The best wedding venues for food lovers
The best wedding venues for food lovers
If top-notch catering is high on your wedding wish list, take inspiration from our pick of the UK’s best venues
Jimmy’s Farm, Suffolk
Food lovers head to Jimmy’s Farm, in the heart of the Suffolk countryside. The venue is a working rare-breed pig farm and tourist destination, owned by Jimmy Doherty who set up the Essex Pig Company and featured in TV series Jimmy’s Farm. The lovingly restored 17th-century barn is available for wedding celebrations and there’s incredible seasonal food on offer. ‘All the dishes are made from ingredients produced on the farm so you can give your guests a taste of Suffolk that’s as fresh and local as possible,’ says Jimmy.
Capacity: Up to 120 guests for a sit-down wedding breakfast.
Hambleton Hall, East Midlands
One of the UK’s finest country house hotels, Hambleton Hall‘s lakeside setting, overlooking Rutland Water, is spectacular and it’s also known for its award-winning restaurant. Run by Michelin-starred chef Aaron Patterson, it’s a haven for gourmets and wine lovers. Perfect for an intimate wedding celebration, Hambleton only holds a limited number of weddings each year so you’ll need to make sure you book early if you’ve set your heart on this venue.
Capacity: Up to 60 guests for the ceremony and wedding breakfast.
Kew Gardens, London
Fancy getting married in a United Nations World Heritage Site? That’s what you’ll get if you choose one of the venues at Kew Gardens, in Richmond upon Thames. There’s the unique Princess of Wales conservatory, boutique Cambridge Cottage, the beautiful Nash Conservatory, or the elegant Orangery, all set within idyllic gardens. What’s more, with catering from Create, one of the capital’s leading event caterers, you’re guaranteed outstanding food for your reception, too.
Capacity: Up to 200 guests for the ceremony and wedding breakfast.
Gidleigh Park, Devon
On the upper reaches of the River Teign, Gidleigh Park enjoys an exquisite location on the edge of Dartmoor National Park. Famed for its culinary credentials, Gidleigh Park is a beautifully furnished, Tudor-style country house set in 107 acres of mature grounds. At the heart of the hotel is the two Michelin-starred restaurant, with its magnificent views across the beautiful gardens. Executive chef Michael Wignall offers a memorable culinary experience with a focus on creating unique dishes full of flavour.
Capacity: Up to 50 guests for the ceremony and wedding breakfast (on an exclusive use basis).
Fischer’s Baslow Hall, Derbyshire
The location of Fischer’s Baslow Hall, a boutique country house hotel and restaurant, could hardly be more stunning. A Grade II listed, stone-built manor house, it stands on the edge of the picturesque village of Baslow with the Peak District on its doorstep. But it’s Fischer’s food that has made it famous. The award-winning head chef, Rupert Rowley, joined in 2002 as a young sous chef, but has been in charge of the kitchen for the last 15 years. Rooted in classical French cuisine, his cooking style uses cutting-edge techniques paired with modern ingredients.
Capacity: Up to 38 guests for the ceremony and wedding breakfast.
Lime Wood Hotel, Hampshire
Offering laid-back luxury at its best, Lime Wood is set in the heart of the New Forest. An ideal party venue, it only holds a limited number of weddings a year so plan ahead! The food comes courtesy of Hartnett Holder & Co, a collaboration between Angela Hartnett, one of the most high-profile female chefs in the world, and Luke Holder, who’s worked in some of the capital’s most exclusive restaurants. The menu features Italian-influenced dishes, pulling together both chefs’ signature styles.
Capacity: Up to 110 guests for the ceremony and up to 130 for the wedding breakfast (with marquee).
South Farm, Hertfordshire
If you’re after a quintessential English country feel for your wedding, look no further than South Farm. Run by the same family for over 40 years, the beautiful farmhouse borders a barnyard of timber-framed barns that’s home to rare-breed farm animals. Idyllic gardens encircle the buildings, giving way to an organic smallholding, nature reserve and woodland. The smallholding supplies most of the vegetables, herbs, fruit, eggs and pork used in its dishes, guaranteeing seasonal and organic food.
Capacity: Up to 180 guests for the ceremony and up to 146 for the wedding breakfast.
Whatley Manor, Wiltshire
This beautifully restored Cotswold manor house hotel and spa has breathtaking views of the Wiltshire countryside. Whatley Manor aims to make guests feel like they’re spending time in a private home rather than a hotel, albeit a home with stunning food! The executive chef is Niall Keating, who’s worked at some of the world’s finest Michelin-starred restaurants. ‘My menus are inspired by my travels around the globe – I love to combine top-notch local produce with ingredients from the far corners of the world,’ he says.
Capacity: Up to 100 guests for the ceremony and wedding breakfast.
Trump Turnberry, Scotland
Located on the rugged west coast of Scotland, Trump Turnberry’s traditional Edwardian building opened in 1906 as the world’s first golf resort. It has a coastal setting with far-reaching views to the Isle of Arran and Ailsa Craig. Larger weddings can be held in the brand new ballroom. which holds up to 500, but there’s also the Caledonia Ballroom or the Ailsa Craig Suite. Alternatively, when the sun shines on this secluded coast, ceremonies can be held outside among the sand dunes or in the shadow of the famous lighthouse.
Capacity: Up to 500 guests for the ceremony and wedding breakfast.
Lympstone Manor, Devon
A contemporary country house hotel overlooking the beautiful Exe estuary in East Devon, Lympstone Manor has luxurious rooms and suites, a world-class wine cellar and pristine acres of gardens, grounds and parkland. And it also offers fine dining cuisine courtesy of acclaimed chef Michael Caines, holder of two Michelin stars for over 18 years. ‘Food is becoming so much more important for weddings,’ says Michael. ‘We want to give our guests a unique setting with food that inspires memories.’
Capacity: Up to 80 guests for a ceremony and up to 100 for the wedding breakfast (with marquee).
Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa, Surrey
A beautiful 19th-century country retreat, Pennyhill Park is set in 120 acres of rolling Surrey parkland. It has lots of individually styled bedrooms and suites – think handmade mattresses and pillow menus – and a luxury spa, alongside two award-winning restaurants. ‘There’s a huge diversity when it comes to wedding catering,’ says head chef Thomas Kirby. ‘The great thing about Pennyhill Park is that we’re extremely flexible in our approach to weddings. We treat each one in an individual and exclusive way.’
Capacity: Up to 240 guests for the ceremony and wedding breakfast.
You may also like…
Unusual Wedding Food Ideas
Six Food Trends for 2020