The return of the country house ballroom: The Sleepover Ball

In January of this year 32 twenty-somethings rented a manor house for a long weekend. It was the attraction of a private Scottish reeling ball that brought everyone together and the lasting effect is that people who arrived as ‘fellow guests’ later left as friends.

Seeing a large country house filled with people enjoying themselves until the small hours was wonderful. There was no need for a formal occasion such as a wedding, just an excuse in the form of a ball for people to make the trip and use a large house for what it was designed - entertaining the masses. The days were spent playing in the snow, walking, eating and drinking.

There is surely no better way to fill large country houses and help landlords pay for their upkeep. Several thousand pounds goes a long way towards repairing the odd leak, yet per guest works very reasonable indeed (£165 all-in, which included accommodation, catered food, wine with each meal - and champagne!)

The company that put the guests and the landlord in touch, Landed Houses, also sponsored the ball and donated £1,000 to local charities.

Agent: Landed Houses – www.landedhouses.co.uk
House: Buckland House – www.bucklandhouse.co.uk (catering available)
Photographer: John Spivey – www.johnspiveyphotography.co.uk