A REPLICA Roman temple tucked away in a corner of a green oasis is among the latest of unusual venues where couples can say “I Do”.

The Summer House, as it is officially known, lies in Upper Castle Park, Colchester.

The venue is being offered for hire by Colchester Council’s events company.

It is its first licensed area of the popular park.

Up to 84 guests can attend an outdoor civil ceremony or wedding at the modest summer house, which is set on a tree-lined walkway.

The Summer House was built by Charles Gray whilst renovating the park in the 18th century and was constructed to replicate a Roman temple.

Colchester Events Company is offering the venue from £420.

It says: “This structure is ideal for an outdoor ceremony followed perhaps by a reception at the castle.

“This area benefits from already being in a relatively private space of the park. We also rope off some areas next to the Summer House to keep your guests contained.”

Included in the package is a wedding co-ordinator, licensed registrar to conduct the ceremony, an alcohol licence, use of a sound system and permission for confetti.

However, couples and guests are warned the area is in a public space so events may capture the interest of curious bystanders.

The Summer House is the newest addition to Colchester Events Company’s wedding or civil ceremony venues, with it already offering marquees for receptions in the park grounds.

The park itself is designated Grade II on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in England and spans over 11 hectares.

This year it was again awarded international Green Flag status for a quality park or green space, as well as an additional Green Heritage Site Accreditation for the management of its historic features.

The castle has been another of the company’s licensed venues for some time, offering its chapel for up to 80 guests or the Charles Gray room for a wedding breakfast.

Four rooms within the Baroque-style Colchester Town Hall are also available from the Colchester Events Company.

Some of the rooms are decorated with ornate and original features such as stained glass windows, oil paintings and murals and are still used for their original purpose today including Mayoral and civic events.

Elsewhere, the Electric Palace in Harwich is one of only three cinemas in the country licensed to offer weddings.

The 1911 picture house has Grade II* listing and is one of the oldest purpose-built cinemas to survive.

Other recent stately venues in north Essex to diversify to offer weddings include Wivenhoe House, in the grounds of Wivenhoe Park and the Tudor gatehouse Layer Marney Tower.

Colchester Arts Centre, Tymperleys tea room in Colchester and The Pier restaurant on Harwich seafront also have Essex County Council licences to offer weddings or civil ceremonies.