Choosing your wedding venue is the biggest – and likely hardest – decision you’ll have to make as it sets the tone for everything else. For most couples, pinpointing location naturally comes first; you may want to be close to home or nearby family and friends. Or there could be a nostalgic connection, maybe it’s where you got engaged (yippee!) or had your first romantic get-away… Whatever you’re thinking, it’s best to decide on location, then shortlist venues.
Having worked as a Wedding Editor for many years I have been lucky enough to review and go behind the scenes at hundreds of the best wedding venues in the UK. Here, I highlight the very greatest by region to help you narrow down your options and find the perfect match.
Tried, Tested and Reviewed by TWE
LONDON
Couples are abundantly spoiled for choice in the capital as there are hundreds of venues to choose from, but it can be overwhelming to say the least. If you’re seeking a tranquil setting, look no further than the Chelsea Physic Garden, a botanical haven which is often combined with a ceremony at the Chelsea Town Hall. For an ultra luxurious space, The Connaught nestled in the heart of Belgravia has everything you could wish for and more. For something more modern, The Ned has a fabulous events space with rooftop terraces and an ornate tapestry room or choose The Corinthia for exceptional dining and penthouse suites with river views. For wine lovers, Berry Brothers & Rudd is home to the coolest cellar space. Henry’s Townhouse is a new opening, once the home of Jane Austen’s favourite brother Henry, now it can be taken over exclusively for the ultimate house party.
SOUTH WEST
For Cornish sea views with a modern twist, Gara Rock is hard to beat or there’s quirky Hotel Tresanton with a beach club terrace nestled in the fishing village of St Mawes. Devon is home to some of the very best exclusive-hire venues, including Deer Park (with treehouse bridal suite), Huntsham Court and ANRÁN with its stunning jungle-esque glasshouse. For something more low-key, Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall’s River Cottage allows for al fresco feasting amongst the working garden. For five-star excellence, The Royal Crescent in Bath is as quintessentially British as it gets, or try Lucknam Park in Wiltshire, which can be taken over exclusively for weddings. For true wow-factor, the Venetian-inspired Euridge Manor is breathtakingly beautiful with moat, coral orangery and gorgeous walled garden. If you’re envisioning an effortlessly elegant setting, elevated by the secluded tranquility of bucolic surroundings, The Penn in Dorset boasts a picture-perfect fusion of a sublime coastal setting and a cinematic, fairytale location. Kin House is a Grade II listed house set within 10-acres of walled gardens and private woodland and has been sensitively restored to its former glory with interiors led by the British design studio Barlow & Barlow. There are a variety of options for magical outdoor wedding ceremonies for up to 200 guests, as well as alfresco feasting set ups.
SOUTH EAST
The rolling hills and pretty stone hamlets of the Cotswolds make it a popular choice for many couples. Family owned Merriscourt is the epitome of charming – the perfect barn-wedding venue, with a fully functioning pub and Rolls Royce on offer. Or Tythe is a gorgeous, down-to-earth rural option – you can expect a feasting extravaganza here. For couples seeking something more modern, Primrose Hill Farm has a glass-fronted, light-flooded state-of-the-art barn. Hampshire is home to a number of gorgeous hotels that specialise in weddings, Chewton Glen, Lime Wood Hotel and Four Seasons come top of the list. For exclusive-hire, view Hedsor House in Buckinghamshire or Cowdray House in Sussex (also home to The Walled Garden at Cowdray for day hire). For an elevated rustic feel, Wasing Park in Berkshire synthesises a relaxed, farmhouse vibe with clever and stylish renovations. Lastly, for a quintessentially English wedding in a grand, genteel setting, Goodwood has to be top of the list, with the fairy dust that only somewhere as versed in events 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.
ANGLIA
Suffolk is home to one of the coolest luxury travel destinations in the UK, Wilderness Reserve & Chapel Barn. These two adjoining estates host a handful of exclusive-hire weddings a year and have the most striking interiors throughout their properties. Think Suffolk-pink farmhouses, converted greenhouses and cosy (electricity-free) cottages for two. For a grand affair, Holkham Hall has a sweeping marble staircase like no other and decadent rooms to throw a party fit for royalty – this is the place for a Winter wedding as the Christmas decor is extraordinarily fabulous.
WEST MIDLANDS
Bourton Hall is a little slice of Tuscany in Warwickshire – trust us on this. The recently refurbed 21-bedroom mansion is part of the impressive Country House Wedding portfolio who are experts in exclusive-hire. Bourton Hall’s honeymoon suite has a large balcony looking out over the Shakespearean landscape – it doesn’t get more romantic than this. In Herefordshire, Dewsall Court is another exclusive-hire venue, an excellent choice for foodies with seasonal foraged menus and a beautiful modern barn. Staffordshire’s Sandon Hall is well established for large weddings and has recently unveiled a new property perfect for intimate, micro-weddings – The Agency, which sleeps 8, and is definitely one to have on your radar.
EAST MIDLANDS
In Northamptonshire, family-owned Crockwell Farm is a charming place to say I do. There’s even the option to marry outside in the idyllic orchard. The accommodation has the wow-factor – Dryden is a one-bedroom cosy cottage perfect for newlyweds, with copper roll-top bath. Rushton Hall Hotel & Spa has a fantastic events space with state-of-the-art orangery designed for weddings. The 16th-century hotel is charming, with roaring fires in winter months – your guests are certain to love it. In Derbyshire, The West Mill offers something truly unique and undeniably cool. Think warehouse wedding vibes, for couples who want to throw a real party.
YORKSHIRE & THE NORTH
Thicket Priory is steeped in history, recently opening as a wedding venue and already established as one of Yorkshire’s most exquisite. Designed by the architect of Buckingham Palace, it’s been renovated to the highest standard with a show-stopping ballroom and private chapel on site. There are 35 ensuite bedrooms and lots of hidden passageways, nooks and crannies adding to the romance. In the Lake District, Another Place, nested on the banks of Ullswater is a modern masterpiece. It can be taken over exclusively for weddings or there’s a stunning private dining space seating 20 for micro parties.
SCOTLAND
Gleneagles is a luxury travel destination known as the glorious playground, it’s an unforgettable place for large or small weddings. Friendly staff wear traditional kilts, they have their own fleet of Land Rovers and you can take part in every country pursuit imaginable. Interiors have a contemporary twist and there are ten delicious restaurants on site. A very exciting new opening is Newhall Mains, this family owned farm has been lovingly restored over a number of years. You will have complete flexibility and privacy here. There’s plenty of luxury accommodation and foodies will be in heaven; think bright blue native lobsters, grass-reared beef carpaccio and rosemary-infused lamb al Asador cooked on fire pits. The best bit? You can jet off as Mr and Mrs in style as it has its very own airfield. Up in the Scottish Highlands, The Fife Arms, is a cosy and eccentric place to hold an intimate wedding.
NORTHERN IRELAND
The luscious green landscape of Northern Ireland has a venue to suit every style of wedding. For exclusive-hire the place to book is Larchfield Estate in County Down. The family-run estate has everything you could wish for, a stunning walled garden, cottages for guests, a glamping truck, large restored barn and more. For an al fresco lakeside wedding choose Finnebrogue Woods, also in County Down. It’s a magical setting lit up with festoon lighting and three adjoining large tipis for your wedding reception. For a glamorous grown-up option, it has to be the Culloden Estate, with sea views and five-star charm throughout, it’s the place for a grand affair. The bridal suites have serious style credentials, easily the chicest place to stay for your first night of wedding bliss. Finally, Galgorm, is perched on a hill next to the River Maine, and has three well-equipped events spaces each boasting their own character and style. It’s also home to the first Thermal Spa in Ireland, perfect for pre-wedding pampering.
Need help choosing a venue? Book a Bespoke Wedding Consultation with our team.
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