Gileston Manor, The Vale of Glamorgan: Hotel Review

Welcome to Gileston Manor, a brand new wedding venue and mini-moon spot which not only boasts stunning views of the Jurassic Coast but an on-site Parish church and glamorous Cotswold-inspired interior design.

It’s no surprise that Gileston’s first summer as a wedding venue was fully booked. Since opening at the beginning of the season, they’ve hosted 15 weddings.

Of course, the first cohort of couples to say ‘I do here’ had to book their big day before seeing the finished product – which is a pretty scary prospect. Luckily, thanks to the style and vision of owner Lorriane (who we can attest is lovely!), the couples at Gileston were in safe hands. Hitched headed to Wales to spend a weekend at this hidden treasure…

How stunning is the front of Gileston Manor?! 

Location

Gileston Parish Church sits in the ground of Gileston Manor

Located in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan, Gileston Manor is not only easily accessible for your guests but within easy reach of an abundance of attractions.

Close to the M4 and just minutes from Cardiff airport, the Manor is perfectly located for weddings, weekend breaks and longer holidays while still feeling totally tranquil and secluded. It boasts sea views, too, which is a total bonus.

If its close proximity to Cardiff, the coast and plenty of bars and restaurants wasn’t enough, the village of Gileston itself is also picture postcard pretty. It even boasts one of the last remaining red telephone boxes and a number of self-catering cottages and B&Bs that make it ideal for wedding guests to find accommodation.

Style & Vibe

We arrived at Gileston on a Saturday morning and, from the moment we made our way along the gravelled driveway, we knew we’d feel right at home. It was the views that sealed the deal – stunning views make a wedding venue (just think of all those photographs you’ve got to snap), and this place has them in abundance.

Once we’d finished taking (far too many) pics of the beautiful grounds and the sea at the bottom of them, we were shown to one of the two ceremony spots that your wedding day could start in.

The quaint and traditional Gileston Parish Church sits just a couple of meters to the right of the property. It is perfect for a religious wedding ceremony and has pretty pink roses entwined around the main entrance. Photo opportunity number two – check!

Gileston’s gardens come to life in the summer… the perfect backdrop for your wedding photographs!

An on-site religious wedding ceremony is not something many wedding venues offer. Here, you can say your vows in a church without venturing far from your bridal suite. If a religious ceremony isn’t for you, don’t fret. The Summer House was our next stop – a chic and glamorous space that is perfect for a civil ceremony.

It has transparent walls and a transparent ceiling, meaning you get all the beauty of being in the great outdoors without the risk of the (not so) great British weather ruining things. Think streaming sunlight and garden views aplenty! It’s also decked out with lights and speakers (plus a space for live musicians), so you can totally personalise your ceremony.

Once your vows are over, you and your guests can head straight outside into the walled garden to enjoy drinks, canapes and garden games. As we wandered around, we loved the Italian influences and abundance of wedding signs which Lorraine had propped up in the flower beds. There’s one which says “garden games” and lots of white arrows directing guests to the bar, toilets, marquees and main house.

Food & Drink

The chefs at Gileston Manor will see you fed the most delicious meals all weekend long

Your wedding breakfast and reception will be held in the venue’s bespoke marquee which is chic, elegant and functional. It has beautiful twinkling lights and chandeliers – and most importantly, it’s neutrally decorated.

Lorraine tells us there’s space for 120 guests for dinner and a further 80 guests at night, pointing out the bar area and countryside views.

Food wise, there’s a chef on-site, ready and raring to create a wedding breakfast which your guests will remember forever. There are no set menus here, instead, complete and utter freedom to create something which represents your personal tastes and styles. You’ll love to tuck into their delicious afternoon tea or spectacular sharing platters.

Oh, and if you choose to stay for at Gileston for an entire weekend, the same team of chefs will put on a barbecue the night before your wedding, a breakfast spread for the bridal party on the morning of, and a whopping Sunday lunch on your first day as a married couple. Foodie couples – you’ll be in your element.

READ MORE: The Best Wedding Venues for Food-Loving Couples

Best For…

The Cheese House – our home for the weekend!

Once the night draws to a close, you, your new husband or wife and 16 other guests will be able to stay in the Manor’s on-site accommodation. The accommodation is, without a doubt, what Gileston Manor is best for.

All the bedrooms, suites and apartments at Gileston are housed within converted cheese houses and stables, and there are plans to convert more. The old pig sty is set to become a spa, the glass shed an orangery and one of the old stables another bedroom for two.

Although each of the rooms have been refurbished, it was lovely to see that all the original features were still intact.

Downstairs in the Cheese House

We stayed in the Cheese House – a cosy country cottage that would make wonderful wedding guest accommodation.

Downstairs was a day bed, television, sofa and adorable rustic kitchen. Upstairs had two bedrooms and two bathrooms with walk-in showers.

Inside the Cheese House

The bed linen was the softest we’ve ever experienced, and the showers came complete with underfloor heating and a whole array of luxury toiletries to boot.

The abundant on-site accommodation is brilliant as it means Gileston can offer three-day wedding packages. Each apartment is self-catered and available to rent throughout the year, making Gileston the perfect coastal mini-moon spot too.

What to Do

After an afternoon spent relaxing in our home-away-from-home, it was time to explore the area. There is so much to do in the Vale of Glamorgan, whether you’re there on a mini-moon or as part of an extended wedding stay.

Our weekend was full of walks by the sea (the nearby Southerndown beach is one of the most famed in the country for its natural beauty), strolls in the chocolate box village of Gileston and sightseeing in the capital of Cardiff.

READ MORE: 19 Picture-Perfect Seaside Wedding Venues

Gileston’s bridal suite, otherwise known as the Apple Store, is totally stunning

There’s also the nearby market town of Cowbridge which is bustling on a Saturday night with those in search of fine food and drink. The Penny Farthing is rustic restaurant serving steaks, burgers and fresh fish (each paired with delicious wines), while Bar 44 is a lively tapas and cocktail joint.

Across the road you’ll find The Bear Hotel: a cosy, traditional stop-over serving proper pub grub – ideal if you’re sheltering from the rain. Oscars is the town’s bar and grill serving everything from steak to pasta and pan-fried salmon.

Inside the Coach House

What to Instagram

The exterior of the impressive manor house was our favourite photo opp at Gileston Manor. We took several (OK, way more than that) photos – it’s hard to imagine a more perfect wedding day photo backdrop!

READ MORE: 20 of the Best Wedding Venues with Accommodation

The only downside to Gileston Manor was the old and derelict power station which you can see from the front garden, but that’s being knocked down in March 2020…

Overall, this gorgeous 18th century property has been beautifully transformed from tired to tremendous. Granted, there’s still work to be done, but this wedding venue offers total privacy, a home-from-home feel and plenty of glamorous touches. It’s the perfect place to tie the knot or escape on a romantic mini-moon.

We’re excited to see what comes next for Lorraine and her team, especially since they’re all bursting at the seams with ideas.

Essential Information

Gileston Manor have a range of wedding packages starting at £5,000. Click here to book a room or visit their Hitched listing.