The Parkes Estate

DESIGNED FOR MOMENTS.

Credit: Jade Ligus Photography

What if the greatest wedding luxury wasn’t extravagance, but time? Time with loved ones. Time to celebrate. Time to settle in, switch off, and take in the moment.

 Time is something money can’t buy. Except at The Parkes Estate, it can.

Secluded within the rolling Cheshire countryside, this lovingly restored 19th-century farmhouse strikes the perfect balance between understated luxury and rural charm. If you’re looking for lavish glitz and glamour, look elsewhere. The aesthetics of the venue are refreshingly restrained. Its crisp white façade, classic Victorian architecture, and sweeping grounds create an effortlessly elegant first impression. The interior, with a choice of ceremony spaces, is beautifully refined yet free from unnecessary fuss, combining clean, contemporary styling with the character and charm of the original farmhouse.


THE SPECIAL FEELING

Hosting a maximum of two weddings per week, The Parkes’ philosophy focuses firmly on creating a personal experience for every couple who chooses to celebrate here. And the most wonderful thing about this venue? Your wedding doesn’t simply begin when the ceremony starts. With exclusive use of the whole property across two days, the celebration starts from the moment you arrive the day before and continues right through until the day after the wedding itself. A catered pre-wedding dinner in the ballroom? Absolutely. A hearty breakfast the morning after, courtesy of an unfortunate family member who drew the short straw? Practically compulsory.

No, the clocks don’t stop. The venue doesn’t have magical powers, but it does offer TIME. Which might just be the biggest luxury of all.

BRINGING THE PARKES HOME

Now owned by the Parkinson family, the vision and driving force behind The Parkes Estate as a wedding venue has been heavily shaped by its owner, Sophie. Remarkably, the heartfelt story behind this venue begins over a century ago. The Parkes was once the family home of Sophie’s relatives and the birthplace of her great-grandfather before eventually being sold. Then, in 2020, she and her father had the opportunity to buy The Parkes back, a full-circle moment, returning it to the family once more. Opening its doors only last August (2025), the sense of heart and purpose can be felt throughout the property. It is not just a wedding venue - it is the living sentiment of a family legacy.

LET’S TALK NUMBERS

For couples looking to rival a small festival with their guest list, The Parkes won’t be the venue for you. With numbers capped at 60, the venue does not offer large celebrations. While this may not be everyone’s cup of tea, this is kind of the point: better suited to couples looking for a more meaningful, intimate setting, the smaller scale is part of the venue’s appeal.

THE SPACES

THE ORCHARD SUITE

A beautiful new extension to the original farmhouse, this large, airy space allows natural light to flood the room through the bi-fold sash doors, which overlook the adjacent apple orchard. Licensed for ceremonies and boasting an inbuilt sound system, this adaptable room is often used for the wedding breakfast and drinks reception for up to 60 guests.

The Orchard Suite is accessed through the bar area, complete (of course) with a fully stocked bar, space to mingle, and a beautiful, grand, open fireplace.

Brilliantly versatile, with no-fuss décor, this breath-taking space is a blank canvas for couples to truly make their own. The combination of modern and original features makes it the perfect fit for any season. From an indoor/outdoor summer wedding, making use of the fully opening bi-fold doors that lead down to the ceremony lawn, to a cosy winter celebration, using the double-sided fireplace as a decorative centrepiece.

THE BALLROOM

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Marrying a masterful balance of heritage and contemporary styling, this room offers a stunning backdrop for an alternative ceremony space. With crisp, off-white walls, sparkling chandeliers overhead, and original features including a grand marble fireplace and sash windows, this light-filled room can accommodate up to 50 people for an intimate celebration.

More often than not, this particular part of the venue is where the festivities get underway, as it is transformed into a vibrant party room for evening celebrations. Complete with fantastic acoustics, allocated space for the band or DJ, and white tiled flooring to showcase the first dance, the Ballroom has all the right ingredients to get your party started.  

THE SNUG

A hidden gem. This cosy, separate snug area is an ideal place for the bride and groom to catch their breath, or for guests to relax and enjoy conversation away from the party. Boasting yet another grand fireplace, comfortable seating, and a peaceful feel, this room is a perfect location for the guest book and is also licensed for the most intimate of celebrations.

OUTDOOR CEREMONIES

The Parkes offers two spaces for outdoor ceremonies. The Courtyard, framed by the farmhouse to the front and sweeping views of the countryside behind, offers a striking setting for a civil ceremony. This pure, versatile space offers endless opportunities to dress to your taste and create wonderful photo opportunities.

The Ceremony Lawn offers a second, magnificent option for an outdoor service. Surrounded by trees and approached by steps leading down from the gardens, the large, beautifully presented ceremony lawn offers a picturesque, secluded area for ceremonies.

THE ACCOMMODATION

The innovative design of this venue shines through once again when it comes to the sleeping arrangements. Six individually decorated en-suite bedrooms are situated across two separate wings of the house, with three bedrooms in each, thus ensuring that the bride and groom can remain separate on the morning of their wedding.

The Bridal Suite, accessed by the main staircase (another beautiful photo opportunity for the ever-emotional dress reveal), leaves no stone unturned in terms of attention to detail. A spacious dressing room has been thoughtfully designed with a creative morning in mind, with workstations, plenty of plugs for hair and make-up, and comfortable seating. Even down to the hooks on the beams for hanging dresses and the veil, these are clever touches that make getting ready feel like part of the occasion. An archway leads through to a timelessly sophisticated, sunlit bedroom, complete with two sets of Juliet balcony doors overlooking the courtyard and surrounding countryside, complimentary, bespoke Lefevre chocolates and, of course, the obligatory free-standing bath, just to add a luxurious cherry on top.

The ground floor of The Parkes is fully wheelchair-friendly, with disabled toilets accessible from the Orchard Suite. Little guests are just as welcome as the grown-ups, with no restrictions on children and practical additions including baby-changing facilities, cots, and Z-beds for smaller overnight guests. And dogs are warmly welcomed to join for the wedding day.

Credit: Lynda Michelle Photography

THE PRACTICAL MAGIC

From the moment a booking is made, couples are welcome to return to the venue to familiarise themselves and bring their vision to life. A dedicated wedding manager will be allocated during the lead-up to the big day, and a final details meeting ensures that nothing has been overlooked. The wedding manager will liaise with suppliers to make final checks and confirmations and will be present on the day to ensure everything runs exactly as it should.

A combination of experience, flexibility, and genuine care means couples can feel safe in the knowledge that everything is covered, leaving them to simply enjoy the moment.

IN GOOD COMPANY

When it comes to the food and drink, The Parkes has trusted and preferred suppliers to manage the hospitality.

Barret’s Caterers - A dedicated team of talented chefs and event managers offering a delicious, varied menu of choices to suit every style and budget, as well as a complimentary taster session.

Hudson Rose Bar Services - Offering years of experience, Hudson Rose ensures a seamless drinks service, from welcome drinks to table wines, and, of course, the perfect toast.  

Both preferred suppliers come highly recommended, with flexibility to service most requests the couples would like to explore.

TIME WELL SPENT

Working on a venue hire basis, the price of hiring the Parkes is set throughout the year, with no inflated prices for peak times. Prices are set depending on the day of the wedding and include exclusive hire of the entire venue from 4pm the day before the wedding until 11am the following day.

Mid-week: £5,000

Friday & Sunday: £6,000

Saturday: £7,000

Late check-out or additional nights can be added upon request for an extra cost.

 
 

MEET THE PARKES

Image credit: Livi Edwards Photography

Supplier credits:  Wild Ways Floral Design, The Social Wedit, Eclipse Table and Chair Hire, Grown Made, Mae Dae, Stix and Stems, Lefevre Chocolate


 

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