Wedding receptions at Askham Hall
Askham Hall is a Grade 1 listed manor house dating back to the late 1200s. Originally built as a defensive Pele
Tower, it was extended in the 1400s to include a medieval hall and other annexes. It was subsequently
converted into a grand Elizabethan mansion in the 16th century and has additional wings dating from the 17th
century. It is the former home of the 7th Earl of Lonsdale and his family and is still owned by the family.
Venue overview
Askham Hall opened in spring 2014 as a hotel and wedding venue, and now has 15 en-suite bedrooms, a restaurant,
private gardens, spa, swimming pool and converted party barn. New for 2016 is the recently refurbished medieval
hall, ideal for drinks receptions, smaller parties or an alternative for civil ceremonies.
Wedding and events barn
W ithin the grounds of Askham Hall, the beautiful Grade II listed Bank Barn has been sympathetically converted
into a first class party venue with capacity for up to approximately 150 seated guests. Original features such as bare
stone walls and an open beamed oak ceiling, together with contemporary lighting, stunning oak dance floor and
large glass doors, make a truly special and unique setting for your wedding reception, party or event all year round.
Facilities within the barn
Toilets, along with baby changing facilities, are located on the lower level of the barn, these are easily accessible via
steps or around the outside of the building. Round tables with capacity for 10 seated, trestle tables, lime wash
Chiviari chairs, white linen table cloths and napkins, crockery, cutlery and glasses are provided, inclusive of the
venue hire fee. Plug points are available and there are different options for the location of a band or DJ. The barn
can be decorated to your requirements, the cost of this is not included in the barn hire price, however we are able
to recommend venue decorators. Alternatively you may decorate the venue yourself, access on the day before your
event can be guaranteed providing your party uses all the bedrooms in the main hall for a minimum of two nights.
Accommodation at Askham Hall
15 individually styled double bedrooms and suites are available for guests and start from £150 for a double room
in low season and £170 in high season, inclusive of breakfast and VAT. A complete list of room rates is available
separately, please enquire for details. For a weekend wedding taking all the bedrooms we offer a 10% discount on
room rates.
A luxurious and relaxing Scandinavian spa with a heated outdoor pool, sauna, treatment room and private gardens
is also available for exclusive use of hotel guests.
Additional accommodation at the George and Dragon
There are 11 comfortable double bedrooms at our sister country inn, just a few miles away in nearby Clifton.
Rooms at the George and Dragon start at £95 for a double room including breakfast. Lunch and dinner are also
available here, see our website for current menus. www.georgeanddragonclifton.co.uk
Family/child facilities
Askham Hall Barn is family and child friendly and we are able to cater for these needs as necessary. In addition to
baby changing facilities we are able to provide children’s meals, travel cots and highchairs. There is a playground in
front of the animal viewing area to keep the little ones entertained. Facilities in the main hall are more limited please
enquire for details.
Catering/ food philosophy/ chefs
A variety of in house catering options are available from our onsite kitchens, utilizing locally sourced produce,
much of it grown and reared at Askham Hall itself and on the 800 year old family estate, the Lowther Estate.
Overseeing the food in the Bank Barn and all wedding menu planning is Steven Doherty, who was the first British
chef to head up a three Michelin star restaurant when he ran the ‘Le Gavroche’ kitchen in London.
In the restaurant in the house, Richard Swale is in charge. He has worked at NOMA in Copenhagen and Maison du
Marc Verat in Annecy, France. This is Richard’s first restaurant and he is gaining a reputation as one of the most
exciting new chefs in the North of England. For more info read his biography in the food section of our website.
If you are taking the house for the weekend the restaurant is all yours on the night before the wedding. If you want
absolute exclusive use of the whole venue and wish for the restaurant in the house to be closed on the night of your
wedding, there is an additional charge. This is not necessary as your party will be in the Bank Barn at this time but
this is up to you.
Bar/ drinks
There is a fully stocked bar in both Bank Barn and the medieval hall. For your wedding reception we can supply
your wine and champagne or you can pay a corkage charge and supply your own wine and champagne. If you are
having your drinks reception in the house; as there is no bar; you will need to provide drinks for your guests.
Recommended suppliers
W e are able to recommend a large variety of wedding service providers including: florists, hair and make-up stylists,
dressmakers, photographers, videographers, cake makers, music bands, DJs and mobile discos, wedding planners,
wedding transport coaches and classic cars, table, chair and venue decorators, stationers, marquee hire companies,
plus many more. Please enquire for details.
Wedding ceremony
St Peter’s Church, Askham is located a stone’s throw from Askham Hall. A romantic walk takes you from the
church through a secret door into the gardens and on to the wedding barn.
Thirteenth Century St Michael's Church with its strong Lowther family connections, overlooking Askham Hall, the
River Lowther and with views of Lowther Castle, is also a short distance from the venue.
Contact details for either church are below:
Revd. Alan Maguire, phone number 01768 892807 [email protected]. You would need to contact the
vicar directly to discuss church availability and requirements.
License for civil ceremonies
Askham Hall is an approved venue fo r civil ceremonies. W e are licensed for ceremonies with up to 150
wedding guests in the barn, 100 in the medieval hall and for smaller parties in the main house for weekday
parties. The garden pavilion is also licensed for outdoor ceremonies (weather dependant!) for up to 150 people.
Additional barn and room hire costs apply. After checking availability at Askham Hall, you need to book your
ceremony directly with Cumbria’s registration office, please visit
www.cumbria.gov.uk/registrationservice/marriages for full details including costs and contact details.
Parking
Adequate free parking is available in the car park in front of the barn and the overflow car park behind it. More
limited car parking is also available in front of the hall itself for guests staying overnight at Askham Hall.
Fireworks
Fireworks and fire lanterns are not permitted at Askham Hall so as not to disturb the animals living at Askham Hall
and the nearby farms, except by prior arrangement at certain times of the year.
Askham Hall, Askham, Penrith, Cumbria, CA10 2PF
01931 712 350 [email protected] www.askhamhall.co.uk