North Yorkshire Wedding Photographer

Vanguard Rucsack Review

2012-02-01T09:42:00.000-08:00

http://dougjacksonphotography.blogspot.com/2012/02/vanguard-skyborne-51-rucksack-backpack.html

Blog Updates on the way......

How to Choose a Wedding Photographer

2011-08-31T04:17:00.000-07:00

How do I Choose a Wedding Photographer ?

As I've worked as a professional photographer since the late 90's, I have had plenty of experience working for businesses, companies and private clients. In that time, I have had the pleasure of working with great professionals, but I have also observed fundamental changes in the industry.

With the advent of cheaper digital cameras, a lot of people think they can become professional photographers overnight.

I have approached this article with a view of not only trying to avoids the crooks, but with the aim of showing you how to get the best out of your photographer once you have decided who to use. Although you should be friendly with your wedding suppliers, it is also a business and, as a client, it's important you get what you need on such an important day. As it can be difficult deciding on suppliers I have put together this article to give you a few things to mull over when choosing a wedding photographer.

What is the style of your wedding?

All wedding photographers shoot in different styles and many have the flexibility to adapt that style to the client's needs. If your wedding has a vintage feel you may want you photos to reflect this aesthetic, so choosing a photographer who has a suitable style may be a good place to start for you. As a note of caution I would say that if you wedding photos look very 'now' it inevitably means that in five years time they will look very 'then'.

As fashions change so much, if you want your wedding photographs to be a little more timeless then the style of your wedding photography should perhaps be simpler with less use of effects and Photoshop processing. This may not be a consideration for everyone but hopefully as a married couple you'll be looking at those photographs for many years and hopefully won't be thinking, 'Jeez I wish we didn't go for the whole gangsta rap thing now!'.
To get an idea of the wedding photography style you prefer you should look at plenty of websites and bridal magazines. Wedding photography has changed over the years and generally speaking stiff formal group shots are out and a more casual reportage style is in, so while it’s nice to please everyone, the style of photography needs to reflect your tastes and requirements.
People often talk about 'reportage' style wedding photography as a new thing. Compared to the 1940's it is, but actually people have been doing this for decades. It basically means not setting up every shot and just capturing the action as it happens. As a photographer who has plenty of press experience I can honestly say that reportage photography may sound easy but it is a skill. It's not only timing but concentration and a creative nimbleness that only comes with experience.

Before you choose a photographer to shoot your wedding you should ensure that you see all the images they provide to their clients from a single wedding. All wedding photographers put the best images on their websites so ask to see a whole wedding and one that they have shot recently too. That way you get a feel for the overall quality as well as the specific content.

How much should I spend?

When choosing a wedding photographer you will be typically spending about 10-15% of your wedding budget. This is after all a serious investment. I know this question can sound a little cold but apart from the rings and maybe a few presents, the wedding photographs are the one thing that really remain after the day itself to keep those memories fresh. People often say when it comes to wedding photography that you should spend as much as you can. Now I know as a seasoned pro that actually price doesn't always reflect the quality of the photography. Some photographers will charge £400 for an album that I know full well will cost them half that. Some photographers will give you a copyright free disc of full quality images whereas some will again charge you £350 for the privilege. So as you can see there is no hard and fast rules on pricing and the quality of the photography may not have anything to do with the price of the package.

That said here are some facts you may not know about my overheads. I bring around £15,000 worth of equipment to a wedding, and annually spend another £7000 on operating costs. If you imagine that the preparation for a typical wedding includes two to three hour-long meetings (including travel) and maybe a venue visit, the actual day shooting, album design and subsequent tweaks. All in all it can work out as much as the equivalent of six days work. Photographers offering low cost weddings are likely to be cutting costs in terms of equipment and editing time - there's no such thing as a free lunch!
A recent survey at Rock Your Wedding suggested that the majority of people pay between £800-2000 for wedding photography, and the average for full-day coverage (bridal prep to first dance) falls between £1500-2000, including an album.
When you're choosing a photographer, do have a close look at their prices. Don't just go for the cheapest one to save money on the honeymoon or you may end up seriously regretting it. You do after all, get what you pay for.

What do you get?

Ensure from the beginning that you are clear about what is in your package and what is not. Agree on a fixed number of hours and ensure you don't mess the photographer around with timings. If you don't know exactly how long they will be required to be there on the day you can still book them and arrange the details at a later date. Any decent photographer won't operate like a taxi. Weddings have peaks and troughs of activity and the packages I offer suit various different weddings. Timing are critical to ensure an organised day but your photographer need to be flexible as often the first dance can be later than planned or the speeches can overrun.
Ensure you are getting enough images from you photographer. It used to be the case with film that you'd expect 100 images from a six hour wedding. Nowadays I don't think this is at all the case. Typically a good photographer will provide at least 500 fully edited images from bridal prep to first dance. On occasion it can be up to 900 images if the package includes the later evening activities too.
It is also worth asking the photographer what they actually photograph at the wedding. A good photographer will not forget the small details such as place settings, rings and all the other little touches that make your wedding special to you.
What experience do you have?

This is often difficult to quantify as a 'non' photographer. The wedding photography market is more prone to dishonest amateurs than any other sector of the market. Nowadays there are courses that offer a day's worth of photography training with bridal models in full wedding gear for around £100. This means that all you need to do is go on a couple of these and you have a portfolio and can become an wedding photographer.
When choosing a photographer, I would suggest that you check whether or not they also do commercial or PR photography or have a background in press photography. This shows that the photographer has a proven track record in the industry. If in doubt, Google them every time!
I work throughout the UK as a corporate and commercial photographer. I started the wedding business about four years ago and was able to bring some of the skills needed when shooting for magazines and brochures into the (rather traditional) wedding market. I only take on 2-3 weddings a month, so as to ensure that you are not in a production line and I don't become an overworked grumpy wedding snapper. It is also far more enjoyable than photographing Nick Clegg and Ed Miliband.
What equipment do you use?

Always ask your prospective photographer what cameras they use. They should definitely take at least two to the wedding. Any pro will shoot with two cameras and maybe even keep a spare in the boot. Write the name of the camera on a scrap of paper and when you get home Google it! Is it a professional camera? A good wedding photographer should be using at least £10,000 worth of camera, lenses and other equipment to be prepared for all eventualities.
Here are a few points to consider summarised below.....

Are there positive testimonials?
Ask about the equipment the photographer uses – is it pro spec gear?
Is this their full time job, a part-time job or something they just do for fun?
Are the sample images taken from weddings they have shot themselves or ones they have assisted on?

Were any of the sample images taken at a wedding photography training session with models?
Which album manufacturer do they use and do they offer different options?
What's their USP? (unique selling points)

Contracts
A contract should show the main details of the wedding, including starting and end times, monies including deposits and final payments, all the items and services the bride and groom should expect and contact numbers for both the photographer and the clients. Contracts show good intention and a professional approach.
Second photographers.
At a typical full-day wedding I will take around 2000-3000 images and edit them down to about 500-800 shots. I would politely caution against seeking out a wedding photographer who offers two photographers in a package as most of the pros generally agree that you don't get twice the pictures.
Often one of the photographers is the pro and the other provides the 'fill' or at worst lots of pics of your backs with the other photographer in the background. Generally all it does is make the day less stressful for the primary photographer as the secondary photographer does all the 'details' and extra candid shots. A dedicated photographer will do those things anyway and far more discreetly.
I know of a husband and wife team in Yorkshire and the guy told me that more often than not, his wife only takes ten or twenty decent shots but she makes the package look good. Finally in the church I can imagine two snappers being a pest. I speak as someone who has worked with a second photographer at a few weddings and often not found it as effective or valuable as you would imagine.
Why have an engagement portrait session?
Follow the link below
http://www.djpweddingphotography.com/engaged.htm

PersonalityThis is a very difficult thing to quantify and don't forget it works both ways. A wedding photographer knows when a couple are going to be a joy to work with on the first meeting in the same way that the couple will get a first impression of that photographer. Generally speaking you will be spending at least part of your special day with your wedding photographer so be sure to ask about their approach. How do they deal with people and can they integrate with your wedding guests?
At the very least you want to get an impression of relaxed confidence from the person you choose. Confidence is essential to ensure that the photographer can get the required result, and staying calm and smiley is actually the best way to achieve this. You don't have to be best friends after a meeting or phone call but it's nice if your able to have a chat about something other than your wedding.
Finally to get the best out of any photographer it's up to you to be organised.

You need to brief your hired artist with a rundown of the day. Basically just the essentials of what is happening when and what groups are required. You should also mention the style of pictures you would like and even specific shots if you require them. I won't go into too much detail here but needless to say it is a creative commission and input from you is essential.
Next: 10 Top Tips for Grooms

Wedding photography from in and around the City of York. This from Strenall

2011-08-12T16:23:00.000-07:00

Wedding photography from in and around the City of York.
This from Strenall and Haxby

10 Top Tips for Brides

2011-08-12T10:30:00.000-07:00

1. In the run-up to your wedding drink lots of water. With all that running around it would be easy to get dehydrated. Make sure on the morning of the wedding you have a couple of glasses as you maybe drinking a tiny bit of champers later on.....well a glass or two. ;)

2. Delegate a couple of helpers. With two well have organised people to oversee and deal with any unexpected hitches on the day, you do not need the added stress and as long as they have their phones close at hand and don't get too squiffy, you'll be just dandy.

3. Weddings are wonderful family occasions but they can also bring a lot of stress and can easily lead to family tension and conflict. If a family member is hassling you and testing your patience, just remember that it simply cannot be spoilt by anyone. Grab hold of your new husband and give them a big kiss and relax. If either of you are getting stressed out just take 10 mins and have a walk or sneak off together for some time away from the masses.

4: Take a few pairs of shoes. If your wedding photographer is anything like me the chances are they will want to take the bride and groom off somewhere for some interesting portraits. This may involve walking into the woods or going (just a little) off the beaten track. Often I recommend that brides wear some funky coloured wellies or if the dress is covering their feet, even stout comfy shoes. Obviously it is often not necessary if your not heading off-piste and also you may be on sand or dry grass where you can slip off your shoes and go native. If your wedding shoes are taller, or indeed tighter, than your used to, you could always take another pair for evening dancing antics. Either way don't forget to fit those gel cushions!

5: Always eat breakfast. No matter how tired you are or how nervous you feel it is essential not to faint while walking down the aisle. I know the odd romantic swoon is acceptable but complete unconsciousness can tend to dampen the mood (especially if you dribble!).

6: Do a timeline. If you're unsure of what will happen on the day with regards to photography, catering, confetti and all the other myriad of things to plan, then compile a list with times alongside. This will help you to sync your caterers, photographer, DJ, etc and yourselves. Remember to add 10 mins padding at virtually every stage. Don't forget on your wedding day you cannot move from one room to another without being stopped at least five times by people wanting to chat...... If you have any planning queries just consult the professionals. Your caterers and photographer should be able to help you with advice and the benifit of their experience. I know from many weddings that seeing a couple's timeline before the wedding is vital for my own planning and quite often it can help with the timings of different elements.

7: Always take a sewing kit with you on your wedding day. I'd say at least a third of all weddings that I photograph have dress issues. Occasionally the bride, but more often the bridesmaids, accidentally tread on a hem or pull off a piece of flower detail etc. Make sure someone has a sewing kit at hand for emergency repairs. Some brides even suggest creating an emergency kit for all eventualilties. Fill a small bag with items such as a travel size sewing kit (you'd be amazed at the magic tricks just one safety pin can perform), clear nail polish (for stocking runs), an extra set of tights or stockings, throat lozenges, and aspirin. Other ideas for the "emergency kit" include tissues, breath mints, tampons, hand cream, and plasters...

8: Brides..Don't forget the fun bits. It is odd how every wedding I photograph the signing of the register and the cutting of the cake, when those shots are often not the most interesting part of the wedding, and rarely go in an album. I understand it is traditional and an important part of the day but often it is funny how people forget to toss the bouquet or even have some loyal friends with half a ton of confetti at hand. Why not create more wedding photography opportunities by having a wedding pinata (we did!) or play some wedding games.

9: Bridal preparations and photography: It is always nice to get some shots of the the bride with the bridesmaids just having a big chill before the dress goes on. I like those informal shots of the ladies having a cup of tea or a cheeky glass of bubbles and having a giggle together. These are great shots but if you want to make the best use of your time (and your photographer) the best thing to do is to take those shots and then get changed into your wedding dress for a few more setups. That way the photographer can get those shots done and scoot off to church with plenty of time to capture the guests arriving and the groom looking nervous.

10: And finally a few photography tips for brides (I just can't help myself). Firstly make sure you choose a photographer who you can have a laugh with. On your wedding day it's surprising how long you spend with them. It often seems to be good value for money when a photographer offers you a second photographer at your wedding for little or no money. But generally this will mean you get stacks of pictures of the backs of your heads. The second snapper is often an amateur with little knowledge and poor equipment. There is also the danger of two photographers actually ruining the ambience, especially in church. Two photographers are unlikey to get you twice the amount of quality pictures. Like most things in life, quality and quantity are separate things. Finally and importantly be sure to tell your wedding photographer about any ideas you have for your pictures. You may want a vintage feel or something more simple and elegant. Some people love black and white photography, some not. Speak to your photographer before the big day and then they can work accordingly. If you have any other tips, please contact me by clicking below.

For more tips for grooms

Looting TV's

2011-08-10T02:36:00.000-07:00

The Big Society ......... Bringing those dreams closer every day

Mini Review: Cewe Photo Paper Photobook

2011-08-08T13:47:00.000-07:00

Mini Review Cewe Photo Paper Photobook

I have used various photo books in the past as sample albums to show wedding and commercial clients. I noticed the new range from Cewe appear to the be the first 'budget' lay flat photo books that have appeared on the market. Could they be the cheapest?

http://www.cewe-photobook.co.uk/photo-book-on-photo-paper.php

These are not too dissimilar to products from Loxley and Sim2000 and certainly seem to offer excellent value at more than half the price. To see what the catch was I decided to download the free software and build a new sample book

The above 'normal' 14 page Cewe photo book and below the 29 page 'lay-flat' Cewe Photo Paper Photobook

The book I designed was the smallest (Square Photo Paper Photobook) at 21cm x 21cm and was a pretty weighty 58 pages and cost £53.99 plus P+P. What makes this different to previous photo book offerings from Cewe are two new features. Firstly the images are printed on photo paper which creates much thicker almost stiff pages. I'd say, in page thicknes,s half way between a normal photo book and a Sim2000 album. Certainly comparable to Loxley's Infinity Coffee table book in terms of paper thickness .... see: http://www.loxleycolour.com/infinityctb.aspx

The next feature is the fact that the book folds flat with ease and enables you to create seamless landscape pictures that cross the spine. I'd say the actual ridge in the centre of the spread is no bigger than the Graphistudio or Sim2000 album products and amazing value at the price.

The only option for covers is a hardback photo cover at this time but I must say the quality and colour is very good.

Overall this is an excellent value product for sample and portfolio material. My only question would be the durability of the binding which although obviously strong may not stand up to the same amount of use as the Loxely equivalent. Although at half the price you could buy two!

Pros: Cheap, Good Colour, Fast turn around, reasonable software (no proofing section), thick paper, cleaver lay flat system,, good value

Cons: Not many size options, spine and binding may ultimately not be as durable as actual album product at £100+, the Cewe branding is rather prominent on the final page.

Conclusion: The perfect sample book for pro's and the perfect holiday album for budding photographers.

The above 'normal' 14 page Cewe photo book and below the 29 page 'lay-flat' Cewe Photo Paper Photobook

Flat 'no crease' design looks good

Run images across the spine

Spine detail...just glued not stiched

Cewe branding. Cannot be removed

Please leave any comments you may have.

10 Tips for Grooms

2011-08-07T23:12:00.000-07:00

New Article on DJP Wedding Photography. Feel free to add some advice.

http://www.djpweddingphotography.com/10-Tips-for-grooms.htm

10 Top Tips for Brides

2011-08-07T01:27:00.000-07:00

As part of a wedding website revamp I am starting to write a few articles.

So why not have a look at 10 tips for brides on my website....

10 TOP TIPS FOR BRIDES....click here

Morritt Arms Wedding Photography

2011-01-26T14:08:00.001-08:00

Gemma and Howard's wonderfull wedding at The Morritt Arms hotel.

Durham Wedding Photographer

2010-10-17T22:51:00.000-07:00

Kinnie and Tony's very fine Durham wedding was held over three site. Durham registry office, The Radisson Hotel and the Durham Town Hall.
O the big day I met up with with the groom, Tony and guests in the Dun Cow on Old Elvit. Its a charming little pub but rather dark. Handily the registry office is almost next door. The service went without a hitch (no pun intended). For transport to the Radisson Hotel Tony had a surprise in store. He had covertly spoken to a friend of his who had a tuc-tuc and when it zoomed up outside the registry office Kinnie's face was a picture.

After some food and drinks with close family in a rather swish penthouse suite at the Radisson the merry party moved on to Durham Town Hall. I'd never been to the Town Hall in Durham Market place before and was impressed by its beauty and atmosphere.

We got a couple of 'set-up' shots on the balcony although as Tony and Kinnie had asked for mainly candid shots we kept that to a minimal. The evening entertainment was fantastic with an accordion player complete with laderhosen, a caricaturist and an amazing magician.

It was a wonderful day and night and what did the bride and groom think.....

"just back from our honeymoon and had a great surprise when we opened our post. the photos are fantastic. thank you so much for everything. You helped to make our wedding perfect for us. a day we will never forget!"

Creative wedding photography is not out of reach of the normal wedding couple.
Job done!

Oakley Court Wedding Photographer

2010-09-14T05:48:00.000-07:00

Wedding photography at The Oakley Court: A fine country house hotel in Windsor

The Oakley Court is one of the finest and most renowned country house hotels in England. Set in over 37 acres of beautiful English landscape gardens with manicured lawns leading straight onto a private stretch of the River Thames, The Oakley Court is a stunning venue for a wedding near Windsor.

Paul and Laura's wedding was a pleasure to photograph and they were clearly having a lot of fun.

http://www.djpweddingphotography.com/

http://www.principal-hayley.com/venues-and-hotels/the-oakley-court/weddings-and-occasions

Lady Chapel and Alnwick wedding

2010-09-14T05:40:00.000-07:00

I recently photographed an unusual two day wedding at the Lady Chapel in Osmotherley and Alnwick gardens.

The weather for the church ceremony was not great but could not dampen the spirits of those present. Alnwick Gardens is a very novel place for a wedding providing many opportunities for a wedding photographer.

It was a really fun couple of days for the bride and groom after an awful lot of planning and well worth all the effort.

Here are a cross section of photographs taken over the days.
http://www.djpweddingphotography.com/
http://www.ladychapel.org.uk/
http://www.alnwickgarden.com/

Crathorne Hall Wedding - Wedding Photographer

2010-05-14T03:32:00.000-07:00

I recently had the pleasure of shooting a spring wedding at Crathorne Hall in North Yorkshire on a fantastic spring day. The bride and groom had travelled back home from where they work in Hong Kong to tie the knot at St Mary Magdalene Church in Yarm and followed by an extremely elegant wedding reception at Crathorne Hall.

Who would have thought that the overcast evening before at the wedding rehearsal the next day would be so bright and cloudless? It was nice to see the rector, Simon Gurd at the church having a giggle with Alex and Jo as he went through the wedding service rehearsal. I know in my job as a wedding photographer how important it is to put your clients at ease. It not only makes the whole process easier but more enjoyable for everyone.

This pretty little Yarm church is a picturesque mid-size wedding venue that doesn’t feel to empty when half full of guests. The first church to stand on this site was Saxon and would have been built of wood. So in the last 1000-odd years it must have seen many changes. It’s believed that the fist stone church on this site was built under the rule of William the Conqueror around 1150AD. The building must have gone through many changes over the years and inevitably grew in size. The addition of the tower was believed to have happened in the 1500’s and this remains unaltered from that date. The present building is the result of a Georgian re-vamps in 1730 following a huge fire that gutted the church. The interior now has a feel of modest splendour and features stained glass windows of breath-taking beauty and detail. The large Moses window is the oldest and best of the glass in the church. It was executed by famous glass artist William Peckitt (1731 – 14 October 1795).

The present pews, pulpit, clerk’s desk and choir stalls date from 1878 and are in the Renaissance style. The High Altar was made out of pews removed from the South aisle in 1940. The Sanctuary Altar rails are the work of the noted Yorkshire craftsman Robert Thompson – the Mouseman of Kilburn – and were given in 1948 in memory of Mary Clapham and her son John Geoffrey who was killed in the Second World War. The dedication and the identifying mouse, is carved on the Sanctuary side of the rails. The Font is an octagonal bowl of Tees marble with incurved sides on each of which is a blank shield. It is thought to have been fashioned in the 15th century.

The weather was warm and still as the guests arrived on the vintage bus which is always good news for a wedding photographer. The service went without a hitch and it was clear to see how much Alex and Jo were enjoying it. If they were at all nervous you couldn’t tell in a while they were leaving the church and stepping out into the sunshine with big smiles on their faces.

So from Yarm we took a 10minutes trip to Crathorne Hall. Crathorne Hall is one of those stately homes that look far older than it actually is. It does have a Brideshead Revisited feel to it despite only being built in 1906. The first owner James Lionel Dugdale (1862 - 1941) laid the foundation stone of Crathorne Hall in December 1903 building work being completed three years later. It was the largest Country house built during the reign of Edward VII and was constructed from stone quarried from near Whitby. The Hall remained the central focus of a large estate until it was sold to become a hotel in 1977 remaining one of the most picturesque and luxuriant establishments in the North of England.

The reception was also blessed by the weather so guests could enjoy the sunshine outside in the Palladian splendour while I stole the bride and groom for a quick 20m minutes photo session. Most newlyweds enjoy this bit of the day as it’s often first time they get to spend some time together on the busy wedding day. After moving inside for the wedding breakfast I left the party in peace for an hour and took a breather myself. (Who wants pictures of themselves eating?

)

This gave me chance to nip home and run off a quick print for the bride and groom so at least they have a photograph of their wedding by the end of this. This is not always possible (particularly when shooting a wedding in New Zealand, as I’m doing later in the year!) but thought it would be a nice gesture…they loved it!

For further samples see http://www.djpweddingphotography.com/

I took further candid pictures at the speeches capturing all those funny and sweet little moments. My final duty for the evening was photographing the first dance. When I finally know I had all the shots I needed in the bag I said my goodbyes to the bride and groom who had been so easy to work with and most entertaining. As with all my weddings the bride and groom start of as clients and end up as friends. Congratulations and Good Luck Alex and Jo.

Comments from the couple themselves;
'We just wanted to drop you a quick email to say thanks for last Friday, we had such an amazing time and we have received may compliments from guests about what a nice bloke the photographer was!!'

'Just to let you know that the CD's have arrived safe and well in Hong Kong and the photos are absolutely brilliant. Thank you for doing such a great job. '

Thanks for visiting.

Check Out: http://www.djpweddingphotography.com/

Gisborough Hall Wedding Photography

2010-03-01T12:58:00.001-08:00

Gisborough Hall Wedding Photography

2010-03-01T08:45:00.000-08:00

Just a few of the 400 edited images of Charlotte and Steven's Gisborough Hall Wedding. Photography samples by professional photographer Doug Jackson of DJP Wedding Photography. Gisborough Hall is a beautiful venue for weddings in North Yorkshire. For further examples of my work or too book me for your wedding visit. www.djpweddingphotography.com

A little history of Gisborough Hall, near Guisborough

This elegant grade II listed building is a magnificent country house hotel set on the edge of the North Yorkshire Moors, and just outside the market town of Guisborough.

The mansion was built by Admiral Thomas Chaloner in 1856 an it eventually became the baronial home of the first Lord Gisborough, Richard Chaloner, who took the title when he went to the House of Lords.

He decided to spell his title differently to the ancient capital town of Cleveland, from which it took its name, and to this day the family’s former ancestral home continues to be known as Gisborough – rather than Guisborough – Hall.

In the 1940s, the mansion was leased to North Riding Council as an old people’s home.

In 2002 the building was bought by the Macdonald Hotel group and was lavishly restored to it's former glory at a cost of 8 million.

New samples from 2009 for DJP Wedding Photography

2010-03-01T03:45:00.000-08:00

Proffessional Wedding Photographer Doug Jackson post more samples from recent weddings on you tube.
http://www.youtube.com/user/DougJacksonFoto

Lee and Chrissie's Nottingham Wedding

2010-02-04T14:42:00.001-08:00

I had the pleasure of photographing Lee and Chrissies wedding in Beeston Parish Church and then Clumber Park Spa. It was a lovely winters day in December and thankfully the rain held off. This is an eight minute slideshow that tells the story of their day with just a few of the hundreds of pictures that they recieved.

Lee and Chrissie were delighted with the results simply saying..... "These photos are Amazing, we LOVE the photos! can't wait to see the album."

Clumber Park Hotel & Spa is one of Nottinghamshire’s premier venue for your wedding celebrations. Clumber Park is over 3,800 acres (15 km²) in extent, including woods, open heath and rolling farmland. It contains a superb, serpentine lake covering 87 acres (352,000 m²), and the longest double avenue of lime trees in Europe (pictured). The avenue extends over three miles (5 km), and was created by the 5th Duke of Newcastle in the 19th Century. The Park was originally left to the people of Worksop by the late Duke of Newcastle but the National Trust bought it in 1946.[3] Some of the park's estate was subsequently closed to the public. There is vehicle access for the areas that are open to the public, and the parking in the central area has a charge (free for members of National Trust).[4] On the way to the main park ing area there is also has a cricket pitch with a thatched roof pavilion in the style of a cottage clad in rustic split logs. Along the road side are large open areas to park and picnic.
The Gothic revival chapel at Clumber is an excellent place for long walks and has several miles of paths and cycle tracks surrounding the lake. The park has a range of bicycles available for hire including tandems and adult tricycles from an estate building located by the main car park adjacent to the chapel and the Visitors center in the old stable block, were a range of facilities are located. Part of the block house a visitor display on the history of the park, the usual National Trust Shop and Restrauant, and toilets. Off the main lime tree avenue are camping facilities.

Route 6 of the National Cycle Network passes through the park linking it to Sherwood Forest and Sherwood Pines with only a few road crossings necessary.

Some of my favourite pictures from Leo and Amrik's recent wedding at the wonderful Forbidden Corner

2009-10-22T08:43:00.000-07:00

Leo and Amrik had a wonderful day with fine sunny weather. The wedding was a n interesting mix of western and asian influences.