Bishops Court

Welcome lo Bishops Court, one of Devons oldest and finest Grade I listed country houses and a unique setting in which to bold a Civil Wedding or Partnership ceremony.

Dating bock to Medieval times, when it was the country palace of the Bishops of Exeter. Bishops Court is set in over 60 acres of parkland, approached along a magnificent Lime Avenue, less than four miles from the centre of Exeter, and just a ten minute drive from the Exeter Airport and junction 29 of the M5.

From the highly decorated Great Hall at the centre of the house, there is direct and easy access to all the principal rooms. the private chapel, and to the gardens, all of which, including toilet and kitchen facilities, arc at ground level. Three contrasting garden areas are located directly around the House, the Carriage Court to the East with its ancient Cedar of Lebanon, the Croquet 1awn to the North, and to the West lie the imposing Fairfax Terraces with an external 'Sitting Room" located to catch the last rays of the setting sun.

Civil Wedding and Partnership Ceremonies

You arc welcome to hold a wedding ceremony for up lo 100 guests at Bishops Court at any time of the year, and you and your guests will enjoy exclusive use of the house and grounds for the duration of your event. Though of course it is lovely if the sun shines thoughout the day and you can enjoy drinks and canapes on the terrace, with a string quartet playing in the backround. there arc few more romantic settings for a Winter (or not-so-sunny Summer) wedding than the Great Hall of a Gothic house with fires blazing and candles lit.

There is the option of holding your ceremony and drinks reception either in the morning or afternoon. Our staff set up the room. Chairs, floral arrangements and candles are included within the hire charge. The Civil Ceremony generally includes music, readings by guests, the signing of the register and photographs. The room in which it lakes place, the Dining Room, is an imposing room with three large shuttered windows overlooking the ancient Cedar of Lebanon, and watched over by the portraits of John and Anne Gamut, whose initials are inscribed on the ceiling bosses.

This can be followed by a candle-lit Blessing accompanied by organ music and traditional hymns in our magnificent 13th century private Chapel which is situated within the house, just a few steps away from the Ceremony Rooms.

The Champagne Reception

Champagne and canapes can be served either in the Great Hall or in the gardens, while the photographs arc taken and the more energetic guests enjoy a round or two of Croquet in the sunken North Lawa You arc welcome to bring along your own choice of wine and champagne, which should be pre-chilled and handed over to our staff at the beginning of the hire period. We will oversee the drinks service, as well as providing champagne flutes, serving table and linen, and mouth-watering canapes can be provided by our approved caterers. The cutting of the Wedding cake and even the speeches can be incorporated in this part of the day - a lively and fun alternative to the more conventional format, and a wonderful photographic opportunity.

Music is an essential element of the mood that you wish to create for your day. and we can recommend a number of excellent musicians, harpists, string quartets and vocalists to accompany both the ceremony and the drinks reception - what could be more quintessentially English than a string quartet playing in the garden of a country house on a Summer afternoon. Alternatively if you prefer to have pre-recorded music, simply load the selected tracks on an i-pod or laptop for connection to our sound system.