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A voyage of discovery in Greece
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Looking for inspiration for your wedding venue? Elaine Wilson picks out three locations for Portal North where drama, beauty and atmosphere combine.
From stately Yorkshire grandeur to coastal Welsh barns and Central European elegance, these wedding venues promise a day to remember:
GRANTLEY HALL, NORTH YORKSHIRE
Best for: stately grandeur
With its sweeping driveways, landscaped gardens and aristocratic proportions, Grantley Hall certainly looks the part.
But the luxury hotel goes a step further: it can be hired in its entirety for exclusive-use weddings, allowing couples and their guests to enjoy the whole estate, including 47 rooms, Michelin-starred dining and sumptuous lounges.
It’s the perfect setting for anyone wishing to live out their own Downton Abbey fantasy. The attention to detail is exceptional – from spa facilities to butler service.
Getting there: Set on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, the hotel is between Ripon and Pateley Bridge, just a short drive from the A1 (M) motorway.
HENBLAS COUNTRY PARK, ANGLESEY, WALES
Best for: rustic elegance
Located on the beautiful island of Anglesey, Henblas Country Park blends barn-style wedding charm with polished modern elegance.
The lovingly restored 17th Century farmstead, set among 77 acres, offers sweeping views of the mountains beyond, with onsite accommodation for the wedding party and family, and a dedicated events team to keep things running seamlessly.
With high-beamed ceilings, stone walls and fairy-lit décor, it’s a venue that balances rustic romance with contemporary comfort.
Getting there: Head for the A55 North Wales Expressway, which links Anglesey to the UK’s main motorway network at Chester, then follow the rural roads. The nearest major train station is Bangor.
CHÂTEAU MCELY, CZECHIA
Best for: fairytale fantasy
An hour northeast of Prague lies Château Mcely, a five-star eco-luxury retreat beloved by European aristocracy and celebrities for its tranquillity and elegance.
Once a dilapidated manor, the chateau was lovingly restored by American former boy-band star turned physicist and entrepreneur Jim Cusumano and his wife, Inéz. Jim once toured with Buddy Holly and Bill Haley. His Wurlitzer jukebox still sits proudly in the basement, a piece of real Americana in the Czech countryside.
Mcely is all white, gold and natural light. The conservatory restaurant is a bright, garden-facing haven, while the main dining room offers refined elegance for unforgettable wedding dinners.
Ceremonies and celebrations can take place on the expansive lawn under a marquee, framed by forest and manicured gardens.
Getting there: Fly to Prague with a range of airlines, including low-cost options. The transfer by car to the hotel takes just over an hour, or from the city centre you can take a train from Prague’s main station to Nymburk then taxi to the château.
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