A popular lakeside wedding venue has been forced to shut because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic - leaving brides devastated.

Waddesdon Manor's trading company Rothschild Waddesdon Ltd has had to surrender its lease of the picturesque wedding venue The Dairy as a result of "severe financial pressure and ongoing uncertainty caused by Covid-19".

It means every wedding booked there in 2021 can not longer be held - leaving couples who had set their hearts on the beautiful venue reeling.

All couples whose weddings at The Dairy have had to be cancelled have been informed via email on Tuesday, September 22.

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Event planners at Waddesdon have offered couples exclusive use of another on-site venue, the Five Arrows Hotel, subject to availability - but if that is unsuitable, they will be given a refund of any deposits already paid.

In an email to one upset bride, staff said: " So much has happened since you first booked your wedding with us here at Waddesdon, not least the challenge of lockdown and subsequent restrictions that led us to postpone your wedding until next year.

"Unfortunately like so much of the hospitality industry the repercussions of the ongoing pandemic have been extremely serious for our team and our business and it is with great sadness that I have to tell you that our trading company (Rothschild Waddesdon Ltd – RWL) has had to surrender its lease of The Dairy.

"As a result of the severe financial pressure and on-going uncertainty caused by Covid-19 we will no longer be able to host your wedding there.

"I can only imagine how upsetting this news will be to you and would like to take this opportunity to offer our sincere apologies, but the circumstances have been beyond our control.

"Nonetheless, we are still wholly committed to supporting you in finding a way to hold your wedding at Waddesdon next year.

"We understand how much there is to take in and how important this decision will be for you both.

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"It remains only for me to reiterate our great sadness that we are unable to fulfil your wedding as originally planned, however we sincerely hope we will be able to continue to work with you on your wedding journey and to host your special day at Waddesdon with us here at The Five Arrows."

In a statement to the Bucks Free Press, Waddesdon apologised again for the "unexpected and upsetting news".

The Dairy is a vaulted Victorian building set alongside the lake with pretty gardens. It can host weddings for up to 130 guests during the day and 160 during evening reception.

Weddings there started from £2,950.

For more than 100 years, the building was the country retreat of the Rothschild family.

According to bridal website hitched.co.uk, The Dairy was given five out of five in 22 reviews, with 100 per cent of couples recommending it as a venue.

One review says: "You cannot beat The Dairy at Waddesdon as a wedding venue. The venue is excellent whether you are having a summer wedding or a winter wedding. The staff are also wonderful, nothing is ever too much trouble for them. You will not get better food at a wedding either! Highly recommended."

Have you been affected? Let us know - email stephanie.wareham@newsquest.co.uk