St Giles House
/ About
St Giles House stands at the southern end of Cranborne Chase, about two hours from London. The main body of the house was begun in 1651 for Sir Anthony Ashley-Cooper, later the first Earl of Shaftesbury, and it is listed Grade I. It is home to the 12th Earl, whose family began an award-winning restoration in 2010.
The house is taken on an exclusive basis from 10am until midnight, with an extension to 2am on request. Five state rooms are hired: the Library, the Great Dining Room, the North and South Drawing Rooms and the Tapestry Room. Dinner seats 120 in one room, 160 across two and 200 across three. Outside there are a gravel terrace, the Sunken Garden, the Lake Lawn and an 18th-century shell-lined grotto for ceremonies of up to 20.
Below the state rooms is the surprise. The old cellars hold a contemporary nightclub of more than 200 square metres, with a DJ booth, a club sound system, LED strip lighting, a smoke machine and its own connecting bar, and no neighbours to complain. Across the grounds, the 17th-century Riding House has eight bedrooms, a dining room and an upstairs lounge with a bar and a billiards table. Up to 42 guests can stay on the estate.
/ Rooms Available
The House, Exclusive Use
Exclusive HireThe whole house from 10am to midnight, with an extension to 2am on request: five state rooms, the cellar nightclub and bar, the terraces and gardens. Dinner seats up to 200 across three rooms.
The Club
PrivateA contemporary nightclub in the cellars beneath the state rooms, more than 200 square metres, with a DJ booth, a club sound system, LED strip lighting, a smoke machine and a connecting bar. The house hires it for parties, screenings and dinners, and it opens to wedding guests after the meal.
The Great Dining Room
PrivateA principal state room used for dinners and receptions.
The Library
PrivateOne of the five state rooms, lined with bookcases, used for long-table dinners and wedding breakfasts.
The North Drawing Room
PrivateA principal state room hung in gold silk.
The Pavilion
Exclusive HireA renovated pavilion on an acre of private grassland across from the house, with a kitchen, a log burner and a lounge. It holds up to 20 indoors, with room outside for a stretch tent or marquee.
The Riding House
Exclusive HireThe 17th-century riding stables, converted into eight bedrooms, a dining room for a three-course dinner, and a first-floor lounge with a billiards table and a stocked bar. A fire pit sits outside.
The South Drawing Room
PrivateA principal state room, licensed for ceremonies like the other state rooms.
The Tapestry Room
PrivateA state room used for welcome drinks, and kept open with the bar and the nightclub after dinner.
/ Perfect For
/ Features
AV Equipment
- – DJ Booth
- – Sound System
- – Lighting Rig
Catering
- – Private Bar
- – Cocktail Programme
Licensing
- – Late Licence until 02:00
- – Full Alcohol Licence
Venue Specs
- – Dedicated Events Team
- – Outdoor Terrace
/ Getting Here
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