Great Fosters, Egham
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Weddings at Great Fosters, Egham
Gracing an estate of more than fifty acres in what was once the heart of Royal Windsor Forest in Surrey, Great Fosters is the most distinguished of hotels – a Grade One listed building blessed with the grandeur of 16th century England and luxurious modern facilities. Immaculately preserved, this stately historic monument also boasts a highly sought-after location, being near Heathrow airport, the M25 and M4, and also near Windsor, Wentworth and many of London’s leading attractions.
Since it first opened its doors as a hotel in 1930, this magnificent residence has played host to royalty, film stars, emperors and literary icons. Today, welcoming guests for luxury short breaks, private dinners, meetings and celebrations, and acclaimed as a romantic wedding venue, Great Fosters remains one of England’s most celebrated historic hotels.
Great Fosters is a fine example of Elizabethan architecture; set amongst stunning formal gardens, the hotel makes an ideal venue for a wedding reception. This grand building became a hotel in the 1930s and has been sympathetically converted by the Sutcliffe Family who are still its current custodians. Great Fosters possesses a plethora of original details and features and is designated as a Scheduled Historic Monument and Grade One listed building.
Tempting menus are combined with vintage wines to ensure that your wedding breakfast is a gourmet experience, while the hotel’s romantic gardens – with a Japanese bridge, fountain and Saxon moat – provide an idyllic backdrop for photography. Following the celebrations, Great Fosters can offer your wedding party luxurious accommodation in our many suites and rooms. Our professional staff will be delighted to advise you and can help you plan and organise an unforgettable day.
Great Fosters, Stroude Road, Egham, Surrey TW20 9UR
Tel: 01784 433822
Fax: 01784 472455
enquiries@greatfosters.co.uk
Filed Under: Surrey
Wedding date November 2007
When I began looking for venues for our wedding, I had envisaged a picturesque, elegant, barn style location, which would allow me to have a romantic, candle lit, winter wedding. Other criteria included a comfortable and well stocked bar (as opposed to a temporary structure or make-shift table with a selection of optics), a good sized dance floor, and overnight accommodation for family and guests both at the venue and nearby. Other things that I deemed important were of course service, food and the standard of the ‘rest rooms’! It may sound odd, but I visited many venues where the ladies toilets in particular left a lot to be desired – after all, a girl wants to be able to enjoy touching up her make-up, admiring her dress and having a private girly chat with her mum and friends on her big day!
So all in all, I had quite a big task ahead and looking for the venue proved to be the most difficult part of the planning…until we found Great Fosters. I cannot stress enough how utterly stunning the venue is and I honestly believe that it lends itself well to weddings at any time of year. The main building, Tithe Barn and Orangery are all completely stunning, the gardens are breathtaking (and conducive to incredible pictures) and the overnight accommodation, whilst not cheap, is also full of character and style and well worth the money. The wedding planner that we were assigned could not have been more friendly and helpful and during our selected menu tasting evening, we were completely spoilt….and as it turned out, spoilt for choice! Since we could not decide on which starter to go for, they allowed us to have two – a light fish option for the ladies and a hearty soup option for the men and vegetarians. In the end it worked out really well with most people sharing and enjoying both dishes. For the main course we had lamb which was absolutely delicious, and for desert opted for apple crumble, which was absolutely divine.
It can’t be easy to cater for over 100 people at one time, however, Great Fosters managed it effortlessly and there was no sign of the food looking, tasting or feeling mass produced in any way.
For flowers and photography we went with the venues preferred suppliers and were not in any way disappointed with our choice. The photographs in particular – by David Ward – were everything that we could have wished for and more. It is certainly worth going with someone who knows the venue inside and out – I don’t think we would have got the results that we did if we had gone with someone else.
In essence I would recommend Great Fosters to anyone looking for a romantic, picturesque, English country wedding, with first class service and food and an unbeatable back drop for photographs. In fact, even if you don’t opt for this venue for your wedding, do make a trip there for a Sunday roast, lunch outside in the summer or romantic weekend break – it is simply gorgeous!