Poundon House exclusive house and grounds www.poundonhouse.com [email protected] 01869 713 412 1 Poundon House exclusive house and grounds welcome to poundon Contents the house 3 prices and rates 6 the ground floor 7 the upstairs 10 weddings at poundon 15 food at poundon 22 directions to poundon 23 floor plans 24 contact details 28 Poundon House, Poundon, Nr. Bicester, OX27 9BB 2 the house make yourself at home This charming Edwardian-era country house, set within beautifully landscaped grounds, is available for hire on an exclusive basis. Lovingly restored to its original splendour, this Oxfordshire gem features nine bedrooms, three large reception rooms, a handsome library and an intimate wood-paneled study. Designed in the classical Queen Anne-style, the house is an ideal setting to celebrate your wedding. The house is situated in open countryside with far-reaching views across towards Waddesdon. And while the house may be situated in splendid isolation, it is easily accessible from all directions. Poundon is only a little over an hour away from London and Birmingham by car; just an hour away from Heathrow airport; a mere ten mins from Bicester Village outlet shopping centre; and the culture and heritage of Oxford is only 30 minutes away. www.poundonhouse.com [email protected] 01869 713 412 3 the house a brief history Poundon House was built in 1908 by the Eton- educated gentleman cricketer John Heywood- Lonsdale as the perfect place to raise his growing family and enjoy the country pursuits for which the area is famed. The formal gardens, with a Lime tree avenue, parterre, ornamental pond and walled garden, were designed by the celebrated landscape architect Thomas H Mawson. The house remained as the Heywood-Lonsdale’s family home until the outbreak of World War II, when it was requisitioned by the government to help with the war effort . As well as housing two families of London evacuees, the house was used by Winston Churchill’s crack espionage unit, the Special Operations Executive. It continued to be used by the government during the Cold War through until the late 1970s. Then, after changing hands a couple of times, the Roscoe family moved in and set about breathing new life into the property. They continued the traditions of the Heywood-Lonsdales by filling the house with family and festivities - not to mention the hosting of some memorable parties! Poundon House, Poundon, Nr. Bicester, OX27 9BB 4 the house a brief history Three decades on, the house is still very much a family home, with three generations of Roscoes now living on the property. Poundon House thrives as an original turn-of- the-century English country house. It is a perfect example of the Queen Anne-style architectural revival that was led by Norman Shaw in the late 19th century. The elegant exterior carries many of the signature features of the English Baroque period, while the sympathetically updated interiors reflect the house’s passage through time by conserving the timeless and traditional and blending it with the new. Set within 10 acres of landscaped gardens - and featuring a traditional stable block and yard - the house stands imposing, yet not intimidating, against the changing of the seasons. In autumn, the house bears witness to the fecund harvesting of the surrounding countryside and the mellow fruitfulness of laden hedgerows; in winter, roaring log fires ward off frosts that paint the gardens; in spring, the gardens blossom into life; and, come summer, the swimming pool is available to create the quintessential country weekend. www.poundonhouse.com [email protected] 01869 713 412 5 Prices and rates weddings at poundon We would be honoured if you choose to hold We allow you to arrange all of your own Importantly, no other wedding or event takes your wedding and reception with us. We have catering requirements, either through our place at Poundon House on your big day, it is all been hosting weddings here for 10 years and have own suggested caterers or ones of your exclusively yours. been developing what we offer and the space that own choosing. There is a charge of £300 you use to make your day into a truly special and inc. VAT for our suggested caterers and We have a lot of experience in holding weddings unforgettable occasion. a charge of £800 inc. VAT for outside and events built up over a 10-year period and are caterers, which covers the use of the really excited by any ideas that you have for your Our charges for you to host your wedding at marquee catering facilities. wedding and will try our best to help see them Poundon start from £7000 for 150 guests. It come to life. is then £20 per head for all additional daytime As a venue we do not charge corkage (you guests or £10 per head for evening guests only. are free to bring your own wine), leaving Rates for Weddings at Poundon you to come to an arrangement with your Within this price you have the use of all of the caterers. We will organise a Pay bar for (Available May - end of Sept) marquee facilities and designated areas of the your wedding reception if you wish for Up to 150 Guests - £7000 house and gardens during the daytime. We have one, or you can hire the bar space. The £20 a guest thereafter two marquees, the Terrace Marquee and the cost for this is £150. £10 a guest for evening only Reception Marquee, to allow flexibility on the day for your ceremony, drinks reception, wedding You can have access to the marquee from Extras by arrangement (inc. VAT) breakfast and evening reception. the day before your wedding to start to dress and personalise it Marquee Kitchen Hire - £300 Tables, chairs, dance floor, loos, lining etc. are all External Caterers inc. Kitchen Hire - £800 included in this price. You will just have to consider You can add as many or as few bedrooms PA Hire for Speeches - £45 catering, flowers and photography for the day. We as you require for the night before and the Chair Moving - £100 can help you with suggestions of friendly suppliers night of your wedding. Bedrooms - £150 per room per night or leave you find your own. Pay Bar / Bar Facilites - £150 Additional days / overtime - POA Poundon House, Poundon, Nr. Bicester, OX27 9BB 6 the ground floor the drawing room This is a great example of a traditional country house drawing room, a beautiful space to soak up history and unwind; formal yet relaxed and very comfortable. Whether it’s reading the papers in the morning, gathering for a drink before lunch, calming the wedding eve nerves of a groom or just sitting up late putting the world to rights, the drawing room is the ideal setting for all those important - and not so important - moments in life. “Poundon House is truly beautiful – the perfect setting. There was not one thing that we would have wanted to be any different.” louise and philip Quick Facts Drinks Reception - 20 Standing Private dining at one table - 6 Sofas / Armchairs - 12 seated www.poundonhouse.com [email protected] 01869 713 412 7 the ground floor the yellow room The Yellow Room was designed especially for life’s lighter moments. For over a century, glasses have be raised and merriment made within the room’s bright setting, which is sure to enliven the spirits whatever the time of day. During the summer months it is kept as an open reception room and also fully licensed for civil ceremonies. For larger ceremonies of up to 250 guests, the Yellow Room along with the Terrace Marquee, which is accessed through French doors, creates a wonderful space for ceremonies and blessings with views extended far across the distant countryside. Quick Facts Drinks Reception - 70 Standing Sofas / Armchairs - 10 seated Civil Ceremony - 50 seated Dining - 20 seated at either 1 or 2 tables Poundon House, Poundon, Nr. Bicester, OX27 9BB 8 the ground floor the dining room The Dining Room echoes with the memories of feasts from ages past. If the walls could talk, they would have many a story to tell. As it is, the room is now all yours to create memories of your own over fine food and even finer company. With space for up to 50 guests at round tables, or 26 at a single long table, it is perfect for an intimate meal with friends and family to celebrate a smaller wedding breakfast. Like the Yellow Room, it is also licensed for civil ceremonies. Not only is it the perfect dining room but it is also very versatile, with ample space for a drinks reception after a civil ceremony or when arriving at the house from church. Quick Facts Drinks Reception - 90 Standing Civil Ceremony - 80 seated Dining - 50 at 5 roundtables Private dining at one table - 26 www.poundonhouse.com [email protected] 01869 713 412 9 the upstairs Like all the very best Edwardian country houses, Poundon House is blessed with generously sized rooms. So sit back, kick of your shoes and soak up your sumptuous surroundings as there is all the space required to relax over a weekend, or get ready for your big day with friends and family. We have a total of nine bedrooms, sharing five luxurious bathrooms between them - all helping to bring the family that little bit closer together! Don’t want your big day to begin in a hurry? Then have no fear, as it is possible to stay at the house prior to your wedding, giving you that extra chance to really settle in and prepare the property before your big day.