Kapellenhaus Photo Christopher Kemp
A former family property in Münster will be opened to the public next spring as an exclusive luxury location for weddings with up to 120 guests.
The Thanet Council approved the project on the Thorne Hill estate in October.
The grounds, which are set on 25 acres, include the Chapel House, which can be used as a boutique bed and breakfast that can accommodate a wedding couple and a main wedding party through one-, two-, or three-day wedding packages.
The granary and the barn become an event room and boxes stand in the open field to the west of the main house and the outbuildings.
The restored north driveway will provide the main access to the property via the private, gated entrance. There is a grassy parking lot for up to 70 cars, including charging points for electric vehicles. In addition, the property has a no-car policy to protect the natural surroundings of the property.
Photo Christopher Kemp
As part of the private stay, the wedding couple and their immediate guests are served drinks in the courtyard and dinner made with local Kent products, including vegan and vegetarian options, on the evening before the wedding.
The property will also be able to host wedding ceremonies in areas such as the Wild Apple Garden and the Walled Courtyard. The courtyard can accommodate up to 60 guests, while the orchard is large enough for 120 guests.
The Old Malt Granary is licensed for indoor weddings. A banquet barn will be built next to the granary, and an intimate amore ceremony with a reception room for 15 people will be offered in the Chapel House.
Chapel House, a Grade II listed building dating back to 1290, is the centerpiece of the property.
The house has a large master bedroom with en-suite bathroom, a dressing room with bridal bath and two bedrooms on the top floor with en-suite bathrooms. A large kitchen, two lounge areas and a vinyl collection to play on the upcycling record player are also offered.
Guests of the property can enjoy the gardens and woodlands, and a personal driver is available on call for trips into the distance.
The southwest paddock will house ten private accommodations, each with private bathrooms and bedrooms. A 24-hour on-site concierge service is included.
One of the founders, Jonathan Sawyers, who lives in Margate with his family, said, “We fell in love with Chapel House the moment we walked on the premises. Every time we visited the property we saw more opportunities to create a premier wedding location.
“The huge space allows guests to immerse themselves in nature, while the buildings near Chapel House create the perfect space for couples who want their guests to really feel part of the celebration.”
The landowners say sustainability and supporting the local economy are a big focus and they are working towards a low carbon footprint. Products are sourced from local farms and the catering is overseen by Matt Sworder, the chef / owner of The Corner House restaurant. Transport to the venue by train is actively promoted through a 24-hour chauffeur service that takes guests to where they need to be.
The planning documents submitted for the venue stated: “Sheep graze these paddocks, which we will continue to do by keeping the sheep and contributing to our sustainability ethos and eco-approach at the core of our project.
“In addition to the sheep, we will be setting up about 10 hives for honeybees, an important part of our ecosystem, which act as highly efficient pollinators for our food crops and gardens, helping to protect this vital insect, which is experiencing a dramatic decline.
“For this we have hired a beekeeper who accepts a permanent position and is a member of the local beekeeping community. In the coming years we want to expand our sustainability and initiate further projects. “
The document also states: “The project will help support the local economy and provide year-round jobs. These suggested positions include, but are not limited to, catering, waiting, operations and housekeeping staff, grounds maintenance and gardening positions, marketing and sales, and local crafts.
“Our customer base will grow by taking advantage of local facilities and businesses. Just a wedding with an average of 85 guests, more than half of whom are traveling from outside the immediate area, could reasonably generate additional revenue generated directly by the wedding location, with guests staying in other accommodations, restaurants, services, and local tourism spend over a period of two nights, three days or more. “
www.chapelhouseestate.co.uk
