Wasserschloss Hülsede hosts weddings, family celebrations, seminars, conferences, Christmas parties and product presentations across four large halls, a cellar vault, the old castle kitchen, restored barns, an inner courtyard and a park. The moated castle stands in the village of Hülsede, in a valley between the Deister and Süntel hills southwest of Hannover, in Lower Saxony. The website gives no guest capacities, so numbers are set with the castle for each event.
Seminars and company events
Companies use the castle for seminars, conferences, product launches, anniversaries and Christmas parties. The two Rittersäle on the first floor have large windows over the park and can be set up for talks or dinners, while the vaulted halls on the raised ground floor suit receptions and evening events. The courtyard and the lawns between the farm buildings leave room for outdoor activities. The family has contacts for music, magic, dance and photography and can help assemble a full program.
Weddings and receptions
Ceremonies can be civil or religious. The medieval village church of Hülsede is about 100 m from the castle, and a horse-drawn carriage from church to castle can be arranged. Outdoor ceremonies take place in the park, on the jetty by the water or in one of the estate barns; in rain the ceremony moves to a barn or the vaulted hall. Receptions with sparkling wine are held in the courtyard. Benches for the ceremony are provided, and suppliers can set up the day before at no charge.
Rooms and capacities
The large and small Rittersaal adjoin each other on the first floor. On the raised ground floor, a grey and a red vaulted hall are linked by a fireplace hall used for receptions. The old castle kitchen keeps its original baking ovens, a well and an open fireplace for rustic dinners. There is also a cellar vault. Four restored barns line the courtyard, among them the Wikkenscheune, used for events, and the Zehntscheune, used for ceremonies.
Accommodation
The castle has one double room for guests of an event, often used by the bride and bridesmaids to get ready. Hotels and guesthouses in different price ranges are nearby.
Catering
The castle has no in-house restaurant. Caterers across all price ranges work at the castle and are selected together with the venue.
History and setting
The Counts of Schaumburg granted the Hülsede farm to the Rottorp family in 1310. Clawes von Rottorp built the four-wing castle between 1529 and 1548, and it was extended until 1600, an early example of the Weser Renaissance. In 1584 the estate passed to Hermann von Mengersen, and it has stayed in the family since. Monika Bronsart von Schellendorff, born von Mengersen, took over in 1970 and began restoration with her husband from 1979. Since 1997 their daughter, Alexandra Gräfin Finck von Finckenstein, has run the castle and its events. The castle and its farm buildings are listed monuments.
Getting there
The address is Über der Beeke 3, 31867 Hülsede. Hannover is the nearest large city and airport. Viewings are by appointment, arranged by phone or email.
