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Venues Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve

Overview

  • Stunning Grade II-listed mansion
  • Wildlife safari and conservation park
  • On the edge of the stunning Kent Downs AONB
  • Luxury hotel wedding venue
  • Licensed to host civil wedding ceremonies
  • Home to over 900 endangered animals
  • Selection of licensed venues to choose from
  • Delicious food created by Executive Chef, Lee Edney
  • 14 unique options for your accommodation

Port Lympne Wild Animal Park and Mansion

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is the largest wildlife park in Kent. The 600-acre rural estate, which is home to exotic animals and offers the only safari experiences in the region, is also a popular wedding site and provides couples with a spectacular setting brimming with romance, adventure, elegance, and splendour. Couples can exchange vows and spend their special day at a variety of places around the reserve, ranging from the four-star opulence of the Port Lympne Hotel to the newly decorated pergola and orangery. The reserve is located in one of the most attractive and distinctive sections of the County.

Couples and their guests can take a private safari following their ceremony to observe free-roaming wild animals or get up close and personal with their favourite species, all while being surrounded by some of the world's most endangered creatures.

A friendly team will be on hand to assist couples from the very beginning of their wedding planning process through to the big day itself. Weddings are tailored to suit budgets and bespoke requirements. It's clear why couples seeking a distinctive location choose Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve with the abundance of customised touches available.

About

Steeped in history, Port Lympne was formerly the opulent country estate of Sir Philip Sassoon, a pivotal figure in the art world, high society and politics of his day. The venue was bought by John Aspinall in 1973, and with the support of English Heritage, converted the Grade II*-listed mansion into a boutique hotel which opened in 2014. Port Lympne is a stunning venue that is surrounded by beautiful parkland and acres of natural countryside.

Port Lympne works in conjunction with The Aspinall Foundation, an internationally renowned conservation charity, dedicated to the rewilding and rehabilitation of rare and endangered species. Continuing in his father's footsteps, Damian Aspinall now heads the foundation which is dedicated to creating natural habitats for endangered species as well as creating awareness among the public. As a wedding venue, this is unlike any other. The incredible vision that drives to protect wildlife makes it a magical place to host your wedding, perfect for any animal loving bride and groom.

Facilities

There are a range of licensed spaces to choose from for your wedding ceremony, including outdoor terraces, beautiful rooms indoors, and their stunning new venues, including a beautiful garden pergola and glass orangery. Of course, you can also use these facilities for your wedding breakfast and evening reception.

The Mansion

Built in 1913 by architects Sir Herbert Baker and Philip Tilden the mansion is surrounded by 14-acres of landscaped terrace gardens, perfect for more intimate weddings. For up to 50 guests, you can use the mansion drawing rooms and terraces.

Moroccan Courtyard

Bring elegance and exuberance to your wedding in a Moroccan setting in Kent. The Moroccan courtyard has been expertly restored with marble floor and pillars, a stunning octagonal fountain, and antiques from Marrakech. Exclusive use of the Moroccan Courtyard and adjoining Courtyard Suite provides the perfect setting for rehearsal dinners, cocktail evenings, wedding party receptions and ceremonies for up to 24 guests.

Spencer Roberts Room

The Spencer Roberts Room is an atmospheric space with murals on the walls of animals from around the world. It is a great option for couples looking for an intimate and ornate setting.

Civil ceremony capacity - 40 guests

Pergola

Set among 14-acres of perfectly manicured gardens, is the newly-appointed garden pergola. This quiet and romantic setting hosts up to 110 guests for a seated ceremony.

The Orangery

The stunning new glass orangery and terrace are a creative salute to the theatrical entertainment style of the Gatsby era. Truly private and available for exclusive use only. Capacity for 120 seated guests with a dance floor, cloakroom and luxury washrooms. Includes a fully incorporated kitchen for all dining requirements and option to add an additional marque or food station on the adjoining lawn.

There are plenty of other areas that can be used for your wedding ceremony and reception; more information can be found on the website.

Packages

The Intimate wedding
  • Ceremony will be held in one of the licenced venues including the Moroccan Courtyard or Iceberg Terrace.
  • Reception in the Long room or Spencer Roberts room in the Mansion
  • Eight hotel bedrooms in our historic Mansion
  • Pre-wedding menu tasting with discussion with the executive chef for two
The Exclusive Wedding
  • Exclusivity of the orangery which includes your own private bar until midnight
  • Pre-wedding menu tasting with discussion with the executive chef for two

The packages can be made bespoke to the couple, example packages will include:

  • A wedding coordinator to assist in the planning and organisation
  • A dedicated toastmaster to help coordinate your guests throughout the day
  • Exclusive use of the area for your wedding ceremony
  • Exclusive use of the area for your wedding breakfast and evening reception
  • Full use of the beautiful landscaped gardens for your photographs
  • Three-course dining experience accompanies by local wines and unlimited mineral water
  • Reception, including canapes, Gusbourne English sparking wine
  • Evening buffet
  • Tables, chairs, white linen, glassware, cutlery and crockery
  • Silver cake stand and knife
  • Complimentary parking
  • Wooden easel to display your seating plan
  • Microphone for the speeches
  • Docking station for wedding breakfast music

Other services include a tour of the venue, gardens and accommodation, providing information about the local area, including recommended suppliers, coordinating any deliveries on the day, and setting up a back-up plan in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

Proposal Package – NEW TO 2023!

Thinking about proposing to that special someone? Port Lympne have you covered!

Their proposal package includes exclusive hire of their Moroccan Courtyard or stunning garden pergola, a bottle of award-winning Gusbourne sparkling wine and a private ranger-led safari for 2.

And if you choose their venue for your wedding, they will give you a £500 discount!

Be sure to contact the team or pop them an enquiry form for more information.

Catering

The catering team at Port Lympne Hotel pride themselves not only on the quality of their cuisine but also their ingredients. They select the best seasonal, local produce for all of their meals and work closely with a range of suppliers in Kent. Bridal couples will have the choice between a traditional wedding breakfast, a buffet, a hog roast or a barbecue to keep all of their guests fed after the ceremony. Later in the evening, we can cater to those peckish night owls with an evening buffet, offering everything from mini burgers through to gourmet cheese boards and sweet treats.

Accommodation

For a wedding night to remember, Port Lympne Hotel has a stunning variety of rooms available.

The hotel itself has gorgeous rooms with luxury facilities but for something a little different there are an array of lodges available as well as a beautiful treehouse hotel. The happy couple can sleep in the luxury lodge close to the lions and tigers, keep each other warm in the shepherd's hut, or go glamping under the stars.

Luxury Lodges

Perfect for fans of animals, these individual lodges overlook the habitats of some incredible animals. Wake up in the morning to see an inquisitive tiger at your window, or to watch lions playing outside.

Cosy Cabins

Leopard Creek is the perfect sanctuary, offering cosy two person cubs, stylish four person cabins or luxurious four person wigwams. Your guests can watch the morning mist rise across the sweeping vista towards the Kent coast, with exclusive views of the Amur Leopards.

Cottages

The charmingly restored cottages allow you to wake up to a rhino at the bottom of your private garden or watch these majestic creates into the evening as you unwind by the open fire pit.

Treehouses

Set among the trees, the Treehouse apartments provide award-winning accommodation tucked into the canopy of Port Lympne, with far reaching views over the rhinos. Each suite sleeps four guests and has a glass front to make the most of the incredible view, along with a private balcony and open plan kitchen and living area.

Port Lympne Hotel

The venue's boutique hotel has fantastic views from each of its bedrooms. Each room benefits from a smart TV, an ensuite bathroom, and use of a buggy to get around the 600 acre reserve.

The Courtyard Suite

The spacious octagonal Courtyard Suite is a romantic collection of rooms designed with strong Moorish tones. It offers brides a spectacularly lavish ensuite and separate dressing room. Situated directly above the Moroccan Courtyard, the patio doors lead onto your private marble balcony overlooking the serene courtyard fountain.

Wedding Brochure

To find out more information please click here to view the full wedding brochure.

For more information, please use the enquiry form and contact details below or follow them on Instagram @portlympneweddings.

Address
Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve
Lympne
near Ashford
Kent
CT21 4PD

Reviews

  • Steph and Rory

    When deciding on a venue for our wedding, we looked around several to try and find something special that would really stand out from typical weddings. Port Lympne was somewhere we both instantly fell in love with - it's a stunning venue, beautiful hotel with incredible decor and the option to host our wedding here and utilise the reserve itself was such a unique venue that we knew this is where we would be getting married. Throughout the entire process of organising and configuring our wedding, the staff were nothing short of astounding. Every question we had, no matter how trivial, was always answered in great detail and we were able to optimise and personalise every aspect of our day with their expert advice on what would/wouldn't work or how to make our day smoother. Food was tailored to our requirements, photo opportunities, set-up, timing - absolutely all of our needs were not only met but vastly exceeded anything we could have anticipated. On the day itself, we had so much help from the team that the day itself went extremely smoothly and everything according to plan. All of the staff, management, reception, waiters and event staff were all so nice to us and our guests and were so tremendously helpful on the day that I had essentially no worries on the day apart from enjoying things! Everyone went the extra mile to accommodate us, keep us informed and checking that everything was all ok and it was the small things that really made our day special. I think the best way to summarise our experience is that we can't wait to go back for our anniversary! To any couples reading this, you really couldn't pick a better place to host your wedding and you can rest assured that the Port Lympne team will be there to look after you.

  • Vicky and Greg

    We cannot recommend this venue and the people enough for a wedding. We were in great hands from the start. On the morning of the wedding we were in excellent hands with our event supervisor, he was on hand throughout the day and evening and no task was too big. He ensured that all details were attended to, everything went smoothly and to plan. The venue itself was absolutely beautiful, and we are so happy with our choice, we cannot wait for the photographs.

  • Alessandra and Andrew

    I honestly don't have the words to describe how perfect and amazing our wedding was; from the day we put our deposit down a couple of years ago, till the last moment on the midnight on the 23rd, you and the staff there have over delivered on every single aspect. It was absolutely amazing and perfect in every way, I did not want it to end; all our guests, every single one, came up to us and said how stunning the venue was, how amazing the food was and how awesome the safari was.

  • Daniel and Rebecca

    Thank you soo much for an incredible day, as you can imagine we loved it - but so did all our guests. We've had loads comment "what an incredible venue". Many guests asked how we found out about Port Lympne. A few people have said they are already planning on returning!

  • Anna and Andrew

    Thank you so much for creating such an amazing wedding day for all your hard work before the day and for the amazing service on the day itself.

  • Sean and Aimee

    Every time we came to Port Lympne you made us feel like royalty, nothing was too much and we felt very supported and looked after from start to finish!

  • Danielle and Jonathon

    Firstly we wanted to thank you so much for everything you did! All the changes and support from you made it so much easier. The wedding day was fantastic and everyone had an amazing time.

  • Steve and Kate

    I just wanted to email to say thank you to everyone at Port Lympne as we had the most amazing day on Sunday and I know that our guests across the day, safari and evening felt the same.

  • Jen and Phil

    We just wanted to thank you again for all your hard working leading up to the wedding and also for being there especially for us on the day. We really appreciated all your help and support and our family and friends had such an amazing time and couldn't compliment the venue and staff highly enough. So thank you for making our dream wedding finally come true!

  • Stephanie and Andrew

    A massive thank you to you and your teams for making Steph and Andy's day wonderful on Friday. It was a brilliant day all round, and I'm glad the weather held out for us! The team effort was much appreciated.

    It was a pleasure working with you all, and especially this wonderful and super lovely couple, who really made us all feel so welcome.

  • Jess and David

    I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for helping us organise our wedding, you were absolutely amazing. The whole day was so lovely and went so smoothly! Please also thank the kitchen and bar staff who were also amazing. We really appreciate all your help and hard work.

  • Eppie and Jamie

    A massive thank you to you and everyone at Port Lympne for helping to create such a magical day for Jamie and myself. We truly couldn't have asked for a more beautiful venue to have held our wedding reception at!

  • Sophie and Andy

    The whole wedding from start to finish was as perfect as we could have hoped – and more.

  • Daniela and Clive

    It was spectacular to be able to share with our guests the experience of a safari ride as part of our reception. Guests were blown away by this experience, along with the beautiful décor of the hotel, the grand detail of the rooms and the panoramic terrace setting. The food was exceptional, the buffet and the three-course evening meal. I can't thank the wedding team enough for their hospitality and kindness. The kindness and warmth we received throughout our wedding journey will never be forgotten. We will be returning to Port Lympne for many years.

  • Stella and Luke

    The wedding was absolutely amazing. Everything was fantastic. We were so floored by the food at the wedding breakfast. All the staff was incredible and we definitely feel that it was very memorable and special.

  • Karen and Robert

    We had an absolutely wonderful time. It's the best wedding I've been to and it was my own! You were all brilliant and organised things beautifully. Please can you thank the chef and his team the food was so good . Honestly it was a brilliant wedding and I keep reliving it as a wonderful memory . Thank you again for all your wonderful support. A lovely day, wish it could have been two days to enjoy it even more.

  • Afraa and Jag

    We both couldn't be happier with how the day went. Even with the restrictions, we were both really happy and we both thought it exceeded our expectations. We had a lot of great feedback from all the guests, particularly the safari which made the day really unique.

  • Sammy and David

    I can't thank you enough. We are so pleased with how the day went. It was what we wanted, intimate, chilled and relaxed. Everyone was so helpful and nothing was too much to ask. Sally, our ranger, was brilliant. The cottage is beautiful and certainly somewhere we would look at staying again. The food was great and it was nice to be on the other side rather than being the one cooking! Our photos are fabulous and I would happily recommend David to anyone. He popped round with our photos in a beautiful box that had been hand painted orange with black silhouettes of giraffes. It is absolutely beautiful. Port Lympne is a stunning place and I am so glad we were able to have our wedding with you.

  • Amy and Katie

    Firstly thank you so much for such a special day from both of us and everyone
    else loved it too. The toastmasters were absolutely brilliant and was so accommodating with Katie. We really do appreciate all you did and both us and the guests loved their
    accommodation! I'd love everyone to be as happy as we were on our wedding day.

  • Jen and Phil

    Kayleigh, we just wanted to thank you again for all your hard working leading up to the wedding and also for being there especially for us on the day. We really appreciated all your help and support and our family and friends had such an amazing time and couldn't
    compliment the venue and staff highly enough. So thank you for making our dream
    wedding finally come true.

  • Adrian and Tracey

    I just wanted to say a massive thank you to you and all your staff and the toastmasters
    from Tracey and me. The weekend was wonderful from start to finish and we couldn't fault any aspect of it (you even sorted the weather for us).
    Thanks again for making our special day perfect.

  • Mark and Laura

    I would like to personally thank you very much on behalf of my wife and I for such an outstanding job coordinating and organising our fantastic wedding. It was truly a fairytale wedding which everyone enjoyed. The day was truly perfect and your hard work made our day that extra special complementing such an amazing venue. Thank you for all your up front planning and organising and support to us and our guests on the day. Please pass our thanks to your teams and thank you for making our special day perfect.

  • Simon and David

    From the moment we met Sarah we were very impressed with her. Her attention to detail was impeccable and this really showed on the day. She was solutions focused and gave us lots of ideas and inspiration that helped us to develop our vision and come up with a truly unique and unforgettable day. We are both very meticulous and know what we like and want. We were blown away with the smooth running of the day. The feedback from our family and friends has been incredible. They have all commented on how professional all of the staff were and how well run the day was. We had a number of guests who had special requirements and Sarah personally made sure each one of them was well looked after and cared for. She really went the extra mile! In short we found Sarah, helpful, insightful, patient, funny, calm, caring and we would have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Sarah to anyone. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

  • Mr and Mrs Powell

    I just wanted to thank you for helping us plan the most special day of our lives. We don't know what we would have done without you! Thank you so much for remembering all of the small things that made up our big day! There were so many things we had not thought of so we really appreciate everything you did for us. You could not have made it a better process. You kept us calm and really helped us with budgeting. You went above and beyond your job description. You really cared about us! We will always remember you!

Port Lympne Wild Animal Park and Mansion

Request Brochure

Lympne, Kent

Port Lympne Wild Animal Park and Mansion

Lympne, Kent

Overview

  • Stunning Grade II-listed mansion
  • Wildlife safari and conservation park
  • On the edge of the stunning Kent Downs AONB
  • Luxury hotel wedding venue
  • Licensed to host civil wedding ceremonies
  • Home to over 900 endangered animals
  • Selection of licensed venues to choose from
  • Delicious food created by Executive Chef, Lee Edney
  • 14 unique options for your accommodation

Port Lympne Wild Animal Park and Mansion

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve is the largest wildlife park in Kent. The 600-acre rural estate, which is home to exotic animals and offers the only safari experiences in the region, is also a popular wedding site and provides couples with a spectacular setting brimming with romance, adventure, elegance, and splendour. Couples can exchange vows and spend their special day at a variety of places around the reserve, ranging from the four-star opulence of the Port Lympne Hotel to the newly decorated pergola and orangery. The reserve is located in one of the most attractive and distinctive sections of the County.

Couples and their guests can take a private safari following their ceremony to observe free-roaming wild animals or get up close and personal with their favourite species, all while being surrounded by some of the world's most endangered creatures.

A friendly team will be on hand to assist couples from the very beginning of their wedding planning process through to the big day itself. Weddings are tailored to suit budgets and bespoke requirements. It's clear why couples seeking a distinctive location choose Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve with the abundance of customised touches available.

About

Steeped in history, Port Lympne was formerly the opulent country estate of Sir Philip Sassoon, a pivotal figure in the art world, high society and politics of his day. The venue was bought by John Aspinall in 1973, and with the support of English Heritage, converted the Grade II*-listed mansion into a boutique hotel which opened in 2014. Port Lympne is a stunning venue that is surrounded by beautiful parkland and acres of natural countryside.

Port Lympne works in conjunction with The Aspinall Foundation, an internationally renowned conservation charity, dedicated to the rewilding and rehabilitation of rare and endangered species. Continuing in his father's footsteps, Damian Aspinall now heads the foundation which is dedicated to creating natural habitats for endangered species as well as creating awareness among the public. As a wedding venue, this is unlike any other. The incredible vision that drives to protect wildlife makes it a magical place to host your wedding, perfect for any animal loving bride and groom.

Facilities

There are a range of licensed spaces to choose from for your wedding ceremony, including outdoor terraces, beautiful rooms indoors, and their stunning new venues, including a beautiful garden pergola and glass orangery. Of course, you can also use these facilities for your wedding breakfast and evening reception.

The Mansion

Built in 1913 by architects Sir Herbert Baker and Philip Tilden the mansion is surrounded by 14-acres of landscaped terrace gardens, perfect for more intimate weddings. For up to 50 guests, you can use the mansion drawing rooms and terraces.

Moroccan Courtyard

Bring elegance and exuberance to your wedding in a Moroccan setting in Kent. The Moroccan courtyard has been expertly restored with marble floor and pillars, a stunning octagonal fountain, and antiques from Marrakech. Exclusive use of the Moroccan Courtyard and adjoining Courtyard Suite provides the perfect setting for rehearsal dinners, cocktail evenings, wedding party receptions and ceremonies for up to 24 guests.

Spencer Roberts Room

The Spencer Roberts Room is an atmospheric space with murals on the walls of animals from around the world. It is a great option for couples looking for an intimate and ornate setting.

Civil ceremony capacity - 40 guests

Pergola

Set among 14-acres of perfectly manicured gardens, is the newly-appointed garden pergola. This quiet and romantic setting hosts up to 110 guests for a seated ceremony.

The Orangery

The stunning new glass orangery and terrace are a creative salute to the theatrical entertainment style of the Gatsby era. Truly private and available for exclusive use only. Capacity for 120 seated guests with a dance floor, cloakroom and luxury washrooms. Includes a fully incorporated kitchen for all dining requirements and option to add an additional marque or food station on the adjoining lawn.

There are plenty of other areas that can be used for your wedding ceremony and reception; more information can be found on the website.

Packages

The Intimate wedding
  • Ceremony will be held in one of the licenced venues including the Moroccan Courtyard or Iceberg Terrace.
  • Reception in the Long room or Spencer Roberts room in the Mansion
  • Eight hotel bedrooms in our historic Mansion
  • Pre-wedding menu tasting with discussion with the executive chef for two
The Exclusive Wedding
  • Exclusivity of the orangery which includes your own private bar until midnight
  • Pre-wedding menu tasting with discussion with the executive chef for two

The packages can be made bespoke to the couple, example packages will include:

  • A wedding coordinator to assist in the planning and organisation
  • A dedicated toastmaster to help coordinate your guests throughout the day
  • Exclusive use of the area for your wedding ceremony
  • Exclusive use of the area for your wedding breakfast and evening reception
  • Full use of the beautiful landscaped gardens for your photographs
  • Three-course dining experience accompanies by local wines and unlimited mineral water
  • Reception, including canapes, Gusbourne English sparking wine
  • Evening buffet
  • Tables, chairs, white linen, glassware, cutlery and crockery
  • Silver cake stand and knife
  • Complimentary parking
  • Wooden easel to display your seating plan
  • Microphone for the speeches
  • Docking station for wedding breakfast music

Other services include a tour of the venue, gardens and accommodation, providing information about the local area, including recommended suppliers, coordinating any deliveries on the day, and setting up a back-up plan in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

Proposal Package – NEW TO 2023!

Thinking about proposing to that special someone? Port Lympne have you covered!

Their proposal package includes exclusive hire of their Moroccan Courtyard or stunning garden pergola, a bottle of award-winning Gusbourne sparkling wine and a private ranger-led safari for 2.

And if you choose their venue for your wedding, they will give you a £500 discount!

Be sure to contact the team or pop them an enquiry form for more information.

Catering

The catering team at Port Lympne Hotel pride themselves not only on the quality of their cuisine but also their ingredients. They select the best seasonal, local produce for all of their meals and work closely with a range of suppliers in Kent. Bridal couples will have the choice between a traditional wedding breakfast, a buffet, a hog roast or a barbecue to keep all of their guests fed after the ceremony. Later in the evening, we can cater to those peckish night owls with an evening buffet, offering everything from mini burgers through to gourmet cheese boards and sweet treats.

Accommodation

For a wedding night to remember, Port Lympne Hotel has a stunning variety of rooms available.

The hotel itself has gorgeous rooms with luxury facilities but for something a little different there are an array of lodges available as well as a beautiful treehouse hotel. The happy couple can sleep in the luxury lodge close to the lions and tigers, keep each other warm in the shepherd's hut, or go glamping under the stars.

Luxury Lodges

Perfect for fans of animals, these individual lodges overlook the habitats of some incredible animals. Wake up in the morning to see an inquisitive tiger at your window, or to watch lions playing outside.

Cosy Cabins

Leopard Creek is the perfect sanctuary, offering cosy two person cubs, stylish four person cabins or luxurious four person wigwams. Your guests can watch the morning mist rise across the sweeping vista towards the Kent coast, with exclusive views of the Amur Leopards.

Cottages

The charmingly restored cottages allow you to wake up to a rhino at the bottom of your private garden or watch these majestic creates into the evening as you unwind by the open fire pit.

Treehouses

Set among the trees, the Treehouse apartments provide award-winning accommodation tucked into the canopy of Port Lympne, with far reaching views over the rhinos. Each suite sleeps four guests and has a glass front to make the most of the incredible view, along with a private balcony and open plan kitchen and living area.

Port Lympne Hotel

The venue's boutique hotel has fantastic views from each of its bedrooms. Each room benefits from a smart TV, an ensuite bathroom, and use of a buggy to get around the 600 acre reserve.

The Courtyard Suite

The spacious octagonal Courtyard Suite is a romantic collection of rooms designed with strong Moorish tones. It offers brides a spectacularly lavish ensuite and separate dressing room. Situated directly above the Moroccan Courtyard, the patio doors lead onto your private marble balcony overlooking the serene courtyard fountain.

Wedding Brochure

To find out more information please click here to view the full wedding brochure.

For more information, please use the enquiry form and contact details below or follow them on Instagram @portlympneweddings.

Address
Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve
Lympne
near Ashford
Kent
CT21 4PD

Reviews

Request Brochure
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