Whether it’s a cosy winter wedding in a Scottish mediaeval castle or a summer celebration in a Mughal-style English palace, these UK luxury wedding venues promise a day that will be unforgettable for both you and your guests.
Planning a wedding is no easy feat. Regardless of your budget, finding a venue that ticks all the boxes for both the bride and groom can feel like finding a needle in a haystack. In the UK, there’s no shortage of jaw-dropping venues that will exceed your expectations on all fronts, from scenic photo locations in Welsh sunflower fields to lavish ceremony halls in historic London hotels. Whether your vibe is rustic or glamorous, intimate or lavish, here are some of the most impressive places to tie the knot in Britain.
The Ned, London
Housed in a former bank in the City of London, The Ned is one of the UK’s best five-star hotels and private members clubs. Weddings at this stunning art-deco hotel take place across the entire sixth floor, which is adorned with dark woods, Greek columns, and other opulent original features.
Guests can enjoy some pre-dinner champagne on the terrace overlooking St Paul’s Cathedral, followed by an expertly curated dinner served on banquet-style tables. The 1920s Terrace Suite is perfect for the bride and groom once the party is over, with its grand original mahogany fireplace, luxuriously draped four-poster bed, and beautiful stone terrace overlooking the city.
In terms of planning, the team at The Ned can help with everything from the ceremony and flowers to menus and music, making your experience as fuss-free as possible.
Kew Gardens, Sussex
For a greener, more natural wedding experience, Kew Gardens is simply magical. Say ‘I Do’ in a natural light-flooded glass house, then dance your first dance in the verdant Temperate House among 10,000 different plant species. This Sussex venue is perfect for large weddings, boasting a standing capacity of up to 300.
Photo opportunities at this UNESCO World Heritage Site are nothing short of dreamy. Guests can enjoy drinks on the lawn while the bride and groom are escorted in a buggy around the gardens to snap those timeless pictures among giant lily pad ponds, draping palm branches, and exotic flowers in full bloom.
Sezincote House, Cotswolds
Nestled in the north of the quaint Cotswolds is the venue of a lifetime: the lavish Sezincote House. First built in 1805, this family-run English venue is reportedly the only authentic Mughal-style palace in northern Europe, and it hosts just nine weddings per year. This exclusive destination is perfect for a classic British wedding with an Eastern flair.
Replete with an iconic onion dome, temples, and waterfalls, Sezincote resembles the beautiful Taj Mahal, and there’s a sprawling Persian garden that adds a touch of pomp and theatre to the outdoor drinks reception (and the photos, of course). Ceremonies in the curved glass Orangery have a capacity of up to 220 guests, making it a lovely location for larger weddings.
Tall John’s House, Powys
Tall John’s House is a 16th-century manor house hidden away in the beautiful Welsh Bannau Brycheiniog mountains (formerly known as the Brecon Beacons). Rustic yet opulent, the bride and groom can exchange vows beneath flower-draped wooden beams in the renovated barn, then venture out into the hilly landscape near the River Usk for some scenic pictures while guests enjoy pre-dinner drinks and canapés.
When the evening wraps up, wedding guests have the option to sleep in the manor house, or they can camp on the lovely manor grounds beneath the stars (the area is one of the few International Dark Sky Reserves in the UK). This Welsh venue offers a lavish 3-day wedding experience with a capacity of 160 guests, as well as more intimate weddings with a capacity of 30.
Oldwalls, Gower
Oldwalls is another beautiful wedding venue in South Wales, located within the heart of the Gower peninsula – the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. This award-winning 50-acre venue strikes a lovely balance between bohemian charm and traditional glamour. Vows can be exchanged outdoors overlooking a beautiful lily pad lake, or inside the multi-functional Oakroom, which has high ceilings and fairy-lit warm wooden beams.
Authentic local flair is at the heart of an Oldwalls wedding, which pours its own distilled Knot gin and prepares the dinner menu from locally farmed produce. For some truly magical wedding pictures, the bride and groom can venture over to the colourful sunflower fields overlooking the expansive Rhossili beach, which is renowned as one of the world’s top beaches.
Babington House, Somerset
Babington House is a Grade II-listed manor in the heart of the English countryside. Many celebrities have tied the knot at this luxury wedding venue, including Eddie Redmayne, Jamie Dornan, and James Corden, to name a few. Ceremonies at Babington House can take place in the glass Orangery, library, or the beautiful 18th-century Church of St. Margaret, and the best part is, there are no curfew restrictions on the party because the venue is so remote.
Getting hitched at Babington House may be expensive, but the team is on hand to make the planning process as smooth as possible, helping with everything from entertainment to stationery. There are 33 bedrooms available to hire in this palatial manor, so guests can party and flop if they wish.
Aikwood Tower
As far as fairytale wedding destinations go, Aikwood Tower in the Scottish Borders is up there with the best. This mediaeval castle tower is steeped in rich history, and it still has the original 1602 marriage stone of Robert Scott of Aikwood and Elspeth Murray, creating the feeling of timeless, lasting romance. This exclusive venue hosts just fifteen weddings per year, ensuring that every experience is truly bespoke and thoughtfully executed.
Winter weddings at Aikwood Tower are especially romantic, with its roaring hearths, flickering candles, and occasional flakes of snow. In terms of planning, this Scottish venue offers complete package options that cover everything from food and drinks to guest accommodation and bridal styling. A perfect venue for small, private wedding celebrations, Aikwood Tower has a modest maximum capacity of 60 guests.
Final take
In any partnership, it's ultimately about the marriage, not the wedding, but if you do have the budget to splurge on your big day, these seven UK venues will make it utterly joyful, effortless, and memorable for all.
