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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 country house venues ooze sophistication, making them great choices for events that guests will never forget. Discover the best options for you with our pick of the very best country houses for hire below.

Updated on 14 May 2024

Every now and then, the occasion calls for a venue that screams glamour and timeless elegance, and 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're here to tell you that country houses 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.

The best thing about these idyllic venues is their scale. Those on the hunt for a large venue across the UK, will find countless options on this list, with country houses making a great choice for everything from summer parties and grand banquets to dinner dances too. Guests can expect versatile rooms, and multiple private spaces, just with an added flourish and touch of grandeur that's sure to add a bit of wow-factor to any occasion.

Country houses are not just for personal celebrations and parties either. 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 venues 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.

To help you find the perfect venue, we've picked out a selection of halls, manor houses and great mansions that we think do events the best. Peruse our list below and if something strikes your fancy, then be sure to click 'book now' to find out more.

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

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

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 110
Max Theatre 380
Max Standing 700
Max Banquet 300

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. 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 a dedicated events team, this venue is a recipe for success.

Max Meeting 60
Max Theatre 70
Max Standing 200
Max Banquet 124

Easthampstead Park

Off Peacock Lane , Bracknell, Berkshire, RG40 3DF

Surrounded by 80 acres of Berkshire parkland, Easthampstead Park offers an elegant country house backdrop complete with its striking red brick facade. The King Suite can host up to 500 guests, offering a purpose-built space for conferences, with countless other small- and medium-sized rooms for meetings, boasting idyllic views of the grounds.

Max Meeting 72
Max Theatre 500
Max Standing 500
Max Banquet 480

Innes House

Innes House, Moray, IV30 8NG

Surrounded by 5,000 acres of Scottish countryside, Innes House isn't short on space to hold your next event. Arrange activities for your group such as whisky tastings and outdoor sports, with elegant indoor rooms such as the East Ballroom and Whisky Room for corporate dinners and private celebrations.

Barton Hall Hotel & Spa

Barton Hall Hotel, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN15 6RS

Just outside Kettering, Barton Hall blends excellent transport links with a flexible approach to events, making it ideal for corporate dinners, meetings and large-scale celebrations. The impressive Charles Suite is perfect for groups, whilst a selection of beautifully restored rooms such as the Garden Room or Orangery are ideal for more intimate events.

Gravetye Manor

Vowels Lane, West Hoathly, West Sussex, RH19 4LJ

This luxury country house hotel has it all - spectacular views over sprawling Sussex countryside, impeccable hospitality, and a Michelin-starred restaurant. Choose from the ten-person private dining room, or the elegant Panelled Room for larger groups of up to 22. It's the perfect choice for when you’re looking to pull out all the stops.

Max Banquet 22

Wasing Estate

Wasing Park, Aldermaston, Berkshire, RG7 4NG

Wasing Estate is the perfect countryside escape for those after a change of scenery, so whether heading out of London for some team building, or celebrating a major birthday, this venue has plenty of unique spaces. Choose from indoor options like The Stables Meeting Room, or head outside for a DIY festival in The Woodland.

Max Standing 160

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.

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

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

Stansted Park

Stansted Park, Rowlands Castle, Hampshire, PO9 6DX

Steeped in history and surrounded by acres of picturesque parkland, Standsted Park is an impressive venue, complete with in-house catering and overnight accommodation. Host meetings for ten in the elegant Board Room or opt for an intimate dinner in the mansion's historic Dining Room. Large-scale events are also catered for with exclusive hire for up to 4,000.

Max Meeting 30
Max Theatre 60
Max Standing 4000
Max Banquet 50

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

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. 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.

That Amazing Place

Hubbards Hall Farm, Old Harlow, 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.

Max Meeting 200
Max Standing 200
Max Banquet 150

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

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

Friars Carse Country House Hotel

Friars Carse Hotel, Dumfries, Dumfries & Galloway, DG2 0SA

Overlooking the River Nith, Friars Carse hotel boasts flexible event spaces, riverside marquees and 21 bedrooms - so you can easily turn your celebration into a countryside escape. The Whistle Room can host up to 60 banquet-style, whilst the Marquee is ideal for al fresco receptions for up to 140 standing.

Max Meeting 25
Max Theatre 40
Max Standing 140
Max Banquet 110

We love country houses for their timeless beauty and breathtaking views of the rolling countryside, but sometimes it’s nice to break the mold, and go for something a little different. Check out our list of the UK's most unusual venues for hire for a space that's sure to wow your guests, and double up as an excellent conversation starter.

We've also rounded up a selection of handy guides, including the best venues for team building in the UK packed full of countryside spaces where you and your team can escape for a couple of days, as well as the UK's finest historic venues for hire, if you're still looking to impress.

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