Couples dreaming of a Cotswold wedding can set their sights on a new venue, as work begins on converting the historic Ivy Lodge in Cirencester Park into an exclusive Cotswolds wedding venue.
The Bathurst Estate, which owns Cirencester Park, secured planning permission to turn the Grade II* listed lodge — together with its surrounding yards, barn and outbuildings — into an exclusive hospitality and wedding venue in July 2023, following an extensive consultation with Historic England and Cotswold District Council.
Work has now started on site, with building work carried out by Corinium Construction — and it's anticipated the new wedding venue will be ready to open in spring 2025.
Next to Cirencester Park Polo Club, Ivy Lodge is at the heart of Cirencester Park, surrounded by stunning private parkland.
Records show it was established as early as the 14th century and developed to its 18th century Gothic Revival style by the first Earl Bathurst. In recent years, it's been used as a home, offices and farm buildings; with this latest restoration project set to revive the historic site to its former glory.
The Ivy Lodge redevelopment is in partnership with Cripps & Co., which specialises in restoring barns and walled garden into dreamy wedding venues and already runs two wedding barns in the Cotswolds — Cripps Barn in Bibury and Stone Barn near Upper Windrush.
Peter Clegg, of the Bathurst Estate, said: ‘We, along with Cripps & Co. are delighted to have secured planning consent from Cotswold District Council. It’s exciting to restore Ivy Lodge to its former glory, giving it a new purpose so that it contributes to life on the estate today, and so that more people can enjoy its architecture and setting.
'Cirencester Park and the Polo Club are an incredible backdrop for a wedding venue, and we look forward to welcoming Cripps & Co. and their guests when it opens in spring 2025.’
It's not the only restoration project in the pipeline for the Bathurst Estate either, with planning consent secured for the refurbishment of the Tunnel House Inn near Cirencester and the addition of six eco lodges within the pub grounds.
The new wedding venue at Ivy Lodge is expected to open in spring 2025, with bookings taken from autumn 2023.
