Get married at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House – the most romantic literary venue in Manchester
Posted
11th August 2017
in news
Elizabeth Gaskell’s House at 84 Plymouth Grove, Manchester will be licensed for weddings on 30 August 2017, the day that would have been 185th wedding anniversary of Elizabeth and her husband William Gaskell.
On Thursday August 30 1832, Elizabeth Stevenson – who was to become the renowned Victorian novelist Mrs Gaskell – married William Gaskell and moved to Manchester with him to begin her long and happy married life.
During August, Elizabeth was busy preparing for her wedding and wrote on August 8 to Harriet Carr – one of her very good friends – ‘’ I am in the middle, or rather I hope, three quarters through the bustle of wedding gowns… I have got the very prettiest bonnet for the occasion that ever was, and cannot help trying it on every time I go into my room.’’
Elizabeth Gaskell’s daughters Marianne and Florence were both married from this house and Elizabeth’s wedding veil, which was also worn by Marianne, is on display in the morning room of the house.
Bonnets aren’t obligatory but any couple looking for a special and intimate wedding venue will love this magical and authentic period house and garden which recreates the Gaskell family home in the 1860’s and which will provide a unique and stunning backdrop to any wedding ceremony and celebrations.
There is a choice of period rooms to choose from – from the cosy, book lined study for 10 guests to the grand drawing room with its Boudoir Grand piano for up to 35 guests. The restored period garden with its mix of heritage and native plants is a stunning backdrop for wedding photographs and a pleasant place for guests to meet and mingle.
The light and airy basement servant’s hall is ideal for receptions whether for drinks, afternoon tea, a buffet or a more formal lunch or dinner. The house kitchen is available for outside caterers or Elizabeth Gaskell’s House can provide and serve champagne and canapés, a champagne afternoon tea or something more bespoke. For a minimum spend of £100, the House can run a bar after the service serving champagne, wines, craft beers and hot and cold drinks.
Find out more about Weddings at Elizabeth Gaskell’s House
Just a mile from Manchester’s city centre and a short 5 minute walk from Oxford Road and the city’s universities, the House is easy to get to from Piccadilly railway station. There is good parking round the House – up to 3 hours free on street parking on weekdays and free at the weekends.
The House can accommodate up to 35 people in the wedding party.
Contact Sally at sally@elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk or call 0161 273 2215 to book an appointment to look around the house and garden and discuss individual wedding plans.
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Notes to editors
Elizabeth Cleghorn Gaskell (1810-65) was born in London and brought up in Knutsford, Cheshire. In 1832 Elizabeth married William Gaskell, who was assistant minister at Cross Street Unitarian Chapel in Manchester and later lived at 84 Plymouth Grove with her family from 1850 until her death in 1865. The two unmarried Gaskell daughters, Meta and Julia, lived in the house until Meta’s death in 1913.
The House is a Grade II* listed property, was built around 1835-1841 and is a rare surviving example of a suburban villa. It was designed in the fashionable Greek Revival style, probably by Richard Lane, a prominent local architect.
The Manchester Historic Buildings Trust was established in 1998 with the primary aim of saving Elizabeth Gaskell’s House. The restoration was made possible by the support and funding from The Bowland Charitable Trust, Cross Street Chapel, English Heritage, The Foyle Foundation, The Gaskell Society, J Paul Getty Jr Charitable Trust, Heritage Lottery Fund, Manchester City Council, Oglesby Charitable Trust, The Pilgrim Trust, Garfield Weston Foundation, and The Wolfson Foundation.
Contact and Visiting Details
Elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk
@GaskellsHouse
Facebook: Elizabeth Gaskell’s House
Opening times: Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday 11.00am-4.30pm (last admission 4pm)
Ticket prices: £5, Concessions £4 Tickets valid for re-entry for 12 months
Tours on other days by special arrangement from £10 pp including refreshments.
Elizabeth Gaskell’s House is also available for room hire and special events.
Please contact the Manager, Sally Jastrzebski-Lloyd to discuss your requirements.
For further press enquires, images and interviews, please contact Sally Jastrzebski-Lloyd on 0161 273 2215 sally@elizabethgaskellhouse.co.uk
