HollyHedge and Chef Jose Calderon have partnered with Fisherman’s Mark Social Services to create a wonderful pilot program aiming to support the area’s leading Food Pantry and Emergency Services Center located in Lambertville, New Jersey.  Check out the full story here. Chef Jose and Fisherman’s Mark’s Ricardo Zapata worked with recent graduates of Los Puentes, to create a 8 week program to teach basic culinary skills to interested local residents. Each week, Chef Jose leads a practical education program in the HollyHedge kitchens, teaching the students how to prepare and package healthy, gourmet-quality food that is then distributed through Fisherman’s Mark’s food pantry to the local community. All community members are welcome to shop at no cost at the Food Pantry Monday-Friday. The hope is that this initial program can be expanded and continued to provide value-added products to the Food Pantry, and continue to offer complimentary professional training and skill development to community members.

Click to make a donation to Fisherman’s Mark.

It’s always an honor to be named as the top 5 in anything, but we are especially pleased to have been chosen as one of Forbes.com’s Top 5 Rustic Wedding Venues in the Northeast. Writer Roger Sands piece highlights some amazing and unique venues throughout the Northeast United States…and we’re so excited to be a part of his list.

Check out more photos of the Estate.  Or, interested in learning about planning your own wedding at our award winning venue? Contact one of our event coordinators today to learn more about crafting your own unique wedding celebration.

HollyHedge was ranked as one of the top wedding venues in Pennsylvania by Here Comes the Guide. We’re so excited to be part of such a great list, and appreciate that others continue to see the beauty and excitement of getting married at an historic country estate. Check out more photos of the Estate. Or, let us know if you’re interested in speaking with one of our Event Coordinators about booking your own fairy tale wedding at HollyHedge Estate.

Stepping outside on the last few mornings, it has been strangely quiet, except for the birds announcing the arrival of their fledglings, and the distant whine of aircraft and lawns being mowed. The thrum, thrum, thrum of billions of cicadas in the forests around HollyHedge has finally died like the insects responsible for the noise. Not that the sound of cicadas beating out their love songs was disturbing to most people, it was just background noise to everyday activities. We had been promised a cicadageddon; insects invading homes and shops, crawling everywhere and making a noise like a mower at close quarters. Life was going to be miserable for about six weeks this summer, as Brood X emerged from underground to complete its life cycle and return to the earth for another 17 years of development.

It didn’t turn out quite like that. Sure, there were the shells of the nymphs everywhere as the cicadas emerged and left those skeletons behind. The adults sat around in the trees and shrubs for a few hours to dry out and develop wings to get them into the nearby trees. They showed no fear of humans or even birds looking for a feast, they simply crawled to a high point and waited until they knew that they could fly. They did not do that very well either, but when their wings were formed like silver lace and they prepared to fly, they looked very handsome but amusing, with their red bug eyes staring into the world.

So the mating has stopped, dead cicadas have fallen to the earth and been eaten by all the scavengers of the forest. Their eggs remain, developing on the tree branches into small nymphs. The nymphs  will fall to the earth and begin burrowing and feeding on roots of the forest plants for the next 17 years, when the cycle of life will begin again.

Since it was built in 1790, Holly Hedge has witnessed about 14 cycles of these particular cicadas and it seems very well placed to see many more in the future. Who will be here to recall Brood X 2021?

Interested in visiting us at the Estate? Click to make a reservation at the inn.

Click to learn more about planning your own dream wedding at HollyHedge Estate.

From our kitchen window we can see the upper part of the Estate, down the valley and into the front forest. Last week everything looked a little tired and in need of a good soak. It was as if Summer had already begun and Spring had gone away for the year. What a difference a rain makes! Last week’s downpours did little to spoil the fun for the guests at our three weddings. However, I did feel for the staff, valet parking and keeping everyone supplied with food and beverages, in all that rain and cold. But I digress – looking out of the window this week all I can see is a very dense green world of plants growing vigorously. In the case of our nearby pear tree, its fruit are rapidly swelling and looking more and more tempting as the weeks go by. I think we are all looking forward to the arrival of the local summer fruits, which are always so much fresher and sweeter than the packaged material available for the rest of the year.

The normally quiet and serene meadow at HollyHedge resounded to the spirited sound of Indian music, drums and a chorus of happy people singing on Saturday. HollyHedge was hosting the first Indian wedding of the year and the music accompanied the Baraat procession, or the arrival of the bridegroom and his family and friends as they formed a colorful parade through the lower part of the property. The Groom and his party made their way to the Courtyard at Holly Hedge, where the bride and her entourage were waiting under a splendid canopy for the wedding formalities and the following celebrations. It was a perfect weekend to celebrate, and the couple looked amazing in their traditional clothing. So happy we were all able to witness the celebration and share in the couple’s big day!

To learn more about weddings at HollyHedge.

New Year, New You

Yoga Retreat at HollyHedge Estate

Start the year off right with a weekend of rejuvenating yoga, healthy food, and relaxation at the Inn @ HollyHedge Estate. Arrive early Saturday, January 23, join for an afternoon yoga session, followed by evening cocktails and dinner. The next morning enjoy a Sunrise Yoga session to be followed by a healthy breakfast, then guided meditation before a late check out from your room. Each package comes with private room with en suite accommodations.  Individuals can join us for just $250.00 per person. Or couples for $400.00 per couple. Additional services like private massages or bike rentals may be arranged through our concierge services.

Click to make your reservation now. Limited space available.

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2020 Holidays @ HollyHedge

We know this has been a weird year. But, we are going to make the most of the last few months of 2020. We are all in for the holidays at the Estate this year. Check out all that is happening at the Estate, and join us for the celebration:

Thanksgiving Dinner By Us, For You

Don’t want to fuss with shopping at the market, or prepping food for this year’s Thanksgiving. Let our team of award-winning chefs do the work for you. Our team will prepare the whole feast, all you have to do is pick it up the night before Thanksgiving or on Thanksgiving morning. No stress, no clean up – just quality time with loved ones. Full 4 part meals starting at 30.00/person. Click to learn more.

Holiday Gift Certificates

What better way to say, “I love you” then a gift certificate for a stay at the Inn @ HollyHedge? Whether it is a staycation, an anniversary weekend, or night away from the kids, we have great gift certificate options through the holiday. Buy now, stay later and get added value on each gift certificate purchased now through December 2020.  Spend $100.00 and get $120.00 in Gift Certificates for the Inn. Or spend $200.00 and get a gift certificate for $250.00. The more you spend, the more value we add to the gift certificate. Contact our innkeeper to purchase your gift certificate today! Gift certificates are only valid for lodging accommodations at the Inn @ HollyHedge.

The Bakery @ HollyHedge Holiday Celebration

The holiday tradition continues at the Estate. Our expert baker Krystal Weaver has put together an amazing selection of Winter Treats that will be available for pick up from November 15-December 31, 2020. The perfect compliment to your Thanksgiving feast, or to keep the holidays full of festive spirit right through the New Year. Click to see our Holiday Bakery Sheet 2020 and get more instructions on how to place your bakery order.

Gingerbread Workshop

Want to learn to make a ginger bread house like a professional baker? Want to hear some tricks of the trade? Or, just want a fun excuse to spend an afternoon with some loved ones making a mess at someone else’s house? Join us on Sunday, December 13 for a fun, family-friendly afternoon of gingerbread construction – we’ll supply all the ingredients – you get to put it together and decorate. We’ll supply hot cocoa, music and some seasonal treats. Click to reserve your spot – limited seating and availability.

Private Holiday Parties @ HollyHedge

This year has seen a lot of changes to our calendar, and has opened up a number of dates in December and January for private holiday parties or family celebrations. Interested in hosting a private event for 10-60 people at HollyHedge this winter? Send our events team an email – events@www.hollyhedge.com – to check availability and package pricing.

Winter Yoga @ the Inn

Join us for a two days dedicated to personal wellness at the Inn @ HollyHedge. Retreat package will include two yoga sessions, evening cocktails and dinner, private accommodations, and a restorative breakfast. Preliminary date is Saturday, January 23. Click to contact our innkeeper and learn more about our Rejuvenating Winter Yoga Retreat.

Want to wow  your friends and neighbors with the best looking gingerbread house on the block? Want to rock the best Instagram gingerbread selfie of all time? Want a fun, family-friendly afternoon out where you can make a mess and not have to clean up? Whatever your reason, let us show you how to decorate a gingerbread house like a pro. Join us for small demonstration and then hands on, do-it-yourself gingerbread house decorating session at HollyHedge Estate with our expert baker, Krystal Weaver.

Reserve your table now for Sunday, December 13, 2020 at 3 pm. For just $50.00 get all the fixings to make an awesome, edible gingerbread creation. Entry includes the kit, fixings, and complimentary seasonal treats and drinks. We will also have the bar open for those who may wish to add some holiday cheer to their cordial. We recommend one gingerbread kit per 2 adults.  Each additional person (greater than 10 years old) for a single kit will be 10.00 per person. Kids under 10 are free of charge to decorate and snack with their parent or guardian.

Seating will be limited to one group or family per table with plenty of space to maintain social distance. Please reserve your table early. We may add an additional session based on demand:)

Check out other Holiday Happenings @ HollyHedge this year.