The Wedding - Setting

Pendley Manor, Tring.   

A Victorian manor house set in large gardens, in the green and luxuriant area of Hertfordshire.   Tring and the surrounding areas are very picturesque, with rolling hills, trees and old cottages.   And the pace of life is considerably less than where we live in North Kent/South East London.

The front of the manor house, which of course is now a very large hotel which easily catered for two weddings last Friday.   We were not even aware of the second wedding.   It also caters for conferences and spa weekends.   The grounds are used for events too, with marques set up, and portaloos camouflaged very nicely amongst the trees.  The  annual August Shakespeare festival was in full swing while we were there.

The rooms were sumptuous but a little on the jaded and faded side.   They reminded me of the hotel rooms in old Singapore.   A former glory gone to seed a little. 

The front of the hotel.    Very impressive.   'The Bridal Suite' on the second floor, with bay window, on the right in the picture.   A large very sunny room, but the windows of this room did not open, and there was no airconditioning.  A very hot room in which to prepare for the wedding.  It contained the bride, four bridesmaids and all their attendants for three hours on Friday afternoon.    However, they all emerged looking poised and elegant.    

The front garden.

The setting for the current Shakespeare play being held there, 'Much Ado about Nothing'.    A modern interpretation, from the look of props set out on the stage.   The bright red seating, unseen in this photograph, was on the left of the picture.

Walter, sitting and relaxing in the Shakespeare Bar.    A very comfortable room.

The dining area, which was later set up for the evening disco.    Jan organised the table settings, which included the runners, flowers, candles and glittering pieces.    It all looked very elegant.

Aaron, Steve and the children relaxed in the spa area during the afternoon.

A view off the hotel from the side garden.    The swimming pool and conference area are to the left of the hotel.

We really enjoyed our overnight stay in the hotel, and it was great to get up in the morning and talk to our fellow wedding guests while eating a very relaxed breakfast.

I hope you all noticed the very blue skies in the photographs!