Friars Court’s Digital Transformation: Heritage Meets Modern Design

Friars Court
Clanfield, Oxfordshire
Friars Court is an estate steeped in history, located in Oxfordshire at the edge of the Cotswolds. Renowned for its tranquil gardens, riverside retreat, and centuries-old heritage, the property offers visitors a range of experiences—from elegant weddings and garden tours to cosy holiday cottage stays. Their unique blend of tradition and warmth forms the heart of their brand, making every visit a memorable one.

About the project

Friars Court’s centuries-old charm and welcoming atmosphere weren’t shining through on their outdated website. Visitors struggled to find key details – like how to book the cottage or plan a wedding in the estate’s picturesque gardens – and staff spent extra time fielding calls from guests who simply couldn’t locate information online.

Recognising the gap between what Friars Court offered in person and what their website conveyed, the team decided it was time for a modern makeover that would reflect both their rich heritage and the practical needs of today’s digital-savvy audience.

The challenge

Despite Friars Court’s rich legacy and picturesque setting, their old website was lagging behind modern standards. Feedback from both visitors and staff made it clear that:

  • Outdated Design: The site no longer reflected the estate’s heritage or welcoming atmosphere.
  • Poor User Experience: Key information was hard to find, making it difficult for potential guests to navigate.
  • Unfocused Online Presence: Friars Court wanted to better highlight key offerings, but the existing layout didn’t effectively guide visitors toward exploring all that the estate had to offer.

They needed a refreshed online presence that honored their storied past while meeting the needs of a modern audience. That’s where we stepped in.

Our approach

Working closely with Friars Court, we helped define a clear vision for their new website – one that celebrates their heritage without feeling dated. Together, we focused on:

  1. Capturing the Estate’s Beauty: We recommended and facilitated drone footage to showcase the property from above. This immersive visual element helps visitors experience Friars Court’s charm before they arrive.
  2. Modern Design Meets Traditional Charm: We balanced a contemporary layout with subtle nods to Friars Court’s history. From the color palette to the typography, every choice reflects the estate’s classic elegance while appealing to today’s audience.
  3. Seamless User Experience: We streamlined navigation so visitors can quickly find details on weddings, garden visits, or holiday cottage rentals. Clear calls-to-action ensure potential guests get where they need to go.
  4. Performance & Page Speed: Despite using high-quality drone videos and extensive visuals, we optimised the WordPress site to perform at top speed. Our efforts earned high scores on mobile and desktop – demonstrating you can have an engaging design without compromising performance.
  5. Future-Ready for Marketing: We built the site with flexibility in mind, ensuring it can support Friars Court’s evolving needs. With a refined structure and improved user experience, the estate is now better positioned to engage visitors and showcase its offerings. The site also has the foundations for future SEO and PPC efforts, allowing for greater visibility and targeted audience reach.

Throughout the redesign, we stayed in close contact via face-to-face meetings, phone calls, and online collaboration tools, ensuring that every element – from the homepage drone video to the final calls-to-action – ligned with Friars Court’s vision.

The outcome

Although it’s too soon to measure major changes in search performance, early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Friars Court now has a digital platform that:

  • Reflects Their Heritage & Warmth: Drone footage, refined visuals, and a cohesive design capture the essence of Friars Court, inviting visitors to immerse themselves in its history.
  • Improves User Experience: A streamlined layout and clear navigation make it easyto explore wedding options, garden tours, or cottage bookings.
  • Delivers Speed & Reliability: Our technical optimizations ensure the site remains fast and stable despite using rich media, embedded reviews, and engaging background videos.
Thank you, Jordan and Elle at Akoca, for all your help in transforming my very old, outdated website into a sleek, modern platform. From our initial conversations to the launch of the new site, the entire process was smooth, easy and seamless. You listened to my thoughts and created a website that not only looks fantastic but is also incredibly user-friendly—both for my customers and for me when making updates. I couldn’t be happier with the result.

Start your own project today

It begins with a message

Let’s explore how we can lift your business to new heights with a plan tailored just for you.

Contact Form