Goodnestone Park has announced a new state-of-the-art orangery

Once a regular haunt of much-loved novelist Jane Austen, Goodnestone Park has announced a new state-of-the-art orangery – the ultimate space for weddings.

A vast, privately-owned estate in the heart of the Kent countryside Goodnestone Park boasts a grand house, built in 1704. One of Jane Austen’s favourite retreats the property was home to her brother, Edward, who settled there shortly after he married Elizabeth Bridges. In fact, in 1796, Jane decided to use the estate as a writing retreat, penning her most famous novel, Pride & Prejudice there. Literary scholars believe Goodnestone Park inspired some of the houses in her works since she frequently wrote about it in her letters.

The next stage in the stately home’s history sees it launching a custom-made luxury timber-framed marquee, which will be the first orangery to be built on the site, situated next to the House, overlooking jaw-dropping parkland. In partnership with marquee specialists LPM Bohemia, The Orangery will play host to weddings and other events. The design has been carefully considered, reflecting 17th- to 19th-century gardening trends and will be hand-crafted in the heart of Kent using locally-sourced natural materials and sustainably sourced timber. John Preston, director and co-owner of LPM Bohemia explains, “When conceptualising The Orangery’s design, we aimed to seamlessly fuse the historical setting of Goodnestone with a modern sensibility, while honouring the timeless gardens via the marquee’s botanical-themed lining.”

You’ll be able to book the marquee for an all-encompassing Goodnestone experience, with private hire encapsulating the surrounding 15 acres of greenery, Serpentine Walk, additional guest accommodation at Bonnington Cottage and the option of an evening tipple and bite at the local Fitzwalter Arms village pub, owned by the estate. Expanding on its current wedding offering the venue has teamed up with The Wedding Dolls, a Kent-based wedding-planning service, which celebrates its 10-year anniversary in 2022.

To find out more, check out https://goodnestonepark.co.uk