A charming 16th-century coaching inn

Within Thomas Hardy’s enchanting village of Evershot...

Bouchard Finlayson

Hermanus, Western Cape

A vineyard between heaven & earth

Cradled amid the hills of the Hemel-en-Aarde (Heaven and Earth) valley,
Bouchard Finlayson is widely acclaimed as one of South Africa’s leading boutique wine cellars.

With a terroir defined by both ancient soils and a cool maritime climate, the vineyards of Bouchard Finlayson are famous for producing award-winning
Pinot Noir, elegant Chardonnay and terroir-driven Sauvignon Blanc, while inspired blends showcase the depth of skill and innovation in our winemaking team.

The Bouchard Finlayson cellar is conveniently located a scenic 90 minutes’ drive from Cape Town, close to the world-famous whale-watching centre of Hermanus.

The ceremony

You can hold your ceremony in one of our beautiful suites, in a local church, or weather permitting outside in the gardens.

The Junior Harbour Room is perfect for more intimate celebrations with up to 30 of your closest family and friends. For larger weddings, the opulent Harbour Ballroom can host 200 guests, or up to 260 guests when extended with a marquee, with views over looking the beautiful Lough Corrib.

If you would prefer a church wedding, a choice of churches are located in and around the grounds, with Saint Mary’s Church Cong just a three-minute drive from the Ashford Estate.

View our wedding brochure

Your Perfect day...

Breathtaking views, manicured gardens, the run of a stylish private house and a team to take care of every last detail: The Lodge offers a truly unique and special wedding venue. Add to that the delicious cuisine and heartfelt service we are famous for, and the result is an unforgettable experience for you and your guests. We cater for small to exclusive use weddings, and you can feel reassured with our dedicated personal wedding planner.

Memorable dining

Executive Head Chef Jonathan Keane, originally from Connemara, is the culinary mastermind behind the food offerings at The Lodge at Ashford Castle. Named best chef in Ireland 2019 by the Good Eating Guide, Jonathan focuses on the quality of the country’s produce and is a true champion of West of Ireland artisan producers.

Intimate weddings

The beautiful and serene surroundings of The Lodge at Ashford Castle are perfectly suited to intimate weddings, blessings, civil ceremonies and vow renewals. With a variety of beautiful spaces, and only one wedding to take place per day, our team will ensure your special moment together is everything you could wish for.

Explore more

Spectacular settings

The Lodge at Ashford Castle provides a truly romantic and striking setting for your wedding vows, blessing or civil ceremony. With a variety of spaces, we can cater for small, personal ceremonies or larger celebrations seven days a week. We can host your wedding ceremony in our Harbour Ballroom seating up to 200 of your family and friends, or if the weather permits, marry on our front lawn overlooking the beautiful Lough Corrib. The Harbour Ballroom can be extended with a marquee, allowing you to host up to 260 guests for your celebration.

Wedding gallery

Explore cherished memories from our guests.

View our wedding gallery

Exclusive use

The Lodge at Ashford Castle can be entirely yours for your special day, and customised in any way you wish... the ideal option for creating a completely bespoke celebration surrounded by friends and loved ones.

There is also the option to extend the wedding party by hosting a post-wedding celebration such as a BBQ or buffet for guests continuing their stay at The Lodge.

Explore more