Thatched barn venue in a 300-acre private park · Worstead, North Norfolk
5.01 reviewA restored thatched barn on a private estate in North Norfolk, with the day before and the day after the wedding included in the hire.
Worstead Estate is a North Norfolk retreat on a private country estate, and its wedding venue, The Woodyard, is a restored thatched barn and sawmill in a quiet lakeside setting at Worstead Park. The barn has exposed beams and red brick walls, and the venue is light-filled and designed for flexibility. Beyond it, the estate has a collection of dog-friendly cottages threaded through parkland, woodland drives and former estate buildings, many of them thatched. The estate is committed to sustainable, eco-conscious hospitality, and an experienced wedding management team looks after couples from the lead-up to the day itself.
The Woodyard is hired on a three-day basis. Couples have the day before to style and decorate, and time after accommodation check-out to collect their decorations. Estate accommodation is ready from late afternoon the day before, so the evening before the wedding can be spent relaxing. Before the day the team guides the setup while the chosen caterers prepare tables and chairs, and runs through the ceremony. On the morning the team is on site first thing, liaising with suppliers and helping with last minute details. The day after, the team tidies and packs away, leaving couples free to begin their honeymoon, have a day-after brunch or spend time with their guests.
Worstead Estate
Images courtesy of Worstead Estate
Facts checked 5 October 2026
The Woodyard is licensed for weddings, ceremonies and blessings. Ceremonies are held in the Thatched Barn, the Mulberry Room, on the lake island, at the lakeside or in the Walled Garden. On the lake island a newly built summerhouse frames the couple during the vows. The Thatched Barn and the Mulberry Room are the indoor alternatives to the outdoor spots within the same hire. Ceremonies take up to 120 guests, with a registrar's table and 120 chairs included and an integrated sound system with a microphone. At least two or three churches are within a three-minute drive, including Saint Mary the Virgin Church in Worstead.
Before the ceremony, guests are in the landscaped courtyard. Afterwards, or on arrival from a church, they move to the West Terrace and the lawn for afternoon drinks, canapes and photographs. Hire includes outside seating, parasols and festoon lighting on the terrace, and the West Lawn is a spacious, open grassed area that takes marquees. Woodland paths lead to the private lake, boathouse and island. The wedding breakfast and speeches are in the Mulberry Room, and the evening party is in the Thatched Barn, with feature lighting. Music can play until 11:30pm.
Optional on-site accommodation is in the estate's cottages. Estate Cottage, once home to the estate's gardener, lies in its own walled garden. Gatehouse North and Gatehouse South stand at the original entrance to Worstead Park, each with open-plan living space, a terrace and a games room. New Lane Cottage is thatched and sits in a secluded clearing at the end of a woodland drive, and Swann Cottage is a renovated thatched cottage. The cottages have spacious living areas, open-plan kitchens, wood burners and private hot tubs, and are dog-friendly.
Catering is by local caterers, chosen on merit for their professionalism and expertise. Glasses, cutlery, crockery and linens are hired in through the caterer, and there is a fitted industrial kitchen. The bar is fully licensed, staffed and stocked, run by East Coast Bars, with all bar glassware included. Couples can supply their own reception drinks, toast and table wine. Street-style food vans are allowed in the evening, with plenty of space outside to set up.
The venue is held for the day before, the wedding day and the day after, at one price.
Three-day hireA summerhouse on the island frames the ceremony, and a 1930s boat waits at the boathouse.
The lake island
Used for outdoor ceremonies, drinks receptions or a relaxed brunch the next morning.
Walled GardenThe former head gardener's house faces the venue, so the couple can watch guests arrive.
Estate Cottage
The former head gardener's house in its own walled garden, with three bedrooms, a library, a games room and a private hot tub. The front bedrooms overlook the venue.
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One of the pair of lodges at the original entrance to Worstead Park, with open-plan living, a games room, a private hot tub and step-free rooms on one floor.
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The second gatehouse, laid out like its neighbour; the two together take a group of 12 with separate kitchens and gardens.
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A small thatched cottage with a king-size room and a twin under the eaves, reached by a narrow winding stair, with a private hot tub in the garden.
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A thatched cottage on Sloley Road with two bedrooms, a games room and a hot tub on the terrace.
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The Woodyard is at Worstead Park, Sloley Road, Worstead, North Walsham, Norfolk NR28 9RS. Guests enter by the west gate opposite Squirrel Wood Equestrian Centre, then pass through an electric gate and along a winding drive, with signs to the visitor and disabled car parks. There is disabled parking beside the Mulberry Room. The Estate Office is separate, at Church Farm in Smallburgh.
The Woodyard, Worstead Park, Sloley Road, Worstead, North Walsham, Norfolk NR28 9RS, United Kingdom
Transfers. Worstead station on the Bittern Line (Norwich to Sheringham) is a short walk from the estate cottages.
Parking. On-site guest car park open all year, with disabled parking beside the Mulberry Room. EV chargers in the main car park, opened August 2025. The cottages each have their own gravel parking for two to four cars.
Worstead (Greater Anglia) is the nearest station, about 1.0 miles from the venue in a straight line.
Venue hire for the exclusive three-day hire of The Woodyard. Venue hire only: catering comes from the couple's chosen caterer and accommodation is booked separately.
No extra charge to hold the ceremony on site (the registrar is booked and paid by the couple).
We had our wedding at The Woodyard in October 2022. The venue is absolutely stunning! Amazing grounds, high-spec facilities and a beautiful location. Emily, who manages the venue, was a dream to work with from the very beginning. We live in New Zealand so having someone as professional, experienced and organised as Emily made for an entirely seamless process, even from the other side of the world. We could not recommend this venue highly enough. Thank you Emily and the team for everything.
Worstead Estate seats up to 120 guests for dinner.
A ceremony at Worstead Estate takes up to 120 guests.
Weddings at Worstead Estate start from £3,850 for venue hire.
The latest finish at Worstead Estate is 11:30pm.
The outdoor ceremony spots (lake island, lakeside, Walled Garden) all have the Thatched Barn and Mulberry Room as indoor alternatives within the same hire.
Ask for a place, a name, a trade or the whole wedding. Every answer comes from checked records.
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