John and Kathy have lived at Bishops Court since 1998 and as well as running an 800 acre farm, take great delight in hosting a select number of wedding receptions within the grounds. The venue next to the Manor House and River Stour offers a very unique setting for your special day. To discuss your wedding plans further please speak to Kathy on 01258 857 243.
History of Bishops Court
After the Norman Conquest much of the area around Wimborne was owned by the Crown and held by the Earls of Lancaster, Lincolnshire and Leicester. The Doomsday book records a Royal Manor of 45000 acres. This estate was divided into three and the knights fee of Shapwick was given to Peter de Champagne as a reward for his support to William at the Battle of Hastings. The village was named Shapwick Champayne and the manor was described as a large dwelling with three farms and a fishery generating an income of £800 per year.
The Manor of Shapwick came into the De La Lind Hussey (Husey, Husee) family through marriage into the families of Champayne and Tourney. The heiress of the Tourney family brought her considerable wealth to the Husseys and they acquired Shapwick Champayne in the 1370s. The manor stayed in the Hussey family for nearly 300 years until being sold by Joseph Hussey in the 1640s to Colonel William Wake.
The Wake family gave Bishops Court its present name being the birthplace of William in 1657, their only surviving son of five children, who became Archbishop of Canterbury in 1715. Initially called Bishops House it eventually became known as Bishops Court and slack punctuation during modern times allows Bishops Court without the apostrophe!
In 1750 the heirs to the Archbishop sold Bishops House to the Hon. John Spencer who became Viscount Spencer in 1762. In 1773 the village of Shapwick including Bishops House was purchased by Henry Banks and once again became part of the Kingston Lacy Estate. During the tenancy of a Martin Thomas the original 16th century house was greatly extended in 1857, a fine example of Victorian indulgence?!
The Cave family farmed Bishops Court for over 100 years. The 1891 Census shows E W Cave as head of the family with his wife M and five children aged under 8. The Butler family resided for 30 years during which time the Estate was bequeathed to the National Trust on the death of Ralph Banks. The present tenant John Chappell took up the tenancy in 1998.
REFERENCES
1. Hutchins 111 The History and Antiquities of Dorset
2. Dorset County History 1977
3. Lord Archbishop Wate by Lina Wate
4. Vernacular Buildings Survey National Trust Oct 89
5. Buildings Survey National Trust P Hammond Oct 2002
about us
Wedding Receptions
A beautiful location for the perfect wedding reception. Bishops Court is an impressive manor house that can boast parts dating back to the 16th century and is within easy reach of Bournemouth and Wimborne. Set in an acre and a half of walled gardens next to the river Stour, it is an ideal setting for a romantic wedding reception.
Imagine greeting your guests on the edge of the riverbank with a glass of champagne as swans glide past, or on the more formal front lawn with the grand façade of the manor as a back drop to your photographs. Either way it will surely create a day to remember. And we can even offer your guests a game of croquet before the speeches, or for the very energetic - a game of tennis!
If you wish to have a Church wedding in the village please see the Shapwick website.
Bishops Court has a couple of free dates for summer 2010. Please speak to John or Kathy Chappell to discuss your wedding plans further on 01258 857 243.
For flowers on your wedding day see: www.hfj-flowers.co.uk
Marquees
The marquee is positioned to the left of the house, next to the tennis court. Please contact:
Collins Marquees
t: 01020 882301
e: clare_collinsmarquees.co.ukÂ
w: www.collinsmarquees.co.uk
dp marquees
t: 01258 452 539
e: info_dpmarquees.com
w: www.dorsetpartymarquees.co.uk
Western Marquees
t: 01258 839193
e:info_westernmarquees.co.uk
w:www.westernmarquees.co.uk
Wessex Marquees
t: 01747 812709
e: enquiries_wessexmarquees.co.uk
w: www.wessexmarquees.co.uk
Catering
We have arranged special rates with a local caterer Lamont Catering.
To discuss menu ideas please give us a call or speak to Liz Lamont on:
t: 01258 830234
e: rubenliz_aol.com
www.lizlamontcatering.co.uk
The kitchen facilities within the house will be available for hot menus.
Feedback
"Hayley and I had our wedding reception at Bishops Court on the 5th of September 2009. We chose Bishops Court as we fell in love with it from the first time we saw it. The beautiful lawns and the walks by the river were just perfect for our big day. After dressing our marquee the day before we realised just how much work John and Kathy put into making everything so perfect. And then on the day itself, they were their every step of the way for us. In fact the one thing that stood out over the beauty of Bishops Court was the true kindness of John and Kathy.
If you want the worlds most perfect wedding then please start as you mean to go on..... BOOK BISHOPS COURT."
Add your own!
wedding receptions
Bishops Court was previously featured in Doctor Who's 1984 "The Awakening" and would be an amazing backdrop to any film or TV production. Whether you are looking for an historic manor, walled gardens or river views, Bishops Court will have the right setting for you. Contact John or Kathy Chappell on 01258 857 243 to discuss further or see the gallery below.
film location
gallery
Shapwick is a small village situated about 5 miles from both Blandford and Wimborne and 10 miles from Bournemouth. Bishops Court is on the west corner of the village.
For further information please contact John or Kathy Chappell at:
Bishops Court
West Street
Shapwick
Blandford
Dorset
DT11 9LB
Office: 01258 857243
Mobile: 07860 574998
E-mail: bishopscourtreceptions_gmail.com
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