Essential tips for your summer party!

With a host of sporting events throughout the summer, family occasions and socialising with friends, a summer party is often a highlight point for many. That being said, the key to hosting a successful outdoor party is all in the preparation. At Brocket Hall, we often host summer parties where our guests get to enjoy the surrounding estate as much as the Hall itself, so we came up with some key points that can help you with your own summer party this summer!

 

Stay hydrated

Pimm's is often a popular choice in warmer weather because it’s refreshing and light. However, make sure you also have enough non-alcoholic drink available too; jugs of water and ice and other soft drinks are vital. That way you’ll ensure everyone will enjoy themselves for longer!

 

Provide enough food

Take into account the time of your party- does it start at lunch time? When does it finish? Guests will need food, or they will get hungry and drink too much on an empty stomach! A BBQ is simple and easy and allows you to cater to different dietary requirements, whilst light bites in the evening are always popular in our experience! 

Entertainment

Every party is different, but one thing they all have in common is the need for entertainment. This can come in various forms, depending on the type of guests that you tend to invite. Lawn games are a particular favourite of ours because they are perfect for early arrivals, and the post-lunch lull. Importantly, they also require little skill which encourages everyone to join in. Games such as Croquet, Giant Jenga and Twister are often a popular choice for our guests, and keep children occupied for hours on end.

Picking the right music is also really important. Live bands are common at our parties here at Brocket Hall, but if you want something a little more simple then we suggest you create a varied and upbeat playlist. Remember, you can always change it; if everyone starts dancing later on in the evening then you may have a few song requests!

Summer decoration

 

It may seem a minor point to some, but we place a huge amount of importance on ensuring that our summer parties look fantastic. Use bright and vibrant colours to help create a summer feeling- flower decorations are always a good way to do this. It is something so simple, but it really helps to make a positive party atmosphere.

Keep your guests cool

Make sure you have umbrellas giving your guests protection from the shade. An additional bonus for guests would be providing small fans that they can use to relieve themselves from the sun. Sun cream is also another helpful extra that your guests will appreciate.

Have a contingency plan

Unfortunately an English summer can be very unpredictable, so it is vital that you have an alternative space that can be used if the weather isn’t on your side. This might be indoors or you may have a gazebo for shelter it’s up to you, but your guests will be very appreciative. We suggest that you also look at the weather forecast on the day to make sure you aren’t taken by surprise and you can take this into account when planning your day. For example, does your food need a BBQ or can it be cooked inside?

  

Finally, enjoy yourself! Hosting a party can be stressful but with enough planning it doesn’t have to be. That way you can spend time with guests, rather than worrying about what else needs to be done. 

Good Luck!

It's Royal Ascot week! The history of racing on the Brocket Hall Estate.

Melbourne Lodge, our Georgian coach house conversion

Like many this week, Brocket Hall is eagerly anticipating the glitz and the glamour of the Royal Ascot meeting; importantly for us, it also means that summer is upon us!  

Whether you are attending Royal Ascot or perhaps visiting Auberge du Lac for our own version of Ladies Ascot Day, everyone can get involved in their own way. We thought we would delve into the archives and revisit our own history of horse racing on the Estate.

For those that have visited the Estate previously, you may have stayed in our Melbourne lodge or driven through the Estate on our long winding road. What many do not know however, is that the road through the Estate was in fact a horse racing track that hosted many race days for the Hall’s residents. You can in fact see a glimpse of the Estate in a former life at the Hall; a painting by William Tomkins from 1768 hangs proudly in the front hall as you enter the stately home.

This is not all that remains of Brocket Hall’s history of horse racing. What is widely referred to as Melbourne Lodge, is in fact a renovated stable barn that sits in the tranquil grounds of the Brocket Hall Estate with beautiful views of the Hall, Broadwater Lake and the Melbourne golf course. Used as a place for our guests to stay in luxurious accommodation overnight, our elegant Georgian coach house conversion previously sheltered the tireless steeds that not only took the Hall’s residents hunting, but also provided the main point of interest on race days proudly held on the private race course that circled the Estate during the 18th Century. In keeping with tradition, each of our rooms are named after a famous race horse.

Despite the Estate changing considerably through time, there are many references to the past ensuring that the tradition and history that makes Brocket Hall so intriguing and unique, is not forgotten.