BEDFORDSHIRE BERKSHIRE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE CAMBRIDGESHIRE CHESHIRE CORNWALL DERBYSHIRE DEVON DORSET ESSEX GLOUCESTERSHIRE HAMPSHIRE HERTFORDSHIRE ISLE OF WIGHT KENT LEICESTERSHIRE LONDON NORFOLK NORTHAMPTONSHIRE NOTTINGHAMSHIRE OXFORDSHIRE RUTLAND SOMERSET SUFFOLK SURREY SUSSEX WARWICKSHIRE WEST MIDLANDS WILTSHIRE WORCESTERSHIRE YORKSHIRE

LONDON & HOME COUNTIES

BERKSHIRE

Stanlake Park, Twyford

There’s love in the air (or vines) over at the stunning Stanlake Park – 150 acres of gorgeousness nestled in the heart of the Berkshire countryside. The prestigious wine estate has the option of a variety of locations to exchange your vows, hold drinks receptions, and arrange lawn games including the Grade II listed Coach House (space for 90 guests), Courtyard, Walled Garden, Vineyard Barn (150 people seated), and extensive surrounding lawns. It’s a simply spellbinding wedding venue and feels like you’ve been whisked away to a faraway Italian vista. Onsite accommodation is also available. Now that’s amore.

De Vere Wokefield Estate, Mortimer

A dreamy fairytale wedding destination that will keep guests talking for years to come, we’re utterly head over heels for the De Vere Wokefield Estate with zippy connections to London and the nearby M4. This spellbinding country house hotel built in 1778 has more scope for creativity than you can sling a bouquet at with multiple room hire options, 250 acres of rolling grounds, and 376 beautiful rooms to sleepover before and after the big day. Following a £20m refurb a few years back, safe to say it knows how to look the part too.

Hurley House Hotel, nr Henley

Seeking a laidback luxury hotel that oozes sophistication? Hurley House is an exclusive, independently-owned wedding destination every bride needs on speed dial. It’s located in the chocolate box Berkshire village of Hurley and is teeming with flexible spaces to get hearts racing. Opt for the main house with beautiful terraces, muted palettes, and exposed brick. There’s also the Garden Pavilion and private function room too. And if you choose Hurley House for exclusive use, you’ll have the entire venue at your disposal. We’re talking bedrooms, restaurant, terraces, and staff – all for your celebration only. We call it A-list treatment, baby.

BUCKINGHAMSHIRE

Horwood House, Milton Keynes

This Grade II-listed manor house near Milton Keynes recently had a £6m makeover, so no surprise it makes a drop-dead gorgeous wedding venue. It has four picture-perfect outdoor spots (enter through blossom trees or the rose arbour for a blooming lovely Spring/Summer wedding), and the grand Drawing Room for indoor ceremonies if the weather gods aren’t smiling. With high ceilings, a stone fireplace, delicate botanical printed walls, huge windows and direct access to the gardens and lily pond, it’s a breathtaking space. Hankies at the ready!

The Dairy at Waddesdon Manor, nr Aylesbury

One of the prettiest spots for a wedding in Bucks, Waddeson Manor’s beautiful Dairy nestles in a tranquil waterside setting amongst glorious gardens. Waddesdon Manor itself is the National Trust’s ‘jewel in the crown’, an extravagant chateau created for Baron Ferdinand de Rothschild just outside Aylesbury in the late Nineteenth Century, and the country retreat of the Rothschild family for 100 years. Ceremonies for up to 110 guests can be held outside in the courtyard garden, or on the romantic lakeside pavilions. Inside, the Winter Garden with its spectacular views of the water gardens, or the West Hall with its vaulted ceiling and stone fireplaces provide the perfect setting for a wedding breakfast. This being Waddesdon, there’s no shortage of fantastic Rothschild wine and a bespoke, local and seasonal menu.

ESSEX

Gosfield Hall, Gosfield

OK, so our Essex Editor may have got married here in 2008 – but that’s not the reason why it’s included, promise! This stunning venue was built in 1545 and was a temporary summer residence of Queen Elizabeth I (wowzers). Set in 10 acres of grounds, parkland and overlooking Gosfield Lake, its ballroom offers space for up to 116 seated guests, as well as boasting numerous reception rooms and a humungous bridal suite. Oh, and it’s exclusively yours for the day.

Parklands Quendon Hall, Saffron Walden

Here’s another jaw-dropper of an Essex wedding venue. A Grade I listed mansion that again can be exclusively yours for the day, there’s a host of places to wed, from smaller, more intimate ceremonies to larger celebrations in the chandelier-lit Pavilion for up to 500 guests. You can also choose to tie the knot outside in the gazebo within the grounds, plus evening weddings are also available. And if you’re not already wailing ‘I do’ – it’s set in a deer park. Come on now, what more do you need?

HERTFORDSHIRE

Monks Barn, Ashridge House, Berkhamsted

Monks barn Weddings Ashridge House Herts

If you’ve got your sights set on a barn wedding, this will be right up your street. Built in the 14th century, Monks Barn is one of the oldest buildings on the historic Ashridge Estate. With its rustic beams and stunning chandeliers it provides a totally blank canvas to put your stamp on. Gorgeous outdoor spaces including The Fernery and Monks Garden give you the most picturesque backdrop for your dream photoshoot too.

Rothamsted Manor, Harpenden

There’s plenty to impress your guests with at this Grade I-listed manor house on the Rothamsted Estate. Grand sweeping driveway? Tick. Opulent interiors and manicured lawns? Tick, tick. You can tie the knot in The Great Drawing Room or The Library then move on to drinks in the formal gardens. Food from the on-site caterers is local and sustainably sourced, so all that’s left for you to do is enjoy being Lord and Lady of the manor on your big day.

KENT

The Secret Garden, Ashford

Hidden within a charming cobbled courtyard, The Secret Garden combines elegance and rustic charm. Think secluded beauty and versatile spaces, such as private walled gardens, a restored Victorian glasshouse, and a converted coach house, all of which offer a variety of picturesque settings for your special day. Plus, with four licensed ceremony areas, including The Chapel and The Glasshouse, couples have the flexibility to choose the perfect backdrop for their wedding vows.

The Beacon, Tunbridge Wells

Tucked away down Tea Garden Lane, The Beacon is a picturesque country house set within 17 acres of gardens, woodland and lakes, offering a serene and intimate setting for your wedding celebration. Say ‘I do’ in the gardens within an amphitheatre with tiered seating meaning everyone has a bird’s eye view of the ceremony. Guests are then led onto the Grand Pavilion Marquee (high season only) for the wedding breakfast which has a capacity for 150 guests. It comes as no surprise that The Beacon was voted the Best Wedding Venue in Kent in the Muddy Awards.

Ripple Court Estate, Deal

Ripple Court Estate is a hidden gem along the Kent coastline, offering a stunning, exclusive setting for your wedding. Set in the grounds of a beautiful Grade II-listed manor, the venue features gorgeous Georgian walled gardens, a charming Rose Garden for ceremonies, and even a magical woodland space. With room for up to 120 guests, Ripple Court offers a relaxed, intimate vibe with plenty of space to roam, including a wedding breakfast pavilion and woodland dance floor. Rustic charm meets modern elegance, plus, their sustainability efforts make it a perfect choice for eco-conscious couples.

Rowhill Grange Hotel & Utopia Spa, Wilmington

Wedding kent Rownhill Grange Hotel and Utopia Spa

Rowhill Grange Hotel & Utopia Spa in Wilmington offers a luxury countryside setting for your wedding. The Clockhouse is their dedicated wedding venue at the Rowhill Grange estate, available for up to 200 guests and the neutral barn-style interior allows you to tailor your day to suit your style. Alternatively, in the summer months the gardens and Wedding Gazebo are a popular choice for pretty, sun-drenched ceremonies, cocktails and canapés al fresco. Enjoy bespoke planning, local seasonal menus, and dedicated wedding coordinators who ensure everything runs smoothly. Their luxurious accommodation and serene surroundings make it the perfect venue for your special day.

LONDON

Dulwich College, Dulwich

Get a load of that – you can just about hear your mother-in-law flick through a photo album in 10 years’ time and wail, ‘Oh, wasn’t it just such a lovely day!’. One of London’s oldest and most renowned schools during the week and replete with stunning buildings dating back to 1619, Dulwich College can host parties of up to 400 guests on the weekend (with plentiful parking) in spaces ranging from the Great Hall to the Cloisters and Old Library (sounding good to us). Their dedicated events team is on hand to take all the organisational weight off your shoulders, so you just have to paint them a picture of matrimonial magic and watch it unfold.

Petersham Nurseries, Richmond

Petersham Nurseries is a botanical oasis in the gorgeous airy suburb of Richmond, and their blooming greenhouses don’t half scrub up. They’re known for spectacular floral displays, and their team of expert florists plays a big part in the planning process. You name it, they’ll make it happen down to the petal – from your bridal bouquet to floral arches and table garlands. Plus, their Michelin Green Star-wielding restaurant will take care of the catering – it’s a breath of fresh air.

SURREY

Wotton House Country Estate, Dorking

Set in 13 acres of Surrey countryside near Dorking, with beautiful Grade II-listed Italian gardens, this is a venue that oozes wow-factor. There are choices of spaces from large to intimate, with the option for indoor and outdoor ceremonies. The epitome of romance is the Old Library with its grand vaulted ceiling, pillars and centuries-old original fireplaces. It’s a gorgeous place to say ‘I do’. Or you might prefer the lovely Italian gardens as the setting for your vows. Both spots are licensed for wedding ceremonies for up to 140 guests. And Wotton House has a ‘one wedding’ policy – so you won’t have to share your special day with another bride and groom. Plus there are plenty rooms for the bridal party and guests to stay over.

Foxhills, Ottershaw

A wedding at Foxhills Resort in Ottershaw, Surrey.

A 400-acre estate with stunning manor house, golf course and spa – Foxhills is a great location to tie the knot! There’s a dedicated team on hand to smooth the way and flexibility to create the wedding day of your dreams, with a choice of spaces for up to 160. For guests staying in one of the 70 rooms, the resort’s Country Club facilities are available including swimming, tennis and golf.

Langshott Manor, Horley

If you’re going for modern English romance and looking for an intimate venue that oozes style with lush interiors say hello to Langshott Manor. This pretty 16th-Century manor house surrounded by stunning countryside is set amongst beautifully manicured gardens, with a bell tower and water-filled moat. The Mulberry Suite can accommodate up to 60 guests, and does ‘intimate’ very well, or if you want things even cosier try the wood-panelled Boardroom for up to 22 people. There are also 22 boutique rooms so you can stay over.

THE EAST & SOUTH-EAST

BEDFORDSHIRE

Shuttleworth House, Biggleswade

Yes, this Grade II-listed Jacobean beauty is home to a unique collection of vintage aircraft but did you know you can say ‘I do’ in one of its five licenced rooms? Plump for the refined charm of Shuttleworth House or opt for The Summer House in The Sunken Garden overlooking the lily pond. Further options include the pretty Swiss Cottage in the Swiss Garden and the elegant Grotto and Fernery. Need something bigger? The 425-acre parkland (known as Old Warden Park) can host lavish celebrations for a whopping 5,000 guests.

Turvey House, Turvey

Located on the banks of the River Great Ouse this venue has certainly got wow factor. Set in 150 acres of sprawling parklands with photo ops galore, your wedding reception can be held in a luxe marquee in front of the grand Grade I-listed manor house. If it’s outdoor space you’re after, this one’s a winner!

CAMBRIDGESHIRE

The Old Hall, Ely

Overlooking the majestic Ely Cathedral (seriously, it’s like your own real-life Bridgerton backdrop), The Old Hall is all about stately vibes without the stuffiness. It’s exclusive-use only, so no awkward run-ins with strangers in taffeta – just you, your guests, and the entire swoon-worthy estate to call your own. Picture lakeside vows, champagne by the pavilion, and dancing the night away in a marquee fit for royalty. The 2022 addition of the Orangery is a total scene-stealer, and with 15 bedrooms – including a dreamy honeymoon suite –you can keep the party going into breakfast and beyond. Warning: your guests might never want to leave.

Waresley Park, Sandy

If the idea of a cookie-cutter wedding makes you want to elope with a bottle of fizz and your dog, Waresley Park might just be your romantic rebellion. This wildly beautiful 120-acre Cambridgeshire estate is less “function room” and more “fantasyland,” with lakes, hills, a stud farm and a grand temple thrown in for good measure. There’s no such thing as a set package here – just a pick-your-own-adventure of ceremony spots: under ancient oaks, beside the lake, or in a walled garden scented with lavender. Add a bell tent village, a French château-style house for chic overnight stays, and a team who say “yes” to all your wildest ideas, and you’ve got the makings of a properly unforgettable weekend.

NORFOLK

Happy Valley Venue & Glamping Retreat, Grimston

Fancy running off to the forest? There’s nowhere better than Happy Valley Venue and Glamping Retreat in North West Norfolk. A stunning woodland setting offering all manner of luxurious cabins, lodges and shepherd’s huts for your guests, and you, to stay in, as well as the flexibility, ideas and space to have your wedding exactly the way you want it. We’re talking two gorgeous barns to host and decorate however you please, a pretty courtyard area for drinks or a cool street food set-up, a couple of bars and you’re spoilt for choice with where to take your wedding snaps. Plus, you can married anywhere on the nine acre site, anywhere. Dreamy or what?

Park Farm Hotel & Leisure, Hethersett

If you are looking for Bridgerton levels of luxe for your big day – all chandeliers and ballrooms – then this gawjus Georgian pile just outside Norwich is for you. The Colney Suite inside Park Farm Hotel screams Lady of the Manor and offers a flexible space for your nups and/or reception with lashings of glam. If the room itself wasn’t lush enough, the suite opens out onto the most beautiful private garden. Whether you are going all out or keeping things small and intimate Park Farm and their events team will help you pull together a show-stopper that Lady Whistledown would approve of.

SUFFOLK

Bruisyard Estate, Saxmundham

Weddings at Bruisyard Estate are less “one-day whirlwind” and more “country house takeover.” Set in the rolling Suffolk countryside, this 700-acre dreamboat of a venue gives you the keys to the entire estate – yep, all of it – including a fairytale hall, a show-stopping barn with medieval beams to die for, and luxe accommodation for 24 of your VIPs. Fancy a three-day do with spa robes by day and dance floor antics by night? You got it. Whether you want to go big with a black-tie banquet or keep it wild and whimsical under the stars, Bruisyard bends to your bridal will.

Seckford Hall, Woodbridge

driveway leading up to red brick mansion house

If Tudor glamour, lake views, and a healthy dash of pampering are your bridal love language, Seckford Hall will sweep you right off those bejewelled feet. The grand tree-lined drive is your first clue that this place means (stylish) business. Inside, it’s all exposed beams, roaring fireplaces, and historic romance – but with mod cons like a spoiling spa, 2 AA rosette feasting, and a Great Hall perfect for boogying the night away. Add three dreamy ceremony spaces and 32 bedrooms (yes, 32!), and you’ve got a venue that makes hosting the ultimate wedding weekend look effortless.

SUSSEX

Buxted Park, Ashdown Forest,

It’ll feel as if you’ve stepped out of the pages of a romance novel as you play lady of the manor at this Grade II-listed Palladian mansion. It’s suitably glam with former guests including Hollywood royalty and actual royalty as well as editorial royalty in the form of Muddy, ahem. But wait, what about the pictures? While the building provides the most beautiful of backdrops, there’s over 300 acres to take photos in and for your guests to roam around. You can choose to have your ceremony in the Victorian orangery, in a period room or outside. The hotel holds regular wedding fares so you can get a feel for things. You can very much live out an Austen fantasy here – there’s even a lake for your groom to perform that Mr Darcy / Colin Farrell swim moment if he so chooses.

Alexander House Hotel, nr East Grinstead

This Jacobean mansion was once the home of romantic poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and the writer Mary Shelley. Now a 5 Red Star hotel it’s the perfect setting to cement your relationship. It’s got an impressive 120 acres of peaceful grounds that can house a wedding gazebo. If you want to have your wedding inside, there are four ceremony and reception rooms from the drawing room to the Shelley suite. The hotel has a dedicated wedding team who can take care of all the details and there’s a large selection of rooms with access to the award wining Utopia spa – ideal for post wedding lazing. If you’re more of a last minute kind of bride, don’t worry there’s plenty of you, the hotel even has a late availability package so this is one venue worth considering if you’re in a panic.

THE SOUTH-WEST

CORNWALL

Jubilee Pool, Penzance, Cornwall

Penzance’s Art Deco gem is right on the edge of the coast, and now with a wedding licence, is perfect for small wedding parties. Imagine saying ‘I do’ with just your closest loved ones – exchange your vows surrounded by the sparkling seawater pool, with the dramatic Atlantic Cornish coastline as your backdrop. The team at the Jubilee Pool specialise in creating unforgettable moments for ceremonies of up to 35 guests and evening receptions up to 100 guests. First opened in 1935, the Jubilee Pool is the largest remaining example of an art deco lido, and the first salt water lido to have a geothermally heated waters and a sauna alongside the cold sea water pool.

Polurrian on the Lizard

Where your wedding day requires nothing less than the use of the entire hotel and grounds, hire Polurrian on the Lizard exclusively for the whole day, for the ultimate, private occasion. You’ll have full use of all 40 bedrooms, reception rooms and 12 acres of clifftop gardens. Exclusive packages range from one to three nights giving you time and space to really celebrate. Polurrian is almost as far south as it is possible to be in Cornwall, with nothing but the Atlantic in front of the cliff top hotel. From a party on the lawn, to ceremonies and meals in the beautiful sea view restaurant, they can cater for both intimate weddings and large parties where all guests can stay on site.

Tregenna Castle Resort, St Ives

Tregenna Castle Weddings St Ives get married in a Cornish castle

Voted Best Wedding Venue in Cornwall in the 2023 Muddy Awards, unique wedding venue Tregenna Castle Resort is an unbeatable location with woodland and subtropical gardens creating the perfect photo backdrop and an experienced team to make it all happen. From outdoor weddings for just the two of you, right up to indoor weddings and up to 250 guests, Tregenna Castle Resort is a versatile space that will suit your wedding requirements. With over 90 hotel rooms and apartments to choose to stay in and 50 nearby self-catering properties, everyone can stay on site as well, benefiting from preferential rates.

The Alverton, Truro

Alverton Hotel Truro Cornwall event space and wedding venue

The Alverton Hotel‘s grade II listed, Victorian-Gothic has ivy-covered walls, arched windows and bell tower evoke the building’s history, while inside, elegant original features combine with contemporary styling. The Alverton is one of Truro’s best party venues and an ideal choice for a stylish city wedding, with four event spaces and rambling private gardens. With room for up to 140 guests, whether it’s an intimate wedding or a grand celebration, surround yourselves with your nearest and dearest on your special day.

DEVON

Ocean Terrace, Tors Park, Lynmouth

Planning a bijou wedding? Take your vows overlooking the Exmoor Coast at Ocean Terrace, a Scandi-style space with room for up to 50 guests, either indoors or outdoors on the stylish sea-facing deck. Tors Park also provide a dedicated wedding coordinator, along with ceremony witnesses if needed, a solo guitarist or small acoustic duo and silent disco, and use of their cliffside grounds for your wedding photos. It’s also dog-friendly! Handily, guests can also book to stay on site in a choice of luxury apartments with parking, wellness options and the stunning North Devon coastline to explore.

Boringdon Hall Hotel, Plymouth

Boringdon Hall Hotel wedding venue in Plymouth

If 16th-century country manor charm is your idea of wedding heaven, then Boringdon might just be the bolthole for you. Choose from exclusive weekend use, including the Great Hall, the MICHELIN-starred restaurant Àclèaf and 55 luscious bedrooms; a heart-flutteringly-lovely gazebo on the lawns for up to 90; or an intimate wedding breakfast for up to 30 guests in the beautiful Rose Room. It’s historic and luxe, so take your pick. Prices range from £5k to £32k – then it’s just whether to arrive by vintage car, horse-drawn carriage or the chopper!

DORSET

Dean’s Court, Wimborne

In the same family for nearly 500 years, the elegant historic house set in bucolically blissful grounds is romantic by day and even more magical by night, when the marque and grounds are festooned with fairy lights, the trees all lit up, and with candles and fire pits dotted around. Get wed inside or out (they’ll host receptions only if you wish); wine, dine and dance in a lakeside marquee; sleep – up to 28 – in The Gate House, Cottages and a Shepherd’s Hut.

HAMPSHIRE

The Montagu Arms, Beaulieu

Full of quintessential charm, this New Forest countryside hotel takes up to 90 guests at a civil ceremony and wedding breakfast and 150 for an evening reception, with exclusive use of the stylish courtyard rooms. Along the river, it’s around an hours walk from the teeny, picture-perfect village to the historic shipbuilding idyll of Buckler’s Hard. And there’s always a fair chance you’ll spot a New Forest Pony or two clip-clopping through the village.

ISLE OF WIGHT

East Afton Farmhouse, Freshwater

Surrounded by beautiful, unspoiled West Wight countryside, East Afton Farmhouse at Freshwater is a rustic wedding venue on the Isle of Wight, close to the harbour town of Yarmouth and the iconic Needles. Part of the Tapnell Farm estate and licensed for civil ceremonies, wedding packages range from venue only options to all-inclusive packages with food and accommodation for up to 200 guests.

SOMERSET

Orchardleigh Estate, nr Frome & Bath

Renowned as one of the South West’s top wedding venues and beloved by celebs – Jamie Dornan is just one of the A-listers who’ve tied the knot here – Orchardleigh Estate sits in 500 stunning acres with lake, church, castle and more. The estate sleeps up to 185 guests, with 41 bedrooms in the main house alone. Several delicious-sounding wedding packages include exclusive use of the entire estate, and stays of one, two, three or four days, culminating in a night in the secluded Palladian boathouse on the lake *swoon*. Did we mention they’ve got their own helicopter, if you want to really make an entrance.

North Cadbury Court, North Cadbury

All the charm and elegance of a beautiful English country house with the freedom and flexibility to create a truly personal – luxury – wedding. There are no set packages, rigid schedules or curfews at the stunning 16th century country house, set in 1,500 acres of gorgeous grounds, that’s all yours to enjoy. Hold your ceremony and reception in the ballroom, the wood-panelled North Hall, by a lake, in the gardens or in pretty St Michael’s Church, just a few steps away from the house. Dance the night away in the ballroom, keep the party going in the basement disco. The next day, enjoy garden games, take a swim, relax in the jacuzzi, play a game of tennis or golf or just chill. The stats: sleeps up to 80, ceremony and dining up to 200, party up to 250.

Bailbrook House, Bath

bailbook house bath somerset weddings — Photo: Matt Fox Photography

One of Bath’s only two Grade II listed country house hotels, and full of Georgian charm, Bailbrook House – part of the Hand Picked Hotels collection – is set in 20 acres of beautiful grounds, just outside the city centre. Take your vows in one of their lounges, dine royally in Cloisters restaurant, stay in 13 suites and individually decorated rooms – think four posters, original fireplaces – in the original Mansion House and 75 rooms in the hotel’s contemporary wing (so room for all your guests). They’ve wedding packages to suit everyone. Find out more at their upcoming wedding showcases on Sun 6 July, from 11am – 3pm and Sun 12 Oct, from 11am – 3pm.

WILTSHIRE

The Larmer Tree, Tollard Royal

Live out your fairy tale fantasies at The Larmer Tree, a gorgeous garden in the Cranborne Chase area of outstanding natural beauty. This venue is an award winner, and a sneaky peek will show you why. It’s set in 11 acres of grounds, cotted with ancient follies, as well as freely roaming peacocks and macaws. Say ‘I do’ at the Roman temple, the ornate Lower Indian Room or even the nearby village church. You’ll find elegant spaces for dinner and dancing too, plus a picture-perfect lawn for garden games.

The Old Bell Hotel, Malmesbury

How about hunkering down here on your wedding night? This Grade I Cotswold beauty is rumoured to be England’s oldest hotel. With high design interiors, luxe lounges and quirky decor, it’s packed with character, yet seriously cool. Whether you’re after an intimate candlelit celebration in the Library or a bigger bash in the light-filled Garden Room, the entire place is yours for exclusive hire. Add in exquisite food, top notch service and gorgeous boutique bedrooms too. Keen to find out more? Book into their wedding open day on Sunday 18^th May.

THE WEST

GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Sudeley Castle, Winchcombe

Want to be feel like a princess on your big day? Well you need a castle then! And Sudeley Castle near Cheltenham has all the ingredients for a storybook wedding. There are multiple places to gather family and friends, from the quirky HaHa in the rose garden ruins to the grand St Mary’s Chapel (resting place to a former queen!). Set amidst 1,200 acres of rolling Cotswolds countryside, your photobook will be next level, featuring breathtaking backdrops from romantic ruins to formal gardens and fountains. But book soon – there are only a limited number of slots each year.

OXFORDSHIRE

Divinity Schools, Bodleian Library, Oxford

Bodelian Library Oxford weddings Allister-Freeman — IMage: Divinity Schools, Bodleian Library, Oxford, Allister Freeman

Fairytale settings are plentiful in our region, if that’s your wish Cinderella. But you won’t find anything more beautiful than The Bodleian Library, the oldest library in Europe, with its two licensed rooms: the Divinity School (jaw-dropping and dating back to the 15th Century) and Convocation House, with space for romantic al fresco drinks in the Old Schools Quadrangle. Both rooms can seat up to 120, but if you’re planning a bigger Oxford bash then Oxford Town Hall is your best bet. Its stunning galleried main hall hosts up to 500 guests.

Blenheim Palace, Woodstock

Blenheim palace outdoor wedding ceremony

It you want to make a statement at palace is as big as it gets. What’ll it be, madam? The Great Hall? The Orangery? The formal gardens followed by drinks on the terrace? As far as weddings are concerned, Blenheim Palace has seen it all, and with over 2,000 acres of landscaped parkland to play with, it has all the options. And, of course, the events team is on hand to ensure it goes off without a hitch, come rain or come shine.

WORCESTERSHIRE

Brockencote Hall Hotel, Kidderminster

Located in 70 acres of gloriously beautiful grounds, this Victorian manor house is a stunning place to say ‘I do’. Complete with a scenic lake, beautiful restored dovecote and 21 decadent, luxury rooms. This award-winning venue has a civil ceremony licence, an in-house caterer and a totally gorgeous country estate vibe. Book out the recently converted two-storey Lodge for a levelled-up stayover. There’s a dining capacity of 90 and 140 in the evening, let the bespoke Wedding Coordinator here do all the organising for you.

THE MIDLANDS & THE NORTH

CHESHIRE

Delamere Events, Oakmere

Bride on paddleboard at Delamere Events — @Richardmillerphotography, richardmillerphotography.co.uk

There’s something enduringly romantic about saying ‘I do’ beside water. And that’s exactly the premise at this alluring waterside location, where a dreamy tipi, strung with fairy lights, has been hoisted up next to Cherry Orchard Lake. And the crew behind it have a whole roll call of suppliers to curate the wedding that suits you, whether you’re after a rambunctious festival-style party, or a refined do with plenty of Champers and fine dining. Paddle-boarding in your glad rags, optional!

Owen House Wedding Barn, Mobberley

The green idyll of Mobberley is the bucolic setting for this barn with a team that are pros in curating super stylish wedding bashes. They really have pulled all the little details together and to call this simply a wedding barn is to undersell its appeal. Book this space and you can officially say your vows in the civil ceremony room, before slipping through a secret door into the spruced up main barn of rustic, country cool. All this, plus rooms to bed down in, a beauty shed for hair and make-up, ‘The Baa-BER Shed’ for the groomsmen and a hidden chill out room.

DERBYSHIRE

Osmaston Park, Ashbourne

Looking for show-stopping views that will take your guests’ breath away? This one oughtta do it. Tucked away in the middle of the sprawling Osmaston Estate, you’ll feel a million miles from anywhere and the views are stupendous. There’s no grand country pile here (the manor house was demolished in the Sixties), just the countryside itself, but there’s a permanent marquee (complete with power, lighting, linings, furniture, and flooring) that gives you creative freedom to do what you want. Not licensed for civil ceremonies but many couples opt for a blessing service to make the most of the stunning setting.

LEICESTERSHIRE

Tipis at Whatton House, nr Loughborough

This exclusive tipi wedding venue in Leicestershire is filled with pockets of magic in every corner. The tipi spaces are striking, spacious and stylish and, as the evening draws in, they light up with thousands of fairy lights, creating an enchanting wow-factor element. There are three giant reception tipis and additional cosy snug, with loads of sociable space to wine, dine, dance and celebrate. Think firepits, wooden floors for dancing and, the most important thing, luxury loos.

NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

Boughton House, nr Kettering

Boughton House, stately home luxurious exclusive wedding venue

If nothing less than the best will do, then look no further than Boughton. A truly grand stately home that takes inspiration from the Palace of Versailles, Boughton is one of Northamptonshire’s hidden gems with exquisitely landscaped gardens and palatial state rooms. There are a various rooms to choose from including the Great Hall, with it’s painted ceiling and oak paneled walls, or the Tapestry Suite, which is a light and airy space with exposed beams and brickwork. You’ll be in great company, Eddie Redmayne and Amanda Seyfried tied the knot here, well in character as Marius and Cosette in Les Mis so, if it’s epic you’re looking for, you’ll be sure to find it here.

NOTTINGHAMSHIRE

Norwood Park, Southwell

Bridal couple coming down staircase at Norwood Park

Idyllic country house backdrop? Tick. Gorgeous gardens to spill out into? Tick? Cute Highland cow photo opps? Even that one gets a big tick. Norwood Park is pretty much perfect in every way. Able to cater for everything from intimate weddings to sizeable celebrations (up to 250 people), attention to detail and staff helpfulness is on another level (we held a glitzy Muddy Awards bash here, so we should know). There’s a stunning, natural-lit orangery adorned with mirrors and hangers for the bridal party to get ready in and some a very cool, art deco-style cocktail bar and clubby lounge for hanging out in late into the night.

Woodborough Hall, Woodborough

This place has quietly been growing a great reputation for exceptional hospitality and warm-hearted wedding service. Taken over by new owners a couple of years ago, it feels like the team at Woodborough care as much about your wedding as you do. With beautiful bedrooms, a lovely light-flooded orangery, laid-back lounges and cool bar, it’s pretty darn swanky inside, and has a gorgeous garden outside for spilling into in the summer. Best suited to more intimate weddings of up to 100 people.

RUTLAND

Exton Park, nr Oakham

This traditional English country pile in Rutland has been the home of the Noel family (the Earls of Gainsborough) for over 400 years. For a traditional wedding, you can choose the private Chapel, the Church of St Peter and Paul on the estate. After something more romantic? Try Fort Henry, (pictured) this magical gothic folly, sitting beside a large lake in the heart of Exton Park is a hidden gem in a truly unique setting.

WARWICKSHIRE

Blackwell Grange, Shipston-on-Stour

This isn’t just your standard converted barn wedding venue, there’s four generations of family history here and owners Didi and Will Vernon Miller have painstakingly overseen a complete renovation of the 16th and 17th century listed farm buildings. It boasts a huge glass-fronted barn for wedding receptions and four gorgeously decorated cottages with 10 en-suite bedrooms. Oh, and it’s a working farm too. Weddings are held in the breathtaking Thatch Barn (yes, with thatched roof) with exposed oak beams, underfloor heating, floor uplighter and a huge open fire. After the ceremony there’s gorgeous places for photos – with views for miles over The Cotswolds’. Food is provided onsite by top chefs, using as much local produce as possible.

WEST MIDLANDS

Hampton Manor, Hampton-in-Arden

A stunning luxury wedding venue and country estate set within the idyllic Forest of Arden, near Solihull, featured fittingly in Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, As You Like It. This thoroughly modern manor has one-star Michelin-restaurant Grace & Savour on site and a beautiful Arts and Crafts house. There are 24 bedrooms, 45 acres of grounds, acclaimed neighbourhood restaurant, Kynd, and an artisan bakery. Wedding breakfast menus are created by David Taylor, Chef Director of the two restaurants. Alternatively, they collaborate with Aktar Islam, the two Michelin-starred chef from Opheem in Birmingham, who brings his spiced Asian feasts exclusively to the venue. Hampton Manor has a Wedding Open Day on Sun 27 Apr, 1pm – 4pm. Free entry, register here.

YORKSHIRE

Simonstone Hall, Hawes

Set in the heart of the stunning Yorkshire Dales, Simonstone Hall in Hawes enjoys breathtaking views. A boutique country house hotel with characterful interiors, newly refurbished rooms and suites, as well as award-winning food – what couple wouldn’t want to get married here? Choose from five stylish rooms for civil ceremonies or outdoor spaces for blessings. Beautiful garden wedding options include stretch tents, tipis or marquees. Tailor-made packages make it easy to plan the perfect day with the help of the registered wedding team, whether it’s just the two of you or 60+ guests.

Hackness Grange, Scarborough

Surrounded by hills and woodland, Hackness Grange, Scarborough, has been a dower house, country club and hotel, but now is a beautiful wedding venue. With both indoor and outdoor ceremony options, your special day can be designed to be cosy and intimate or one big party. Indoors, choose from the Elizabeth or Derwent Suites depending on the size of your guest list. And for summer lovin’, the outdoor pavilion set on an island is a memorable location to say “I do”. The lake and landscaped gardens also make the ultimate backdrop for wedding photos. Still not sure? Then how about a Getting Ready Room for your wedding party or the romantic honeymoon suite that’s included in all wedding packages.

Aisle style! 50+ stunning wedding venues across the Muddy Counties

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