Country House Weddings

It’s hard to beat a historic stately home when it comes to a location for your big day. Somewhere with enough grandeur to match the occasion that will be exclusively yours for the whole day. What’s not to love about being surrounded by rolling hills and stunning period features, and feeling like lord and lady of the manor for the day? If you’re still struggling to find the one (your venue – not your groom!), read on for our pick of some of the UK’s finest venues from Country House Weddings.

Home from home

The sweeping driveway at Leez Priory in Essex is the first clue that this is a truly majestic setting. Once you’re inside you’ll also discover the Great Hall with its exposed beams and enormous fireplace, and the rustic Coach House with vaulted ceiling and hanging tapestries.

Surrounded by 40 acres of manicured lawns, two lakes and wooded areas, this 16th century Tudor mansion has seven licensed ceremony options, including an historic tower and outside on the lawn with the house as an impressive backdrop. There are 15 stunning bedrooms and a bridal suite in a private cottage with views over the lake.

Plus, the setting might be historic, but the service is totally 21st century and the comprehensive wedding packages include everything you’ll need, from your drinks to the DJ. If you love the look of Leez Priory, you should also check out nearby Gosfield Hall, a Georgian Manor House that was formerly a Royal residence.

Historic gem

A stunning Tudor Gothic-style mansion, Holmewood Hall in Cambridgeshire is surrounded by 10 acres of manicured grounds and parkland, is steeped in history and exudes elegance. The Gold Room is breathtaking – it has a 50ft aisle and the ornate decor, feature fireplace and entire wall of windows that flood the room with natural light make this the perfect setting for a ceremony for up to 77 guests.

Go west

If you’d like to venture further west, then breathtaking Clearwell Castle should be on your radar. Weddings are held in the magnificent ballroom, which has a 75ft aisle, leaded glass windows and offers a serene setting. Once you’re married, you can head outside where there are acres of manicured lawns, a lake and pretty wooded areas offering fantastic settings for your photographs.

If that weren’t enough, the in-house chefs will make sure your wedding breakfast is totally memorable, while the Cellar Bar has a white LED starlit dance floor that’s perfect for your evening party. Once you’ve finished dancing, there are 15 bedrooms and a four-poster bridal suite in the castle and grounds to ensure a wonderful end to your day. There’s also nearby Clear Well, with 24 bedrooms for the evening before and the night of your wedding.

For brides further south, St Audries Park in Somerset is a real gem. Set in 100 acres of deer park, overlooking the Quantock Hills and the Bristol Channel, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better fairytale Manor House and exclusive-use venue. The vaulted ceiling, minstrel’s gallery and large feature fireplace in the Great Hall are the perfect welcome to this spectacular venue that can accommodate up to 130 guests for your civil ceremony and seated wedding breakfast and up to 250 guests for the evening party.

And finally…

Tucked away in the beautiful setting of Shakespeare’s country is Bourton Hall, an 18th-century manor house boasting grandeur and style and the newest addition to the Country House Weddings collection of wedding venues. The entire estate is exclusive yours for your big day including the former Catholic chapel, a characterful setting for saying ‘I do’.

A dedicated team of in-house chefs will create a bespoke menu just for you and up to 120 guests. And for the night of your wedding there are ample luxurious suites, all with stunning countryside views.

For more information on these venues visit Country House Weddings.

Don’t forget to ask your wedding venue these important questions.