Looking to have that safari experience without travelling across the world? Enter Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve with our Features Editor Callum Topazio, a conservation park nestled in 600 acres of Kentish Savannah that’s ready to add a wild twist to your wedding plans.
Steeped in history, the private parkland is home to over 900 wild endangered animals and spans many different zones, from the characterful Mansion House to the charming Treehouse accommodation. Couples can make the most of the versatility on offer at Port Lympne by selecting from the array of venues and itineraries to personalise one of three wedding packages. Larger weddings can be tucked away in the allure of the expansive walled gardens, whether you opt for the fairytale enchantment of The Pergola with flower-clad walls housing 100 seated guests or experience The Orangery with light-soaked glass walls inviting 120 guests to dine and dance the night away under gold leaf custom chandeliers. These outdoor venues celebrate the natural beauty of the reserve with the garden team thoughtfully preening every backdrop from the Hydrangea Walk to the Checkerboard Garden to perfection.
If your plans involve a more intimate guest list, let the stunning Mansion House welcome you into an eclectic space, with hand-painted animal murals adorning every surface of The Spencer Roberts and The Martin Jordan Room or making the most of the sea views in The Long Room with its spacious terrace. For a destination wedding vibe, book the pink Moroccan Courtyard, a unique area that champions founder Sir Philip Sassoon’s exotic taste with original marble flooring, an octagonal fountain and antiques handpicked from Marrakech, transporting your wedding day to the allure of North Africa. Extra touches like local food and Gusbourne sparkling wines seal the deal and with Kent being dubbed ‘The Garden of England’ you can expect great culinary treats with Afternoon Tea in the Mansion House, dinner in the contemporary Garden Room and cocktails in the Courtyard. No demand is too much to personalise your big day, whether you want food trucks on the lawns or a harpist serenading your guests, the team will be only too happy to make your wishes come true.
A unique highlight of a Port Lympne wedding is for guests to go on a guided safari while the team switch your chosen venue from day to night. They will be whisked via a safari jeep from South America to Africa and Asia, encountering free-roaming giraffes, Kent’s only spectacled bears and the largest herd of black rhinos in the UK, gaining valuable knowledge as they greet over 900 animals. You can also go on intimate safari experiences with your wedding party to feed the animals and get up close with your favourite species, a memory you will never forget.
Port Lympne excel when it comes to versatility, and their accommodation is no exception. From boutique hotel rooms to a romantic night under the stars in a panoramic bubble pod, the hotel covers every viewpoint. I was lucky enough to enjoy the Sidonie Treehouse for my stay, a treetop space with stunning canopy views from the private balcony of the rhino paddocks and fully equipped with a kitchen, lounge, bedrooms and bathroom, ideal for a family break or minimoon. Plus, guests get their own personal golf buggy, a fun touch that means you can travel around the park at your leisure.
Every short break, wedding and any profit goes back into the conservation work of their charity partner, The Aspinall Foundation, so Port Lympne is a great choice for animal-loving couples looking to give back on their big day. To put into perspective how influential the reserve is to the natural world, I think this statistic shared with me by keeper Matt sums it all up: one in ten white rhinos in the wild have DNA that originated from Port Lympne. Therefore, hosting your celebrations here will truly make a difference to the animal kingdom and you can do it all in the most beautiful of surroundings.
For more info visit: www.aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne/weddings/
@portlympneweddings @portlympnepark @theaspinallfoundation
