Penrith isn’t short of beautiful spots, but Blencowe Hall? This venue is on a different level entirely. We’re talking a genuine 14th century castle – the sort with actual crenellated towers and stonework so old it’s grown its own lichen. It’s had some modern work done over the years to make it more comfortable, but the bones of the place are completely untouched, so walking onto site feels like stepping into something out of a period drama – except warmer and, when Hog Roast Penrith is involved, with significantly better food.
Our latest clients, Rebecca and Stuart picked this iconic spot for their wedding earlier this month and we completely understand why. The whole place just fit their vibe, especially after they’d added their own little touches everywhere – signage, personal accents, small details that made a big space feel intimate. It was really lovely to see.
Hog Roast Penrith was honoured to take care of the catering, and the brief Rebecca and Stuart set us was simple: keep it relaxed, keep it delicious and make sure nobody goes home hungry. With that in mind, they settled on our Southern Slow Roast Menu, which – if you haven’t come across it before – is basically a love letter to Deep Southern cuisine. With three slow-roasted meats on offer, including Texan beef brisket, Cajun-spiced chicken and pulled minted lamb, every meaty craving was taken care of. And for guests skipping the meat altogether, grilled vegetable kebabs with halloumi hit the spot brilliantly.
Then came the sauces. Smoky sweet BBQ glaze, Cajun hot pepper and hickory bourbon BBQ – three very different vibes, all excellent and it meant every single guest could build a plate that actually suited them. But Hog Roast Penrith wasn’t quite done showing off. Our sides were the kind that quietly steal the show, with buttery corn cobbettes, a mac and cheese that had people going back twice and proper handmade coleslaw for guests to dig into at their own pace.
Rebecca and Stuart had also sorted a drinks station nearby – cocktail-making, fresh juices, crisps – giving the whole reception a festival-garden-party sort of feel that worked brilliantly against that ancient stone backdrop.
Huge congratulations to Mr and Mrs Wilson. Blencowe Hall has hosted centuries worth of occasions – and this one was worth every bit of the fuss.
