History

The name Shendish is an Anglicised corruption of the surname of the Norman nobleman Ralf de Chenduit; he sublet the manor farmhouse which used to stand on the site, presumably during Saxon times, from no less than William the Conqueror's brother!

The farmhouse survived until 1853, when it was bought by Charles Longman who demolished it and ordered the construction of the current Shendish Manor. He vastly increased the estate lands to 500 acres in the next few years, peaking at 1300 at its most! It was in the ownership of the Longmans until the 1930s and was used as an army camp in WWI. Henry Longman started selling off a lot of the land in the 30s, and in 1936 the house and the last 90 acres of the estate were sold to John Dickinson Company.

It became the Dickinson Guild of Sport, a leisure and recreational facility for that company's employees to use. It was eventually sold to the present owners in 1994, and was subsequently converted into the leading hotel, golf club and events venue it is today.

Facilities

The Manor Gazebo

Set in the stunning main grounds, the gazebo presents a perfect stage for outdoor civil wedding ceremonies with up to 90 guests.

Civil Ceremony Capacity - 90 Guests

The Apsley Gazebo

Ideal for larger alfresco gatherings, this gazebo is situated in the landscaped private gardens; the area will hold up to 350 guests.

Civil Ceremony Capacity - 350 Guests

The Apsley Suite

This space can fit large celebrations of up to 350 guests and boasts lovely décor and grand chandeliers. Couples using this suite to host their wedding reception can opt to bring in their own external catering, and the hospitality team pride themselves on their longstanding connections with a range of Asian, Italian, Halal and Greek caterers in Hertfordshire and the neighbouring counties.

Formal Reception Capacity - 350 Guests

The Dickinson Suite

A fantastic indoor space for a medium-size gathering, the Dickinson Suite accommodates 90 people for a civil wedding ceremony.

Civil Ceremony Capacity - 90 Guests

The Longman Suite

The delightful and elegant Longman Suite showcases high ornate ceilings and oak panelling, and spills out onto lovely gardens and the manor's estate. Choose to conduct your marriage ceremony in this lush suite and use the grounds for a drinks reception.

Civil Ceremony Capacity - 90 Guests
Wedding Breakfast Capacity - 96 Guests

The Apsley Suite Walled Gardens can be enjoyed both for a lovely summery drinks reception or for an atmospheric photo-shoot.

The 18-hole golf course is ideal for guests to enjoy before or after the big day. It can also be a backdrop to some unusual photos.

The wedding packages for the manor house include room hire, complimentary accommodation for the bride and groom, a drinks package and a three-course wedding breakfast. Extras are also available - why not hire a photobooth for the evening reception?

Catering

Shendish Manor's caterers produce lavish wedding breakfasts - typically a three-course dinner, but extra soup, sorbet or cheese courses can be appended for couples seeking something a little more opulent. Dietary requirements will be met with ease, and a menu-tasting for the bride and groom is included. In the summertime, wedding couples could opt for a barbecue or hog-roast as opposed to a traditional formal dinner.

Accommodation

With 18 luxury bedrooms in the grand manor house and 52 in the new part of the building, there are plenty of places to rest your head after all the evening festivities. Those in the main house each contain traditional stylistic embellishments, and even the new bedrooms in the annexe hark back to the elegant mid-Victorian era of the manor's establishment. An attractive bridal suite for the newlyweds is included in the package price, and members of the wedding party benefit from the very best accommodation rates.

To find out more about weddings at Shendish Manor or to book the venue, please click on their contact details below.