the norm Oddfellows Chester is housed within a gorgeous Georgian townhouse, built by Lady Mary Calverley in 1676. Located in the heart of the city it’s just moments from the River Dee and the city centre where the iconic Tudor Rows sit alongside Victorian and Georgian mansions, and Roman ruins. The hotel boasts an idiosyncratic and whimsical interior where nothing is as it seems, and the period features are boldly juxtaposed by playful elements that offer a fun and super-stylish setting for a wedding to remember. Editor Kelly Andrews paid this fabulously quirky hotspot a visit to find out more. WHERE TO WED Given the first impression the hotel had made I was excited to explore the wedding spaces. Heading upstairs via the grand staircase to the first floor I was welcomed by The Grown Up Rooms. This suite of private event spaces occupies the whole floor, which is where the drawing rooms of the original house would have been. Dramatically high ceilings and sash windows feature in each of the spaces here: The Grown Up, The Grown Up Bar and The Roof Terrace. You can opt to hire the entire floor or just the bar and terrace if you prefer. The venue is licensed for ceremonies here for anywhere between six to 63 guests. Many decide to say “I do” surrounded by the glamour of the The Grown Up, before moving across the landing into the bar with its fabulous boxing hares willow sculpture for the drinks reception, which offers you the opportunity to spill out onto the terrace on a sunny city day, before returning to The Grown Up for a seated wedding breakfast with 63 loved ones. For the evening revelries you can invite additional guests, bringing the total up to a maximum of 130 across the whole first floor. For more intimate celebrations, the oh-so fun Alice In Wonderland Tea Rooms is also an option. Fulfilling its promise on the quirky front, you’ll find a tea table all set up on the ceiling. Here, you can dine in style, comfortably seating around 16 of your nearest and dearest. It doesn’t stop there! For an al fresco city vibe, why not choose to celebrate in The Secret Garden? Set at the rear of the hotel and tended to by in-house florists, it offers a magical setting for photography set against seasonal planting, oversized lamps, water features and outdoor fires. A PLACE TO REST YOUR HEAD During our stay we had the pleasure of relaxing in The Newbrook Loft. Located on the second floor of the hotel’s newer section, it’s a brilliantly characterful room named after the famous Cestrian cinematographer, Peter Newbrook, who shot the Oscarwinning epic Laurence of Arabia. The enormous six-foot circular bed immediately caught my attention with something of the Hollywood-era opulence about it. I must admit to being a little sceptical though until I enjoyed the best night’s sleep I think I’ve ever had! A sumptuous seating area and separate loo are also located on the first floor of the split-level loft, with the double shower upstairs on the mezzanine level. In fact, all of the rooms here offer a talking point, so if you tie the knot at Oddfellows Chester your guests will not only be able to enjoy a comfortable night’s sleep, they’ll also be cocooned in history and a playful sense of fun. The Calverly Attic and Lady Mary’s Loft are both inspired by the formidable woman responsible for the building the hotel now inhabits. Exposed beams and period features take you back to how Georgian Chester might have felt. The Caldecott Classic and Caldecott Cottage are influenced by another famous Cestrian, Randolf Caldecott who filled children’s books with his humorous illustrations throughout the 19th century. Finally, the Douglas Duplex Suite is a nod to architect John Douglas who shaped much of Chester. Further accommodation for your nearest and dearest is also available a mere three-minute walk from the hotel in the shape of Apartments by Oddfellows. THE HIGHLIGHTS • Create your own wedding-day cocktail to complement your theme. Oddfellows’ mixologists can dream up a bespoke creation or add a twist to your favourite for your drinks reception. • The Roof Terrace allows you to experience an al fresco post-ceremony reception that’s secluded and private in the heart of the city. You can even decide to have your first dance here! • I love the panelled bar downstairs with its stunning nature-themed frescos. It has a wonderful atmosphere and was almost as if they knew I was coming with The Steeldrivers’ Reckless album playing while I sipped on my post-dinner Baileys! • The Potting Shed is the Secret Garden’s super-fun bar complete with buckets and pitch forks! Stop here for some quirky couple portraits. A BREAK FROM Oddfellows Chester has a myriad of quirky and memorable wedding spaces for couples looking for something out of the ordinary FIND OUT MORE Oddfellows Chester, 20 Lower Bridge Street, CH1 1RS 01244 345 454 | events@oddfellowschester.com www.oddfellowschester.com Scan to view video 24
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