If you’re after a venue for a picture-perfect wedding, look no further than the UK’s wide offering of stately home wedding venues

By Molly Malsom

Published: Thursday, 20 April 2023 at 12:00 am

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The UK is home to many beautiful stately homes, all offering their own unique style. With opulent interiors, spacious rooms, luxurious accommodation and picturesque gardens, they are the perfect locations for a wedding at any time of year.

From traditional mansions in the North to coastal castles in Dorset’s most beautiful spots, the majority of stately homes are now used as wedding and events venues, so their history can be maintained and the decadent interiors can be enjoyed on a couple’s most important day.

Whether you’ve fallen in love with Bridgerton’s Regency interiors or you’re drawn to the gothic architecture of Victorian manor houses, we’ve found some of the best stately home wedding venues around the UK for your big day…

The best stately home wedding venues in the UK

Stately home wedding venues in London

Strawberry Hill House & Garden

A striking example of Georgian gothic revival architecture, Strawberry Hill House was founded in the 18th century by Horace Walpole, son of Britain’s first Prime Minister. Weddings at Strawberry Hill House are exactly what you’d expect – opulent, exclusive and unique.

There are two rooms to choose between for your civil ceremony: the Gallery, the larger of the two rooms featuring vaulted ceilings, can accommodate 100 guests, whereas the Round Room can fit up to 35 guests: perfect for a more intimate stately home celebration.

Both of these rooms can also be used for your wedding reception, so you can enjoy the beautiful interiors from day to night!

The Wallace Collection

As an H&A reader, you’ll certainly be familiar with The Wallace Collection, but did you know you can get married there? The collection lives inside Hertford House, which, from 1797, was the home of the Seymour family who were the Marquesses of Hertford.

However, before the Seymours owned the stately home, it had a couple of other notable custodians, the first being the 4th Duke of Manchester, who the property was built for. In 1791 it was acquired by the Spanish Embassy for a short time before being bought by the 2nd Marquess of Hertford, whose family it then stayed in for a long time.

A wedding at The Wallace Collection offers a historic escape in the heart of London. The former sculpture garden is the perfect place to create a beautiful wedding breakfast setting and the house provides a wonderful backdrop for photos.

You might also like behind the scenes at The Wallace Collection

North Mymms Park

Dating to the 16th century, North Mymms Park still boasts its beautiful Jacobean exterior, whereas the interiors have undergone a number of updates and remodels, all of which are reflected beautifully in the decor. Think floor-to-ceiling wooden panelling, an impressive collection of tapestries hanging on walls and beautiful ornate ceilings.

At North Mymms Park, you have the choice of five spaces, both inside and out, for your ceremony. From The Long Gallery, a stately room boasting authentic wooden panelling, to The Loggia, a spectacular outdoor space with marble mosaics and grand arches, you’ll be treated to a bespoke wedding day tailored to your every need.

The newlyweds can enjoy a stay in the bridal suite, while guests can settle for the night in the converted 19th-century stables where there are 27 beautiful bedrooms. And after a peaceful night’s sleep, you and your family can enjoy a delicious breakfast together!

Stately home wedding venues in the West Midlands

Eastnor Castle

Situated at the foot of Herefordshire’s Malvern Hills, Eastnor Castle boasts a deer park, arboretum and picturesque lake, all nestled within its grounds. But the castle itself is enough to have any couple enthralled. Construction of the castle took place from 1810 until 1824, under the instruction of then 2nd Baron Somers, who would later become 1st Earl. The grandeur of the stately home was to represent the wealth of his family, and the architecture was designed in a way to give the impression of a medieval fortress.

Nowadays, Eastnor Castle is a much sought-after venue for weddings, thanks to its regal interiors and beautiful countryside surroundings. Descend the dramatic staircase as you head to the altar in one of three licensed ceremony rooms: the Gothic Drawing Room and the Octagon Room, both seating 80 guests, or for larger weddings, the Great Hall accommodates up to 150 guests.

In the warmer months you can say ‘I do’ outside in the beautiful grounds with the castle behind you and the tranquil lake as your backdrop. What could be more idyllic?

If you want to take outdoor wedding photos, you might want to consider a venue from our list of the best stately home gardens in the UK.

Walcot Hall

One of Shropshire’s most unique wedding venues, Walcot Hall is a Georgian stately home filled with historic character. Home to two indoor ceremony rooms and one outside with views of the rolling hills, this venue offers maximum flexibility from the food to how long you can hire the venue – even your guests can stay the night before your wedding day to make sure everyone arrives on time!

For any guests staying (the night before or after) there are some rather quirky spaces on offer. Up to 110 guests can make themselves at home in cosy cottages and glamping spots, including yurts and shepherds’ huts filled with eclectic antiques and soft furnishings.

And for the happy couple? Walcot Hall’s bridal suite is all yours for the night, featuring ornate plasterwork, opulent decor and beautiful south-facing views.

Bourton Hall

Surrounded by picturesque countryside views, Bourton Hall is an Italian Renaissance-style mansion.The estate has had many owners, starting with Sir Humphery Stafford of Grafton, then King Henry VII for a short stint before it became the home of the Shuckburgh family. In 1906, the property was bought by James Frederick Hall, who commissioned the renovation that introduced the Italianate features you see today. Interestingly, Bourton Hall survived as a private residence up until 1942, after which it had various uses before becoming an exclusive-use wedding venue.

Your wedding ceremony at Bourton Hall can be held in one of three areas. Inside the manor, the opulent Italian Room is the picture-perfect setting, and outside in the grounds, you can say ‘I do’ beneath the portico as the mansion poses as your backdrop. Unique to this wedding venue, their former Catholic chapel is another option for your ceremony, decorated with ornate wood carvings and a gold leaf ceiling.

The Banqueting Hall can seat up to 120 guests for your wedding breakfast, and when you’re ready to party the night away, head to the Draycote Bar & Disco for your evening reception, where you’ll find the dance floor, a bar filled with plenty of drinks for you and your guests, plus a DJ booth should you choose it for your evening entertainment.

Stately home wedding venues in Yorkshire

Castle Howard

The oldest and most exquisite stately home, it may have taken over 100 years to build Castle Howard, but it was certainly worth the wait. Construction began in 1699 and wasn’t completed until the years between 1801 and 1811, although further alterations to the exterior were made after this date.

Fast forward to 1940, and the stately home was devastated by a fire that destroyed rooms from the basement right through to the upper floor, as well as the dome that features on the castle’s roof. The fire started in a chimney situated on the south-east corner of the South Front and, thanks to untimely winds, the blaze swept west through the building. Restoration still continues today, but the dome and Garden Hall have been repaired and reinstated to their former glory.

We included Castle Howard in our list of stately homes featured in film and TV.

Broughton Hall

Few venues can rival the architecture of Broughton Hall. Dating to 1597, the stately home was designed by a number of architects, one most notably being William Atkinson, who was also involved in designing parts of Durham Cathedral. Broughton Hall is the home of the Tempest family who are believed to have arrived from Normandy at the time of William the Conquerer’s invasion. They have been the custodians since the 11th century, making them one of the country’s oldest Catholic landed gentry families.

Weddings here suit every style, with three different venues offering something unique. For something more contemporary, the garden venue, Utopia, is a more modern building located in the 14th-century Walled Garden. Thanks to its glass front, you can enjoy picturesque views of the gardens, so even in the chillier months you can make the most of the grounds.

More on the rustic side, Eden (which they call their party house) has plenty of space for you and your guests, plus the patio behind the house is perfect for a marquee if your guest list so requires. The lounge room is suitable for a ceremony with up to 100 guests, and there are also six bedrooms here with beautiful wooden ceiling beams and all the amenities you need for a comfortable stay.

Finally, if you want the setting of your wedding to be in the main stately home, you absolutely can. Take in the grand, historic rooms as you celebrate with your nearest and dearest – think regal red soft furnishings, high, ornate ceilings and statement chandeliers. Traditional-style rooms offer the full stately experience, and landscaped gardens encapsulate the venue’s history as you step outside.

Scampston Hall

Located in North Yorkshire, Scampston Hall is a Regency country house boasting over 70 acres of parkland and beautiful gardens. The house was originally built in 1700, but a remodel that was completed in 1800 resulted in many Regency additions, most evident in the hall’s incredible interiors.

Scampston Hall is exclusively yours for the duration of your wedding. The Hall Gardens offer a beautiful space for smaller wedding parties, and the ‘Capability’ Brown Parkland can accommodate larger weddings, both benefitting from spectacular countryside views over Scampston lake and the surrounding Yorkshire Wolds. It’s worth noting that this wedding venue doesn’t hold a civil licence, so is best suited to couples who have married at a nearby church or are just looking to celebrate a lockdown marriage!

We included Scampston Hall in our list of the best stately home gardens in the UK.

Stately home wedding venues in Buckinghamshire

Hedsor House

If you’ve fallen in love with the stately homes on Bridgerton, you’ll certainly want to explore Hedsor House.  The Grade-II listed Georgian mansion, which sits in 100 acres of private parkland, has quite the royal history dating as far back as the 1100s. The estate has had a number of houses built on its grounds, starting with a medieval mansion followed by the addition of Hedsor Lodge in 1776.

Sadly, the lodge was damaged by a fire in 1795, so it was eventually demolished and replaced with an Italian villa-style house. It wasn’t until the house was bought by a famous racing driver that its original Georgian style was restored, reintroducing panelling sourced from nearby properties and spending generous sums to ensure the façade appeared as it should, which is the stately home exterior recognisable today.

When it comes to your wedding at Hedsor House, you can choose between three packages, starting from a simple dry hire to the full works with three-course meals and luxury accommodation. There’s also a historic chapel nearby if you’d prefer a religious ceremony before making your way to Hedsor House for a feast and wedding reception like no other.

Waddesdon Manor

 

Waddesdon Manor, a French Renaissance-style chateau, is part of the larger Waddesdon Estate, which was transformed by Ferdinand de Rothschild in the late 1800s after purchasing it from the Duke of Marlborough. The fact Waddesdon Manor is now used for weddings and celebrations is rather fitting. Rothschild never intended for the manor to be a home as such, but to be used as a party house during the summer months.

When it comes to weddings, The Dairy, a building in the estate’s grounds, is a tranquil, waterside setting for you and your guests to enjoy and celebrate. There are eight different spaces for you to use, including a whimsical Winter Garden, two halls and the Dairy cottage, just to name a few.

Ceremonies can be held inside one of the beautiful interior spaces, or, when the weather warms, The Terrace & Lake are a truly serene setting for an idyllic outdoor ceremony. For your wedding reception, 150 diners can be accommodated inside The Dairy, or if you set up for dinner outside, you can invite up to 250. Simply pick a space you love and get decorating!

If you’d like to see inside, take a look at our Waddesdon Manor house tour

More stately home content from Homes & Antiques

• Dog-friendly stately homes to visit
• English stately homes made famous through film and TV
• These stately homes were used as Bridgerton filming locations
• Take a tour of Highclere castle, the real-life Downton Abbey
• Britain’s best stately homes to visit

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