A refreshing suprise. My last BW experience was not a good one so I was not really expecting much…read morewhen my company booked this hotel for me. However I was pleasantly suprised on arrival. The hotel looks like it has recently been refurbished. The reception staff were very helpful. There is a comfortable residents lounge, bar and restaurant. The menu had a typical hotel style selection of options but the food was prepared promptly and was very tasty. The duck breast starter with cabbage, ginger and honey was particularly nice. The room is clean and fresh and very spacious with good lighting. The toilet had a touch of luxury about it including extremely quilted toilet roll! Added bonuses in the room are freeview and free Wifi. The only thing I have been disappointed about is the lack of a proper glass in the bedroom (plastic bathroom tumbler is the only option) and the room doesn't have air conditioning. I would recommend it as a place to stay for business and pleasure.

The Guildhall was the centre, once, of this wonderful Essex village. It was a wonderful sunny day…read moreso a trip out was needed to revive the spirits. Finchingfield, with its duck pond, nice pubs, tea shops and church is worth a visit. Wander around and check out the windmill, the oldest in Essex and the only one of originally seven that survives. As I have said, a nice choice of tea rooms around the green at reasonable prices. But, if you wish a stronger beverage, The Fox pub will draw you in. A nice afternoon stroll so relaxing. Lucky people that live there.

Cafe and shop, vineyard, estate, farm, conference centre, wedding reception venue and all-round…read morenice place to visit if you fancy a quick trip into the countryside, especially with visitors and / or children. The countryside is more rolling than fen-like round here (a good thing) and the wines have won a number of awards, so after a stroll down to the vineyard, you may want to sample and pick up a couple of bottles.

The BEST hotel I have EVER stayed in, and I have stayed in many. I traveled to London with my…read morebrother, and happened across the ad for That Amazing Place with an incredible price, about 30%cheaper than any of the hotels in the area (including everything from the Stansted Airport to London's main attractions). Had I made the reservation more than just on the train ride from the airport to Harlow, the owner would have picked my brother and I up. However, I took a cab for £10 (including tip) from the train station to That Amazing Place. It was already dark when we arrived, and it was a little difficult to find. However, once we got there it was beautiful! After housing several foster boys, the couple that owns the house decided to renovate and make an inn. They have several rooms for TV, lounging, eating, etc. for common areas. Our own room was very nice. White sheets, two TWIN beds- which was great for my brother and I traveling together. In the morning we ate a breakfast, free of charge, complete with yogurt, cereals, oatmeals, and freshly cooked/made to order eggs, bacon and toast. It was delicious. The dining room was beautiful! We were so pampered during our few hours there! Had we been able to stay longer I definitely would have! They also have a hot tub available outside. We did not use it- the weather was very foggy and uncomfortable outside. In the morning, the owner drove us back to the train station free of charge. He sent us off with some advice for city travel, and a hug with well wishes. Again- by far the BEST place I have ever stayed on so many levels!

Rave rave rave. Obviously I'm going to be biased, I got married here but take into account this won…read moreWedding Venue of the Year people. I adore this place and all the staff. Fell in love with it straight away. I'll even tell you a little secret...I knew instantly I had to marry here because of two, slightly embarrassing reasons. Here goes. One, there is a fairy lit bandstand/gazebo in the gardens...which is VERY Twilight (Bella and Edward) prom scene. Secondly. Ahem. They had the chairs I liked/wanted...which are the chairs the characters in tv show O.C. always used to use when they had their formal parties. Fact. I'm not ashamed. Lol. The venue is just perfect. They add to it all the time with cool new ideas and findings. Its set in Epping, complete with London Skyline views (they now even have a lookout for wedding photos!!) There's the orangery for ceremonies, which can be set up so you have a garden 'aisle'!! I did that and it is honestly the happiest, most beautiful memory of my life (so far). The walled gardens are well loved, beautiful and just floral picture perfectness. There's the Apple Loft where the couple can stay/bride can get ready which is too cute. I wanted to pick it up and plonk back in Rickmansworth. So well thought out. All mod cons too. Swoon. You can also marry in the Gather barns too, we used here for group shots as was such a bright, low-sun day. Winner. And then the Barns themselves. So lovely. With mezzanine floor, full bar, separate dance area. Win win win. Rumours have it they are renovating the 'stables' to provide guest accommodation. Form an orderly queue and book your weddings now ladies/gents. Don't get me started on the food. I could boast about our wedding food all day long. EVERYONE has mentioned it. It is soooo delicious. Everything we ordered was fab.Canapes were lush. Everything we tried at the tasting evening (where you meet other couples getting wed there!!) was great. How do they mass produce the same meal all to such a high standard? Gob smackingly good. The staff our lovely. I was thrilled with everything Jayne and Natalie did leading up to and on our day. Can I please relive my wedding here? Please?!

Quite a few of my friends have got married recently (and we have four more weddings to attend this…read moreyear) so I'm sort of getting used to wedding weekends! We attended a ceremony and reception at Gaynes Park, and it was lovely...I have no idea how much it costs (I assume it'll be scarily pricey) but it is a really pleasant place to visit as a guest! Location: - It is sooo pretty! The blossoms were all in bloom and the gardens are simply lovely. - If you'd like a long aisle to parade down in your dress...the lead in to the orangery is epic! The bride walked down the whole way through the gardens while everyone whispered about how gorgeous she looked. - It was really easy to get to for guests (a few minutes drive from Epping tube station...) Food: - Om nom nom... The food was gorgeous! I was really impressed that they managed to keep it consistently delicious when cooking for sooo many people. I heard a couple of grumbles from some male relatives that were still a bit hungry, but I thought the portions were good - I was stuffed!! - The only thing that was a bit rubbish was the pimms that they served right after the ceremony... I think they might have used tonic water rather than lemonade and it had sat around too long so all the ice melted to leave terrible watered down non-pimms! Ah well.

One of the nicest wedding venues I have been to. Well run but, I am informed, this was the last…read morewedding on their books as they were selling up. A shame, a terrible shame. Lovely grounds for the photographs with views across the countryside. Nice patio for, if the weather is agreeable, getting together after the service and before the meal for a drink. Lovely hall for the main reception with a changeover, without fuss, before the evening festivities. As a I said, a perfect venue.

I got married at Spains Hall Estate; a great wedding venue…read morein Essex. All of their services including catering were awesome. Great location, natural environment, greenery and very hospitable service. It is a great combination of the old and new traditions. I definitely recommend Spains Hall as a unique wedding venue.

A smart and welcoming attempt to balance out history…read more This large and grandiose building is mostly famous for being the birthplace of Cecil Rhodes, founder of apartheid, and over recent years the citizens nearby have begun to feel less proud of Stortford's most famous son. So in an attempt to reflect the wider cultural history of Storford and it's inhabitants, the Rhodes Centre now houses a museum which has exhibits of local social history and other interesting things. The Rhodes Centre also has a long history as a music venue, and in the 60s saw such visiting luminaries as The Who, David Bowie, and Gene Vincent (who apparently met his wife at the venue!) A charming little coffee shop, and some sprung dance studios make this venue a useful asset for the local community.

Large hotel with a pub attached. Oozes character and authenticity, and populated by friendly locals…read morewho are only too keen to chat. In the pub, there is a nice and cosy front bar as well as a larger tap room. The bar with an always good selection of local beer served directly from the barrel is sandwiched in between. The beer is superb. Across the courtyard is the hotel/restaurant. I can't really comment on this because I've only ever gone to the pub. When I was last there, a large group of Napoleonic war re-enactment enthusiasts were holding their AGM in the restaurant. Zut alors!

Wonderful, wonderful. Great beer from the Farmers Brewery…read morenext-door. Dating from 1400, exposed beams, open fire, dog-friendly, food available, what more could you ask for.