Iscoyd Park wedding venue pair net national award

Looking for somewhere special to celebrate the happiest day of your life? Couples planning the perfect wedding could do worse than visit Iscoyd Park near Whitchurch.

The stately home has been named the best wedding venue in the UK at a national awards ceremony. Iscoyd Park beat strong competition to win the Hudson's Heritage Industry Award at the ceremony in London.

The award was presented by hosts Loyd Grossman and writer, photographer and broadcaster Lucinda Lambton at the Marriott Grosvenor Square Hotel.

The venue beat competition from Burghley House in Lincolnshire and Lulworth Castle in Dorset.

Iscoyd Park was also shortlisted in the Best Renovation/Restoration category at the national awards.

Phil Godsal, who co-owns and runs Iscoyd Park, said the award was another feather in the cap for the property, which recently received a high commendation at the Historic Houses Association/Sotheby's Restoration Awards.

"To win the award for Best Wedding Venue really is fantastic and testament to the thought, time and energy which is invested to ensure that Iscoyd Park offers something special as a location at which to get married," he said.

"This was an exceptionally competitive category with some seriously high profile names in the industry also shortlisted, so to beat them all was very pleasing to say the least.

"The constant aim for us all is to keep on improving, such a prestigious national award and the recognition it brings give us the confidence to do just that."

Mr Godsal, a former art dealer in London, runs Iscoyd Park with his wife Susie who trained as a chef.

The property opened for weddings in the summer of 2010 after an ambitious restoration programme.

"The quality of the entries was incredibly high," said Ed Beale, managing director of Hudson's Heritage. "Iscoyd Park demonstrated creativity, commitment and enthusiasm and we're delighted to help them celebrate their great success."