10 of the Best Wedding Venues For a Festive Christmas Wedding
Roaring fires, twinkling candlelight, boughs of pine and eucalyptus - weddings at Christmas time are such a wonderfully romantic and cosy choice. In the UK we are blessed to have so many beautiful buildings that are primed and ready for such an occasion, as it’s fair to say with our weather, we’ve got that cosy feeling nailed. So if you’re intrigued by the idea of a festive wedding, we’ve rounded up 10 of our favourite wedding venues that are just calling out for a wintery wedding to be held within them.
1. Wilderness Reserve
Suffolk
Nestled in 8,000 acres of rural grounds and just 7 miles inland from the picturesque seaside town of Southwold, Wilderness Reserve is a beautiful, luxurious location that is home to two adjoining estates. One is the Chapel Barn Estate, a 15th century thatched long barn and the other is Sibton Park Estate, a Grade II* Georgian manor. Both estates are set within their own private parklands with surrounding barns, spa farmhouses and cottages, providing 86 bedrooms across 18 houses. With the ability to host between 60-300 guests both inside and out, it’s a fab location for you to take over for the full weekend and really embrace the festive feels.
2. Hatfield House
Hertfordshire
Located within the picturesque Hatfield Park where Queen Elizabeth I spent a large portion of her childhood, the beautiful Hatfield House has two wedding spaces for you to choose from based on your style preference. One option is The Old Palace which was built in 1497 and is perfect for grand receptions of up to 220 guests. We particularly love the wall to wall tapestries in this room, as they bring such wonderful warmth and cosiness to the space. Alternatively the contemporary Riding School is ideal for smaller occasions and can host up to 100 guests. The venue is fully licensed so you can host both your ceremony and reception there.
Source: Hatfield House Hospitality
Source: Real Weddings
3. Elmore Court
Gloucestershire
Originally built as a family home in the 13th century, the same family decided to reopen the magnificent Elmore Court in 2013 to play host to many a beautiful wedding and party. Located within well-kept grounds, the venue has views over the Cotswolds and River Severn and will be exclusively yours for the weekend. The house feels grand and impressive but is adorned with such wonderful rich colours and textures that it feels really cosy and inviting, whilst still remaining modern in a lot of aspects - a balance we find is often quite hard to strike. The venue has a soundproof rammed earth space in which you can party the night away in with up to 200 of your guests and when everyone has danced their little feet off, the venue can sleep up to 45 of your guests too.
Source: Historic Houses
Source: Elmore Court
4. Clearwell Castle
Gloucestershire
Set within 20 acres of beautiful grounds inside the beautiful Forest of the Dean, Clearwell Castle is the definition of a fairytale wedding venue and perfect for a festive wedding. When arriving at the venue, you’ll drive along a sweeping tree lined driveway and then enter through the doors into the Great Hall, where you’ll be greeted by a large roaring log fire and comfy sofas. The venue is ideal for weddings both large and small, with the ability to host between 40 to 250 of your guests.
Source: Charlotte Burn Photography
Source: For Better For Worse
5. Great Fosters
Surrey
Tucked away within 50 acres of grounds and parkland, set with a fountain, moat and sunken Rose Garden, Great Fosters is a cosy yet grand wedding venue in which to celebrate with up to 150 of your guests. You can say your vows in their lovely Orangery, host your reception drinks in the Painted Hall and then enjoy your wedding breakfast in the historical Tithe Barn. The venue has 50 bedrooms available too, so plenty of space to host a number of your guests.
Source: Visit Surrey
Source: Alexander Hotels
6. Huntsham Court
Devon
The perfect wedding house party venue, Huntsham Court is a venue we’re very fond of for a number of reasons. From the fact you can take it over exclusively all weekend and sleep up to 92 of your guests, to the no corkage charge or set supplier list, it’s such a wonderfully flexible venue, and that’s before even talking about how pretty it is too. Located on the border of Exmoor National Park and situated in the rolling Devonshire countryside, it feels grand yet extremely inviting and welcoming inside, with rich, dark interiors in which to host up to 130 of your guests. Plus whilst it feels quite in the middle of nowhere, it is actually only 2 hours by train from London.
Source: Landed Houses
Source: Group Accommodation
7. Dewsall Court
Herefordshire
A gorgeous 17th century estate that has been painstakingly restored and loving refurbished, Dewsall Court is the perfect balance between a traditional venue with a cool and modern edge. The Wainhouse is their converted barn, set with a custom bar and dancefloor, surrounded by mature gardens with views over the Black Mountains, perfect for your wedding reception. The venue even has a secret cellar room with a private bar that is ideal for late night partying with up to 170 of your guests.
Source: Dewsall Court
Source: Dewsall Court
8. Wollaton Hall and Deer Park
Nottinghamshire
Located within 500 acres of natural parkland, Wollaton Hall and Deer Park is a grand Grade I listed Elizabethan mansion filled with lots of beautiful spaces in which to host your wedding day for up to 150 guests. The main Great Hall features intricate original features, hand-carved stone screen archways and hammer beam ceilings, and is a beautiful spot in which to host your wedding ceremony. Alternatively Camellia House, located in the formal garden has views over the parkland towards the lake, is a stunning glasshouse structure in which you can host both your ceremony or reception.
Source: Wollaton Hall
Source: Wollaton Hall
9. Holkham Hall
Norfolk
Located in the heart of a 25,000 acre estate, Holkham Hall is a beautiful Palladian mansion that has been a family home for over 300 years. They only host a limited number of wedding days each year, meaning that they can give each couple their undivided attention. You can host your ceremony within their grand Marble Hall for up to 170 people, set with an impressive 50 foot domed ceiling, and enjoy your reception in The Lady Elizabeth Wing with up to 200 of your guests.
Source: Holkham Hall
Source: Visit North Norfolk
10. Blenheim Palace
Oxfordshire
An extremely opulent former home of Winston Churchill, Blenheim Palace is absolutely guaranteed to impress. Located within 2,000 acres of picturesque landscaped parkland and award-winning formal gardens, this 18th century baroque palace is a lovely choice for weddings both large and small. They have six areas available for different styles and sizes of weddings, including the opportunity to host a huge 2,000 guests within their grounds. For the ceremony, the Orangery and Marlborough Rooms are beautiful options, and after you can follow this with dinner and drinks in the Great Hall and Long Library.
Source: House and Gardens
Source: Blenheim Palace
