Testimonial, not ratedVerified wedding
Review
We really liked the history of the Old Palace and the layout of the room with the picturesque view of Hatfield House.
Hertfordshire · Country house
Hatfield House
A Grade I listed Old Palace and a glass-roofed Riding School in the grounds of Hatfield Park, Hertfordshire
£4,000Starting fromsee what it includes
Up to 350Guests280 seated for dinner
17 kmNearest airportin a straight line, Luton
Hatfield House has two licensed wedding venues in its Hertfordshire grounds, the Grade I listed Old Palace, which seats 280 at a banquet, and the Riding School, which seats 100.
Hatfield House is the Hertfordshire home of the Marquess of Salisbury, and its grounds hold two separate wedding venues, the Old Palace and the Riding School, both licensed for civil ceremonies so that the vows, wedding breakfast and evening celebration can share one setting. The estate covers 250 acres of parkland and gardens, with a railway station a five-minute walk from the gates.
The Old Palace is a 15th-century royal banqueting hall that Henry VIII acquired in 1538 as a home for his children. Elizabeth I learnt in its grounds that she had become Queen, and held her first Council of State in the great hall, whose high timbered ceiling and medieval brickwork give it a dramatic backdrop. It seats 280 at a banquet and holds 350 standing, and the Knot Garden beside it suits drinks receptions and photographs. The Riding School in the Stable Yard blends original beams and leaded windows with a glass roof and a mezzanine, and seats 100 at a banquet. Catering can be in-house or from a trusted outside caterer, there are no rooms on site, and the events team works with hotels within 20 minutes.
Hatfield House
Gallery
29 photographs
Images courtesy of Hatfield House
At a glance
The Essentials
- Where
- Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England
- Capacity
- Old Palace seats 280 and holds 350 standing; Riding School seats 100
- Ceremony
- Licensed in the Old Palace and the Riding School
- Stay
- No rooms on site; partner hotels within 20 minutes
- Catering
- In-house or your own approved caterer
- Price
- Venue fee from £4,000, with catered packages
- Exclusive use
- 14 hours, 10am to midnight, for your chosen venue
- Parking
- Free for wedding guests
- Nearest station
- Hatfield, a five-minute walk
The Old Palace
A 15th-century royal banqueting hall that Henry VIII acquired in 1538 as a home for his children. Elizabeth I learnt in its grounds that she had become Queen and held her first Council of State in the great hall, whose timbered ceiling and medieval brickwork frame the day. The Old Palace seats 280 at a banquet and holds 350 standing.
The Riding School
Set in the courtyard of the Stable Yard, the Riding School combines original wooden beams and leaded windows with a glass roof, a mezzanine and state-of-the-art lighting. It seats 100 at a banquet, 150 theatre style and holds 200 standing.
Gardens and parkland
The Knot Garden beside the Old Palace suits drinks receptions and photographs, and the 250-acre park offers settings for outdoor ceremonies and dining. Both venues are licensed for civil ceremonies, so the vows, the wedding breakfast and the evening can share one setting.
The Old Palace
A Grade I listed banqueting hall, licensed for civil ceremonies, seating 280 at a banquet.
The Riding School
A glass-roofed venue with a mezzanine and its own sound system, licensed for civil ceremonies.
The Knot Garden
A historic outdoor setting for drinks receptions and photographs, with outdoor music permitted until sundown.
250 acres of parkland
Lawns, gardens and woodland for outdoor ceremonies and dining, with free parking for guests.
In-house catering
Luxury buffet, two or three course and bowl food menus, with vegan, vegetarian and halal options, or a trusted outside caterer.
Dedicated wedding team
An events team supports each couple from the first enquiry to the last detail, with an event coordinator from six months before the date.
Enquire about your wedding at
Hatfield House
Share a few details about your wedding at Hatfield House and your enquiry will be passed on to them. A reply cannot be promised, and no time can be given for it.
The magazineNo. 121 · Autumn 2026
Hatfield House in our magazine: the setting, the day and the details, page by page. Read it online, or download it on a computer.
Read the issue →
Location
Hertfordshire
Hatfield railway station is a five-minute walk away, with trains from London King's Cross taking under 30 minutes, and the A1(M) is five minutes by car.
Luton (LTN)17 km in a straight line
London City (LCY)34 km in a straight line
Hatfield House
Hatfield House, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL9 5NQ, United Kingdom
Parking. Free parking for wedding guests, with disabled parking in the main visitor car park and coach parking close to the Old Palace and the Stable Yard.
Things to do nearby
- The West Garden
- The Renaissance water sculpture
- Woodland walks
- The Deer Park
- The Stable Yard
- The Old Palace tours
Getting there
- Luton (LTN)
- London City (LCY)
Pricing and what to expect
What a wedding here costs
From£4,000Venue fee, Mon to Thu, 60 guests minimum
Typically includes
Venue fee Monday to Thursday: £8,000 from May to September and in December, £5,600 in March, April and October, £4,000 in January, February and November (minimum 60 guests)
Venue fee Friday to Sunday: £10,000 from May to September and in December, £7,000 in March, April and October, £5,000 in January, February and November (minimum 60 guests)
Oak catered package: venue fee from £10,000 plus £120 per guest, with a Gold catering package and 12 hours of use (minimum 60 guests)
Wisteria catered package: venue fee from £10,000 plus £210 per guest, with a Platinum catering package and 12 hours of use (minimum 60 guests)
Elizabeth catered package: £25,000 including 100 guests, plus £120 for each additional guest, with 14 hours of use
Ceremony only, 4 hours, Sunday to Friday: £6,000
A £1,000 ceremony set-up fee applies when the ceremony and sit-down reception are in the same venue
Capacity
- Seated dinner280
- Standing reception350
- Ceremony300
Frequently asked questions
Hatfield House
How many guests can Hatfield House host for a wedding?
The Old Palace seats up to 280 guests at a banquet and holds 350 standing. The Riding School seats up to 100 and holds 200 standing.
Are the venues licensed for civil ceremonies?
Yes. The Old Palace and the Riding School are both licensed for civil ceremonies, and the Knot Garden can be used for photographs and drinks.
Is there accommodation on site?
No. The events team works with nearby hotels, all within 20 minutes, and can help arrange executive cars.
Can we bring our own caterer?
Yes. The estate recommends trusted caterers and welcomes outside ones, or the in-house team can cater.
What are the venue hours?
Standard hire runs from 10am until midnight, with a late night extension available until 2am.
How do guests get to Hatfield Park?
Hatfield railway station is a five-minute walk away, with trains from London King's Cross in under 30 minutes. The A1(M) is five minutes by car, and wedding guests park for free.
Is there a minimum number of guests?
The published packages and venue hire rates apply to weddings of at least 60 guests, with a ceremony-only option available from Sunday to Friday.
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