Weddings at English Country Houses, Halls & Estates
I might live in a small Swiss village on top of a mountain with spectacular views and I may well film worldwide destination weddings… But, the reason I keep returning to the UK is because you just can’t beat it when it comes to stunning wedding venues.
The UK is a country steeped in history and tradition. There’s palaces, castles, estates and beautiful country houses & halls. And, unbelievably, a lot of them are open for the public to get married in. Couples are literally spoilt for choice.
To that end, I’ve decided to give you a whistle-stop tour of some of my favourite venues spanning the whole country.
‘Elegance is the beauty that never fades’
– Audrey Hepburn
LONDON: Kenwood House
Kenwood House is a former stately home on the boundary of Hampstead Heath in London surrounded by tranquil landscaped gardens.
Elegant and stylish, there are rooms for smaller ceremonies surrounded by some of the greatest British portraits of the 18th-century. Or, why not choose the Orangery – it delivers stunning views with its floor-to-ceiling windows.
It is a stunner of a wedding venue and I had the pleasure of filming there last year.
OXFORDSHIRE: Blenheim Palace
Gardens, mazes, lakes, woods, secret corridors, spiral staircases and more – Blenheim is described as Britain’s greatest palace.
A magnificent setting for your wedding, Blenheim Palace is a monumental baroque country house in Woodstock, Oxfordshire. Birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and home to the Duke of Marlborough.
The Palace boasts six-party venue options for up to 500 guests, while the Parkland can accommodate marquees for up to 2,000 guests.
SUFFOLK: Hengrave Hall
This beauty of a wedding venue is just north of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk and one of my favourites. The Tudor manor house has all those wonderful features that a videographer dreams of – white timber panelling, crystal chandeliers and amazing grounds.
I have filmed there a few times now, and the ‘golden hour’ is always so wonderful. Golden hour is that magical time before sunset and a wonderful time for creating memorable wedding shots.
And, the gorgeous lavender and rose borders ensure that Hengrave Hall has a warm, fuzzy glow during this time.
SOMERSET: Orchardleigh Estate
With 500 acres of breathtaking countryside landscape, beautiful gardens and lakes, Orchardleigh Estate is a magical wedding venue in Somerset.
Nestled at the heart of the estate is Orchardleigh House, built in 1856 by William Duckworth and previously owned by the Champneys since the Norman Conquest.
You can tie the knot within Orchardleigh House’s Great Hall, outside in the grounds, or say I do in one of Orchardleigh’s parish churches – including one on an island!
Nisha and Hersh’s wedding at Orchardleigh Estate in Somerset was an amazing, colourful Hindu wedding full of tradition, fun, laughter and dancing.
SOMERSET: Babington House
Babington House is a Grade II listed manor house, located in the village of Babington, near Frome in the heart of Somerset.
The Georgian manor in 18 acres of countryside is a delight – with a Victorian walled garden, cricket pitch and a lake!
NORTHUMBERLAND: Alnwick Castle
Think you’ve seen Alnwick Castle before? Well, its courtyards and baileys were used to film Hogwarts students and staff going about their daily activities during Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone!
Anna and Adam hired the castle – in the English county of Northumberland – for their gorgeous wedding a few years back now.
After Windsor Castle, it is the second largest inhabited castle in England.
Alnwick Castle
Allerton Castle
NORTH YORKSHIRE: Allerton Castle
Allerton Castle in North Yorkshire is a magnificent Gothic revival stately home with a staircase to die for!
It is nestled amid 200 acres of beautiful grounds, with a marvellous 70-foot high facade and gorgeous architectural features.
Allerton Castle’s sweeping staircase is made for weddings – and that all important arrival of the bride or groom.
I have filmed a number of weddings here, including the union of Sally and Rich. The wonderful couple exchanged vows in a truly emotional ceremony before partying the night away with friends and family.
NORTH YORKSHIRE: Goldsborough
Goldsborough Hall in Knaresborough is one of Yorkshire’s hidden gems – a 17th-century Jacobean mansion on 12 acres of landscaped grounds.
The historic royal stately home came to fame in the 1920s as the former residence of HRH Princess Mary (the Queen’s aunt).
Samantha and Thomas fell in love with Goldsborough Hall immediately – they not only loved the breathtaking, rolling countryside but the fact they could get married in the quaint Church next door and have the reception so close..
NORTH YORKSHIRE: Castle Howard
Castle Howard in North Yorkshire can only be described as spectacular. Situated near York, it is one of Britain’s finest stately homes with a thousand acres of sweeping parkland dotted with statues, temples, lakes and fountains.
The venue has been used as a location for many film and television productions, including most recently ITV’s Victoria.
I have had the pleasure of filming a wonderful wedding at Castle Howard. Linna and Yide were married in an international wedding with a beautiful red theme.
NORTH YORKSHIRE: Swinton Estate
I am sure you all know how much I love Swinton – here’s why it is one of my favourite wedding venues in the UK!
The luxury estate near Ripon in Yorkshire is owned by the Cunliffe-Lister family since the 1880s. And, it is the ancestral seat of the Earl of Swinton.
Here’s the day Rammina and Chris enjoyed a gorgeous wedding at the stunning venue.
NORTH YORK MOORS: Duncombe Park
Duncombe Park is one of Yorkshire’s finest historic houses and estates historic in the picturesque market town of Helmsley in North Yorkshire.
Home to the Duncombe family, the jaw-dropping venue boasts more than 450 acres of spectacular gardens, parklands and nature reserve.
Its elegant rooms and spectacular gardens provide an exquisite setting for wedding videography. We loved the moment Mina and Harry chose to do a Balloon Release at the front of the home – a fantastic sight.
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE: Aynhoe Park
Aynhoe Park is a luxurious, private Grade I listed 17th-century country house near Banbury on the Oxfordshire/Northamptonshire border.
The Times describes the house as the ‘coolest house in Britain’ and it’s not hard to see why.
The house was designed in 1707 by the English Baroque architect Thomas Archer, and later by Sir John Soane, and its 15 acres had been designed by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown and Humphry Repton.
But its present owner James Perkin has filled each room with modern art and taxidermy – and it’s fantastic!
Getting married in one of these magnificent settings? Or at a glorious country house I’ve yet to discover?
Get in touch for Story Of Your Day to capture your special story on film.
Here’s my link to my UK Wedding Film Service.
Useful Links
Goldsborough Hall – Allerton Castle – Castle Howard – Swinton Estate – Duncombe Park – Alnwick Castle – Nostell Priory –Howsham Hall – Kenwood House – Blenheim Palace – Hengrave Hall – Orchardleigh Estate – Babington House – Anyhoe Park
