St Osyth Priory

Tucked away in the corner of an Essex village which itself nestles in a quiet patch of this uniquely evocative stretch of the Essex coast, there's something rather magical about St Osyth Priory, a 350-acre country estate that's in the process of being restored to its glory days. With a medieval abbey at its heart, and extensive grounds given over to lakes, woodland and pasture, it offers a chance to kick back and relax on your very own country estate. As a wedding venue, and also as the home of a series of comfortable and supremely well-appointed holiday accommodation, it's an extraordinary place to stay – large enough to host big celebrations, especially memorable weddings, but also intimate and peaceful enough to appeal to couples wanting a secluded get-away-from-it-all stay.

No less than 1400 years old, the estate is named after a Saxon princess and Christian martyr, who was beheaded for refusing to denounce her faith. Her husband famously hunted a legendary white stag (references to which you'll see around the estate), and the abbey and the village were considered historic enough to merit a Time Team excavation back in 2005. It was the seat of the Darcy family for hundreds of years – influential folk during Tudor times which perhaps explains the fact that so much of it survives – and in 1999 it was acquired by the Sergeant family, who still live in the grounds.

The building at the centre of the extensive grounds – Darcy House – houses a couple of large function spaces and also a series of grand guest and reception rooms – which feel both special and cosy at the same time. You can also stay in the refurbished medieval Gatehouse, across the lawn, where there's a three-bedroom cottage and a five-bedroom cottage, alongside two separate bedrooms and the Rochford Suite (you can rent the whole lot together if you wish). There's also a choice of two, beautifully kitted-out dog-friendly cottages across the courtyard, sleeping between 2 and 6 people. Finally, there's the alluring bulk of South Lodge, a purpose-built folly in the style of the rest of the priory that has a sumptuous downstairs living space, two large en-suite bedrooms and a roof deck with a hot tub.

There are other function spaces dotted around the estate – a grand refurbished barn, an old dairy and an atmospheric Gothic chapel which sit next to picturesque ruins of the original priory. But most of all the estate is somewhere to explore, with extensive footpaths, wildlife and rare breed cattle grazing its pastures. They're planning to open a farm shop to sell St Osyth products before long. In fact, you may come here and find you don't leave at all during your stay. Park your car, throw away the keys, and indulge your most extreme landed gentry fantasies while strolling the grounds of this sumptuous pile.