Open Air Business November/December 2016

FUNCTION VENUES
CASE STUDY
Lillibrooke
Manor
A 15th century delight that ‘wraps
around you like a big hug’
With numerous unique spaces, Lillibrooke Manor can cater for all
manner of outdoor functions from wedding ceremonies in the cloister to fun fairs
in front of the Great Barn. Open Air Business caught up with Val Pearson, managing
director of Heritage Venues, for a chat about what gives it its magic touch.
When did you start your function
venue business?
Lillibrooke Manor has been
operating as a wedding venue for
over 30 years. The current owners
bought the property two years
ago, and have invested heavily in
improving the grounds and barns.
In particular, very high quality
A/V, Wi-Fi and business services
are now on offer in the Great and
Small barns to cater for the wider
corporate market.
Tell us about your location and
site
Despite its close proximity to
Junction 8/9 on the M4/M404,
Heathrow and London, Lillibrooke
offers an immersive countryside
environment, with its 15th century
manor house and barns set in 15
acres.
The name Lillibrooke appears
to have been the original title of
“MORE THAN
ANYTHING, ITS
ATTRACTION
IS ITS UNIQUE
FEEL –
DESPITE ITS
SIZE, AND
TO QUOTE
A RECENT
VISITOR,
LILLIBROOKE
WRAPS
AROUND YOU
LIKE A BIG
HUG!”
the manor and the present house
is therefore known as Lillibrooke
Manor. It means ‘babbling brook’.
It offers a huge number of
stunning and unique photo
opportunities, with highly flexible
areas throughout the venue
lending themselves to all manner
of dressing and theming. We’ve
had everything from fun fairs to
hot air balloon themes, helicopters
to softball over champagne. More
than anything, its attraction is
its unique feel – despite its size,
and to quote a recent visitor,
“Lillibrooke wraps around you like
a big hug!”.
The biggest challenge is
probably heating the Great Barn
in the middle of winter, but we’ve
found the right solution, adding
aged oak and glass doors but
retaining the original barn doors to
preserve them as features. Despite
its lack of insulation it’s a warm
and comfortable environment,
even for events with smaller guest
numbers.
In line with the trend for brides
and grooms to move away
from hotels, and businesses
away from conference centres,
Lillibrooke offers a stimulating and
inspirational environment. Period
features are everywhere, such as
the stone flagged floors, over-size
fireplace and original bread oven
in the Cottage Room.
What facilities for outdoor
functions do you offer?
We have paddocks on both sides
of the main driveway, which
have multiple uses. The three
acre walled field is perfect for
ball games and team building
activities, and the Manor House
garden lawn is a natural spot for
games, drinks receptions and
picnics.
The sweeping drive and frontage
of the manor house is ideal for
photo shoots, filming, automotive,
product launches, stalls and even
narrow gauge steam engines!
Elsewhere we have the Small Barn
and Cloister Garden, and the Great
Barn forecourt, which has played
host to funfairs and vehicles. The
Cloister is licensed for marriage
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