Beckenham's grand Mansion
Do you know the Mansion House in Beckenham? It’s a magnificent Georgian mansion that sits in the equally magnificent grounds of what we now know as Beckenham Place Park.
Its grand portico, high ceilings and views of the Bronte-esque landscape that surround the Mansion provide the perfect backdrop for all sorts of events but especially those wanting to re-create a sense of bygone style and glamour: it’s the perfect location for filming a period drama; fashion shoots; and of course weddings.
Since opening my flower shop in Beckenham I’ve been lucky enough to work at the Mansion House several times running workshops and most recently dressing its rooms with flowers and plants for a vintage-style wedding reception. The drawing room with its tall bay windows was styled with vintage furniture and green lush plants to create a Raffle’s-style cocktail lounge, and in the dining room we lined the long tables with tall, elegant vases filled with dark green palm leaves and white arum lilies for simple but stylish impact.
The Mansion was built around 1760 for former timber merchant and politician John Cator - a landowner with property stretching from Blackheath to Waltham Forest. Since his death the building and its grounds have taken on various roles: a residential home; a golf course; a sanatorium; a museum for theatrical memorabilia which I would love to have seen, and now a center for the local community where the arts and wellbeing are promoted through classes and workshops; a place where local residents can enjoy markets and exhibitions, learn to sew, take up yoga, walk their dogs, take a dip in the lake, or even get married.
There are so many reasons to visit this historic building and its expansive gardens now run by the same team behind Copeland Park & Bussey Building - another center for the arts and community, another south London gem. The Mansion provides a permanent home to a cafe/bar, vintage shop and much-loved restaurant in the converted stables. Others, like myself, come and go hiring a temporary space to work or celebrate.
This year will be my second time hosting Christmas wreath workshops in this grand old space so why not come and join me. I'll be there on the 5th and 6th of December and you can book your place now at Christmas Workshops | Just So Flowers
For more details about Beckenham Place Park and the Mansion House visit https://beckenhamplacepark.com and http://www.beckenhamplace.org
Wedding photo courtesy of instagram.com/leowedphoto
