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The best country houses for hire in the UK

Primed for large-scale or overnight events, the UK’s wealth of castles and stately homes ooze sophistication and opulence, making them great choices for events that guests will never forget. Discover the best options for you with our pick of the very best UK castles and stately homes for events below.

Updated on 14 May 2024

Every now and then, the occasion calls for a venue that screams glamour and timeless elegance – in those cases, it makes sense to look into hosting your event at one of the UK’s best country houses.

We know what you are thinking - perhaps it is too grand or ostentatious to host an event inside a space that could rival Buckingham Palace? Well, we are here to tell you that castles and stately homes are in fact astute choices for unforgettable events. They are also often far more flexible than people assume when it comes to facilities, accommodation and the like.

To help you find a venue that is best suited to your needs, we have picked out a selection of halls, manor houses and great mansions that we think do events the best. When it comes to castles and stately homes, weddings are an obvious choice for these destinations, but their scale makes them a great bet for summer parties, grand banquets and dinner dances too. There are few things more romantic than tying the knot inside a traditional building with grand proportions, while the opportunity to run wild inside a gorgeous manor house would tempt even the most anti-social of colleagues to the next Christmas party.

Castles and stately homes are not just for personal celebrations and parties however. Also remember that they can easily accommodate corporate functions too, such as large conferences, AGMs or even smaller scale business meetings. It is also worth noting that almost all of the UK castles and stately homes featured in our list have the facilities and bedrooms required to host delegates for multi-day events, should you be expecting guests to travel from afar.

Peruse our list below of the best UK castles and stately homes that you can hire out and find a venue just right for you.

Leez Priory

Leez Priory

Hartford End, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 1JP

This striking Tudor house is tucked away in the Essex countryside, whilst still being just 15 minutes from Chelmsford and just over an hour away from central London. Of course if you’re looking to stay over, then there’s a choice of 20 bedrooms set in a courtyard away from the main house, as well as a variety of lodges and cottages available.

Lainston House, Exclusive Collection

Lainston House, Exclusive Collection

Woodman Lane, Sparsholt, Winchester, Hampshire, SO21 2LT

Whether you’re after exclusive use, or just hoping to bring the team for bonding activities for a few hours, Lainstone House is able to cater to all of your needs. Think everything from grand weddings to clay pigeon shooting, and even some cooking classes at the cookery school.

Max Meeting 166
Max Standing 200
Max Banquet 120
Weston Park

Weston Park

Weston Park, Weston-under-Lizard , Shifnal, Shropshire, TF11 8LE

This stately home on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border is ideal for company retreats, conferences and client entertaining, with a huge choice of high-spec function rooms and meeting spaces. Upstairs you’ll find a traditional country manor, and in the basement is a cosy space with copious amounts of fairy lights and golden palm trees.

Max Meeting 150
Max Theatre 100
Max Standing 150
Max Banquet 120
The Grove

The Grove

Chandler's Cross, Watford, Hertfordshire, WD3 4TG

The Grove sits in the Hertfordshire countryside, and is the perfect option for those looking to celebrate just a short distance from London. With a variety of rooms available, you can find a light and airy room big enough for as many as 480 in the Amber room, or as little as 70 in The Potting Shed.

Max Meeting 450
Max Standing 700
Max Banquet 480
Hintlesham Hall

Hintlesham Hall

Hintlesham Hall Hotel, George Street , Ipswich, Suffolk, IP8 3NS

This country house in Suffolk has a reputation for excellent food, friendly staff and attentive service, but the real wow factor comes from its luxurious surroundings. The lawn can even double up as a helicopter landing spot for when you need to arrive in style at the business meeting.

Max Meeting 80
Max Standing 100
Max Banquet 80
Cliveden House Hotel

Cliveden House Hotel

Taplow, Maidenhead, Berkshire, SL6 0JF

Cliveden House is one of those truly breathtaking venues that almost seems too good to be true, but the team here are on hand to make all dreams become a reality. Take away the stress with an event planner, whether you’re after an intimate setting or exclusive use.

Max Meeting 100
Max Standing 150
Max Banquet 120
Braxted Park Estate

Braxted Park Estate

Braxted Park Estate, Great Braxted, Witham, Essex, CM8 3EN

Surrounded by 500 acres of Essex Parkland, Braxted Park Estate is not short on space to hold your next event. Arrange activities for your group such as archery or dune buggy driving, and end the day with one of the delicious dining options - including summer BBQs, fine dining and even pizza nights.

Max Meeting 5000
Max Standing 5000
Max Banquet 5000
The Manor House, Exclusive Collection

The Manor House, Exclusive Collection

Castle Combe, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN14 7HR

Whether you’re looking to try out go karting, wine tasting, or get the team together for a golfing tournament, The Manor House has just about everything you can imagine. There’s also a choice of 50 individually styled bedrooms so no one has to rush home.

Max Meeting 100
Max Standing 100
Max Banquet 120
Down Hall Country House Hotel

Down Hall Country House Hotel

Matching Road, Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, CM22 7AS

Down Hall comes steeped in history, with it being built back in the 1300s. This grand house is perfect for larger, more extravagant events, and smaller intimate affairs, with reception rooms varying between a capacity of 190 guests to just 32.

Max Meeting 50
Max Theatre 220
Max Standing 150
Max Banquet 200
Lympstone Manor

Lympstone Manor

Lympstone Manor Hotel, Exmouth, Devon, EX8 3NZ

This five star country house hotel has it all - spectacular views over the Exe Estuary and Jurassic Coast, a range of activities available like clay pigeon shooting or wellbeing retreats, and a Michelin-starred restaurant from chef patron Michael Caines’. Lympstone Manor is a venue for when you’re looking to pull out all the stops.

Max Meeting 46
Max Standing 200
Max Banquet 150
That Amazing Place

That Amazing Place

Hubbards Hall Farm, Newhall, Essex, CM17 0NH

This Grade II listed manor house is a short drive from towns like Chelmsford and Chigwell, yet feels like a million miles away. Tucked away in the Essex countryside, you’ll find a secret garden, orchard and large pond with a picturesque willow tree overhanging, all within the beautiful grounds.

Wasing Estate

Wasing Estate

Wasing Park, Aldermaston, Berkshire, RG7 4NG

Wasing Estate is the perfect countryside escape for those after a change of scenery, so whether you’re taking the office out of London for some team building, or celebrating a major birthday, this venue has plenty of unique spaces up for grabs. Choose from indoor options like The Stables Meeting Room ideal for brainstorming, or The Woodlands which makes a great location for DIY festivals.

Badgemore Park Golf Club

Badgemore Park Golf Club

Badgemore Park, Henley-on-Thames , Oxfordshire, RG9 4NR

Set within a 120 acre estate in Henley-on-Thames, Badgemore Park offers an unrivalled setting for any event that you’re putting together. There’s a choice of three locations for your time here - The Coach House, The Fairway and the beautiful covered Courtyard. Combined with unbeatable views of the surroundings and an incredible team to help you along every step of the way, this venue is a recipe for success.

Max Meeting 60
Max Theatre 70
Max Standing 200
Max Banquet 120
Hedsor House

Hedsor House

Hedsor Park, Taplow, Buckinghamshire, SL6 0HX

Hedsor House has long been the setting for corporate events, big parties, and even filming, and with 100 acres of parkland it’s able to take on pretty much anything. If you’re looking to host an event indoors, each room can be transformed to suit your style and theme.

Max Meeting 180
Max Standing 200
Max Banquet 150
Dyrham Park Country Club

Dyrham Park Country Club

Galley Lane, Barnet, Hertfordshire, EN5 4RA

Dyrham Park Country Club was a family home for over 600 years, until its renovation where every modern luxury has been added, to create this top tier events venue. Perfect for a whole range of occasions, you can book here for your next birthday, anniversary or Bar Mitzvah, and choose from one of the celebration packages to include any extras in your special day.

Brocket Hall

Brocket Hall

Brocket Hall, Welwyn, Hertfordshire, AL8 7XG

If you want to feel like royalty during your event (and why wouldn’t you?), Brocket Hall is the place to go. The Ballroom is extravagantly decorated with fine paintings, and the breathtaking ceiling was painted by Sir Francis Wheatley. Plus, there will even be a butler service included in certain packages.

Max Meeting 54
Max Theatre 150
Max Standing 200
Max Banquet 150
Cowdray House

Cowdray House

Cowdray Estate, Cowdray Park, Midhurst, West Sussex, GU29 0AQ

Tucked away between the rolling hills of West Sussex’s countryside is Cowdray House, a venue that can provide anything from a space for meeting rooms and conferences, to one of the world’s best polo grounds and an 18-hole championship golf course. For food, expect catering provided using the best local and estate-sourced produce.

Max Banquet 150
Sopwell House

Sopwell House

Cottonmill Lane, St. Albans, Hertfordshire, AL1 2HQ

Tucked away in 12 acres of Hertfordshire countryside, this family owned country house hotel offers everything from an award winning spa to a variety of restaurants and bars. Plus it boasts 128 rooms - including 16 individually styled Mews Suites, perfect for a wedding party.

Max Meeting 140
Max Theatre 380
Max Standing 700
Max Banquet 300

If you’re looking to host an event in the buzz of the city instead, you’ll be pleased to know there’s also plenty of options for venues in London too. We love country houses for their timeless beauty and breathtaking views of the rolling countryside, but sometimes it’s nice to break the mould, and go for something a little different. London is full of a range of unique venues that offer a space to wow your guests, and double up as an excellent conversation starter. Show off your swinging skills at crazy golf or create a truly unique experience for your guests by hiring a section of the Warner Bros Studios - whatever you’re after, you’re bound to find something special to suit your taste. Check out our list of the best quirky and unusual venues for hire in London to see for yourself.

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