Overview
Every inch a family home, Iscoyd is not stuffy or formal but relaxed and welcoming - a classical Georgian house with a modern attitude.
An award winning wedding and events venue with 14 beautiful bedrooms and a Michelin trained chef. Iscoyd was described by the Telegraph as "the perfect party house and wedding venue".
We don't do packages but work with each client to create a bespoke and unique occasion whatever that may be. We have a wonderful and experienced team who work to create, plan and deliver every event with the aim of exceeding our clients expectations.
Iscoyd has been in our family since 1843 and we have spent the last eight years lovingly restoring our home. The passion, hard work and attention to detail that has been put into the restoration and development of Iscoyd is reflective of the care that goes into every event held here.
If we have done our job properly, our clients feel so happy and comfortable here that they will feel Iscoyd is their home too.
Opening
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Find us
Located on the North Wales side of the border with Shropshire and Cheshire, off the A525 between Whitchurch and Wrexham, and 2 miles from the A41/A49 Whitchurch bypass.
Our nearest railway station, Whitchurch, is located 3 miles away, with regular services to Crewe (connection to the mainline service to London and to the North/Scotland.) Services to Manchester, Cardiff and South Wales.
Parking
Car park on site
- Free parking
Taxi
S&M Cars 01948 666 957
Admission
Open for Invitation to View and Open Doors Wales
Invitation to View: £18 per head
Open Doors Wales: price tbc
Accessibility
- Accessible parking
- Wheelchair ramps/routes
- Accessible toilets
- Guide dogs welcome
Group Visits
Groups are welcome to visit the house and gardens, refreshments can be provided.
Please contact us to arrange:
Cpntact Philip Godsal on 01939 210113 or email info@iscoydpark.com.
Fun Facts
The house mainly dates back to 1737, incorporating some slightly earlier elements, and has been in the Godsal family for 175 years.
During the Second World War the house itself was leased to St Godric's Secretarial College, which had been evacuated from Finchley, North London.
The Park was requisitioned in 1942 for a U S Army hospital, for treatment of both allied forces, and German Prisoners of War casualties. The Americans left shortly after VE Day, and the camp became a hospital for Polish Refugees.
Phil's great grandparents returned in 1947, and lived in a self contained flat at the back of the house. The camp was eventually demolished in 1957, Phil's grandparents moved in in 1964 and restored the front of the house.
Upcoming events
Iscoyd Park, nr Whitchurch, Shropshire
Family home dating back to 1737. Bought by Philip Lake Godsal in 1843. Son, Philip William, was a leading agriculturist. His son, Philip Thomas, invented the Godsal rifle. Used as a hospital and POW camp in World War II. Now run by Philip Langley Godsal and wife, Susie. Undergone much refurbishment.
Iscoyd Park has a rich and varied history with a string of colourful owners over the centuries. The house, as seen today, dates back to 1737. However, parts date back to 1630 and there was certainly a dwelling there some centuries before that. In the 14th century the estate was owned by the heirs of Iorweth Voel, Lord Maelor Saesneg. It then passed by marriage to the Roydens of Holt. In the 17th century the Jennings family lived at Iscoyd and in 1737 William Hanmer, who had married the Jennens heiress of Gopsal, Leicestershire, built the front part of the house. It was then sold to Rev Richard Congreve in 1780.
Philip Lake Godsal, who was the son of the leading coachmaker of the time (also named Philip Godsal), bought the house in 1843. The Godsal family has been at Iscoyd Park more or less ever since. P.L. Godsal added the portico and the dining room and Philip William Godsal, his son, was responsible for the bow to the drawing room in 1876. P.W. Godsal was an improving agriculturalist and rural philanthropist who believed that the labourers who worked for his farm tenants should have the opportunity to farm their own smallholdings. Philip Thomas was next. He was an outstanding shot and a founder member of the English Eight Club in 1878. His inventions included the Godsal Rifle, which was nearly adopted by the British Army instead of the Lee-Enfield. He was responsible for adding the curious looking water tower at the back of the house to hold the water tanks.
In the Second World War, the park at Iscoyd was requisitioned for use as a 1,500-bed hospital for United States Forces with a prisoner-of-war camp in the enclosure. As Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd wrote, ‘The beautiful parkland was obliterated by an Orwellian nightmare of Nissen Huts, barbed wire and control towers.’ The Americans then handed it over and immediately after the war it become a camp and hospital for Polish refugees.
Colonel Philip Godsal returned to the house in 1946 but because of the continuing presence of the camp lived in a flat on the first floor in the library wing. It was not until 1957 that the park was finally given back to the family. In 1964, Philip H. Godsal moved to Iscoyd and restored the Georgian façade. He died in 1982 and two years later his son, Philip Caulfeild Godsal, moved in. A land agent, Philip Caulfeild gradually set about restoring all the outbuildings, re-roofing the main part of the house and ridding it of deathwatch beetle.
The latest in the Godsal dynasty to occupy Iscoyd, Philip Langley and his wife Susie, have taken on the job of renewing various parts of the fabric of the house and the bulk of this huge restoration project was completed in 2010.
Iscoyd Park, nr Whitchurch, Shropshire
Weddings
A country house wedding venue and private events venue, exclusively yours to invite your family and friends, full of warmth, happiness, romance and elegance.
We hope that you enjoy exploring the house and gardens here and discovering what makes Iscoyd so special and different.
CIVIL CEREMONY
The Garden Room seats up to 130 guests. With its long aisle, series of arches and Portland stone floor, it is almost church-like in feel. The Drawing Room, seating 60, has a very different feel. A smaller and more intimate space, it is full of character and history with a romantic elegancy.
CHURCH WEDDING
Nestled in idyllic and unspoilt countryside on the edge of the estate, the church overlooks a little brook. The romantic setting is echoed by the atmosphere inside. The church has a galleried seating area and can accommodate up to 150 people.
RECEPTION
If your reception is inside, it will be based in the Drawing Room and interconnecting Little Drawing Room and Main Hall. These rooms form the heart and soul of the house. If you choose outdoors there is a wonderful variation of formal gardens and wilder areas.
FEASTING
The Permanent Marquee is connected directly to the house and reached via the Garden Room. With lovely views over the gardens it is perfect for 50-160 guests. For smaller weddings the Drawing Room provides a more intimate space for the wedding feast.
Accommodation
We have 11 award winning bedrooms, all individually designed with beautiful en-suite bathrooms that can be rented on a B&B basis.
There are also two self catering cottages, providing a further 7 bedrooms.
Our bedrooms have been awarded with the Hudson's Heritage Award in 2012 for Best Accommodation. Visit Wales Gold Award 2015/16/17 for serviced accommodation.
Described by the Telegraph in 2016 as having beautifully appointed bedrooms, offering a style and sense of individuality that would put most 5 Star hotels to shame!
COACH ROOM BATHROOM
Foxglove Room
CLOCK TOWER
Corporate Hire
Corporate events
Leave identikit hotels and event venues at the gates. Iscoyd Park is the perfect haven for businesses to celebrate together, reward staff for achievements or find the quietness needed to gain a fresh perspective.
Just over an hour from Manchester, Liverpool and Birmingham, Iscoyd Park offers a healthy balance between work and play.
Across the five reception rooms indoors, you’ll find high-speed Wi-Fi, long tables, soft sofas and plenty of natural light. Whilst outside, the acres of parkland, the gardens and private cricket pitch (complete with umpire) provide plenty of space for you to relax, celebrate, bond and unwind however best you need.
The 14 en-suite bedrooms have been beautifully designed with modern flare by interior designer Suzy Hoodless. Featuring four poster beds, roll top baths, ornate wallpaper and elegant furnishings, each of the rooms give a nod to the unique heritage of the house but includes the comforts you can expect from any quality venue.
Beyond the capabilities of any city venue, at Iscoyd you’ll be able to make use of the ample space and the breadth of activities you can do on site. From clay pigeon shooting to orienteering, assault courses to zorbing, we work alongside trusted outdoor event organisers, Original Outdoors.
Beyond the estate, there is beautiful countryside for walks and cycling and for those eager for a bigger challenge, we can arrange trips to Snowdonia from Iscoyd.
In the evening, the house comes into its own as a place to relax, entertain and enjoy the company of others. We can arrange three course dinners in the dining room, dancing in the Garden Room, cocktail hour at the bar with our resident world-champion bartender or relax around the fire with some wines from the cellar.
You’ll have the support of our events team and kitchen staff, who are on-hand to ensure the evening runs to perfection. Iscoyd Park is also the ideal location for product launches, photo shoots, film location, merger meetings together with private meetings.