Whitbourne Hall
If you are looking for a beautiful, atmospheric and unforgettable venue to host a family gathering, cocktail party, wedding reception, corporate event, play or concert then look no further than Whitbourne Hall, between Worcester and Leominster. Once inside you will lose yourself in time, space and architectural beauty, and if you do not have an event in mind already, the grandeur of the rooms and their views will have you searching your brain to launch one.
Built between the years 1861-1862 Whitbourne Hall was acquired by Edward Bickerton Evans, whose father had once been Mayor of Worcester. The family fortune came from banking and from ownership of Hill Evans and Co. manufacturers of vinegars and fruit wines.
To show his wealth and status Evans commissioned the architect E.W.Elmslie to create a classical, Bath stone Greek style inspired mansion, befitting of the family’s rise through the industrial class of the Victorian era. All neighbouring lands were bought up, and by the time Evans died in 1893 the estate comprised of many tenanted farms paying rent to their wealthy landlord. The family eventually sold the house in 1980 to Whitbourne Hall Community, which now runs the Hall, its cottages, apartments, renovated stables, outbuildings and gardens as well as running all of the events.
Thirty nine residents live at Whitbourne Hall and between them they look after the eight acres of grounds and the walled kitchen gardens in a co-operative fashion, everyone growing their own plot, filled with flowers, fruits, vegetables and herbs.
The most impressive part of your arrival at Whitbourne Hall, and no doubt the most photographed, is the Ionic columned portico. The views are really enchanting from all aspects: to one side there is a meticulously trimmed box parterre with fountain, there is a lake, wide views, rambling roses, a palm house filled with herbaceous planting and an orangerie which is attached to the Gardener’s Cottage and which once used to house camellias.
The front hall is very imposing, with a wide marble staircase, coloured encaustic tiles, hunting trophies, Corinthian pillars and a patterned glass ceiling. There is a vast dining room in which guests can sit round a 4 metre oak carved dining table, a Library for smaller meetings or a canapé reception and a huge drawing room, seating 130 guests, painted in the Adam Revival style with chandeliers and gilded mirrors.
There is a fully equipped kitchen, although many people who book the Hall prefer to arrange their own caterers. From flowers to drinks, music and decorations, the Hall has also its own events management company on hand to make all the arrangements for you. All you may want to do is book yourself a majestic horse drawn carriage, to arrive in a stately fashion up the sweeping driveway and into the grand portico. They can even provide you with a butler for the day.
If you want further details then you can visit the Hall every Monday in May and June or you can contact:
Whitbourne Hall
Whitbourne
Worcester
WR6 5SE
Telephone: 01886 821640
Website: www.whitbournehall.com
