It’s hard to believe that this stunning hall and barns, set within 60 acres of gardens and parkland, are so close to central London as there is such a sense of space throughout the property. Epping, Brentwood and Harlow are even closer while Ongar is on the doorstep.
Wedding ceremonies are held in three historic barns on site. The 17th-century Essex Barn seats between 50 and 150 guests for the wedding breakfast and can accommodate 200 guests in the evening. Ceremonies can also be held outside under The Saddlery, or inside the equally attractive Hay Barn, leaving the Essex Barn for the wedding breakfast and evening entertainment.
The Hay Barn is licensed for civil ceremonies for up to 150 guests and with its beam-lined aisle and magnificent picture window provides a beautiful setting whatever the time of year. The Saddlery also doubles up as a pavilion from where musicians can play, children can be entertained, and drinks can be served.
If you’d rather have a church wedding, the parish church of Bobbingworth is an easy walk at the end of the drive before heading back to Blake Hall for the reception.
While the barns are stunning on the inside, outside is arguably even better, with a spacious lawn and terrace directly outside the barns where couples and their guests can enjoy reception drinks and garden games and also explore the tranquil rose garden and surrounding ancient trees.
The gardens also make a beautiful backdrop to wedding photographs, from the banks of daffodils crowding the edge of the lawns in springtime to the herbaceous border and rose garden in summer and the explosion of golden foliage in autumn.
Leading Essex catering company Waters Edge Catering is in charge of the food, using locally sourced produce wherever possible on their comprehensive menu, though they are also happy to work with individual preferences and any favourite recipes and dishes.
Various accommodation options, meanwhile, include the Old Coach House, a three-bedroom cottage, the Stable Cottage honeymoon cottage, as well as bedrooms for wedding guests.