7th Nov 2024
We’re delighted to announce that Birdsall House has been nominated in The Wedding Industry Awards for Best Venue (Historic Building) for Yorkshire and the Northeast. The nomination comes just months after our huge renovation of The Old Kitchens. This new events venue is in the basement of the house, in the old Victorian kitchens. Couples can the party space after hosting their ceremony and wedding breakfast in the main house. Award nominations are based on votes from couples who have previously celebrated their here, so we are really pleased.
Of course, the House and Grounds are steeped in history. The Monastic Ruins, on the front lawn of the house, date back to the Twelfth Century. St. Mary’s Church, located within the grounds, was built in 1824. The House itself was built by the Sotheby family in the 1500s. A truly romantic tale explains how the Willoughby family became custodians in the 1700s.
In 1719, Thomas Willoughby, a younger son of the 1st Lord Middleton, was travelling over the Yorkshire Wolds from the family home, Wollaton Hall in Nottingham, when he lost his way in a heavy snowstorm. He sought shelter and followed a light he saw in the distance which led him to Birdsall House. The Sotheby’s gave Thomas food and a bed for the night and introduced him to Elizabeth, their daughter and only child. The pair fell in love, marrying the same year and the house has been in the same family since then. It is now home to the Hon. James Willoughby, his wife, Lady Cara and their three children.
Our country house is licensed for civil ceremonies within a number of state rooms and across the grounds, which includes a temple overlooking the lakes, as well as the ruins and the Church. We launched as a wedding venue in 2017. Our Old Kitchens added a 1920’s prohibition-style space for evening parties and receptions earlier this year. The House also boasts six en-suite bedrooms with locally-based Langton Hall used as additional accommodation for wedding parties.
“This year, we proudly unveiled our newly renovated events space, The Old Kitchens. So to be nominated for such a sought-after award, as voted for by couples who have previously married here, on such an important year for us, is really exciting.”
Winners of the Wedding Industry Awards 2024 will be announced in November at an event in Durham. Wish us luck!
