Venue Review: Wilderness Reserve, Suffolk

Why book?

To host the ultimate pile-them-all-in UK wedding (the sort you presumed you could only achieve with a sprawling Tuscan estate). Here, in this bucolic stretch of Suffolk, you can keep all your nearest and dearest (and the rest) on site, hunkering down in the chicest accommodation spread across a manor house, barn conversions, Suffolk pink farmhouses, cottages and lodges. Wilderness Reserve may sound like an African safari park, and it’s quite frankly not far from it, with 8000 wild acres spread across two estates (and a hotly anticipated third one opening in 2025). The entire wedding party can stay for a number of night son an exclusive-hire basis and guests can be treated to Michelin-starred menus, country pursuits galore and, if they so wish, a helicopter charter to whisk them in and out of the knock-out nuptials.

Venue style

The very essence of a wedding at Wilderness is the freedom and creativity couples would struggle to find elsewhere. You truly have the ability to make wedding celebrations totally bespoke and stand out from the run-of-the-mill, particularly with an abundance of options for both the vows exchange and the reception itself.

At Wilderness, it’s all about stretching out the celebrations and making a weekend of it. Couples can host feasts in the woodlands, BBQs in one of the walled gardens and Gatsby-style pool parties. Guests can explore the estate by Pasley bicycle or lean into the activities menu: wild swimming, boating, fishing, shooting, archery and bonfires – all of which can be easily arranged. And to encourage true relaxation, Bamford offers a range of treatments delivered to prep wedding skin or soothe any post celebration headaches and sore, danced-out feet.

Set the scene

Wilderness is home to two estates, Sibton Park Estate and Chapel Barn Estate, each available to hire separately or together for an unrivalled wedding takeover. To keep things exclusive, each estate has a limit on how many weddings it can host each year, giving you an idea of their attention to detail and eagerness to keep the quality over quantity maxim strong.

At the heart of Sibton Park Estate is a 14-bedroom Grade-IIi listed Georgian party pad, with soaring pillars and a Jane Austin-esque stone facade. The house was designed and built in 1827 by Decimus Burton, (best known for designing the forecourt of Buckingham Palace). The interiors are just as striking, with lashings of Chinese wallpaper, statement antique furniture and a light-flooded orangery all surmounting to a lavish wedding backdrop. Windows peer out onto a glassy lake and there’s a further 10 properties dotted amongst the rewilded parkland, where cows and sheep freely graze.

Chapel Barn Estate is the newer addition to the Wilderness portfolio, the main space is located within a 15th-century converted barn and the vibe is slightly more modern. Accommodation is spread across seven rustic-chic houses, with highlights including hot tubs, pools, saunas and treatment rooms – the ultimate staycation spots for your guests.

Event spaces

There are endless options for truly magical country weddings at Wilderness, from more intimate affairs of 60 to large, full-throttle parties of 300, the options are endless. Couples who are envisioning a more traditional setting can say ‘I do’ in the opulent Drawing Room or the light-filled and rather lovely Georgian orangery attached to Sibton House, or one of the pretty nearby churches. For a more rustic and modern design, Chapel Barn features an impressive stained glass window and has pared-back interiors with modern touches.

As Wilderness is all about embracing the outdoors, it’s hardly surprising that this vast patch of Suffolk lays claim to the best al fresco wedding settings, with the Oak Walkway located in the Kendal Woods epitomising festival-chic, or, for something more rural-chic, a lakeside stretch marquee alongside the jetty.

It’s worth couples noting that in 2025, Wilderness Reserve will open its third estate, which promises to be as show-stopping as the existing two and, excitingly, able to house 200+ for your wedding reception.

Food and drink

Wedding menus can be curated by Michelin-starred chefs, who are well-versed in pulling together food for the variety of occasions and dining styles, or alternatively be catered by the talented Wilderness Estate Kitchen chefs. Couples can choose from a varied portfolio for the wedding breakfast, day before and after. The team excel in any cuisine adding their distinctive flair and flavours. There’s a true ‘estate-to-plate’ ethos with the Estate Kitchen as the hub, and many ingredients coming from the land and gardens that surround it. Service is reassuringly old-school in style, with no detail missed and five star panache. What’s more, each house will have their own dedicated butler to take down any extra food orders during their stay and homemade cake is a lovely touch for those arriving, amongst other local goodies.

To make your wedding planning experience a cut above the rest, the team can charter a helicopter from London to Wilderness, whisking you across the country for your wedding menu tasting in style – paired, of course, with fine wines.

Accommodation

Wilderness is a firm favourite for UK staycations and is home to multiple award-winning retreats (128 bedrooms across 28 houses to be specific) which are all available on an exclusive-hire basis. This includes the new lake houses which open across 2024; each set in secluded woodland with their own private swimming lake for guests.

At the heart of the Sibton Park Estate is the quirky Georgian manor house with 14-bedrooms, vibrant, new-meets-old interiors and a basement complete with cinema, games room, cellar, gym and bar. There are ten further properties on the grounds, which include one of the oldest on the estate, the Instagram-ready Suffolk Pink Farmhouse and the Walled Garden (the ultimate party pad with sunken pool, and perfect for a barbecue pre or post wedding). Then there’s the Cartshed, Clockhouse, Garden Cottage, Barn and four Lost cottages – which include the Hayjack and Doxie (overlooking a private natural swimming pond) both 1-bed, providing the perfect hideaways for the newlyweds or parents of the bride/groom.

Chapel House Estate’s crown jewel is the 15th-century long barn, with 18 photogenic bedrooms. Nestled amongst the rolling parkland is a number of stand-out houses, each restored to their former glory with modern, luxurious twists. These include the Grange Spa House with its outdoor pool enveloped by a courtyard garden, The Cider House Spa, Moat Cottage and two cosy cottages, Tabernacle and Hovel. Many of the houses on this estate feature hot tubs, outdoor and indoor pools and luxurious treatment rooms.

In 2025, Wilderness Reserve will open its third estate so even more accommodation will be on offer.

Eco-friendly

A rewilding project at heart, Wilderness Reserve has its very own ecologist, Harry Read, who is dedicated to improving the ecosystem that lives within this patch in Suffolk. Thanks to so many initiatives introduced by Harry and his team (such as installing over 2000 bird boxes and sowing fields and fields of wildflowers) the habitats are wilder than ever. They are constantly monitoring via surveys and have a dedicated section of the website where you can learn all about the success of rewilding.

The story

As its name suggests, Wilderness Reserve was born from a mission to rejuvenate the wildlife and help species thrive across the sprawling estates. The project started 20 years ago, with renowned landscape architect Kim Wilke at the helm of the design; his expertise has allowed nature to flourish and work symbiotically alongside innovative holiday accommodation and event spaces. Wilderness is constantly evolving and growing, with a brand new estate set up open in 2025. The estates are owned by property entrepreneur Jon Hunt, alongside Pavilion Clubs in London.