October 24, 2022
Nicola Denny

Step Inside St Osyth Priory Estate

We are so excited to be welcoming hundreds of visitors to our St Osyth Priory Estate Open Day on 27th November.

 

The Open Day is exclusive to those with a confirmed booking and will give VIP guests the chance to take in views of the estate and explore the very latest progress in the revitalisation of this iconic landmark within the village of St Osyth.


At the centre of the estate is the 16th century Darcy House. Taking its name from the 1st Lord Darcy, Lord Chamberlain of the household under Edward VI, Darcy House has been the focal point of painstaking renovation and now features two beautifully restored function suites, each with the capacity for 110 seated guests.


Weddings and other events will be staged within Darcy House from spring 2023, with further plans for the estate to be home to hotel accommodation, country holiday retreats, a farm shop, a pub, a café and a wellbeing centre.


During the Open Day, visitors will get the chance to tour the estate as well as step inside Darcy House to experience the beautifully restored interior, including hand-painted ceilings and stunning wood panelling. Refreshments will also be served too, giving guests the chance to sample the flavours that will become part of the new future for St Osyth Priory.


William Grinstead, spokesperson for St Osyth Priory Estate, commented: “It is so exciting to be inviting guests for an exclusive opportunity to see the amazing work that has been going on at St Osyth Priory. The estate is such a valuable part of the local community and there has been an incredible level of interest in how St Osyth Priory will be given a new lease of life in the heart of the village of St Osyth.”


“Our Open Day gives visitors the chance to see the quality of the restoration work that has taken place so far and learn more about the further improvements which will follow. For centuries, St Osyth Priory played a central and positive role in the local economy and this is our intention for the estate for future generations. Whether guests arrive from across the country for a wedding or from the surrounding area to visit the farm shop and café, we want St Osyth Priory to be a destination people are delighted to visit.”

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By Josie Wright September 23, 2025
Historic St Osyth Priory took centre stage for the new series of the BBC’s flagship show Strictly Come Dancing. The multi-award winning TV show launched its new series on Saturday with 15 celebrity contestants meeting their professional dance partners for the first time. More than five million viewers tuned in to watch the show with more catching up on BBC iPlayer. Viewers saw five of the contestants waiting nervously at St Osyth Priory to find out who their dance partners would be. Model and actress Ellie Goldstein, who became the first model with Down syndrome to feature on the cover of Vogue and appear in a campaign for fashion giant Gucci, waited in the formal gardens of the priory, smiling broadly as she discovered she would be partnering former Strictly winner Vito Coppola. EastEnders actor – and Strictly superfan – Balvinder Sopal, who plays Suki in the BBC soap, was paired with dancer Julian Caillon who is looking forward to his first year on the show. Shakespearean and TV actor Alex Kingston joyously greeted flamboyant dancer Johannes Radebe outside the priory while TV personality and broadcaster Vicky Pattison was filmed in the stunning panelled Darcy House to meet popular dancer partner Kai Widdrington. England footballer Lioness Karen Carney smiled with delight when she saw dancer and choreographer Carlos Gu. Aerial shots also showed the priory’s scoping grounds and stunning gardens as well as the exterior of the magnificent estate. William Grinsted, managing director of St Osyth Priory Estate, said it was wonderful to welcome the Strictly celebrities and dancers and he said he hoped the venue would be used again in the future. He said: “Everyone was so nice and it was great to have them here. They seemed to be having a good time and they were laughing and chatting with each other. “We have had historians filming here before and, of course, TV presenter George Clarke, who officially opened the restore Gatehouse. But having Strictly to film here was the pinnacle. The estate looked amazing and we are hoping it will lead to more opportunities.” To find out more about the priory and organising an event, click here , call us on 01206 430160 or email info@stosythpriory.co.uk and our staff would be happy to see how we can help you. If it’s good enough for Strictly….!
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