14 Beautiful Destination Wedding Venues In England

If you’re planning a wedding, the destination is the most important consideration – other than your partner, of course. Nowadays, it can be seen as a little dull to opt for a traditional church or hotel wedding and many couples are looking for more adventurous, unusual and spectacular locations to exchange their vows. Here are 14 suggestions for out of the ordinary wedding venues in England.

1. The Barbican Conservatory, London

If you love Brutalist architecture and an abundance of greenery, surely there’s no better place to tie the knot than London’s Barbican Centre? The Conservatory can be hired out for nuptials with capacity for up to 250 people to watch you say ‘I do’ and accompany you for your wedding breakfast and evening festivities. Can you imagine a more Instagram-friendly wedding venue?

The Barbican Conservatory, Silk St, London, +44 20 7638 4141

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2. Preston Court, Kent

Voted one of the best barn wedding venues in the entire world, Preston Court is a spectacular place to get wed. This enchanting private estate in Kent offers a variety of choices for where to say your vows and have your evening celebrations, including a 17th-century barnyard, a carousel, a steam train, gardens, a traditional church and two stunning barns.

Preston Court, Canterbury, +44 7595 190326

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3. Victoria Baths, Manchester

Why not get married in a swimming pool? Victoria Baths is a listed Edwardian swimming baths on the outskirts of Manchester city centre, boasting many original features including beautiful tiling throughout and three (currently empty) swimming pools. Generally booked up for a couple of years in advance, this is one of the most popular wedding venues in the area thanks to its ornate and unusual features that help to create memorable wedding photos.

Victoria Baths, Hathersage Rd, Manchester, +44 161 224 2020

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5. Alnwick Garden, Northumberland

Treehouse

The spectacular surroundings of Alnwick Garden are among the most impressive wedding locations in the country. Choose from an outdoor ceremony in the enchanting wooden treehouse or a more lavish affair hosted in the Pavilion, dependent on your personal taste. The treehouse hosts al fresco ceremonies all year round with the canopy of trees changing throughout the seasons to provide photogenic foliage.

Alnwick Garden, Denwick Lane, Alnwick, +44 1665 511350

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6. The Gherkin, London

Building

Getting wed in London? Can you imagine anything more glamorous or dramatic than hosting your wedding at the top of the Gherkin? The top two floors of the towering glass building are licenced for wedding ceremonies, offering jaw-dropping views over the capital’s skyline. Not for those with a fear of heights but perfect for anyone who loves the views of the city from above.

The Gherkin, 30 St Mary Axe, London, +44 20 7071 5029

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7. Tunnels Beaches, North Devon

Building

If you’ve always dreamed of having your wedding on a beach, this stunning Devon location may be just what you’ve been searching for. The slick contemporary building is accessed through a series of hand-carved tunnels in the cliffs, boasting its own private beach and a deck that looks out over the water. Tunnels Beaches offers everything for your big day with plenty of options for where to eat, dance, take your photos and actually tie the knot.

Tunnels Beaches, Bath Pl, Ilfracombe, +44 1271 879882

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8. Shilstone House, Devon

If a grand country house is what you’re after for your dream wedding, Shilstone House is the perfect destination. This Georgian manor house can be exclusively hired to give you and your guests the run of the house and grounds. Choose to have your ceremony in the house itself or in the gardens, then dance the night away inside the huge marquee.

Shilstone House, Modbury, Ivybridge, +44 1548 830888

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9. Castle Howard, Yorkshire

Building

This 18th-century historic house is one of the most majestic buildings in Yorkshire, boasting beautiful grounds with lakes, temples and walled gardens. Inside, the stately home showcases elaborate original features and striking artworks, providing the perfect place for a luxurious wedding ceremony and evening celebrations.

10. Forde Abbey, Dorset

This 900 year old abbey is in excellent condition, providing a truly historic venue for a dream wedding. Choose to have your ceremony in either the Great Hall or the Monk’s Refectory, dependent on how many guests (up to 200 in the Great Hall). Following the vows, guests are led out onto the lawn for celebratory drinks before being led to the Undercroft for the wedding breakfast and evening celebrations.

Forde Abbey, Forde Abbey Estate, Chard, +44 1460 220231

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11. Ness Botanic Gardens, Ness

Plant lovers in the North West will delight in the knowledge that they can get wed at Ness Botanic Gardens just outside Liverpool. These 64 hector gardens boast many areas where couples can choose to take their vows and pose for photos. Weddings can be accommodated all year round with the possibility of hosting both the ceremony and reception inside the Conservatory.
Ness Botanic Gardens, Neston Rd, Little Neston, Ness, +44 151 795 6300

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12. Merchant Adventurers Hall, York

This lavishly romantic timber hall is a beautiful choice for an indoor wedding. Say your vows in the spectacular Great Hall before exploring the various nooks and crannies of the 660 year old building to take memorable photographs. The walled garden provides the perfect place for pre-dinner drinks during the warmer months while the Undercroft hosts a dance floor and bar for the evening’s celebrations.

Merchant Adventurers Hall, Fossgate, York, +44 1904 654818

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13. Hawkstone Park Follies, Shropshire

Park

One of the most unique wedding venues in the country, Hawkstone Park is a 400 acre site in the Shropshire countryside. Alongside the main house, there is also the option to say your vows in the Grotto or by the Gothic Arch, two stunning follies in the grounds of the property. Following the ceremony, guests can enjoy champagne and canapés by the follies before returning to the main house for further celebrations.

14. The Royal Pavilion, Brighton

Building

It’s possible to get married in the most beautiful building in Brighton! The Royal Pavilion is available to hire for weddings with both the Music Room and the Red Drawing Room licenced for ceremonies. Following photographs taken throughout the building and the adjoining gardens, an evening ceremony can also be booked in either the King William IV room or the Adelaide rooms.

The Royal Pavilion, 4/5 Pavilion Buildings, Brighton, +44 300 029 0900

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