Looking for a weekend retreat to house all your loved ones? Look no further – our editors’ share their favourite exclusive-use wedding venues from across the UK.
Tried, tested and reviewed by The Wedding Edition team.
Goodwood Estate
By Rosalyn Wikeley
For a quintessentially English wedding in a grand, genteel setting, and with the fairy dust that only somewhere as versed in events as Goodwood can sprinkle. The wedding planning team here is as professional as they come, with a butler and chef at the couples’ disposal and no notion or vision too fantastical to contemplate, particularly with Goodwood’s Festival of Speed, Qatar Goodwood Festival and Goodwood Revival under their smart leather belts. Aside from this refined event muscle and the sheer stately splendour of it all, the joy of a wedding here is in the multiple reception or ceremony location choices, along with the chance to keep the wedding party and close guests on-site (11,000 acres of it) across a long weekend. Combine the evocative countryside, different styles of venues and Goodwood’s ‘nothing’s impossible’ approach to bringing events to life, and it’s easy to see why this majestic corner of West Sussex appeals to discerning couples. Whatever they opt for, they’re in safe hands, and in one of England’s most ravishing country piles.
Discover more about Goodwood here
Lime Wood, New Forest
By Kendra Leaver-Rylah
Nestled within the enchanting embrace of the New Forest National Park, Lime Wood emerges as the quintessential exclusive-use wedding venue, promising a day steeped in elegance and charm. Perched at the end of a long driveway, often frequented by the free-roaming horses of the New Forest, Lime Wood exudes a late 18th-century charm on the outside, while boasting an achingly-cool trad-luxe ambiance within. From the moment you step onto its grounds, Lime Wood captivates with its timeless allure and natural splendor. Picture yourself arriving at Lime Wood, perhaps with the hotel’s beehives and smokehouse in tow, evoking visions of a bygone era transported by carriage. Inside, a cosmopolitan crowd mingles amidst wood fires crackling amidst patterned wallpaper and sumptuous furnishings. Exchange vows amidst the whispering trees in the tranquil forest glades or bask in the romantic ambiance of the Courtyard, where historic charm meets contemporary sophistication. As the day transitions into evening, Lime Wood’s magical ambiance comes alive under the starlit sky. Dance the night away in the stunning Glass House, where floor-to-ceiling windows offer panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, or gather around the roaring firepit for a moment of quiet reflection beneath the moonlight. With its picturesque setting, impeccable service, and unparalleled attention to detail, Lime Wood stands as the epitome of exclusivity and luxury, making it the perfect choice for couples seeking a wedding venue that surpasses all expectations.
Discover more about Lime Wood here
Deer Park Country House, Devon
By Isabella Foulger
Looking to tie the knot somewhere that exceeds ‘wedding venue’ expectations? Deer Park in Devon is an immersive wedding retreat and one of the UKs best kept secrets for hosting the ultimate exclusive-use wedding. Your guests are guaranteed to be blown away by this multi-award-winning venue with such a vast array on offer, stretching across 80 acres in the most serene South West Coast setting. If you’re looking to stretch celebrations across several days, various activities and formats, from pre wedding yoga sessions to cocktails at sunset in the walled garden, there’s plenty there to entertain guests and the wedding party. Deer Park has some of the best accommodation we’ve seen, including a heavenly treehouse for the newlyweds.
Discover more about Deer Park here.
Wilderness Reserve, Suffolk
By Isabella Foulger
Orangery? Walled garden? Georgian mansion? Check. This exclusive-hire estate has it all. Put your guests up in the coolest accommodation – a pink farmhouse, electricity-free cottages and a cleverly converted fruit and veg glasshouse. Explore the vast landscape on Pashley Bicycles. Guests can enjoy tennis, clay-pigeon shooting, fishing, archery and more. Add some wedding wow with a Woodland Firefeast or Bonfire Experience. Just don’t forget your wellies!
Discover more about Wilderness Reserve here.
Lucknam Park, Wiltshire
By Isabella Foulger
Standing pillared-and-proud along a mile-long, beech and lime-framed drive, Lucknam Park packs that period drama appeal. Tall 18th century windows peer over velvety lawns, topiary and acres of tamed parkland and gardens, while the building’s buttermilk-stone mirrors that of nearby Bath’s handsome crescents. The courtyards and spectacular grounds are what photographers dream of – an idyllic, Jane Austen-style backdrop for truly knockout wedding pictures.
Discover more about Lucknam Park here.
Cornwell Manor, Oxfordshire
By Isabella Foulger
Deep in the bucolic thickets of North Oxfordshire, Cornwell Manor casts its wisteria-smothered Georgian symmetry over acres of landscaped gardens and its very own hamlet, including a Norman church. As the Cotswolds switch on the sunshine and the Laurel-carved gardens glow an ethereal green, there is a sense that you have found the prettiest patch of England: undulating countryside, woodland and lakes serving as a soft, watercolour backdrop for the couple’s vision and all the photographs.
Discover more about Cornwell Manor here.
Hedsor House, Buckinghamshire
By Isabella Foulger
Hedsor House is the ultimate party pad. A pink rhododendron-lined driveway leads to the spectacular family-owned manor house. Strikingly symmetrical, it’s a dream for those all-important wedding snaps. Get hitched at the nearby medieval church or Centre Hall with domed ceiling in the main house. There’s a stunning Bridal Suite with large dressing area for all your maids.
Discover more about Hedsor House here.
Heckfield Place, Hampshire
By Isabella Foulger
Art lovers will be in heaven here. From the moment you enter the Georgian manor, you’re treated to an array of carefully curated pieces – its entrance hall, lined with abstract works, is particularly impressive.Interiors are stylish yet beautifully paired back with original features creating the main canvas for a modern colour palette and a mix of contemporary and classic pieces. Adding to the country home ambience, fresh flowers from the cutting garden are loosely arranged in vases dotted throughout rooms on sideboards and tables. Naturally, the drawing room is at the heart of the house and features deep, squishy sofas, a grand piano and roaring fires in winter months.
Discover more about Heckfield Place here.
Four Seasons, Hampshire
By Isabella Foulger
A mere one hour drive from Central London, Four Seasons Hampshire is a sprawling country estate ramped up with Four Seasons panache. Inside, glamour meets traditional country house, with mirrored walls, chandeliers and comforting country wallpaper. Here, its all about outdoor activities (riding, hiking, falconry, cycling, tennis, birdwatching…) and, of course, the food.
Discover more about Four Seasons here.
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