Our Family Home For You
Pauntley Court is painted a reddish earth colour, reflecting the iron-rich soil of the area, and curled around a central courtyard, it glows rosily in the evening sun, surrounded by munching cows and sheep, its only neighbours, The Dovecote and the Norman Church.
About us
Mark and Melissa, were married at Pauntley Court in 1996 and their 3 children were christened in the church. They took over the running of the estate from Melissa's mother in 2008 and have continued the restoration each year, culminating in launching as a wedding venue in 2019. Mark and Melissa are very excited to be welcoming you to this romantic and unique place.
Our Ethos
As a family business, we love nothing more than to welcome couples and other families to this wonderfully warm, characterful and special place.
Melissa will always meet every couple and show them around the house and gardens giving them the history and many interesting facts about the house over the last 800 years. She is passionate about Pauntley!
Opposite is a photo from their wedding day outside the church at Pauntley Court in October 1996!
MEET OUR TEAM
Melissa is the wonderful and welcoming owner of Pauntley Court, which is also her cherished family home. Known for her warm smile and genuine kindness, Melissa is deeply passionate about Pauntley and its story.
She personally hosts viewings for couples, guiding them through the house, gardens, and grounds while sharing the fascinating history that makes Pauntley Court so special. Her approach is thoughtful and personal, ensuring every couple feels truly at home from the moment they arrive.
Melissa is married to Mark and they have three children, Sorrel, Mungo, and Clemmie. Melissa was a milliner when she was first married and loves art, interiors and fashion. When she’s not busy running the venue and creating new spaces and ideas for the weddings, she enjoys practising calligraphy, reading,the theatre and spending time with her mother, affectionately known as The Flower Fairy.
Christine is Melissa’s mother, Pauntley’s much-loved Flower Fairy, and Head Gardener. She cares for the gardens year-round and, during wedding season, creates beautiful floral arrangements for each of the ten bedrooms.
Having lived in the Main House at Pauntley Court for many years, Christine has planted most of the formal gardens you see today and helped restore many parts of the estate, including the Dovecote and the Cornmill where she lives. Outside the garden, she enjoys dog agility with her Clumber Spaniel, Powder, and has a lifelong love of music, interiors, and the arts.
Rachel is Pauntley’s fabulous housekeeper, known for going above and beyond for both couples and their guests. From preparing the house for your arrival to cooking a relaxed Sunday brunch before departure, nothing is ever too much trouble.
A true fountain of knowledge when it comes to the house, Rachel has been described by many guests as “the jewel in Pauntley’s crown.” When she’s not looking after Pauntley, she loves spending time with her family and enjoys painting, trying new crafts, and plenty of cooking and baking.
Holly is one of our wedding coordinators at Pauntley Court, known for her calm, friendly approach and meticulous attention to detail. She works closely with couples to ensure their wedding day runs seamlessly, offering reassurance, organisation, and a steady hand throughout the planning process and on the day itself.
Passionate about creating relaxed yet beautifully run celebrations, Holly takes great pride in helping couples feel supported and able to fully enjoy their time at Pauntley.
Mel is one of our wedding coordinators at Pauntley Court, bringing warmth, enthusiasm, and a wonderfully proactive approach to every wedding she supports. With a natural flair for organisation and a keen eye for detail, Mel helps ensure each celebration feels effortless and thoroughly enjoyable.
She loves getting to know couples and takes real pleasure in bringing their plans together, always going the extra mile to make sure everything is just right and the day flows beautifully from start to finish.
Rebecca is one of our wedding coordinators at Pauntley Court, known for her friendly, reassuring manner and thoughtful approach to every detail. She supports couples throughout their wedding journey, ensuring plans are carefully managed and the day itself runs smoothly and stress-free.
With a genuine passion for weddings and a calm, organised style, Rebecca helps create celebrations that feel relaxed, personal, and beautifully executed.
Jilly is a valued member of the team at Pauntley Court, known for her cheerful nature and hands-on approach. Always happy to help wherever needed, Jilly plays an important role in ensuring everything is beautifully prepared and running smoothly for both couples and their guests.
Friendly, reliable, and detail-focused, Jilly brings a positive energy to every wedding day and helps create the welcoming, relaxed atmosphere Pauntley is loved for.
Alex is a valued member of the team at Pauntley Court, known for her calm presence and thoughtful attention to detail. She supports weddings behind the scenes and on the day, helping ensure everything is beautifully set up and runs seamlessly.
Approachable, reliable, and quietly efficient, Alex plays an important role in creating the relaxed, well-organised experience that couples and their guests enjoy at Pauntley.
Rosie is one of our fabulous Coordinators at Pauntley Court, bringing enthusiasm, care, and a friendly presence to every wedding. She supports the team both in the lead-up to the day and on the day itself, helping ensure everything runs smoothly for couples and their guests.
Always approachable and willing to help, Rosie contributes to the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that makes weddings at Pauntley so special.
Finally, but most importantly, meet Pauntley’s furriest team member, Fennel! 🐾
Fennel is officially responsible for keeping the team (and the venue) in order, although she can often be found supervising from the office sofa or enjoying a well-earned snooze in the sunshine.
A much-loved part of life at Pauntley Court, Fennel is always on hand to offer a warm welcome, a wagging tail, and excellent morale-boosting services.