The UK’s most romantic wedding venues: 19 dreamy spots to say 'I do'

What does romantic mean to you? The answer looks different from couple to couple, which is why our list of the UK's most romantic wedding venues ranges from grand country houses to stunning English vineyards. 

These dreamy spots dial up the romance with glowing candlelit halls, lush lawns for a game of summer croquet, marquees decorated with twinkling fairy lights and even sea views. If you can picture it in a fairytale, you'll find it here. 

Our hand-picked list of the most romantic wedding venues in the UK spans grand castles with turrets, sweeping vineyards and wine estates, historic architectural gems and beautiful manor houses. Of course, the beauty of hiring a romantic wedding venue is that they're primed and ready to host your celebration as they are: period details, stunning grounds and impressive architecture do most of the legwork for you. Most offer multiple backdrops for your wedding photos too, whether you're wandering around wild rose gardens or flanked by a historic country home. 

From Kent to Berkshire, Surrey and Essex, we've curated the most romantic UK wedding venues up and down the country, with options for both intimate ceremonies of 30 to large-scale celebrations for 300. Ready to start creating your fairytale wedding? Bring your Pinterest board to life and keep on scrolling for our pick of the UK's dreamiest wedding venues. 

Cokethorpe Estate, Oxfordshire

What: There's 150 acres of Oxfordshire parkland to fall in love with at Cokethorpe Estate, and the scale of the grounds means your day can move through several romantic backdrops, from a Champagne welcome with a view to canapes in the house and dinner in a marquee. For a more intimate ceremony, the Corinthian Room's wood panelling and grand fireplace offer timeless charm and warmth. But the best way to revel in the romance of Cokethorpe is to hire it in its entirety – grounds, gardens and the whole manor house included!
Capacity: Up to 250
Venue type: Country house
Where: Cokethorpe School, Witney, OX29 7PU
Find out more: Cokethorpe Estate

Blake Hall Weddings, Essex

What: This 17th-century barn venue sits within 60 acres of Essex gardens and parkland, and boasts three 17th-century barns, an intimate rose garden, ancient trees and a charming Potting Shed for the bride to get ready with her bridesmaids. Say your vows in the beam-lined Hay Barn or under The Saddlery for an al fresco ceremony, then dance the night away in the beautifully restored Essex Barn. If you've always pictured a church wedding, St Germain's Church is a short walk away, then make the brief journey back to Blake Hall afterwards to continue the celebrations.
Capacity: Up to 200
Venue type: 17th-century barn estate
Where: Bobbingworth, Ongar, CM5 0DG
Find out more: Blake Hall Weddings

Cliveden House, Berkshire

What: Few rooms in the UK carry more romance than Cliveden House's French Dining Room, where William Waldorf Astor had Madame de Pompadour's entire 18th-century Rococo dining room shipped over from Paris and rebuilt to fit the space exactly. This 350-year-old Grade I listed home offers exclusive use for a proper country house wedding weekend, with 47 rooms and suites, a spa, and grounds running down to the Thames. Exclusive hire even comes with a spa treatment for the couple, so you can feel pampered before you say "I do".
Capacity: Up to 120
Venue type: Grade I listed country house hotel
Where: Cliveden House & Spa, Taplow, SL6 0JF
Find out more: Cliveden House

The Coach House Barn at Dorney Court, Berkshire

What: Truly one of the UK's most enchanting wedding venues, this timeless Tudor manor located just outside Windsor is as functional as it is romantic. The stunning Coach House Barn, housed in a beautiful red brick building, offers views across the estate's landscaped gardens, and can be configured in either a horseshoe or gallery set-up, depending on your preference. For more traditional church weddings, the magical, on-site church of St. James the Less is just next door, and both options can cater for up to 120 seated guests. Flexible food and drink packages and complimentary accommodation for the couple on the night of the wedding seal the deal.
Capacity: Up to 200 (standing)
Venue type: Tudor manor and barn estate
Where: Dorney Court, Court Lane, Windsor, SL4 6QP
Find out more: The Coach House Barn at Dorney Court

Wasing Park, Berkshire

What: A series of quaint, romantic farm buildings are exclusively yours at Wasing Park. Choose from three showstopping ceremony spaces to say your vows, be it the 15th-century Parish Church of St Nicholas, the hand-painted floral mural of the Victorian Summerhouse, or in the newly renovated Garden Room. Our favourite though, is the indescribably beautiful, grade II listed Castle Barn, surrounded by red brick walls, a year-round al fresco terrace, an outdoor kitchen, and the option to choose fine dining or farmhouse menus depending on your vibe. Want to make it a weekend celebration? Wasing Park happily welcomes two-day weddings for those who want to continue their special day a little longer.
Capacity: Up to 250
Venue type: Historic farm estate
Where: Wasing Estate, Aldermaston, RG7 4NG
Find out more: Wasing Park

Winters Barns, Kent

What: Just outside Canterbury, Winters Barns brings together a collection of rustic indoor and outdoor spaces for a relaxed, romantic wedding day. Say your vows beneath the oak beams of the 17th-century ceremony room, or opt for the beautiful, open-sided Cart Barn for alfresco ceremonies. Reception drinks can be hosted in the pretty Kentish gardens, complete with a charming courtyard and traditional wedding arch, then it's back to the grand, historic main barn space for your wedding breakfast, speeches and dancing.
Capacity: Up to 150
Venue type: 17th-century barn venue
Where: Nackington Road, Canterbury, CT4 7AY
Find out more: Winters Barns

Pylewell Park, Hampshire

What: For a wedding straight out of a fairytale, Pylewell Park is a country house venue that goes above and beyond to make your special day unique. The team doesn't subscribe to set packages - instead, they work with you to bring your dream vision to life, from decoration to drinks packages to inspired ways to make your wedding unique to you. The venue benefits from sea views of the Solent, while four main ceremony spaces cater from intimate celebrations to larger-than-life parties: the Main Sail with views of the sea, surrounded by pink rhododendrons in the Circular Gardens, by the Black Gates for a blank canvas setting, or in the Main House if you're after a classic country house backdrop. Oh, and the estate boasts acres of parkland that lead down to a private access beach.
Capacity: Up to 250
Venue type: Coastal country house estate
Where: Pylewell House, Pylewell Park, Lymington, SO41 5SJ
Find out more: Pylewell Park

Penshurst Place & Gardens, Kent

What: Eleven acres of Elizabethan gardens surround Penshurst Place, a family-run manor house that's been welcoming weddings for more than 20 years. The showstopper is Baron's Hall, completed in 1341, where a 60-foot chestnut beamed ceiling has watched over celebrations for nearly 700 years. For a summer ceremony, the Inner Courtyard is dressed in climbing roses and fragrant peonies, while in winter, a heated marquee takes over the same romantic spot. The gardens offer an alternative space to exchange vows – not to mention superb photo opportunities.
Capacity: Up to 200
Venue type: Medieval manor house and gardens
Where: Penshurst Place, Tonbridge, Penshurst, TN11 8DG
Find out more: Penshurst Place & Gardens

Pennyhill Park, Surrey

What: Looking for a luxury wedding venue in Surrey? Pennyhill Park is a 19th-century mansion house offering a wealth of romantic spaces to say 'I do', although the breathtaking Pavilion is where we'd choose for romance-seeking couples. Guests gather on the tiered grass terrace, while the happy couple exchange vows beneath a flower-adorned pavilion, surrounded by 120 acres of Surrey parkland. Round off the celebration with a couple's spa treatment and breakfast together the next morning.
Capacity: Up to 120
Venue type: Country house hotel and spa
Where: London Road, Bagshot, GU19 5EU
Find out more: Pennyhill Park, Exclusive Collection

The Glass House at Houghton Lodge, Hampshire

What: Set on the idyllic River Test, The Glass House at Houghton Lodge is a picturesque country home with panoramic meadow views, and the option to host your wedding on the banks of the river! Equally romantic is the lush walled garden, home to pear trees and a pretty peony and rose arch, while the Oriental Garden with its red lacquered Nikko Bridge is a popular location for wedding photos. You'll also find a light and bright Conservatory, a rustic Apple Barn, and an 18th-century Music Room for smaller ceremonies. Couples really are spoilt for choice!
Capacity: Up to 300
Venue type: Grade II listed private family home
Where: Houghton Lodge Gardens, North Houghton, Stockbridge, SO20 6LQ
Find out more: The Glasshouse at Houghton Lodge

Denbies Wine Estate, Surrey

What: Whether you know your chardonnay from your Chablis or haven't got a clue, there’s no denying that Denbies Wine Estate is one of the most spectacular wedding venues in the UK. Set in the Surrey Hills, the privately owned estate has been wowing visitors since the 1980s. It's best known for its vaulted wine cellar, high-end restaurants, and of course, its wine, but we'd argue it excels the most at creating extraordinary weddings. You can host your ceremony in the beautiful Courtyard Pavilion surrounded by the rolling hills, or the Garden Room, which features exposed brick walls and a billowing tented ceiling for a rustic, romantic feel. You'll also find a conservatory featuring a central water feature, the cosy and moody cellar, and The Gallery Restaurant, which has sweeping views across the estate.
Capacity: Up to 300
Venue type: Vineyard
Where: London Road, Dorking, RH5 6AA
Find out more: Denbies Wine Estate

Downham Hall, Essex

What: Downham Hall, in the Essex countryside, is a truly magical spot for weddings. This 16th-century treasure has been renovated to preserve its character, and offers couples exclusive use for their celebration. The light-filled Orangery is one of our favourites spaces for an intimate wedding, or venture out into the garden during the summer, and exchange vows beneath blue skies, overlooking the historic moat and Essex's sprawling countryside. While the venue is licensed for civil ceremonies, those seeking a traditional church wedding can get married up the road at St Margaret’s Church, before making the short journey back to Downham Hall for a showstopping wedding reception.
Capacity: Up to 110
Venue type: Country house
Where: Castledon Road, Downham, CM11 1LG
Find out more: Downham Hall

Hampton Court Palace, Surrey

What: It doesn't get more spectacular than a wedding at a royal palace, and at Hampton Court Palace, you can walk in the footsteps of Tudor kings and queens on your big day. The enchanting spaces here can be tailored to suit any wedding style or size - from The Little Banqueting House, a charming, quiet choice that overlooks the Thames, to The Garden Room that opens out onto a gorgeous walled garden for up to 180 guests. Other spaces include The Privy Garden and The Orangery - which was originally built as a private greenhouse for King William III. And if nothing but the best will do on your special day, choose The Great Hall and dine like royalty, with up to 220 guests surrounded by centuries-old carvings, fireplaces and tapestries.
Capacity: Up to 220
Venue type: Palace
Where: Hampton Court Way, East Molesey, KT8 9AU
Find out more: Hampton Court Palace

Owlpen Manor, Gloucestershire

What: Nestled in the Cotswolds, this gorgeous family-run Tudor house has several spectacular spaces for your big day. The Great Hall is ideal for an intimate ceremony for up to 50 guests, while the historic Cyder Barn, which can host up to 100 guests, was originally built in 1446 and boasts huge timber frames and a majestic cider press. More romantic still are the surrounding gardens, home to manicured topiary and perfectly pruned lawns, where you can erect a marquee for up to 200 guests. The gardens aren't just for summer either! Come winter, and it's all about twinkling fairylights, sparklers and roaring fire pits. 
Capacity: Up to 200
Venue type: Manor house and barn
Where: Owlpen Manor Estate, Uley, Dursley, GL11 5BZ
Find out more: Owlpen Manor

Apton Hall, Essex

What: This Essex wedding venue features charming courtyard buildings, original brickwork, a tranquil pond garden and a Grade II listed Dovecot Suite. You're spoilt for choice when it comes to romantic backdrops! You'll even get your own dedicated 'Beauty Barn' to get ready in. Licensed spaces include the Stables, New Barn, Courtyard and Walled Garden, and while they're all romantic in their own way, the Walled Garden truly is like something out of a fairytale. Framed by rose gardens and farmland, there are few places in Essex more idyllic to say 'I do'. 
Capacity: Up to 200
Venue type: Grade-II listed converted farmhouse
Where: Apton Hall Road, Rochford, SS4 3RH
Find out more: Apton Hall

Bourton Hall, Warwickshire

What: If you love the romance and charm of Italy but want to get married here in the UK, look to Bourton Hall, an 18th-century Italian Renaissance-style mansion in the Warwickshire countryside. You'll be surrounded by 15 majestic acres of beautiful gardens and woodland, and have the option to fully immerse yourselves in your special day with exclusive hire. Choose to wed in the on-site former Catholic chapel, with ornate marble panelled walls and a gold leaf ceiling, or the outdoor Portico for a summer ceremony. The grand banqueting hall is a picture perfect backdrop for your sit down dinner and speeches, and afterwards, head to the Draycote Bar for the ultimate party. There are 21 stunning and spacious bedrooms on-site, so you'll be surrounded by your nearest and dearest until the following morning.
Capacity: Up to 120
Venue type: Renaissance-style mansion
Where: Main Street, Bourton on Dunsmore, Rugby, CV23 9QZ
Find out more: Bourton Hall

Hampton Manor, West Midlands

What: Hampton Manor has rather impressive beginnings. This 45-acre estate and hotel once belonged to Sir Robert Peel and has been loved for its beautiful and elegant architecture for centuries. You'll have a few choices for your ceremony setting, including the estate's barn, The Birches, or the steepled parish church. Outdoor weddings take place in The Courtyard, which features old stone and a contrasting glass-roofed atrium. The food is second to none, as well. Chef director of the estate David Taylor will curate your wedding menu, translating his signature fine dining flair into an approachable, seasonal feast for your friends and family. 
Capacity: Up to 200
Venue type: Historic manor house and estate
Where: Shadowbrook Lane, Hampton-In-Arden, Solihull, B92 0EN
Find out more: Hampton Manor

Monkey Island Estate, Berkshire

What: Looking a little like a wedding cake thanks to its impressive, white architecture, the Monkey Island Estate in Berkshire is a Grade I listed estate that has a traditional, romantic setting for your wedding. You'll be in great company, with famous writers, musicians, artists and monarchs having visited Monkey Island Estate over the years. Heading to your ceremony, your guests will cross the footbridge and take in the beautiful gardens and impressive buildings, which give a taste of the romantic day ahead. There are a few different packages when booking Monkey Island Estate for your big day, including exclusive use, so you can immerse yourselves in the feeling of love with your wedding party. There are plenty of romantic wedding venues on this list, but celebrating a wedding on your own private island takes things to another level.
Capacity: Up to 300
Venue type: Luxury hotel on a private island
Where: Monkey Island Estate, Bray-on-Thames, Maidenhead, SL6 2EE
Find out more: Monkey Island Estate

The Manor at Bickley, Kent

What: This charming Kentish manor house is nestled in six acres of lush gardens and manicured lawns, giving couples plenty of space to celebrate outdoors in the UK's 'Garden of England'. While the main house is home to several character-led spaces, it's the stunning Pavilion that steals the show for us. Sweeping white ceilings and views over the gardens give this spacious venue a romantic feel, and it can host an impressive 500 guests at full capacity.
Capacity: Up to 500
Venue type: Manor house
Where: Thornet Wood Road, Bickley, BR1 2LW
Find out more: The Manor at Bickley

Romance means everything when it comes to weddings - after all, this is your chance to celebrate your love as a couple, in front of those that you love the most. But that being said, there are a handful of things you and your intended will need to consider when you start making enquiries with potential venues. To make the process as simple as possible, we’ve drawn up a guide on how to choose a wedding venue packed with helpful tips.