Suggestions for venue for 40th birthday party?

[worms]

I think the idea is that if you hire a castle, you also hire a local caterer (or eat out!).

OK, then if you want catered, and easy from the deep south...

How about sleeper to Fort William, onto the Mallaig train and get off just after the "Harry Potter viaduct" for a stay at Glenfinnan House?

No, no, forget that. Don't get off the train at Glenfinnan! Stay on the train, through to Mallaig, ferry round to Inverie and book Knoydart Lodge

 

[JoceAndChris]

Thank you so much for your efforts. Both those places are closed in February, but they look lovely.

I refuse to even so much as pour my own drinks on holiday - I suppose you could hire chefs and waiters to cater for you round the clock but it must be very expensive? Fun though.

 

[worms]

I refuse to even so much as pour my own drinks on holiday

Ok... How about this one? Again, 10 mins from Queasyjet or the Sleeper.

More difficult to get to without a car, but this one always reminds me of the place that was used for the Scottish wedding in Four Weddings.

 

[BMcD]

Hi JoceAndChris,

I Know you said he's hankering after Scotland but if he'd consider Connemara in Ireland then I'd recommend this place.

http://www.currarevagh.com

We stayed a couple of nights there about 7 years ago and it was just lovely. The house is beautiful and lived in. It has gorgeous woodland surrounding it leading down to the shores of Lough Corrib, to which they have the fishing rights. We hired a gilly to take us out fishing, we didn't catch anything but they will arrange for your catch to be smoked locally or I believe, serve it up for supper. It was less like staying in a hotel, more like being invited to the country for the weekend. The countryside of Connemara is also beautiful. Perhaps you could take a pony out treking.

 

[another_richard]

Not mine, yet - Chris', in February, he's trying to organise it for 10 or so friends.

He wants a lovely period property with roaring fires, howling gales round the battlements, crashing waves not far off, fine whisky flowing plentifully.

Anyone recommend anywhere? He's hankering after Scotland.

How about here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principality_of_Sealand

Roaring files >check
howling gales >check
battlements >check
crashing waves a plenty

 

[JoceAndChris]

:lol: I've been there, it's very interesting.

There are so many wonderful suggestions here I just want to sell the house, and and stay in them all! The UK has so much to offer it's a wonder we ever get abroad.

I look forward to showing the new suggestions to Chris tonight, and am now convinced it should be a 40th party a deux if he is in agreement. Whisky at dawn, stealing skiffs and rowing through the moonlight - these pursuits are wasted on howling toddlers. Maybe we'll celebrate his 50th with the others.

 

[MdB]

How about here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principality_of_Sealand

Roaring files >check
howling gales >check
battlements >check
crashing waves a plenty

Hmmm.....
http://www.google.co.uk/images?hl=&q=sealand+fire&rlz=1B3GGLL_en-GBGB375GB375&um=1&ie=UTF-8&source=univ&ei=GVaGTPTlG8LNjAeXsbGVBg&sa=X&oi=image_result_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CCcQsAQwAA&biw=1037&bih=828

 

[KarenGuthrie]

How about Somerset? This place is in the Exmoor National Park in a beautiful village on the edge of the moors

http://www.the-cleeve.co.uk

 

[christianb]

Actually, Joce, if self-catering "olde-worlde stylee" is up your street, then I've just started to put another section of the site together...http://www.nightsinthepast.com/period_self_catering_properties.html[/url]

 

[JoceAndChris]

Goodness me! You must be so busy.

But it really isn't, I'd sooner stay at hone than have a self catering holiday.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

It is self-catering, but only a mile of head-clearing, sea-blown, wave-rolling stroll from the notorious sink of depravity that is Aldeburgh - what about the House in the Clouds?
http://www.houseintheclouds.co.uk/

 

[ilona73]

Not mine, yet - Chris', in February, he's trying to organise it for 10 or so friends.

He wants a lovely period property with roaring fires, howling gales round the battlements, crashing waves not far off, fine whisky flowing plentifully.

Anyone recommend anywhere? He's hankering after Scotland.

I know its pretty far away but how about Carn Brae castle in cornwall?
I know its not Scotland but its something special .
It is perched on top of a hill 700ft above sea level with views to die for.
Its a restaurant. Inside a castle. Everything is very minimal, lit only by candlelight and serves the most amazing food the most amazing original doorway, throne and decoration awaits you. It is owned and run by Julia and Nadia Sawalas (sp?) uncle.
We used to go alot when we lived in Cornwall. food was amazing, It is perched on top of a hill up nothing more than a dirt track and is one of the best kept secrets in Cornwall.
you will get everything you wish for from dramatic scenery to a fabulous host, to the crackling fire, and an atmosphere you will NEVER find anywhere else!
You would always stay at the Penventon hotel ten minutes away which is in itself a fantastic place to stay as Carn Brae castle is only a restaurant.

I know it might mean a weekend away and travelling. but it could be something a little different.

http://www.eatoutcornwall.com/cornwall-restaurant/details-restaurant.php?pv=6055


Carn Brea Castle, Carn La, Carnkie, Redruth TR16 6SL
01209 218 358

 

[MdB]

I'm not a fan of the Penventon but Carn Brea Castle is an experience. Mrs B and myself had our (rather small) wedding reception there so we are very much fans. With 4 or more people, the Meze is strongly recommended - order when you book. You will end up with a table heaving with food and that is just the starter.

Make sure when you do visit, to take a trip to the roof with a glass or two before your meal. The views are worth the narrow stairs.

You can also stay at the Castle if you are brave enough - sleeping bags on the floor.

(you could also say hello to us whilst you are down!)

 

[ilona73]

I'm not a fan of the Penventon but Carn Brea Castle is an experience. Mrs B and myself had our (rather small) wedding reception there so we are very much fans. With 4 or more people, the Meze is strongly recommended - order when you book. You will end up with a table heaving with food and that is just the starter.

Make sure when you do visit, to take a trip to the roof with a glass or two before your meal. The views are worth the narrow stairs.

You can also stay at the Castle if you are brave enough - sleeping bags on the floor.

(you could also say hello to us whilst you are down!)

I havent stayed at the Penventon since i was 30... and to be honest that was quite a few years ago now. Having not lived in Cornwall for approx five years now i doubt i am no longer qualified to say if it is nice anymore! We used to live at Treleigh Manor in Redruth and i still miss the place even now. That was grade2 listed property too. we used to love its quirkiness we used to joke it was our own "cornish castle!"

 

[JoceAndChris]

Ilona! How lovely to see you back! We were only saying at my party a couple of weeks back how much we all missed you. I understand from the other thread how busy you are, but try not to desert us for so long next time, pretty please? Also - your last house in Cornwall, now that really isn't fair. Two such properties of that calibre is pure greed! :wink:

Some lovely suggestions above but I cannot stress too much that Chris' 40th be held in a place where they know the difference between a Cognac avec grand champagne ou petite. Imagine you were trying to organise Henry VIII's birthday - then you'd be on the right lines.

And, even if he could bear the sight of boiling kettles (he hasn't been in our kitchen yet), that house in the clouds is booked up already would you believe.

but only a mile of head-clearing, sea-blown, wave-rolling stroll from the notorious sink of depravity that is Aldeburgh - what about the House in the Clouds?
http://www.houseintheclouds.co.uk/

What an extraordinarily beautiful sentence. Sometimes, Gareth, I think you should ditch being a CO and write about it instead.

(you could also say hello to us whilst you are down!)

That's a very nice offer and one I'd love to take you up on at some point!

 

[Moo]

No dogs allowed,
a birthday party fit for Henry VIII,
and to crown it all - "he hasn't been in our kitchen yet"

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm beginning to wonder whether Chris really exists.

 

[JoceAndChris]

:lol: he certainly does Moo!

Many thanks for all the wonderful suggestions in this thread, which I think have sorted out the next ten years' worth of mini breaks. We've finally decided to have the Scottish weekend to ourselves in summer, (Scarista House is looking like a winner) and have settled on The George in Stamford for his actual birthday celebration, as it isn't difficult to get to and he's finally invited 36. ( which is great, as we'll get the lovely oak panelled London room, and he'll never be more than a few metres from a bar, which ended up being his main concern!)

Thanks again for all the fascinating places.

 

[Nigel Watts]

I am currently attending a 50th birthday party (my sister-in-law's) in a small designer hotel outside Tavira, in the Algarve. It is almost uncomfortably warm, but a pleasant change from the English weather.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Oh how nice! And I thought you'd gone quiet - that explains it. And what a great way for you to get your poor arm better.

 

[JoceAndChris]

All over now, phew. But it was a lovely weekend party of 28, with quite a few spending both nights in Stamford at the glorious George, and all of those attending the main Saturday night meal in the very beautiful oak panelled London room there. I think not having it in Scotland meant a good turn-out, and lots of people had never heard of Stamford and really enjoyed it. Plus, we certainly got the howling gales we originally asked for!
Still, re-reading the thread makes me long to go to all the places mentioned and I'll forward the Scottish suggestions to my friend who is planning the same sort of thing. And then settle down to looking forward to the one FF mentioned - Portmeirion - which is next.