We are sure, once you have read them, that you will understand why we make the requests we do and that you and your guests will respect both the Notes and the Hall itself on your big day.

We ask that you choose one purpose for each room that you use, as the time it takes to set up each room for another use is prohibitive. The exception to this rule is the room in which you hold your Civil Ceremony. You may host celebratory drinks in the room you have been married in after the Ceremony has taken place. We do not however offer the Drawing Room for anything other than the Civil Ceremony itself, as this room is within the private family wing.

As previously mentioned, we ask that you limit the number of guests to 35. To maintain the family’s privacy they also ask that your celebrations are brought to an end by 6pm. We are sure – once you have visited the Hall – that you will find its benevolent atmosphere is very much down to it still being a much loved family home, and the family intend to keep it that way.

We ask that paper confetti is not used at the Hall. If you would like your guests to throw confetti at the end of your celebrations you can supply them with (or ask them to bring) petal confetti.

Petal confetti can be bought from an increasing number of shops these days – or from the internet in a larger choice of colours.

Alternatively, you could always gather it yourself – rose petals stored in the fridge or in a cool dark place work very well.

Petals should not be scattered on the floors within the Hall, but can be used on the wedding breakfast tables.

Children are always welcome at Markenfield Hall, however they must be supervised be an adult at all times, and therefore not allowed to wander around the moat or the surrounding farm buildings unchecked.

Unfortunately the swings within the Courtyard do not belong to the Hall, and therefore cannot be offered for use on the day.

Photograph by kind permission of
Nicola Martindale