Conferences, away-days, exhibitions, private dinners and civil weddings can be organised at Court Colman Manor, with reception suites for 20 to 180 guests, up to 120 for a seated meal and up to 240 at an evening party. The manor stands in six acres of private gardens at Pen-y-fai, just north of Bridgend in South Wales, and has 29 bedrooms on site.
Seminars and company events
Four function rooms cover meetings of different sizes. The Crystal Ballroom suits presentations, formal meetings, banquets and exhibitions. The Garden Room, the largest, opens onto a summer terrace and can be combined with the ballroom for larger events. The oak-panelled Llewellyn Room has a boardroom feel for away-days and private dining, and the Library takes small meetings. An events manager coordinates each booking, layouts and menus are set to the brief, and equipment includes a projector and screen, a TV monitor, flip charts, video and telephone conferencing and Wi-Fi. Business packages are available on request.
Weddings and receptions
The manor is licensed for civil ceremonies, held indoors in any of the four rooms or outdoors in the gardens. Ceremonies and wedding breakfasts take up to 120 guests, and evening receptions up to 240. Exclusive use of the whole manor is possible when the wedding party reserves all the bedrooms. Couples may bring their own suppliers or pick from the venue's list of recommended partners.
Rooms and capacities
The Garden Room covers 118 m², with full-height windows on two sides, a fountain, a large bar and direct access to the car park. The Crystal Ballroom covers 100 m², with a polished wood floor, high ceilings, chandeliers and French windows. The Llewellyn Room covers 55 m², under an Edwardian skylight. The Library covers 39 m², with bookcases and a marble fireplace. Capacities by layout are given by the events team.
Accommodation
The manor has 29 individually decorated bedrooms and suites, all with private bathrooms, including a Honeymoon Suite with a jacuzzi bath. Delegates on a two-day program and wedding guests can stay on site.
Catering
Event menus range from finger buffets to wedding breakfasts and banquets, with evening food and drinks packages. The manor also houses Pokhara, a Nepalese restaurant led by Vijay Khadka and open every evening from 5 p.m.
History and setting
The manor dates back to Tudor times and is said to have belonged to Margam Abbey until the dissolution of the monasteries. It was later home to descendants of Lord Nelson and became a hotel in 1981. The grounds include landscaped gardens, a Victorian rose walk and a waterfall, in the foothills of the Garw Valley.
Getting there
The address is Pen-y-fai, Bridgend CF31 4NG. Junction 36 of the M4 is close by, Bridgend station is a short drive away, and parking is free. Cardiff and Swansea are both about 30 minutes by road, and Cardiff Airport is the nearest airport.
