Caerhays Castle and Gardens, near St Austell in Cornwall, hosts society lectures of 25 to 45 guests in the Georgian Hall and weddings in four settings on the estate, one wedding at a time. It also takes photo shoots, endurance rides and car rallies on request.
Seminars and company events
Societies and clubs can book the Georgian Hall for a lecture with their own speaker, followed by a conducted tour of the gardens and a meal. The hall holds a maximum of 45 people for a lecture, and the minimum for the package is 25. The estate can also prepare a horticultural lecture on a subject linked to Caerhays, provided it is booked with a tour and a meal. The meal can be a light lunch, tea or supper. The club or society organises the individual bookings for its group, and a booking fee applies. Ask the estate office for other proposals, since most ideas are possible within the physical limits of the site.
Weddings and receptions
Caerhays hosts one wedding at a time and offers exclusive use of the chosen venue, with a wedding coordinator for support. Four settings are listed. The Coastguard's Lookout is a cliff-top ceremony space for up to 40 guests with sea views. The Vean is a restored private country house for up to 18 guests, with a civil wedding licence. Beach Meadow is a licensed marquee venue close to the shore. Castle Field is a marquee site with the castle as a backdrop. A wedding brochure and open days are available.
Rooms and capacities
The Georgian Hall takes 25 to 45 guests for lectures. For weddings, the Coastguard's Lookout takes up to 40, and The Vean is described for up to 18 guests. The two marquee sites do not have stated capacities, so couples should ask the wedding coordinator how many guests each can take.
Accommodation
The Vean is also a holiday let and sleeps 16 according to the holiday page, and the estate lists accommodation for up to 16 people. Other holiday cottages stand across the grounds, among them Gilly Vean, which sleeps four. Guests can use the Caerhays Holidays pages for options near the venue.
Catering
The pages read do not describe a catering offer for weddings, so couples should ask the wedding coordinator. For society lectures, the package includes a meal, which can be a light lunch, tea or supper.
History and setting
The estate has belonged to the Williams family since 1860. The castle stands by Porthluney Beach in a secluded Cornish cove, surrounded by woodland gardens known for spring magnolias. The estate also runs a shooting estate and film location business.
Getting there
The estate address is Caerhays Estate, Gorran, St Austell PL26 6LY. The estate office takes enquiries at 01872 501310, and weddings at weddings@caerhays.co.uk.
