These grand country houses are perfect for a fairytale wedding in the beautiful English countryside. All are situated within easy reach of London and you can take your pick of palaces, ancient castles and glorious country mansions
Grand country houses make perfect settings for a wedding. Not only do you become lord and lady of the manor for the day, but your guests will relish these spectacular and historic surroundings. Our handpicked selection are all within easy reach of London and offer a variety of unique event spaces, as well as fine grounds for photography. With some of these grand country houses, you even have the option to stay on for longer, hosting a once-in-a-lifetime weekend party.
Blenheim Palace
Grand country houses don’t come finer than the former residence of the Dukes of Marlborough. Blenheim was birthplace of Winston Churchill – he proposed to his beloved Clementine in the Temple of Diana – so the scene is set for a very special evening celebration. For ceremonies, the Orangery can seat 250 and creates a dramatic backdrop. For receptions, you have a choice of fabulous spaces – from the Great Hall and Long Library to the more intimate Saloon. If you are hosting a party for a crowd, the Water Terraces are wonderful for drinks and dancing. Capacity Up to 1,200; blenheimpalace.com
Chewton Glen Hotel & Spa
A picture-perfect country-house hotel in the New Forest, Chewton Glen sits in 130 acres of countryside and is less than a mile from the sea. Little wonder that it has attracted countless plaudits over the years. Recently added luxury tree house suites and a breathtaking spa make this a stellar choice for couples looking to stay on afterwards. There are a variety of lovely choices for celebrations, from The Lake Suite and Summer House overlooking the grounds to more intimate parties in The Garden Room or Oak End. There’s a magical walled garden for outdoor gatherings – you can even hire the whole hotel and grounds for you and your guests for the ultimate luxury wedding, and with 70 rooms and suites there’s space for a crowd to stay over. Capacity up to 200; chewtonglen.com
Coworth Park
Part of The Dorchester Collection, Coworth Park is a glamorous 18th-century country house hotel and spa in the Berkshire countryside. While the exterior is traditional, it has a distinctively modern flavour to many of its interiors and the fantastic grounds offer lots of opportunities to relax and enjoy the beautiful countryside. Weddings here range from the intimate to the large scale, and you can choose from a variety of settings for the ceremony, including the Lime Grove and Sunken Garden. Inside the mansion, event spaces range from the light-filled Oval Room to the Tower House, with romantic balcony overlooking the lake. One of the finest venues is the swish Oak Room, which has classic Georgian proportions and an ultra modern copper oak leaf ceiling sculpture. Capacity up to 100; dorchestercollection.com
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace is the perfect setting for a wedding, with its fabulous combination of Tudor and Baroque architecture and beautiful grounds. The Garden Room, with capacity for 220 guests, is a popular choice and has its own private outside space for dancing. Grand ceremonial rooms include the hammer-beamed Great Hall and – for evening ceremonies – the impressive King’s Guard Chamber lined with antique swords. For a more Georgian flavour, The Little Banqueting House is set apart from the Palace and offers a more intimate venue (up to 50) with murals by Antonio Verrio and beautiful views of the Thames. Capacity up to 270; hrp.org.uk
Hatfield House
Hatfield House was the childhood home of Elizabeth I and this fine Hertfordshire property comes with a long and romantic history. Beautiful Mediaeval brickwork and historic gardens also make a flattering backdrop for wedding photography. There are a range of midweek and weekend wedding packages and you can hire either the stunning Old Palace or the Riding School – recently refurbished and with a glass roof and mezzanine level. The hospitality team can help you to plan a bespoke celebration and there is also the option for ‘dry hire’, where you bring in your own caterers. Capacity up to 250; hatfieldhousehospitality.co.uk
Hever Castle
Hever Castle is straight out of a fairy story with its magical turrets and battlements. You can design a wedding on an intimate or grand scale, with options including a ceremony in the Castle’s Inner Hall and wedding feast in the Castle Dining Room. The Astor Wing is a 1900s recreation of the Tudor style by William Waldorf Astor, and has three interconnecting rooms, private lawn and amazing views of the castle and moat. The Italian Garden overlooking the lake is a stunning summer venue, with ceremonies taking place under the arched columns of the Loggia and reception space for up to 220 in the beautiful Palladian-style Guthrie Pavilion. For super-size weddings, you can also arrange for a marquee in the grounds of the castle. The on-site events team are happy to help design a bespoke celebration using one or more of these unique spaces. Luxury accommodation is also available in the Astor Wing and around the Hever Castle estate. Capacity up to 600; hevercastle.co.uk
Stoke Park
This 18th-century mansion has played a starring role in everything from James Bond films to Bridget Jones’ Diary and is a fabulous five-star country club hotel and spa in grounds designed by Capability Brown. There’s also a rather famous golf course and top-class cuisine. The setting and convenience for London and Heathrow make it the ideal location for a glamorous country wedding, especially if you want to stay over in one of the 49 bedrooms and build in some me-time in the 11 spa treatment rooms. With dining for up to 146 guests, three event spaces and the lovely Fountain Terrace, there is plenty of space to host a memorable party. A dedicated wedding planner is part of the personal service you can expect here. Capacity up to 146; stokepark.com
Wickham House
This privately owned country house offers scope for a unique celebration in a picturesque Berkshire setting because, with only one wedding offered a month on an exclusive four-day basis, it guarantees that you will have space and time to create a very special event. Set in 52 acres on the outskirts of Newbury, it has its own church located in the grounds and there are a variety of spaces for the celebration, including newly built oak-frame barn and stunning walled garden. Receptions can also be held in a glamorous marquee overlooking the Downs. Wickham House has exclusive partnerships with caterers and other choice suppliers to ensure a superb celebration. It even offers opportunities for glamping if you and your guests want to get into the festival spirit. Capacity up to 400; wickhamhouse.com
