One of the most complemented aspects of Micklefield Hall is the variety of stunning areas that clients can use, making it the perfect events venue in Hertfordshire The attention to detail that has gone into the design of this venue is staggering.
From the position of each flower, to the gravel on the driveway, all carefully planned and executed with exacting standards, Micklefield Hall is a venue that has to be seen to be fully appreciated. In this blog, we hear from Jennifer Hewson who joined the Micklefield team in January 2020.
Having lived in Chorleywood most of my life, I knew of the Micklefield Estate but never had the opportunity to visit. To be able to join the team and work in this beautiful venue is such a treat. One of the first exercises I did for Micklefield was to research the competition. Three things immediately stood out.
1. How much variety there was at Micklefield
None of the spaces were lesser than the other. No matter where the weather dictated you held your ceremony, each space was as beautiful as each other.
2. Total exclusivity
Many venues talked about their spaces being exclusive, but when you dug a bit deeper, there was another room in the venue where a meeting could be going on or a smaller wedding, or there would be hotel guests milling around or golfers walking past the windows of your reception. Micklefield has none of that and two bookings, whether they be wedding, corporate, a photo shoot or filming, are never booked at the same time so you know you are never sharing the venue with anyone else.
3. The temple
Nothing came close and we visited over 16 venues. I will talk about my love for the temple are later in the blog, but nothing I saw at other venues even came close to the magical feeling of this space.
As I work at Micklefield, I learn more everyday about the history of the estate and how the venue works. I thought it would be a great opportunity to share with you the parts that I found interesting, useful and of course, which parts are my favourite!
Every area, facility and aspect of Micklefield Hall is maintained and restored to such a high standard, giving every ceremony a luxurious, high end and elegant feel. Coupled with the 350 acre estate’s history and exceptional service, I think Micklefield Hall offers the complete wedding package.
There are a variety of reception spaces at Micklefield Hall to ensure a beautiful reception, whatever the weather. The Great Barn is a beautiful indoor space that can comfortably accommodate up to 200 guests, with smart technology to illuminate centrepieces and allow guests to hear the important speeches, this building is the perfect balance between country barn and modern venue. The experienced event managers, that I have the pleasure of working alongside, ensure that there is a quick turnaround between ceremony and reception. The Great Barn is listed, with its original beams, dating back to 1490. It is a truly breath-taking space. The award-winning restoration, completed in 2014, saw the addition of heated wooden floors, smart lighting systems, dance floor, grooms dressing room and many other features that make this indoor space perfect for any wedding.
With a fully serviced bar, luxurious toiletries in the bathrooms and air conditioning, you can relax knowing your guests will enjoy this space. Drinks receptions can happen on the rolling lawns in front of the Georgian manor house with its Wisteria covered façade, on the newly restored terrace outside the potting shed or in the heated and carpeted marquee with chandeliers and cream drapes.
The exterior of the barn is as sleek and as well restored as the interior, with dark stained wooden cladding, grand glazed entrances, manicured cherry trees and a newly restored patio area, perfect for any drink’s reception. Sitting adjacent to the Georgian manor house, the Great Barn is an impressive structure approached by sandy coloured driveways and topiary Buxus plants.
Micklefield Hall provides several Instagram-able and manicured outdoor spaces. From cloistered walkways to natures very own aisle, lined with herbaceous borders and leading up to the romantic temple which is nestled under the giant oak tree overlooking a pond. Rolling lawns, bluebell filled woodland, rose gardens, fountains and the garden room with open fireplace offer clients a wide variety of outdoor spaces.
When the British weather is good, the romantic temple found at the end of the herbaceous borders and rose gardens, provides a dreamy place for any couple to tie the knot. A romantic birthday gift from the previous owner of Micklefield Estate to his wife, the temple area is a truly special place, made even more picturesque with the ancient 450 year old oak tree that provides shade on a hot day, together with the circular pond and grand stone staircase. Guests are seated around the banks of the pond and speakers ensure guests hear every vow. This ceremony space can accommodate up to 200 guests.
For not so pleasurable weather, the Great Barn is no less stunning. The in-house event managers line the barn with rows of chairs in front of the striking wall of flowers, creating a stunning back drop as the bride walks down the aisle.
The garden room, located next to the French fountain area, is also a popular and licenced space to get married in at Micklefield, for weddings with up to 80 guests. With a huge open fireplace and the oak beams and pillars, guests will have full view of the ceremony whilst seated underneath the cherry trees, laden with blossom. Another picturesque space that brides and grooms can choose from at Micklefield Hall.
Sarah Legge Photography 
Sarah Legge Photography 
Gary Barber Photography 
Each bride and groom are offered a free tasting evening with the exclusive catering partners, Kalm Kitchen, usually hosted in the Great Barn, allowing the couple to experience a sneak peek into what their wedding day may look like. Each wedding at Micklefield is totally exclusive, something only a hand full of venues offer. We guarantee that there will be no other event on within the Micklefield Estate, allowing the wedding party to enjoy their celebrations uninterrupted and able to imagine that Micklefield was their own for the day!
I think my favourite space at Micklefield is the temple area. There is just something about it that gives me goose bumps every time I walk down there. It is always so peaceful, sheltered from the wind and with the motionless, dark, and shiny pond surface that reflects the great big branches of the oak tree above. Any photos I see of ceremonies held at the temple always look so effortlessly impressive, and I think my absolute favourite photo I have seen so far is the one taken by Sarah Legge, in August 2016, at the wedding of Lucia and Matt. Everything about that photo is dramatic and eye catching, just like the temple area at Micklefield!
Another special area at Micklefield that I love is the garden room. As a big fan of an open fire, this little sheltered area overlooking the French fountain is peaceful, cosy and a great place to have a cup of tea to break up the working day! Something that always makes me chuckle quietly here is a dusty footprint hidden in the wooden boards which line the roof of the garden room. A reminder of the construction of this area and a nod to the talented contractors that designed and delivered the areas at Micklefield.
