A radiant bride steps through a meadow on her way to the village church where she will say the vows on the wedding day she has dreamt of her whole life.

It's a scene that hundreds of brides could be living themselves, after Leeds Castle opened its latest venue, Battel Hall in Leeds village.

The 14th century manor house has been lovingly refurbished by castle staff over two years, including painstakingly replacement of the roof tiles with original ones from the neighbouring property.

The project has turned the hall into a wedding venue - literally a stone's throw from the church - and high end holiday stay which anyone would dream of staying at.

It features accommodation for up to 14 people with bespoke wallpaper and perfectly designed, decorated and furnished rooms, designed by Francesca Plowden Design, drawing on inspiration from Leeds Castle's last private owner, Lady Baillie and her favourite colours and love of birds and florals.

Workers also discovered a rare 15th century "retable" - a single panel altarpiece with seven painted saints, whose faces had been crudely scratched out by what is thought to have been 16th century reformers. The original is now hanging in Leeds Castle chapel, while the replica hangs above the stairs in Battel Hall.

It even has a rare decorative laver or basin just inside the front door, used by travellers and other original features such as arrow-slit windows and intricately carved stone corbels.

The country house was a family home for some years before sitting empty, before managers gained planning permission to turn it into the venue, which can be hired on an exclusive basis for weddings, with outside space for up to 100 guests and a skilled chef on request, a holiday let and for corporate retreats.

Battel Hall is available for bookings. Visit battelhall.com, email battelhall@leeds-castle.co.uk or call 01622 767877.