A Yorkshire Castle Wedding Venue Rich In History

Hazlewood Castle is a fantastic wedding venue situated in North Yorkshire with a rich history to it's name. Having photographed many, many weddings there I am very familiar with all it's little nooks and crannies - which go to make fantastic photographs.

It is the staff who often make a real difference on a wedding day and the staff at Hazlewood Castle are excellent. From the careful planning of the resident wedding coordinators before the day to the articluate execution by staff of precise instructions on the day, nothing at Hazlewood Castle is left to chance. Your only limit to how unique and special your Hazlewood Castle wedding turns out to be is your own imagination.

Set in an idyllic location comprising of over 70 acres of parkland and historic landscapred grounds, Hazlewood Castle offers luxury rooms and fine dining. Easy to find Hazlewood Castle is situated just 30 minutes from York and Leeds and 5 minutes from the A1M.

It is a well established venue, steeped in history and crammed with both quirky and classical photo opportunities. Now part of the Ashdale Hotels Group, renovations and expansion plans are continuing with the absolute minimum of disruption, ensuring a constant improvement of facilities, including the recent addition of Poppies Day Spa.

Hazlewood is a Castle rich in history. First mentioned in the Doomsday Book in 1086 as 'The Hall of A Thane', Hazlewood Castle has been in the estate of the Vavasours family since Norman times. Resident at the time, Sir William built on the site of the Hall of a Thane a manor house including a Great Hall and Pele Tower in 1283. As a result of the Barons' Wars he applied to the King to fortify his manor.

Granted in 1290, Sir William transformed the 'Hall of a Thane' into a castle. Over 170 years went by before the next really historic event happened. The 29th March 1461 was marked in history as the War of the Roses took place on Towton Moor, directly in front of the Castle to the south and south east. The nearby River Cock famously ran red with blood from this battle for many days after the fighting had finished. 70,000 people taking part with 28,000 killed.

The Vavasours leave Hazlewood after 900 years and in 1908, leave for New Zealand, and begin their now infamous vineyards. Mr Simpson, a solicitor, bought the Castle and his and descendent families were resident until 1953, finding his home requisitioned as a maternity hospital during the Second World War from 1939 to June 1953.

A Mr Fawcett then bought the Castle and they still reside just down the lane from the Castle. 1958 saw the castle change hands again. The Castle was sold to a Mr Donald Hart, then to avoid gift taxes the Castle was sold to the Carmelite Friars who opened the Castle in 1971 as a retreat until 1996, when it was closed and put up for sale. Hazlewood Castle Hotel opened on the 1st October 1997 having been sympathetically restored.

If searching for a place to hold your wedding which has amazing scenery and helpful staff Hazlewood Castle - situated almost equidistant between York and Leeds is worth considering.


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