I you want somewhere to stay or are planning your wedding in Louth forget the Brackenborough Arms or Kenwick Park because neither of them compare in the slightest to The Priory. This is a superb family run hotel very close to the centre of Louth; next to the old alms houses opposite somerfield, a gem hidden behind a curtain of trees. My wife grew up in Louth(quite close to it) and had never heard of it and it wasn’t until we started to plan our wedding that a colleague of mine said if we wanted something different to go to the priory as he had recently done some photography there. We went out to see it and it was absolutely perfect. The buidling was built almost two hundred years ago mainly from reclaimed stone from the old town hall. It has the appearance of a gothic manor house or castle. It is set in extensive grounds which has a river running through it and a lake with an original victorian folly situated on an island. They have a variety of rooms for lounging, conferences, drinking and dining as well as a large function room — the gothic room. If you want somewhere spectacular to hold a function or a gothic wedding then this is the place to be. At the time the current landlords had only just taken over so hadn’t got a wedding licence at that time; although they have now, so we got married at the registry office and held our wedding breakfast and evening reception there. I couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful time. Everything went perfectly, Paul and Shelley were the perfect hosts. The facilities were great and the bedrooms are superb. We have been back since because it is a wonderful place to stay. Incidentally the prices were lower than anywhere else we looked at so not only did we get a magical wedding setting but we got it at a bargain price. I have stayed at some fantastic places but this is the best and I can’t wait to go again.