Photography of Brocket Hall Estate in Hertfordshire frequently involves weddings.
The former country estate of two of Britain’s former Prime Ministers is often used as a wedding venue.
Located 22 miles north of London, the 543-acre estate was once the home to Lord Melbourne and later Lord Palmerston.
The bedroom where Princess Victoria (later Queen Victoria) stayed at Brocket Hall.
Photography of Brocket Hall Estate
Brocket Princess Victoria, who later became the Queen and Empress who defined an era, was a frequent visitor to Brocket Hall. Lord Melbourne helped prepare her for the duties that awaited her as monarch.
The Prince Regent suite at Brocket Hall features hand-painted Chinese-style wallpaper and was slept in by Prince George, who became King George IV.
Brocket Hall Estate in Hertfordshire
Brocket Hall was built in the 1760s to a design by James Paine.
Photography of Brocket Hall Estate in Hertfordshire on a bright spring day.
The ballroom is reputed to be the place where the waltz was first danced in England. It was introduced by Lady Caroline Lamb, the wife of Lord Melbourne.
Afternoon tea is served intermittently in the ballroom, in which a chandelier hangs above a table which can seat up to 54 guests. It was designed so that Lord Melbourne could host dinners whose guests included royalty. It’s said that, in England, only Windsor Castle has a longer table.
Paintings decorate the ceiling of Brocket Hall’s Ballroom, where afternoon teas are served.
There’s a story that Lord Palmerston died in Brocket Hall’s Billiard Room after a ‘liaison’ with a servant. A gilt-framed portrait of the statesman, in rude health, peers down at the billiard table, on which he reputedly passed away, from one of its walls.
The Billiard table within the Billiard Room at Brocket Hall.
A popular wedding venue
The library at Brocket Hall features an original Adam fireplace and bookcases designed by Thomas Chippendale.
Figure on a fireplace in Brocket Hall.
Seascapes are hung in the Morning Room, where a piano stands by the wall. The instrument is played during receptions.
Seascapes painted by Dutch and British artists hang in the Morning Room at Brocket Hall.
Horse races were run on the estate during the 18th century. The Georgian-era stables now have the status of a Grade I Listed Building.
Facade of Melbourne Lodge, the converted stables that now hosts 16 bedrooms on the Brocket Hall Estate.
That brickwork building has been converted to hold 16 bedrooms and is now known as Melbourne Lodge.
Double bed within a corner double room at the Melbourne Lodge on Brocket Hall Estate.
The Auberge du Lac restaurant
The estate’s former hunting lodge is now used as the venue of Brocket Hall’s fine-dining Auberge du Lac restaurant.
Facade of the Auberge du Lac restaurant, the former hunting lodge at Brocket Hall Estate.
Its terrace looks out towards Brocket Hall over Broadwater Lake.
Main course of beef served during the Auberge du Lac’s Taste of the Season seven-course tasting menu.
A seven-course tasting menu with optional wine pairings is available in addition to the Auberge du Lac’s seasonal set menu of three courses.
A delightful dessert served at the end of the Auberge du Lac’s Taste of the Season seven-course tasting menu.
Two 18-hole golf courses and a golf academy feature on the estate. The Palmerston Course was designed by Donald Steel. The Melbourne Course was designed by Clive Clark and Peter Alliss.
When it comes to exploring the estate I’d rather take shots with a camera in my hand rather than a golf club!
A weeping willow by the Broadwater on Brocket Hall Estate.
Further information
For more information about accommodation in the Melbourne Lodge, playing golf at Brocket Hall’s The Melbourne Club, afternoon teas within the historic hall and the Auberge du Lac’s menus, see the Brocket Hall website.
To find out about things in the surrounding area and beyond, take a look at the Visit Herts and Visit England websites.
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