WHEN it comes to diversification, a Mobberley wedding venue famed for its quirky style and rural setting has more experience than most.

As venues wait with bated breath to find out when they can start to host large receptions once again, Owen House Wedding Barn has expanded the guest accommodation at its idyllic setting and is saying ‘we do’ to the staycationers.

Knutsford Guardian:

Four new mezzanine rooms have been added to the venue’s existing wedding party accommodation block The Tens, whose industrial chic rooms are all inspired by alcoholic drinks from Hunters gin (Hunters) to Monkey 47 (No. 47).

There are also two family rooms named Narnia, with a wardrobe in the main bedroom which has a hidden door at the back to reveal another bedroom.

The new bed-deck spaces are collectively referred to as The Chicken Coop and each room has its own poultry-related theme.

Knutsford Guardian:

Owner Vanessa Morgan runs the wedding side of the family business with her sister Caroline Smart who is also a part time primary school teacher in Bexton.

Vanessa said: “We have Warhol’s Retreat, which is inspired by the Andy Warhol pop art Campbell’s chicken soup picture and has a print of this artwork in the room.

“Rhode Island is a fully accessible room and is named after a breed of poultry, so the décor is inspired by the New England state from where the species gets its name.

Knutsford Guardian:

“The third room is called Los Pollos so if you know Breaking Bad, you’ll appreciate the Los Pollos Hermanos theme we’ve incorporated here.”

The fourth room is inspired by the Pablo Picasso painting Le Coq – with a very tongue in cheek reason behind its name.

Vanessa’s father Eddie, who farms Owen House, said: “Well, that’s because there is one in every family. And by that we don’t mean a Picasso!”

The sisters hope the contemporary, yet rustic style will appeal to its young demographic and are already busy with bookings made by a new breed of holiday makers desperate to enjoy a getaway during these uncertain times.

Knutsford Guardian:

Vanessa said: “We’ve noticed a dramatic increase in our accommodation bookings because so many people are looking to staycation. And a lot of our guests are from quite close to home, places such as Altrincham, Hale, Manchester, Alderley Edge.

“We’re in a fantastic rural setting so you don’t have to drive all the way to Devon or Cornwall to get a real taste of the countryside and feel like you’ve had a relaxing break.”

Surrounded by country walks that leave directly from the farm, the village boasts a host of pubs, cafes and restaurants including The Frozen Mop, The Railway Inn, Barnshaw Smithy, The Church Inn, The Roebuck and The Bulls Head, giving holiday makers plenty of choice to explore and dine out in safety and style.

Knutsford Guardian:

Set on a working cattle farm on Small Lane, Owen House Wedding Barn has been hosting nuptial celebrations since 2013. It is run by Vanessa and Caroline, who both married their respective husbands Dan and Richard at the location, and the siblings’ parents Jeanne and Ed Daniel.

Having provided the backdrop to the sisters’ weddings it grew into a fully functional wedding business complete with bar, ceremony room and space to accommodate a wedding breakfast for 150 to 200 people. There is also a beauty room for the bridal prep and a BAA-ber shed which is an area for the groom to get ready in.

The family decided it was missing the opportunity for brides to have their family and friends stay at the venue and opened the first phase of its themed accommodation in 2017.

Knutsford Guardian:

The wedding industry has been hit especially hard by the lockdown caused by Covid 19, and with no date yet in sight as to when things will get back to normal – and a backlog of weddings to reschedule – the next few years will be busy for the sector.

Which is why the family are grateful to have received a grant from the Cheshire LEADER Fund to help establish themselves as a holiday destination and for now, they are focusing on providing a holiday with a difference for their guests.

READ>How East Cheshire NHS staff are helping to see if DOGS can sniff out coronavirus

Vanessa said: “It’s a waiting game for the entire multi-billion-pound industry at the minute.

“We can’t wait until we get the opportunity to open again and to welcome our lovely couples and their families. For now, we’re ploughing ahead and concentrating on making The Tens and The Chicken Coop work as a holiday business.”

To find out more about the accommodation at Owen House Wedding Barn visit owenhouseweddingbarn.co.uk or owenhousefarm.co.uk