Happy birthday to us! We’ve absolutely loved welcoming lots of new (and familiar!) faces down to Cornwall in 2019 and we’re so proud that we’ve reached our one year anniversary here at Caerhays Holidays!
But with the dawn of a new decade comes new celebrations – what’s coming up for you in 2020? A big birthday; work milestone; retirement; fundraiser; family gathering such as a wedding, christening or anniversary?
We know that planning something so special can be quite stressful, so we’ve done the ground work for you and put together this handy list of things to consider well in advance to make sure everything runs smoothly. Here’s the Caerhays Holidays ‘how to’ guide on how make your next event utterly unforgettable in one of our most show-stopping venues – The Vean.
1. Guests
Sorting a guest list can be tricky, but thinking about how many people you’re going to be bringing together is key to picking the perfect venue. Is it a small, intimate gathering, say up to 15 of your nearest and dearest; a larger party, maybe stretching up to 50; or an all out bash of 100 or more?
With properties ranging from the wing of a castle to a stunning Georgian house, there’s a setting to suit every occasion at Caerhays Holidays but The Vean is our most versatile property for space solutions. The gorgeously restored Georgian rectory has eight luxurious bedrooms, a stunning dining room seating up to 16 and views over the famous Caerhays Castle Spring Gardens. Not only can individual rooms can be hired at The Vean on a B&B basis, it can also be used as luxury wedding accommodation for a bridal party or the wedding venue itself for small and intimate ceremonies! A truly elegant Cornish affair.
2. Location
It’s true what they say – location is everything. We might be biased, but we think we’re located in one of the most beautiful parts of the world. Tucked away on the south coast of Cornwall with stunning coastal seascapes on one side and gorgeous woodland gardens on the other, there’s a backdrop to suit every type of event at Caerhays.
The Vean is just a short hop from the beautiful Porthluney Beach, a sheltered bay on the south coast. With its golden sand and calm sea, this is the perfect place for a swim or paddle board session! There’s also plenty of room for little ones to play beach games and explore the rocks on the west side at low tide. Porthluney is dog-friendly year round and the seasonal Caerhays Beach Café is ideal for a hot chocolate or spot of lunch in the sun!
The Vean is also set within its own private grounds offering guaranteed privacy, tranquility and wonderful views from every window. A beautiful house set in idyllic countryside but only 5 minutes from the beach – what could be better?
3. Style
Decorations, tableware, lighting, floristry, menus, there’s an endless array of ‘little touches’ that you can stamp your own style on – but one thing that never goes out of style is elegance.
Whether it’s a jaw-droppingly gorgeous wedding reception in a marquee on the lawn, or a lavish, black tie retirement party, The Vean gives everyone the perfect excuse to dress to impress. Nestled in the wooded Porthluney valley, it’s the most classically stylish venue in the Caerhays Holidays portfolio and is draped in luxury. Rest assured the stylish elements of your special event will only add to the atmosphere of grandeur and unique sense of occasion in this lavish setting!
4. Catering
The last thing you want to think about when you’re already in the middle of planning a million and one things is if you remembered to order enough vol-au-vents or that you have a gluten-free option for your guests. Our top tip? Take the stress away with professional catering.
Nicky, the in-house Chef at The Vean, goes above and beyond to make each meal exceptional. She whips up the most glorious feasts for intimate dinner parties, small weddings, special breakfasts and everything in between, working with you to create your perfect, tailor-made menu.
Whether it’s a candlelit supper in the grand dining room or an al fresco meal on the terrace whilst watching the sun go down, we can even organise to have the washing up taken care of – so you literally don’t have to worry about a single thing.
5. Space
If you need a little more space for the celebrations or simply wish your stay to go on a little longer, Caerhays Holidays is home to 12 diverse properties so there’s room for every one to join you!
At less than a minute walk away, the Old Cart House is the closest neighbour to The Vean. Originally the storage barn for the Estate’s horse drawn carts, this is now a light and spacious two-bedroom property that can sleep up to four guests and two dogs. Another impressive property for entertaining is the Old Village Hall. Sleeping up to seven with a large enclosed garden and far reaching rural views, this is the spot for wedding guests to stay during the festivities.
If you’re looking for a venue with the wow-factor, look no further than The Fish Sheds. Located as close to the sea as you can get at West Portholland, this stunning converted hideaway is a totally unique conversion offering spacious yet cosy accommodation. With Vitamin Sea included free of charge, this is the ideal place to escape reality and recharge before you escape to your honeymoon!
So there you have it – our top recommendations to think about when you’re planning your next event. If you’re looking for your perfect venue for that extra-special celebration, take a look at availability here or email us if you’re looking for something bespoke. We can’t wait to host yet more unforgettable nights here at Caerhays in 2020 and beyond!