Our 5 top country house wedding venues

Here at 5 Star Wedding Directory, we love a classic English country house wedding. We’ve been lucky enough to have stayed at a lot of beautiful quintessential English venues, and have chosen five of our favourites to give you some country house inspiration!

1. Chewton Glen

On the edge of the New Forest, Chewton Glen is a beautiful old country house with sweet shuttered windows and extensive gardens. With a spa for pre-wedding relaxation, spacious, modern suites and the most exquisite food, this is a very special venue. If you’re looking for a local menu, Chewton Glen have their own kitchen garden and source much of their food locally. A winter wedding here would allow for the log fires to be lit, creating a wonderfully warm ambience, and a summer wedding could take place in the walled garden, with twinkling fairy lights once the sun went down.

Chewton Glen also has secret treehouses, set away from the main hotel and ultra luxurious. One is licensed for weddings, and would be the most amazing intimate ceremony location.

See our full review here.

2. Cliveden

Prestige and glamour are the themes of a Cliveden wedding. With acres of grounds for photos, a secluded riverside venue or a grand, gilded dining room, there are so many options. Close to London, on the Buckinghamshire/Berkshire border, Cliveden is iconic; grand and luxurious. Its Fountain of Love greets you as you turn down the drive, and its plush lobby sets the scene for the rest of the venue. Rich history sits side by side with a relaxing spa and some incredible food. We enjoyed an elderflower martini with 24 carat gold shavings – how fun to serve those to your guests!

See our full review here.

3. Blenheim Palace

Although not a hotel, Blenheim Palace offers the ultimate in English country weddings. The Orangery is light and airy, the Long Library is luxuriously grand, and the epic Saloon has the most incredible wall and ceiling paintings. They can also add marquees to the South Lawn, so the party can continue with as many guests as you like. The absolute height in grandeur, Blenheim’s rolling landscape creates beautiful backdrops for photos, and the terraces offer perfect spaces for a drinks reception. A recent wedding covered the steps with one million white roses – a gorgeous way to embellish the rich history of the Palace.

See their luxury listing here.

4. The Grove

Set within 300 acres of Hertfordshire countryside, The Grove has a spa, golf course and its own beach. With friendly staff and art galore, this is a country house hotel that feels like a home from home. It’s perfect for family-friendly weddings, with lawn games and other activities for children on offer, as well as fun golf buggies to escort you round the property. The food is extravagant and delicious, and the spa is beautifully calm. The wedding spaces can accommodate up to 200 guests, and there’s a beautifully restored Victorian glasshouse in the walled garden which would make a beautiful venue.

See our full review here.

5. Bovey Castle

Now, although we haven’t stayed here, Bovey Castle has captured our hearts. Located in Dartmoor National Park in Devon, it’s breathtakingly grand and beautifully secluded. Founded as a decadent rural retreat, there are so many options for a wedding at Bovey Castle. The Cathedral Room, with its high ceilings and minstrel gallery has a feature fireplace and stunning views, the Adam Room is quintessentially English with period décor and views over the estate, and the Library is warm and intimate, perfect for a small wedding. Bovey Castle also has the sweetest Summerhouse for an outdoor wedding, set in the corner of the grounds and hidden amongst the hedges, as well as a grand location on the South Terrace, with panoramic views.

See their luxury listing here.