13 Hampshire and Dorset Wedding Venues That Are Guaranteed To Wow
Known for their beautiful countryside, seaside towns and views and lovely food and produce, Hampshire and Dorset both make for beautiful counties in which to host your wedding day. Below we’ve listed 13 of our favourites right now, that are guaranteed to make your big day feel extra special.
Hampshire
1. Chewton Glen
A quintessentially British hotel on the edge of the beautiful New Forest, Chewton Glen is nestled within 130 acres of Hampshire countryside and is renowned for its stunning treetop rooms and spaces. Perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in nature on their wedding day, it is the ideal combination of country and coastal. You can opt to have your wedding in The Lake Suite, The Oak End, The Summer House, The Wine Room, The Morning Room or the Walled Garden, and even say ‘I do’ from the treetops. There are 12 guests rooms available to you when booking the Lake Suite along with a 10 metre outdoor pool with beautiful views overlooking the grounds.
A multi-award winning venue for weddings in Southern England, Farnham Castle is a beautifully romantic wedding venue. Situated in the historic town of Farnham on the Surrey/Hampshire border, the castle is surrounded by five acres of beautiful gardens. You can choose from four licensed rooms to get married in and two Church of England chapels for either marriage ceremonies or blessings. For the reception, you can choose to get married in either the Tindle Bar for more intimate style celebrations, or enjoy a larger banquet style wedding int he Great Hall. The venue has a beautiful honeymoon suite, along with a range of guest accommodation with 33 en-suite bedrooms across the estate.
3. Somerley
Located on the Hampshire/Dorset border, Somerley enjoys the best of both counties. Nestled within gorgeous grounds, it’s a tranquil venue away from the hustle and bustle. It is an exclusive hire venue that is specifically built for private hire, making it really tailor-made to weddings. Choose from hosting your wedding within the elegant Somerley House, the romantic quintessentially English country garden or within the bohemian luxe of the woods. The Georgian stately home is licensed for ceremonies and receptions of up to 140 guests and has an abundance of rooms, from the cosy East and West libraries, to the sunlight Drawing Room and spectacular picture gallery. Alternatively host your reception within a marquee hosting up to 200 people or within cool tipi tents in the forest. The venue has 9 beautiful rooms in the main house, along with 4 more at Ellingham Farmhouse within the grounds.
Set within it’s own private parkland of 150 acres along the banks of the River Itchen, Avington is a lovely family-owned estate just outside of Winchester. For centuries Avington was a playground for both Kings and Royal Courtiers, most notably Charles II and was known to be a real party palace that was located at the heart of the Royal Court. The venue can host up to 200 guests and has a wide range of breathtakingly beautiful rooms in which to host your wedding, including a gorgeous orangery that is flooded with natural light. It has 20 luxury bedrooms in which to host your guests, and is all round just a real picture perfect wedding venue.
A 17th century luxury hotel known for it’s dining and cookery school with award-winning chefs, Lainston House is tucked away within 63 acres of rural Hampshire countryside. Approached via a romantic sweeping tree-lined driveway, the building is beautiful and features delicate archways and loggias that make for the prettiest entrance. The house has plenty of rooms to host your wedding within, including their 17th century Dawley Barn. The venue is licensed both inside and out for wedding ceremonies and is exclusive hire so you’re able to take it over for the full day. The venue has 50 bedrooms and stylish suites on site and guests are eligible for a special accommodation rate when they stay overnight.
6. The Elvetham
Located in Hook in Hampshire, The Elvetham is a 19th century wedding venue nestled within 35 acres of beautiful grounds. You can host a ceremony there for up to 150 guests within their Oak Room, Morning Room or Summerhouse and enjoy a lovely wedding breakfast for up to 120 in the Library or Morning room. They provide wedding food packages that are tailored to you and your budget, with the options of Classic, Grand or Luxury food packages. The hotel also has 43 bedrooms, so you can easily host most of your guests on site.
Tucked deep within the New Forest national park, Rhinefield House Hotel has lots of beautiful Tudor and Gothic architecture and surroundings. You can host up to 130 guests at your ceremony and reception either outside in the Doric Temple or inside in the Great Hall, which is a replica of London’s Westminster Hall. The hotel is also home to a 2 AA Rosette Armada restaurant, a lovely outdoor pool and pretty ornamental ponds. It is also a dog friendly venue and there’s plenty of parking on site too.
Dorset
8. Upton House and Country Park
With sweeping lawns and award-winning parkland, this 18th century Grade II listed house is filled with lots of lovely picture ready moments. From the formal gardens and beautiful walled garden to the grand estate rooms with original features that can host up to 70 people. If you’re looking to host more people, you can also pop a marquee in the walled garden for up to a whopping 500 guests.
Built in the 1830’s, Highcliffe Castle was commissioned by the extravagant Lord Stuart De Rothsay, who wanted an opulent space created that was perfect for entertaining. The castle went on to host lots of royals and notable guests, and has held many a raucous and elegant party since. The castle is located regally on a clifftop overlooking Christchurch Bay and the Isle of Wight, and is set within a tranquil nature reserve. You can host your ceremony within the winter garden where the large windows let the light shine in, and then host your reception on the lawn or in the drawing room.
10. St Audries Park
Known most notably for it’s beautiful victorian orangery and it’s wonderful architecture, St Audries Park is a really romantic spot to host your wedding. It is located within 100 acres of tranquil deer park, overlooking rolling Quantock Hills and the Bristol Channel with lots of stunning coastal views. The venue can host up to 130 guests on the day and 250 guests in the evening, along with being able to sleep an impressive 100 of your guests. We recommend hosting your ceremony in the lovely Orangery, followed by your reception in the historic and atmospheric banqueting hall.
11. Mapperton
Set within unspoilt landscape and with a backdrop of the valley gardens, Mapperton is a highly sought after exclusive use wedding venue that is only available for a certain number of days per year. Their ceremony and blessing locations include the Garden Pavillion, the grottoes and the medieval church, followed by drinks and canapés outside the orangery. This will then be followed by a reception that can seat up to 120 guests in the converted coach house. For accommodation, their wedding packages include two nights stay in their luxury three-bedroom Garden Cottage and they’re also partnered with other local companies to provide over 100 beds in total across hotels and B&B’s in the area.
12. Deans Court
Hosted within a marquee set alongside a lake in the beautiful grounds of Dean Court, the venue provides a beautiful backdrop to your day. A simple venue hire fee helps cover the costs of everything you would need, from exclusive use of the grounds and marquee, to festoon lighting and fire pits. They are licensed for both indoor and outdoor ceremonies and have a dedicated events team on hand to help you. They are flexible about letting you use your own suppliers and the venue is able to sleep 28 guests on site.
13. Smedmore House
Tucked within the Dorset countryside on the Jurassic Coast, Smedmore House was constructed in 1610 and is a beautiful location in which to host your wedding. Licensed for ceremonies both inside and out, you have the option of hosting a reception either outside in a marquee, or up to 60 people inside. The venue can also sleep up to 22 people on site.