Breathtaking wedding venue, elegant afternoon tea heaven, championship golf course – this Georgian beauty of a country house has it all. Wrapped up in the most serene of settings, there’s a lot to love about Norwood Park. And this year, there’s a whole lot more.

After years operating as a private access estate, the cherished Georgian country house near Southwell is flinging open its doors to the wider world (yes, that’s you). That means a tempting calendar of luxe seasonal events like garden tours, outdoor theatre, wine tasting evenings, car shows, and even a Birds of Prey Afternoon Tea. If golf’s your thing, there’s a championship course to hone your skills on, and plenty of country walks through the glorious grounds that take in the Bramley Apple Orchards, tranquil lake, and rolling hills.

What’s more, you can now spend the night in the brand new glamping pods, or book into one of five luxurious holiday cottages on the edges of the estate (three of which have hot tubs).

Norwood Park Estate is an elegant set-up for weddings, private parties, and large events (we’d know; we hosted our Muddy 2023 Awards bash there, and it was a dream). The handsome red brick mansion is the kind of cool country house you’d happily live in. Stunning and secluded, but laid-back and relaxed. A 30-minute whizz away from Nottingham, there’s a long history of weddings here. The first marriage ceremonies were held in Saxon times beneath centuries-old oak trees that pepper the estate. Since then, weddings have moved into the house and onto the formal lawn.

Book a wedding here the house is exclusively yours. Ceremonies take place in the opulent Drawing Room, the light-filled Long Gallery (think lofty ceilings, vast mirrors and gilded chandeliers) and several other smaller elegant rooms. The flow through the house, with guests able to wander from one room to another and then spill out into the gardens, is one of the things that makes Norwood so good for entertaining – whether it’s a wedding or a private party.

Rather say ‘I do’ outdoors? Couples can marry in the bandstand, or anywhere within a mile radius of the house. With a lovely lake, outdoor gazebo, walled courtyard and ancient oaks, there are photo opps aplenty. There’s even a temple. After dark you can move into the main house, where there’s more of a sultry, private members’ club vibe. Think polished wood bar, original wallpapers, restored Georgian fireplaces, 200-year-old rugs and reams of original Vanity Fair albums dating back to 1869.

Whether you’re visiting for a ticketed event, a wedding, or a longer stay, steel yourself, this place is hard to leave.

PHOTO CREDITS: After dark bar by Chris Waud; Bonfire Night by Martin Cheung; The house with wildflower meadow by Laura Jane Photography; Highland cows by Marie Anson; Bedroom by Faye Wilde; The Bandstand by Laura Jayne Photographer; Bridal party, aerial shot, staircase, afternoon tea, all by Esther Louise Triffitt.