Low Hall The Lakes is tucked away in the northern reaches of the Lake District, surrounded by woodland, a gently babbling beck and open views across the Lorton Fells. It’s a place that feels hidden and welcoming all at once. relaxed, soulful and full of heart.
Run by owners Francesca and Ben, who are both utterly lovely human beings (and whose own carnival inspired wedding we shared a few years ago!), this 17th-century farmhouse and lovingly restored barn have been transformed into one of the most flexible wedding venues in Cumbria. It’s the kind of space that immediately puts you at ease: a home-from-home where couples can celebrate exactly as they wish, whether that’s a woodland ceremony, a candlelit feast in the Lovable Old Barn, or a weekend spent by the fire with their favourite people.
It’s an immense pleasure to recommend this beautiful and very special wedding venue to you.
Joe Mather Photography
In your words, what makes Low Hall The Lakes a magical place to celebrate love?
Set within a magical world of its own, as soon as you arrive you can feel the warmth, serenity and charm of the very special place that is Low Hall The Lakes. Hidden at the bottom of a long, private country lane, you’ll discover beautiful views out onto the glorious Lake District within peaceful, countryside surroundings.
But it’s not just the stunning views, colourful gardens, charming buildings or the sound of nature around every corner – it’s all of it put together, which creates a feeling that is impossible to describe.
When taking on the project we set out to create a warm, friendly and beautiful place that feels like home, but really really special, so that our couples feel like they are inviting their guests to their own little corner of the lakes for their special day. And that’s exactly what it is, it’s a home for the most beautiful celebrations of love.
Clockwork from top left: Bridgette Ibbotson, Carla W Photography, Joe Mather, Joe Mather, Jo Greenfield
Can you tell us more about the Lovable Old Barn? What are some of the unique features or characteristics that couples adore about this space?
It’s such a warm and beautiful building, that really is filled with so much character, charm and history, which we love to tell our couples and guests about.
When transforming the space we wanted to keep as much character as possible in The Lovable Old Barn, and not strip away its incredible soul. For example, downstairs, the old cow stalls are now lovely seating booths for guests to chill out in.
Joe Mather Photography
Throughout we’ve kept its original beams, exposed brickwork and have repurposed some of the old barn’s features, like the hay rack, which now sits in the Knight’s Ruin Bar filled with dried flowers and the old cow food troughs make excellent sinks in the loos.
By not stripping out the soul of the building, it also means that couples really don’t need to go mad decorating if they don’t want to, the building is so beautiful on its own. That said, it also looks fab when couples do go all out!
Joe Mather & Jo greenfield
The 17th-century farmhouse sounds delightful! What’s the atmosphere like inside, and how do couples typically use the space on their big day?
People often say that certain houses just have ‘a nice feel’ to them when they enter, and my goodness does the farmhouse have that! It’s a beautiful old building, with oodles of charm character. When renovating, we really wanted it to feel warm and cosy and homely, but so so special too.
Our couples and their guests feel immediately relaxed in the space and can just enjoy their time here. With 6 en-suite bedrooms, couples can invite 12 of their closest crew to stay. Checking in the night before their wedding, guests can relax by the fire in the winter or enjoy the colourful garden in the summer.
Our two suites have gorgeous bathtubs in them and all of the rooms enjoy stunning views of the garden and fells or woodland. Each bedroom has its own vibe and all are designed to be super comfortable and luxurious, there really is nowhere quite like it – we call it the Happy House.
One of our favourite parts of a wedding day is hearing the house come alive as everyone gets up, has some brekky and begins to get ready. The hairdryers, giggles, bottles popping, chatter and immense excitement, it’s just so wonderful and is a memory that our couples will never forget.
Jo Greenfield (both top) & Bridgette Ibbotson
You offer exclusive use of the farmhouse with six ensuite bedrooms. What can guests expect when staying at Low Hall? Are there any personal touches you like to add to make their experience extra special?
When wedding day/weekend arrives, we generally know our couples pretty well so we can welcome them and their loved ones in as friends. As we mentioned before, the house is designed to feel warm and inviting, so we hope everyone feels right at home as soon as they arrive.
The bedrooms are all adorned with fresh flowers and a delicious treat and are a lovely place to spend a few nights.
We provide a home cooked breakfast on both days, on the morning of the wedding it’s a relaxed buffet with breakfast rolls and bagels. For the day after the big day, it’s a hangover busting full english or whatever you fancy. In winter, the fire will be roaring, making that extra pot of coffee even more tempting.
Bridgette Ibbotson & Joe Mather
There’s mention of woodland and a magical setting for outdoor ceremonies – can you describe some of the ways couples have used the grounds for their ceremonies and celebrations?
We really are spoilt for choice with our outdoor ceremony areas, and have two which are both completely idyllic for different reasons.
Our woodland is formed almost like an amphitheatre, which was created when the house was actually built, way back in 1645, when the builders used the stone dug out from the woodland to build the farmhouse.
It’s now a very special place to say your ‘I dos’, with our Little Sandy Beck running through it, down there you’ll hear nothing but the Beck’s babble, bird song, rustling leaves and maybe the occasional neighbouring cow or sheep.
Joe Mather Photography
With trees adorned with festoon lights, couples are welcome to add their own style with decorations or keep it pared back and let the trees add the wonder, it has a real ethereal, magical vibe. And if you don’t use it for your ceremony, it is also a lovely place for a first look, pictures, sparklers or even a first dance.
Then we have our beautiful garden, where you can also get hitched, neatly positioned between the farmhouse and the whimsical pond, looking out onto the peaks of the Northern Lakes. The farmhouse’s iconic pink door is actually the start on the aisle, which journeys through the cottage garden down the lavender lined path through the cottage garden and towards your love with the beautiful fells as the backdrop. All ready to witness your vows along with your loved ones.
If the weather’s not playing ball on your big day, the Lovable Old Barn provides the most beautiful and characterful ceremony space inside. As we know, the weather is pretty unpredictable, so we are well practised in switching things around at the last minute if needed.
Lara Luis, Joe Mather (x4), Bridgette Ibbotson
What’s the vibe at Low Hall on a wedding day? Can you paint a picture for us of the atmosphere and the types of moments that stand out?
Wedding days here are so authentic and true to each of our couples making each Low Hall wedding very different – making them all very special indeed. But there is always a lovely relaxed excitement about the day.
The vibe is laid-back but buzzing, warm, welcoming and filled with fun, joy and mountains of love. A few of our favourite moments are seeing those great big just married smiles as we greet the lovebirds with a glass of fizz, hot off the aisle.
Giving the old, front door bell a good ring and announcing the newlyweds out of the farmhouse and into an aisle full of cheers and confetti. We also love a good entrance into the wedding breakfast, we say to couples to pick their fave hype song and tell their guests to go wild.
joe mather photography
Tell us about the options for personalising the venue. Do couples have the freedom to create their own style and atmosphere?
We’ve had so many beautiful ideas fill the barn, which makes each wedding so unique to the couple, and we often hear the utterly lovely words from loved ones; ‘it’s just so them’.
Which is exactly what your wedding day should be. We are a DIY venue, so personal touches are easy to incorporate. That said, we try to include as much of the big stuff as possible – so tables & chairs, fairy and festoon lights, and other bits and bobs to help you decorate. Then it’s over to you or your stylist to bring your personality and sense of style to the space.
The barn is so beautiful on its own though, you really don’t need to do much, but equally, you can go wild and it will undoubtedly look gorgeous.
Bridgette ibbotson photography
Being close to Keswick and some of the Northern Lakes, what local experiences would you recommend to couples and guests looking to extend their stay?
There is so much to see, hike, climb, swim, cycle in the local area. We always recommend a morning dip (possibly pre wedding dip!) in our local lake, Crummock Water. There are also so many beautiful walks on our doorstep, which are perfect for the afternoon after. We’re lucky to be in a fairly secluded part of the lakes, so it’s the perfect place to get outside and turn off for a few days.
We will of course always recommend finishing a walk with a pint and some good food at our favourite local pub, the Kirkstile Inn, which sits in the most phenomenal setting with the most picture-perfect beer garden you will ever step foot in.
It’s a good old fashioned countryside boozer too, so you can sample our fave local ales while toasting your well trodden feet by the fire. We are dog friendly too, so your four-legged friends can get in on all the action too.
Joe Mather Photography
You include tables, chairs, lighting, and glassware for couples. Could you share a bit about the DIY aspects of the venue and how you help couples feel supported through the planning process?
We’re a small team who really get to know our couples and in turn what our couples want from their day, so we can help them create it. So whilst we are a DIY venue, we love to help where we can and be as flexible as possible, so couples really can bring their own vision to life.
We are there throughout the planning process and on hand to help and guide as and when needed with ideas, suppliers and recommendations.
Eight weeks prior to their big day, we also have one big old catch up. Some couples come to this knowing everything and how they want the day to go, where others are looking for guidance. Either way, everyone leaves feeling very excited and prepared and we know the plan so our couple can fully enjoy their big day while we can ensure it all runs to plan.
Joe Mather Photography
How do Francesca and Ben, as owners, contribute to the Low Hall experience? Is there a philosophy or approach that guides you in helping couples create their perfect day?
We set out to create a warm, happy and joyous space where people feel instantly at home but also completely spoiled. We know our venue won’t be for everyone, it’s not flashy, a grand stately home or a super modern hotel, but it has got the biggest heart and the most charming soul, and we really do love it. We love sharing it with others and seeing the joy it brings people.
We genuinely want couples to have the best day ever. And we are so privileged that we get to play a part in that day – one of the most memorable days of people’s lives. What an honour!
Sorry, that’s not really an approach or philosophy, but it’s a feeling and we know all of our team share it too. They really value the importance of the day and really do care about our couples and their guests and just want everyone to have the best time.
Chelsea Canner & Jo Green Field (top), Jo Greenfield (bottom)
We see you also do elopements, please can you tell us a bit about these?
We absolutely love our Little Big Days, we started doing them in Covid, and we loved them so much that we still try to do a handful every year. We have two approaches, one which is very much DIY, you just get exclusive use for two gorgeous nights.
The second is a dreamy elopement package where you just need to bring yourselves, the rings and something fabulous to wear. We look after the rest, from photographer and videographer, to flowers, cake and a delicious candlelit meal for two, in front of the fire – whilst still allowing you to personalise aspects of your day to make it your own.
And if you are looking for something in between a big wedding and an elopement, we also offer a Micro Wedding Package, so there is something for everyone.
Joe Mather Photography
Low Hall The Lakes is described as being in a secluded location. How do couples and guests find the journey to Low Hall, and what do they love about discovering this hidden gem?
The view! There aren’t many jaws that don’t hit the grass when they see the beautiful view, who from the garden. It really is pretty special. As you turn off the road and down our lane though, you know you are somewhere totally different and completely unforgettable.
What’s also brilliant is you get this feeling even though we’re actually only a quick 10 minute drive away from the lovely town of Cockermouth and really close to Keswick, the A66 and local transport links.
sally t photo & joe mather
What would you say are some of the top reasons couples choose Low Hall The Lakes as their wedding venue? Are there any stand-out moments or stories you’d like to share?
Low Hall really has a charming vibe which is difficult to describe but there’s an authenticity and feeling to the place that really is unique.
Recently we had a couple revisit and they got to the front door and said it really felt like coming home, this made us smile more than anything.
Joe Mather Photography
Finally, what advice would you give to couples looking to plan a wedding that truly reflects their personalities at Low Hall?
Think about what is most important to you on the day and prioritise that or those things. Remember you guys set the vibe, so make it your own and do not get swept up in what you think you should do.
Stick with your plan.
lowhallthelakes.com
Joe Mather Photography
