Weddings are among the most significant events in our lives. Other than witnessing the birth of a child, no other day in a person’s life will carry the same weight, joy or significance as their wedding day. When it comes to planning the perfect wedding, there is one fundamental that must be in place for the big day to go ahead, and indeed, will set the tone for everything that follows: the location.
The United Kingdom offers many desirable locations and wedding venues, combining centuries of heritage and stunning architecture with modern-day hospitality. From misty Scottish lochs and Cotswolds manor houses to stately homes on Cornish clifftops, the options are not only copious but extraordinary in each location's way. For couples planning a wedding on British soil, the following locations offer some of the best possible backdrops in which to tie the knot.
Cliveden House, Berkshire
Steeped in British history and positioned in an idyllic location along the banks of the River Thames, Cliveden House is among the most exclusive wedding venues in the UK. The Grade I-listed mansion, once home to the Astor family, has welcomed everyone from Queen Victoria to The Duchess of Sussex, who stayed here the night before her wedding to Prince Harry.
The property is ideal for regal ceremonies, which can be held in the grandiose French Dining Room, known for its gilded boiserie and unparalleled views across Cliveden’s grounds. Receptions may be held on the South Terrace with its river views or in the glamorous Great Hall with 30ft ceilings and stone fireplaces creating a fairytale atmosphere during the evening. With 48 bedrooms, couples can choose to fully hire out the estate, making it feel more like a private residence than a wedding venue. It is also ideal for smaller, more intimate weddings.
Bodrhyddan Hall, Wales
Located in the Vale of Clwyd, not far from the bountiful sandy beaches of the North Wales coast, the estate at Bodryhddan Hall has been home to the Langford family for over 500 years, and is one of the few privately owned historic homes left in the region. Weddings here feel secluded and deeply personal, as the estate limits their number each year, which will suit couples looking for an intimate retreat to celebrate their nuptials.
The house is surrounded by fields and woodlands, ideal for scenic wedding photographs that capture the beauty of the bride against the gushing Welsh landscapes. Ceremonies can be held in the beautifully maintained gardens – complete with a parterre, woodland walks, and a lily pond – or inside the richly furnished manor, with its centuries-old oak panelling and antique tapestries. Whether couples opt for a summer wedding amongst lush green meadows or mist-shrouded marshes and snowy hilltops in winter, Bodryhddan is a magical place for a wedding.
Drenagh House, Northern Ireland
Tucked away on a private estate near Limavady, Drenagh House offers an elegant country manor wedding experience, complemented by the chance to explore the rugged beauty of the Causeway Coast – just a short drive away and one of Northern Ireland’s most iconic landscapes. Built in the 1830s, this Italian-style mansion is set within an area of more than 1,000 acres, encompassing rolling parkland and earning a well-deserved reputation as one of the finest wedding venues in the country.
Drenagh’s standout feature is the Moon Garden – a circular, stone-walled plot that perfectly emulates the mythic tales from the Emerald Isle, especially when lit by candles or festoon lights. Many couples choose to hold outdoor ceremonies here in the warmer months, with receptions continuing in the grand dining room or under a marquee overlooking the estate. With a Georgian-period drawing room, wood-panelled library and a host of accommodation options on-site, Drenagh has multiple options for couples wishing to celebrate their happiness amid the beautiful countryside of Northern Ireland.
Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire
As the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill, a prominent filming location for period dramas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Blenheim Palace is one of the few private residences in the UK that elevates weddings to the fairytale scale many couples dream of. One of England’s most iconic residences, as the only non-royal building to use the title of “palace”, and the birthplace of former Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
There is a range of ceremony and reception spaces on the estate, from The Orangery, with its arched windows and private garden, to the Great Hall, which is ideal for formal, lavish banquets, particularly during winter. With over 2,000 acres of parkland and a private lake, it offers no shortage of cinematic backdrops for couples on the happiest day of their lives.
The Orangery, Holland Park, London
For couples who want a wedding in London without sacrificing a delightful scenic backdrop, The Orangery in Holland Park is something of a hidden gem within the capital. Nestled within one of the capital’s most elegant parks, this 19th-century structure offers a literal ray of light amidst the sprawling urban expanse of the rest of the city.
This facility can be hired for both ceremonies and receptions and is beautiful throughout the year thanks to its high ceilings, sash windows and views of Holland Park's resplendent lawns. It's particularly popular for spring and early summer weddings when the exotic flowers of the park’s Kyoto Garden and wild peacocks add a touch of Victorian grandeur to the surroundings. With its Central London location, The Orangery offers a convenient but no less beautiful location for a big city wedding.
Glenapp Castle, South Ayrshire
This ivy-draped Scots baronial castle looks like it sprang off the pages of a gothic novel, turrets and towers jutting out imposingly, casting quite the silhouette over the landscape. Located on the southern coast of Scotland, with sweeping views out towards the Isle of Arran, Glenapp Castle offers an unforgettable experience for couples wishing to commit their life to each other.
Options for wedding parties at Glenapp are, quite simply, endless. Whether it’s a formal dinner in the castle’s wood-panelled dining room or a garden party reception in the Victorian glasshouse, guests can experience the plentiful delights of Scottish hospitality. The castle grounds include 110 acres of private estate with woodland walks, walled gardens and boat trips to the island of Ailsa Craig. As far as castle weddings go, few other UK venues can match the sheer variety of options on offer at Glenapp.
