There are many reasons why I love to be a Hensol Castle wedding photographer. Hensol Castle is a castellated mansion built in a Gothic style in an impressive estate in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales. Located in the community of Pendoylan and just a few minutes away from junction 34 of the M4, giving easy access to Cardiff which is just 10 miles away.
Hensol Castle can be found at the end of a long, tree-lined driveway next to an impressive 15-acre Hensol lake, complete with a picturesque jetty. This is a perfect spot for Hensol Castle wedding photography at any time of the year. Hensol Castle is a grade I 400-year former stately home, rich in history and grandeur featuring striking original architecture, Gothic towers, and sweeping staircases.
The castle is part of the luxury Vale Resort, one of Wales’ favourite four-star resorts, set in over 650 acres of the beautiful Welsh countryside. The resort is also home to a luxurious 143-bedroom hotel and Wales’ largest spa – perfect for relaxing with your wedding guests after your big day. Not to mention an award-winning AA rosette restaurant and two champion golf courses.
As you can imagine this place has lots of history. The Jenkins family owned Hensol Castle during the 17th century, and in 1664 it was passed to famous Judge David Jenkins. In the following years, the estate was owned by numerous distinguished figures; including Samuel Richardson, General Charles Talbot, and Lady and Benjamin Hall.
In 2003 the estate was purchased by a local businessman – Gerald Leeke and after a multi-million-pound refurbishment, which led to the restoration of the grand function rooms, the castle was officially opened as a wedding and conference centre in 2015.
There are four licensed suites available for your wedding ceremony at Hensol Castle, each with period features and charming characters.
The most popular choice is the enchanting Oak Room, which offers stunning views of the serpentine lake and across beautiful grounds. Not to mention the original wood panelling and high ceiling which makes it the perfect place to exchange your vows.
Hensol Castle Wedding Photographer
The Garden room, which can hold up to 120 guests, benefits from its large windows allowing for plenty of natural light, which is very handy for Winter weddings. If you have an intimate ceremony in mind then the Morning Room would be a perfect choice for you.
Hensol Castle’s flagship room is the newly-built Courtyard Hall, which is in the heart of the castle, overlooking the landscaped courtyard. This eco-friendly hall has been expertly designed to save energy and is an impressive space for a wedding breakfast.
Complete with a dance floor and bar area, Courtyard Hall can accommodate up to 180 seated guests and on summer nights your guest will be able to step into the adjacent courtyard and enjoy the warm air.
It’s worth mentioning that Hensol Castle has its own distillery which is located in the cellar (the South Wales’ first full-scale craft gin distillery). This will offer a unique and exciting experience for your wedding guests.
Another interesting thing about Hensol Castle is that it was used as a movie set on a few occasions, including the filming of a few “Doctor Who” episodes.
To sum up, Hensol Castle is a matchless venue in South Wales that can cater to your and your guests’ every need. If you are planning to get married here and are looking for a Hensol Castle wedding photographer, please get in touch. I would love to hear about your wedding plans…
Martin captured our wedding at Hensol Castle in a natural and non-intrusive way. He is also very creative and our photos are just AWESOME!”
Layla & Chris
Are you planning a Hensol Castle wedding and looking for an experienced and friendly wedding photographer?
