New Forest’s Balmer Lawn Hotel and Spa is celebrating after being named ‘Wedding Venue of the Year’ in the South-Central category at a prestigious industry awards ceremony.

A NEW Forest hotel has been named the regional Wedding Venue of the Year at a prestigious industry awards ceremony.

Balmer Lawn Hotel and Spa country house hotel says the win in the in the south-central category recognises its “commitment to excellence, exceptional service” and “the creation of unforgettable wedding experience”.

The hotel now goes through to the finals of the national Wedding Industry Awards to be held on 24th January in London.

A four-star hotel was originally built as private home and hunting lodge in the 1800s and converted to a hotel in around 1850.

During the First World War it served as an army hospital, and in the Second World War was used as a military staff college.

It now holds regular wedding showcases to exhibit its award-winning venue which includes a range of luxury spaces to choose from, from the après ski lodge to classic wedding breakfast rooms.

They are complemented by its picturesque grounds in which New Forest ponies roam – providing a backdrop to wedding photos.

Ruth Mundy, Balmer Lawn’s wedding executive, said: “We are over the moon to win this award. This recognition speaks volumes about the passion and effort our team puts into every wedding at Balmer Lawn.

“It's an absolute thrill to see our commitment to crafting magical experiences acknowledged in such a meaningful way. We’re now even more inspired to continue setting new standards of excellence in the world of weddings.”