Staffordshire Wedding Venue with Historical Past
Travelling along the very picturesque Hollington Road in Tean, Staffordshire you’d be forgiven for missing The Front Lodge, the small unassuming gatehouse which marks the entrance of The Heath House. The long winding driveway through beautiful Staffordshire parkland will bring you up to the stunning Gothic revival mansion.
In the hands of the family who originally saw it’s construction The Heath House isn’t short of magical history. A little like it’s close neighbour Sandon Hall, The Heath House’s owners live on site and their past relatives have always done so. The current owners are brothers, Justin and Ben Philips. Justin and his wife Sophie now run the business side of things which is predominantly using their stunning home as one of the most luxurious Staffordshire wedding venues as well as offering the extensive accomadation out for weekend family breaks.
The earliest record of the family dates back to 1552 when Francis Phylippe was amongst Tean Valley. Francis’ successor Nathaniel Philip later acquired the land after becoming wealthy through dealing with local land and estates. This acquisition saw the first version of The Heath House which was built in a Georgian style and lived in as such for over 3 generations before it became what it is today in 1834.
The families own history isn’t the only thing which The Heath House has to offer. Florence Nightingale came to the house post Crimean War. During WWII the house was requisitioned for the Red Cross to use as an auxiliary hospital for the military. It’s also been used several times as a filming location including it’s appearance in Agatha Christie: They do it with Mirrors in 1991. The family have also appeared alongside the house as part of hotelier Ruth Watson’s Country House Rescue series for Channel 4.
To this day the Philips family continue to preserve their family homestead in a fresh and traditional sense making restorations, repairs and redecoration where necessary. A lot of the rooms have been decorated in the more immediate years but the styling is still in line with the original look and feel of the room. In most cases they’ve been made to reflect the more soft, bright and airy decor you expect of more modern furnishings whilst also showcasing their antique furniture and original fixtures, fittings and large family portraiture.
Your Wedding Day at The Heath House
Located in the conveniently central county of Staffordshire this impressive yet cosy house is the perfect relaxing wedding venue for guests looking to marry in style amongst acres of history. A wedding day at The Heath House really does bring strong Downton Abbey vibes to your day.
With their vast array of rooms The Heath House can host the usual traditionally laid out wedding day whilst also adapting their approach to suit a more boutique and intimate affair. With their motto “Make Our Home Yours” it really is nothing but the most personal service at The Heath House.
Using The Heath House during the morning of your wedding is a real bonus as you and your other half can get ready in the stunning building together whilst also remaining far enough apart to give the service the atmosphere it desires. Once you come to marry you’ll be able to descend the Inner Hall Grand Staircase giving you all the incredible feelings of opulence which the house oozes.
The Drawing Room is the licensed part of the property which can host up to 100 of your nearest and dearest. Falling into the Staffordshire county you would arrange for a member of the Staffordshire Registration team to formerly marry you here. If you’re looking for a more traditional Christian wedding day then there are numerous churches in the surrounding countryside of Tean who often host wedding ceremonies for The Heath House.
For weddings in the warmer months you can choose to tie the knot in the Regency Orangery deep within the stunningly maintained gardens of The Heath House. This really does make possibly it the best outdoor wedding venue in Staffordshire.
Following the wedding service you and your guests can enjoy your reception drinks on the beautiful stone terrace to the rear of The Heath House. If you’re keen for a few activities to pass the time then you can host vintage lawn games on one of the twenty two lawns the house boasts!
If you’re having a smaller wedding then you can continue your wedding day inside the house enjoying a wedding breakfast in the Dining Room. For a more classic day The Heath House boasts a large semi-permanent marquee which can host a wedding breakfast for up to 220 wedding guests. Located just a short fifty metre walk from the house. The beauty of the marquee is it’s fully adaptable with a rear moveable wall and the whole thing is designed to be stunning blank canvas where your own wedding ideas can shine through without being overcrowded.
Dine in style at The Heath House by enjoying the incredible catering partners who deliver amazing wedding after wedding here. The semi permanency of the marquee means it features a kitchen which your catering partners can use to deliver freshly prepared exquisite meals straight to your table.
The Heath House is available for exclusive private hire meaning no one else other than your wedding guests and your suppliers will be enjoying this stunning venue. A strong positive is Sophie and Justin deal with all of the weddings to ensure maximum enjoyment throughout.
The luxurious onsite accomadation is one of the main reasons couples book The Heath House. It’s stunning array of bedrooms beautifully restored will make all of your guests wow in amazement as they enjoy a relaxed sleep surrounding by nothing but 127 acres of rolling Staffordshire parkland. The main house can sleep 26 whilst the additional Stable Cottage sleeps 6. If you just can’t stand to be apart from all of your guests then the lower lawn can be used to house a Tipi village for the rest of your guests.
Diverse Photography Amongst Ancient Parkland
Being a photographer at The Heath House is such an absolute joy. When you’re bound by time and location on a wedding day you can often become stuck for photographs which show a difference of backdrop. With The Heath House any fears of showing a similar look and feel are unfounded.
With acres upon acres of diverse land you can wander upon ancient parkland or take the complete opposite approach through the gorgeously maintained formal gardens which lead on to the Regency Orangery. With the Heath House estate being so large it contains several areas which aren’t as well maintained as the core building and surrounding gardens. For example a gorgeous brick dutch barn, huge walled garden and many a stables can create even more diversity throughout your photographs. Whatever your wedding day style and theme The Heath House has the backdrop to match it.
The light within country houses can often be somewhat non existent as the small windows fall to fill the big rooms but The Heath House’s large bay windows flood each room with beautiful natural light showering you and your guests in lovely sunlight meaning the use of artificial lights and flash isn’t needed giving your wedding day photographs a much softer feel.
The marquee’s beauty pales in comparison the house but what it doesn’t feature in style it makes up for in it’s practicalities. With it’s neutral white ceiling it diffuses light beautifully upon your wedding breakfast and speeches giving me a lovely tone to capture portraits of your family and friends having fun at their tables. Later on in the evening the party atmosphere comes alive and it creates a huge dance floor for you and your friends to enjoy.
This really is one of my favourite Staffordshire wedding venues. The grounds and the building are stunning but for me it’s the owners who make it. Every day I photograph at The Heath House rolls by with ease and so much fun because of Sophie and Justin. So if you’re looking for a wedding venue which oozes love, personality and care and attention from it’s owners then you’ve definitely found it at The Heath House.
Heath House Wedding Photographer
