Best small wedding venues in the UK: 15 cosy spots to tie the knot

Weddings undoubtedly come with a number of tricky decisions – whether they be big or small, fun or practical, incredibly extravagant or something a touch more affordable. With so much planning, there can often be a lot of pressure. But one element of your celebration that shouldn’t cause undue stress is who you surround yourself with on your special day.

In all the noise, it can be easy to forget what weddings are really about: celebrating your loved one, with your loved ones. And for this reason, an increasing number of engaged couples are turning away from grand celebrations in favour of more intimate and personal weddings, surrounding themselves with just their nearest and dearest. After all, there’s something undeniably romantic about sharing your most special day with only your partner and the people you love and trust most in this world.

Small weddings are typically defined as those with a guestlist of under 50, though many venues comfortably accommodate up to 80. Hosting a more intimate ceremony with fewer guests often means more flexibility on venue type, as well as having more budget for menus, as well as personalised touches and decor. Many wedding venues even offer fixed packages aimed at smaller groups, wrapping up catering, decor and hire fees into one.

While for some an all-out grand celebration is the only way to go, if this isn’t your style, there are a number of fantastic small wedding venues to choose from. Whether you’re planning an intimate celebration in Kent, or a small and cosy gathering in Hampshire, our selection of the UK’s best small wedding venues has options for every style and budget.

To make your search easier, we’ve even added venue capacities below, so you can clearly see whether a space will work for your guestlist. Have a little browse, and if something strikes your fancy, then click through to find out more and enquire directly with the venue.

Downham Hall, Essex

What: Downham Hall’s panoramic views are ideal for couples looking for secluded countryside bliss. While some of the venue’s spaces have capacity for larger parties, the Orangery’s blissful views over the site’s gardens make for a perfectly elegant, intimate wedding allowing for up to 40 for a ceremony, or just 30 for a sit down wedding breakfast. Elsewhere, the De Beauvoir Suite boasts space for 40 seated guests, whilst couples can also choose to make the most of the grounds by saying 'I do' outdoors. What could be more romantic than exchanging vows surrounded by the area’s rolling hills?
Capacity: 30-87
Where: Castledon Road, Downham, CM11 1LG
Find out more: Downham Hall

The Minories Art Gallery, Essex

What: Looking for the accessibility of a city wedding but the tranquility of a countryside setting? The Minories Art Gallery solves this problem – an utterly romantic haven to host your special day in the heart of Colchester. Couples can exchange vows among the flowerbeds and cobbled floors of the site’s intimate fairytale garden, in the shadow of one of the oldest surviving Gothic revival buildings. Parties can continue in the ornate ballroom inside, boasting neoclassical columns and space for up to 45 guests.
Capacity: Up to 45
Where: 74 High Street, Colchester, CO1 1UE
Find out more: The Minories Art Gallery

Ingleside House, Gloucestershire

What: Set within the breathtakingly beautiful Cotswolds, Ingleside House has been stylishly restored to honour its period features. Though the venue has a license to host marriages and partnerships for up to 180 guests, there is a choice of smaller rooms to host your special day in. The Drawing Room can host civil ceremonies for up to 36, boasting a warming fireplace that adds to its quintessentially Cotswolds countryside charm. Alternatively, opt for the Music Room, which is licensed for civil ceremonies for up to 55 guests, or sit down wedding breakfasts of up to 36.
Capacity: 20-55
Where: 5 Beeches Road, Cirencester, GL7 1BN
Find out more: Ingleside House

Pierremont Hall, Kent

What: Overlooking Pierremont Park, this historic venue is a favourite amongst couples looking to tie the knot in Kent. The Chamber Hall is the largest of the hire spaces, licensed for civil ceremonies of up to 54 seated guests, with room for 70 come the evening, whilst the intimate Music Room is primed for smaller gatherings of just 12 seated, or 20 standing. The venue operates on a self-catered basis, giving couples full control over their menu, with direct access to the neighbouring park so you can make the most of a leafy backdrop for your wedding photos.
Capacity: 12-70
Where: Pierremont Park, Broadstairs, CT10 1JX
Find out more: Pierremont Hall

The Roseate, Edinburgh

What: Nestled in the heart of Scotland’s capital, The Roseate is a hidden oasis to hold your intimate wedding. Host a ceremony with up to 30 guests in one of the venue’s spaces, all elegantly kitted out in beautiful decor. The verdant Roseate Garden offers a space for you to host your ceremony among twinkling fairy lights and lush greenery. Move your celebration into the conservatory for a wedding breakfast doused in sunlight (whilst ensuring your guests are protected from the chill of Scottish evenings).
Capacity: 10-50
Where: 4 W Coates, Haymarket, EH12 5JQ
Find out more: The Roseate

St Michael’s Manor Hotel, Hertfordshire

What: Just a short drive from St Albans, this historic townhouse wedding venue boasts five acres of private English gardens, complete with its very own lake and offering an idyllic backdrop for all seasons. The team are well versed in planning, having hosted weddings for over 50 years - so you’re in safe hands here. The Oak Lounge is ideal for micro-weddings, with space for just 14 guests for a ceremony, or up to 20 for a reception, with its wood-panelling and gold-framed oil paintings. Elsewhere, the Cedar Suite is perfect for wedding breakfasts for up to 30 guests, with the option for pre-dinner drinks on the lawns.
Capacity: 14-80
Where: Fishpool Street, St Albans, AL3 4RY
Find out more: St Michael's Manor Hotel

The Manor at Sway, Hampshire

What: For a venue steeped in history, but with updated modern touches, look no further than The Manor at Sway. In the heart of the sprawling Hampshire countryside, this elegant Edwardian country house is surrounded by enchanting woodland, with several flexible spaces designed for up to 60 guests. Couples can choose to say ‘I do’ in The Drawing Room, or take the ceremony outdoors with an al fresco celebration on The Garden Lawn. Make the most of 15 individually designed bedrooms for those looking to turn their wedding day into a multi-day affair.
Capacity: Up to 60
Where: Sway, Lymington, SO41 6BA
Find out more: The Manor at Sway

Burleigh Court Hotel, Gloucestershire

What: This impressive Georgian manor house is brimming with history, and is the perfect choice for those looking for a traditional wedding venue. Set against the Cotswolds' picturesque landscape, Burleigh Court Hotel’s impressive architecture and elegant spaces make it an obvious choice for hosting intimate celebrations. The venue is equipped to host up to 56 guests, with exclusive hire options if you’re looking for complete privacy. If you’re after an ultra-minimalist guestlist, the hotel also offers an elopement wedding package including a three-night stay in the honeymoon suite with a full Cotswolds breakfast each morning.
Capacity: 10-56
Where: The Roundabouts, Walls Quarry, Stroud, GL5 2PF
Find out more: Burleigh Court Hotel

The Five Arrows, Buckinghamshire

What: The Five Arrows is a boutique hotel on the outskirts of Aylesbury, boasting ornate turrets and original Grade II-listed features that add a fairytale feel to your special day. The venue is licensed to hold marriages and civil partnerships in the Old Coach House, a lofty space with timber trussed roofing and capacity for up to 60 guests. If you'd prefer a smaller ceremony and reception, The Snug offers a private dining space for up to 12. An award-winning restaurant and on-site accommodation seal the deal with this one.
Capacity: Up to 60
Where: Waddesdon, Aylesbury, HP18 0JE
Find out more: The Five Arrows

E. Street Bar & Grill, West Sussex

What: Housed in a renovated 17th-century building, E. Street Bar & Grill brings a cosy, countryside feel with three private spaces designed with small groups in mind. The Stag Room is the largest space, seating up to 30 for a wedding breakfast, boasting wood-beamed ceilings and antique chandeliers, while the 10-seat Woodcock Room and 14-person Blue Room are perfect options for gathering with just your nearest and dearest. Couples can enjoy in-house catering, with menus using seasonal and local produce from right on its doorstep. 
Capacity: 10-30
Where: New Street, Petworth, GU28 0AS
Find out more: E. Street Bar & Grill

The Hinds Head, Berkshire

What: The only thing better than a historic setting for your wedding is one that adds Michelin-starred menus. Located in one of Berkshire's most picturesque villages, The Hinds Head dates back to the 1400s, boasting menus under the creative touch of chef Heston Blumenthal. Couples can choose from a range of characterful spaces for their big day, from the intimate Vicar's Room, complete with stained-glass windows and space for ten to 20 guests. Elsewhere, The Royal Lounge offers a slightly larger space for a wedding breakfast for 34 or a reception for up to 50.
Capacity: 20-50
Where: High Street, Bray, Maidenhead, SL6 2AB
Find out more: The Hinds Head

Hawksmoor, Edinburgh

What: Forget any preconceived notions you have about steak restaurants. The Edinburgh outpost of Hawksmoor’s ever-popular franchise holds a wonderful surprise, which could be the perfect answer for your wedding day. Housed in the former National Bank of Scotland Banking Hall, a Grade A-listed building, the venue boasts two intimate private dining rooms tucked away from the sprawling grandeur of the main restaurant. The smaller of the two, the McLellan Room, holds up to 13 people for a celebration with your inner circle around one grand dining table. Or, opt for the Tellers’ Room, a lavish dining room with a seated capacity of up to 46 guests.
Capacity: 13-46
Where: 23 West Register Street, New Town, EH2 2AA
Find out more: Hawksmoor Edinburgh

Chiseldon House, Wiltshire

What: Keen to ensure your wedding day is as fuss-free as possible? Chiseldon House is ready and waiting to ensure your day goes off without a hitch. This Grade II-listed Georgian country house offers full use of its spaces, from the historic Borelli Room to the idyllic Courtyard, with three acres of manicured grounds to provide a picture-perfect backdrop. Chiseldon House specialises in intimate celebrations, with a selection of wedding packages designed specifically for 15 to 30 guests. Each package includes ceremony space, a drinks reception and a dedicated wedding planner, with options for afternoon tea or a three-course feast.
Capacity: 15-100
Where: New Road, Swindon, SN4 0NE
Find out more: Chiseldon House

Novi Cambridge, Cambridgeshire

What: For couples who'd rather celebrate with just a few of their favourite people, Novi offers a relaxed, neighbourhood setting right in the heart of Cambridge. Spread across two floors, each space can be booked separately for something more intimate, or combined for a larger celebration. The first floor holds 40 for a banquet-style wedding breakfast, while the top floor can host up to 70, complete with its own private bar and space for a DJ. Menus are packed full of globally-inspired plates, with options for canapes, buffets, or taco feasts.
Capacity: 40-70
Where: 12 Regent Street, Cambridge, CB2 1DB
Find out more: Novi Cambridge

DRGNFLY, Dorset

What: For couples wanting to do something completely different, DRGNFLY brings a Pan-Asian backdrop to your wedding. Its interiors are sure to bring a romantic feel to your special day, with red velvet seats, black lattice detailing, golden accents and a striking blossom tree that's strung with lanterns. Couples can take over the entire restaurant for larger celebrations, or opt for a more secluded setting with the Opium Den, a private room that can seat just ten. A late licence and dance floor are sure to keep things going late into the evening, plus menus of sushi, sashimi and tempura are sure to keep the guests well fed.
Capacity: 10-180
Where: 1 Bournemouth Road, Poole, BH14 0EF
Find out more: DRGNFLY

Once you’ve selected your dream venue, it’s time to start thinking about how you’ll decorate it. If you don’t know where to start, have a browse of our wedding table and decor ideas for a memorable day.