Layer Marney Tower is England’s tallest Tudor gatehouse, standing proudly within the Essex landscape with commanding views over the River Blackwater and beyond. Built during the reign of Henry VIII by Henry, Lord Marney, the tower is now established as a popular wedding and events venue.
BRANDING | WEBSITE | MARKETING | GUIDELINES | SIGNAGE | DIGITAL
As one of our earliest clients, Phelan Barker has proudly worked with Layer Marney for over 20 years, initially developing their original branding, marketing materials, and websites.
Our most recent commission involved refreshing their main website, marking its third generation and creating a digital presence that complements the separately designed Wedding website.
The project aimed to update and refocus the main website to better serve visitors, promote events and education, simplify the user journey, and drive more enquiries. A strong emphasis was placed on enhancing the experience for smartphone users, reflecting current browsing trends.
The brand thoughtfully combined two of the Tower’s most distinctive elements: the prancing lion taken from its historic coat of arms, and a terracotta brick – one of the many thousands originally used in the construction of Layer Marney. By bringing these symbols together, the design creates a contemporary interpretation that still remains firmly rooted in traditional heritage and craftsmanship.
Key goals included reducing the amount of content for clearer navigation, creating a smooth and intuitive user experience, and prioritising enquiry generation. Additionally, heritage funding requirements specified that visitor bookings needed to be made online. The new website was designed to complement the Wedding site while maintaining a distinct identity.
Phelan Barker was commissioned to create a celebratory brand identity marking 500 years since the death of Henry, 1st Lord Marney, builder of the iconic Layer Marney Tower and trusted courtier to Henry VIII. Inspired by elements of the Marney coat of arms, the identity was applied across marketing, promotional materials and commemorative items for a programme of Tudor themed events, historical reenactments and public celebrations, culminating in a re-creation of Lord Marney’s funeral procession from London to Essex.
We have really enjoyed working with Phelan Barker for over twenty years. They have transformed our DIY amateur marketing material into something that is polished, professional and above all effective.
Above all I would say that their work has improved our image. As a result it is perceived as a far better place to visit, do business with, or use for weddings and private events.
Where we would be without their input doesn’t bear thinking about.
Nicholas Charrington, Layer Marney Tower
The refreshed website delivers a market-focused visual experience that aligns seamlessly with the Wedding website, uniting Layer Marney’s overall offering.
An integrated Ticket Tailor solution allows visitors to book tickets online easily, while event details are synced with social media channels to maximise engagement. The educational offerings have been expanded, and accommodation options now include partnerships with Airbnb and a local glamping provider. Multiple enquiry modules guide users towards specific, targeted enquiries, helping to boost visitor interaction and conversions.
