Splendidly individual, these seven romantic rural wedding venues offer fine grounds, great food and the perfect flavours for a relaxed celebration in the glorious English countryside
Rural wedding venues should have unique character, space for you and your guests to spread out and beautiful surroundings. Our line-up of seven top choices give you all these virtues in spades and all of them also offer the icing on the cake – great food.
Carbis Bay Hotel & Estate
Located on its own perfect stretch of Blue Flag beach, Carbis Bay is a magical location for a destination wedding. It sits in an 125-acre estate and even has its own luxury yacht that can be hired with special guests as part of a pre-or post-wedding party to explore the rugged Cornish coast. The hotel has a spa, luxurious guest rooms and dedicated wedding planners to organise your celebration. The focus is on individuality, so whether you want a beach barbecue, cocktail reception or a four-course wedding breakfast (or all of the above), there is scope to make it happen. carbisbayhotel.co.uk
The Gallivant
Rural wedding venues within easy reach of the capital are treasure for couples seeking convenience and charm, so this award-winning restaurant with rooms just across the road from world famous Camber Sands is the perfect place to unwind and get married. It hosts weddings all year round – in summer guests gravitate between the marquee and the beach, while in winter The Gallivant’s New England vibe comes into its own, with roaring log fires and a cosy bar, plus heated marquee. Food is a real draw here and you have lots of scope to design a very individual event. The 20 cool Scandinavian-vibe rooms are part of the charm, and most weddings are organised on an exclusive hire basis, so that you take over the whole premises for a private beach party. thegallivant.co.uk
The Greyhound on The Test
Presided over by chef Lucy Townsend, who also owns the bespoke wedding and catering company Wilds, Greyhound on The Test is a charming small country inn just outside Winchester. Food is the star here and Lucy can design a menu to suit the occasion, with emphasis on local seafood and produce. Wilds specialises in outdoor event catering and knows the area well, so if you want to combine celebrating at a traditional inn with country pursuits or larger outdoor party – even a picnic – this is a good place to come. thegreyhoundonthetest.co.uk
River Cottage
As rural wedding venues go, this is the real deal – definitely a choice worth considering if you want splendid scenery. Home of a renowned cookery school and the star of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s books and TV series, River Cottage HQ sits on the Devon/Dorset border in an idyllic 65-acre organic working farm. Food is the star here, with all sorts of fabulous offerings to tempt your guests. Ceremonies and celebrations can take place in a variety of spaces, including the walled kitchen garden and 16th-century farmhouse. The traditional threshing barn can accommodate 100 for a ceremony, 70 for sit down dinner and 120 for dancing. It’s a magical spot for a classic country wedding and the team at River Cottage HQ can help you design the event, as well as advise on options for accommodation in the local area. rivercottage.net
Roehampton Club
It may not be country proper – central London is a short hop by Tube or train – but this historic and exclusive members’ club nestled alongside Richmond Park feels certainly like it and is certainly worth considering among the rural wedding venues you’re exploring. Set in 100 acres of Surrey parkland, with glorious sporting facilities, immaculate lawns, water features and traditional sunken garden, it hosts wedding ceremonies and celebrations in its light and versatile event spaces. Inside, you can host any number from 20 to 200 for a wedding breakfast or dinner, with bespoke menus tailored to your style of celebration and an experienced events team to coordinate and manage the big day. roehamptonclub.co.uk
Titchwell Manor
Rural wedding venues in East Anglia are plentiful, but this tranquil small hotel on the North Norfolk coast stands out for its charming location. It has far-reaching views across dunes, marshes and a nature reserve. Venue spaces include the Conservatory Restaurant, overlooking the hotel’s walled garden, and the cosy bar area with log fires in winter, making it perfect for an intimate wedding – it also has some rather funky decor, especially the sitting room overlooking farmer’s fields and a superb slice of Norfolk coastline. The hotel can help you plan a bespoke celebration, and if you and guests want to stay over there are 27 bedrooms, so you can make a weekend or midweek party of it. titchwellmanor.com
Winter Barns
These vaulted barns are a romantic setting for a rural wedding in the heart of the Kent countryside. While they may look charmingly rustic from the outside, they have been beautifully restored and there is central heating in winter and air-conditioning in summer to ensure guests’ comfort. There is space to host a ceremony with 150 guests and a dinner for 200. An on-site wedding coordinator can help you plan all the details – from band to catering and crèche – using trusted wedding suppliers. Recommended local accommodation includes a local farm with self-catering accommodation for up to 21 guests. winters–barns.co.uk
