Information for Guests

MAP OF THE ESTATE showing wedding venues: Lake (ceremony) and Barn (wedding breakfast)

Also showing location of cottage accommodation on the estate for family.

Timings & When to Arrive

Please aim to arrive at least 30 minutes before the ceremony start time to allow time for parking, gathering, and orientation. Please refer to the invitation with itinerary we have provided you with (via Paperless Post) for exact timings. You'll find your invitation in your email inbox from sender 'Zara & Phil Balfour-Briggs'.

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Parking & Drop-Off

There is ample on-site parking for guests; please park in the designated car park unless you hold a Blue Badge, in which case we recommend contacting the venue by email or phone to book a space. Guests requiring closer drop-off (mobility needs, elderly) can be dropped off directly outside the venue and the car moved to the main car park.

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Where the Ceremony & Reception Take Place

The ceremony will be outdoors (weather permitting) so please wear footwear appropriate for an uneven grass lawn, which may be muddy.

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What to Wear

Wear what makes you feel fabulous. The bride will be wearing red and white. Layers are wise (country weather can change). For outdoor elements, bring a light coat or wrap for cooler evenings. If the weather is very sunny, or there is a chance of rain, we recommend that you bring umbrellas/waterproofs or parasols. There will be an opportunity for lake swimming the day after the wedding, so bring your swimming and sunbathing gear. Phil advises you to bring binoculars to view the amazing birds of prey on the estate. 

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Shoes

Comfortable shoes are recommended for walking on uneven lawns, paths, gravel, and around historic garden areas.  We strongly advise against wearing stiletto heels, or similar: they will sink into the grass and damage the ancient wooden floors at the venue.  It is much more practical and comfortable to wear wedges or flats.  Also, as Owlpen estate has lovely walks and wildlife, we recommend bringing walking boots or wellies to explore and enjoy the area fully.

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Children

We would love to welcome all your children but we are limited in numbers. Getting married later in life means almost everyone has several children, and if we invited them all, we would not have room for half of our family and friends! If we have not explicitly invited your children, it means we sadly can't accommodate them. Please let us know if this causes you difficulty and we will see if anything can be resolved.

If your child is invited and you need a travel cot for staying on the estate, please let us know. Owlpen can provide a cot and bottom sheet, but not duvet or pillow. Please ensure children stay still and quiet during the ceremony. Also, there are various lakes so please don't let children wander alone at Owlpen.

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Animals

Owlpen is dog-friendly, so you are welcome to bring your dog, although we can't have dogs at the ceremony, wedding breakfast or dancing. Estate and cottages are pet-friendly in general and there are nice walks around the estate. There are many pheasants around so keep your dog on a lead if they're likely to take chase. Please consider whether your dog will be ok to be alone for several hours during the wedding ceremony, wedding breakfast and dancing before bringing them. We may be able to get a dog-sitter - contact us if of interest. Dogs would be left with the dog-sitter wholly at owner's risk.

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Accommodation & Staying Over

Owlpen manages a selection of boutique holiday cottage accommodation and glamping across the estate, which have been reserved for our extended family and guests from afar. Check your Paperless Post invitation to see if a room, house or bell tent has been allocated to you. If it has, we will soon send you a document containing check-in information.

If you'd like to book a local hotel or B&B you can see our recommendations on the accommodation page here.

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What to Bring 

The holiday cottages at Owlpen are all amply equipped with fitted kitchens so that you can look after yourselves if you want.  We encourage you to bring breakfast items and any late night snack food and drink you may enjoy. 

We will provide a tea tray on arrival, with a pint of milk, tea and coffee, and biscuits.  The kitchens are stocked with condiments including cooking oil and herbs. They also have washing up liquid, dishwasher tablets, cloths and toilet roll.  The bathrooms have soap, shampoo, and shower gel.  All bed linen and towels are provided.

Those staying in the glamping site will have an outdoor kitchen, bbq, and dining area - just bring your own charcoal and any food or drink you may enjoy for breakfast and late night feasts. 

You can read general information about the accommodation here: www.owlpen.com/accessibility. We advise bringing a torch for after dark.​

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Food Delivery

If you're staying in a cottage or glamping at Owlpen and you would like to have food delivered by a supermarket in advance of your arrival, the staff at Owlpen would be happy to make sure it is placed in the cottage / bell tent for you for a fee of £10. Deliveries can be made from 10am - 2pm on the day of your arrival. We recommend Waitrose and Ocado for supermarket deliveries. Please notify Owlpen in advance, so that they know when to expect the supermarket delivery. Call the Estate Office on +44 (0) 1453 860261.

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Local Shops

There is a post office / village shop in Uley, about a 10 / 15 minute walk away from the estate.  You can purchase your basic necessities there. Otherwise there is a large Sainsbury’s in Dursley (a ten-minute drive away), a Waitrose and Sainsbury’s in Stroud, and Tesco in Tetbury.  Owlpen Estate office can also arrange for online orders to be delivered to the property, for a small additional fee.

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Our Team: On-the-Day Contact

If you need help on the day (directions, parking, accessibility), contact the estate on phone number +44 (0) 1453 860261.

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Health & Safety / Emergency

For urgent assistance on-site, speak to a member of staff immediately. For medical emergencies call 999 and alert venue staff so they can guide emergency services to the estate.

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Event Finish Time and Departure

The end time is 11pm.  Please note: it is essential that you book taxis in advance if you wish to be collected at night-time, as it can be very difficult to find a taxi immediately. If staying on site, you can walk back to your cottage. Please make sure you have a torch / mobile phone light for walking back to cottages, as there is no lighting. Due to lack of lighting and uneven ground, we recommend walking back with someone rather than alone.

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Taxis

Taxis need to be pre-booked, due to the rural location. Recommended local cab firms can be found on the directions page here.

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Alcohol Policy 

Owlpen Manor is a licensed premises, and guests are not permitted to bring their own alcohol onto the estate (including ceremony spaces, grounds, and reception areas). However if you are staying in a holiday cottage you are welcome to bring whatever you want to the cottage and its grounds, but sadly you are not able to bring these provisions to the licensed premises.

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Smoking

Smoking is only permitted outside.  You must use ashtrays provided when disposing of cigarettes.
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EV Charging Points

Owlpen do not currently have EV charging points.  Sadly it is not permitted to plug EVs into 13-amp sockets, for insurance reasons.​​

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Accessibility

For information please see Owlpen's accessibility statement here: www.owlpen.com/accessibility.​​​​​

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Getting to Owlpen Manor

Please see the directions page here.

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Wedding Gift List

If you'd like to view our gift list you can do so here.

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