featured venue: smedmore house, nr wareham, dorset

Smedmore House is a stunning, privately owned 18th century country house on the Jurassic Coast in Kimmeridge near Wareham. It is surrounded by countryside and breathtaking sea views as far as the eye can see. Photo opportunities are infinite with two acres of flower gardens, orchards, Mediterranean garden, woodlands, fields, urns, obelisks and of course the backdrop of the shimmering blue sea and house itself. Smedmore House is truly a hidden gem waiting for you and your guests to discover it.  ​

The house sleeps 15 and features a dining room with Georgian plasterwork and over a hundred 18th century plates on the walls. One of the highlights is a chair used by Napoleon on the island of St Helena. The house's many windows let in the romance of the Purbeck Hills and the open sea with its fresh and invigorating breeze and nostalgic smell. 

Kimmeridge Bay is famous for swimming, surfing and fossil hunting. It is overlooked by Clavell Tower, inspiration for P. D. James’s murder story The Black Tower. The bay was once a haunt of smugglers and scene of their many battles with coast guards. The next bay along is called Brandy Bay as so much brandy was smuggled there!

​Marquees at Smedmore are placed directly in front of the house on a beautiful lawn. Our traditional pole marquees are particularly well suited to the elegant Georgian building and lush landscape surrounding it. As you can see in the pictures above, there is a secluded spot between some trees where ceremonies can take place with a sea view behind. Our white folding chairs are ideal and we can install an aisle with white carpet or coconut matting. Cover can be provided with an oriental canopy or two.

Suppliers we've worked at Smedmore with successfully in the past include caterers Claret Catering and The Foodie Queen; photographers Courtenay Photographic and Tom Redman and venue stylist Inspire Hire. The house has a very comprehensive list of wedding suppliers on their website too including taxis and local accommodation. 

For enquiries about weddings, events and holiday accommodation contact Laura Dugdale on 020 7792 4565 or email [email protected]