10 of the best exclusive use wedding venues
If you're looking for a big blowout location, hire one of these incredible venues
Whether you have grand dreams of playing royalty for the whole day or want to have free run of a manor house for an entire weekend, you need to see these amazing exclusive use wedding venues. We’ve selected 10 of the very best from around the UK for you to fall for.
10 of the best exclusive use wedding venues
1. Leez Priory, Essex
Parts of Leez Priory date back to the days of Henry VIII and the exposed beams and inglenook fireplace of The Tudor Room make a spectacular space for a wedding breakfast. Or you could choose the oak-panelling of The Light Oak Room with its baby grand piano, before throwing some shapes in the very contemporary converted cellar for your party. The whole Priory can be yours for up to two nights for more than 50 guests, with 20 bedrooms set in a courtyard away from the main house, two family lodges in the grounds, two bedrooms in the main house and a private cottage for the Honeymoon Suite. Capacity: Receptions, 250.
2. Clearwell Castle, Gloucestershire
Queen and Led Zeppelin both recorded albums at Clearwell Castle when part of it was a recording studio in the 1970s. Today it’s a fusion of historic Elizabethan touches and modern technology. A long golden aisle, with a raised dais and leaded windows add classic charm to a ceremony, while the vaulted cellar bar and LED starlit dance floor brings the party into the 21st century. You can make the place your own with 15 luxurious castle bedrooms, three estate cottages and 24 guest rooms just a short stroll away. Capacity: Dining, 160. Evenings, 250.
3. Lainston House, Hampshire
Just a couple miles from Winchester, 17th century Lainston House is a fabulous venue for creating that country weekend vibe. Fifty bedrooms (there’s even a pillow menu!) mean you can book the house exclusively and have the whole run of the rooms and grounds. The charming outdoor pavilion is perfect for a ceremony, and if you have a really long guests list, you can dance the night away in a marquee. Capacity: Ceremonies and receptions, 120.
4. Royal Berkshire, Berkshire
There’s a choice of rooms at the Royal Berkshire from intimate celebrations for 30 up to evening parties for 200. Or ramp up the romance with a ceremony in the secret walled garden in the grounds. And with more than 60 bedrooms, you can have the whole house and gardens to yourself with your friends and family. Capacity: Ceremonies, 120. Dining, 150. Evenings, 200.
5. Pelham House, East Sussex
With a suite (for you) and 28 bedrooms, you can take over all the Georgian charms of Pelham House near Lewes and have close friends and family stay over. The marriage ceremony can take place in The Goring Room, an elegant space filled with chandeliers and flooded with light, or under an idyllic gazebo in the grounds. This is followed by drinks on the terrace with views of the South Downs and a wedding breakfast surrounded by the impressive pillars and panelling of The Blencowe Room. For hungry party animals later, an outdoor kitchen can come up with late-night pizzas or a sizzling stir-fry. Capacity: Ceremonies, 125 seated, 150 with some standing. Dining, 150. Evenings, 200.
6. Blackwell Grange, Warwickshire
Cotswolds gem Blackwell Grange is a collection of lovingly restored 16th and 17th century barns and buildings that’s been in the Vernon Miller family for nearly 80 years. Start your big day with champers in the Potting Shed, now a bridal party paradise with make-up stations and sofas for you and your girls. Civil ceremonies are performed in the 16th century Thatch Barn with all the original character of ancient oak beams. And when it’s time for dinner, you can move to the contemporary Orchard Barn, before turning down the sheets at the cute Hayloft Honeymoon Cottage. Capacity: Ceremonies, 150. Dining, 150. Evenings, 200.
7. St. Audries Park, Somerset
Set in a beautiful deer park, St. Audries Park is close to Bristol and Taunton and has enough guest rooms and estate cottages to sleep more than 100 of your nearest and dearest. The setting for your civil ceremony is the Victorian Orangery, bathed with natural light and complete with a gold carpet aisle, while the Banqueting Hall does what it says on the tin. In-house chefs will whistle up delicious dishes using local produce where possible – think seared South-West scallops or slow-roasted Somerset pork belly. Or try something different for your drinks reception with a mini afternoon tea of finger sarnies, scones and shortbread. Capacity: Ceremonies and dining, 130. Evenings, 250
8. Gosfield Hall, Essex
Opulent splendour runs through Gosfield Hall in rural Essex like writing through a stick of rock. Choices for your ceremony include the painted ceilings of the Grand Salon, the oak-panelled Queen Charlotte’s Gallery or the original courtyard setting for vows al fresco. And the soaring windows and chandeliers of the Ballroom make a majestic setting for your wedding breakfast. Brides and five maids can stay over the night before in the aptly named Lady’s Chambers Cottage, while a selection of bedrooms and family rooms can sleep more than 60 guests on the night of the wedding. Capacity: Ceremonies and dining, 116. Evenings, 250.
9. Buxted Park Hotel, East Sussex
Choose the exclusive use option at the Buxted Park Hotel and you’ll get access to the hotel’s 44 classic, feature and family bedrooms. For your vows, the pillars and views of the stone steps make a beautiful al fresco setting, or the sun-kissed, glass-ceilinged Orangery has fabulous views over the grounds. Or take the ceremony inside with the splendour of The Coat of Arms lounge. And after your wedding breakfast – anything from a classic three-course dinner to interactive food stations – you can dance the night away under the chandeliers of the grand Ballroom. Capacity: Ceremonies and dining, 120. Evenings, 200.
10. Combermere Abbey, Cheshire/Shropshire borders
A pathway through the fruit tree maze at Combermere Abbey leads to the romantic Edwardian Glasshouse for your civil ceremony, or you can say your vows outdoors in the centre of the maze itself. When it’s time to pop the corks, move to the Pavilion, designed specifically for wedding receptions, for beautifully decorated tables, a bar area and dancefloor. Two bedrooms in the North Wing and several cottages converted from old stables means plenty of guests can stay over after the celebration winds down. Capacity: Ceremonies, 120. Dining, 150. Evenings, 200.
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