Manor house in North, Northern Ireland

Our manor house is a Victorian red-brick property sitting in two acres of terraced gardens in rural County Down. The house was built in the 1880s and retains much of its origi…

Our manor house is a Victorian red-brick property sitting in two acres of terraced gardens in rural County Down. The house was built in the 1880s and retains much of its original character: wide-plank oak floors, ornate plasterwork, original fireplaces in most rooms, and the kind of proportions you don't find in newer buildings. We've spent six years restoring and adapting it, and it now operates as a wedding venue from late spring through to early autumn, with the grounds and reception rooms used for ceremonies and celebrations. The gardens are the other great project of our time here. Grace has been working to restore the formal layout, which involves a series of terraced lawns connected by stone steps, established yew topiary, deep herbaceous borders, and a kitchen garden that supplies flowers for the venue. There's always something that needs attention, whether that's seasonal planting, hedge trimming, path clearing, or preparation for an upcoming event. In the weeks leading up to weddings, the work shifts to getting everything ready: setting up furniture, arranging outdoor spaces, pressing and laying linens, moving and positioning items between rooms and outbuildings, and helping us stay on top of the general pace of a busy venue. It's hands-on, varied, and genuinely useful. We've found that people who come here tend to leave having had a real glimpse of what it takes to run a place like this, and most of them seem to enjoy it.

We need help with two main areas: garden upkeep and wedding event preparation. Garden work varies by season and might include weeding and planting in the herbaceous borders, t…

We need help with two main areas: garden upkeep and wedding event preparation. Garden work varies by season and might include weeding and planting in the herbaceous borders, trimming hedges and topiary, clearing paths, and general tidying across the two-acre grounds. During the wedding season, which runs from May through October, the focus shifts to event prep: setting up outdoor furniture and decorative elements, moving items between rooms and outbuildings, laying linens, and helping us keep pace with back-to-back bookings. No previous experience is needed for either, just a willingness to get stuck in. The work is physical and varied, and you'll get a real sense of what goes into running a working venue of this kind.