The UK’s Most Unusual Wedding Venues
When it comes to your wedding day, you may feel like the traditional well-loved wedding venues don’t quite fit you as a couple. You may decide you want to pick somewhere that feels truly you and speaks to a more individual part of your character. Equally you may just fancy something a bit different being the backdrop to your day. Whatever your reason, we’ve rounded up some of the very best, unusual wedding venues within the UK to get your creative cogs turning…
Wales
Set within 24 acres of grounds, this exclusive use venue offers the very best of old and new. The main K room is a striking glass structure that’s designed especially to host weddings, juxtaposing beautifully against their chocolate box pretty Georgian mansion. The venue is licensed to host civil ceremonies and is surrounded by beautiful woodlands, a lake and a walled garden.
Chapel 1877 is a French-Italian gothic-themed building designed by architect Henry C Harris, an architect renowned for his impressive structures throughout Wales in the late 1800s. The venue has three renovated floors that provide luxurious surrounding to complement the original chapel built in 1877.
National Botanical Garden of Wales
With 400 acres of grounds, the National Botanical Gardens of Wales can be used to host venues both large and small. Expect to find breathtaking grounds that form a mosaic of flower rich meadows, evocative woodlands, waterfalls and cascades.
Yorkshire
This beautiful camp provides plenty of ways you can make the space entirely unique to you. They have a full licensed ‘woodland chapel’ where you can host your ceremony, followed by a drinks reception in the woods. Dinner and dancing can follow in the Hay Barn, and you can make use of the fire pits and hot tubs as the evening sets in. They also provide private glamping accommodation with geodes, wood cabins and canvas tents.
Ornate, elegant and stately, Carlton Towers’ ownership can be traced all the way back to the Domesday Book in 1086. All their state rooms are licensed for weddings, so you can have your pick on where you’d like the day’s events to unfold.
A city favourite with theatre goers, at Sheffield Theatres you can get married on the renowned Crucible stage or in the floor to ceiling windowed Adelphi Room. They have a variety of different spaces where your day can take place, and you can even host your ceremony on the set of one of their productions! Take photos in the beautiful Lyceum auditorium, which provides a stunning traditional and theatrical backdrop.
The Deep Aquarium is an education and conservation charity and is an international player in marine conservation. It is known to be one of the most spectacular aquariums in the world and is home to sharks, turtles, penguins and the UK’s only Green Sawfish! Host your wedding within this unique venue, with the dramatic building overlooking the Humber estuary, designed by renowned architects Sir Terry Farrell and Partners.
Beautifully located on a floating island with a moat all the way around, this charming manor house can host weddings both large and small. You can either tie the know in the historic Walton Hall on the island or on in the more modern Waterton Park Hotel. If you’re a fan of golf, it might be important to note that this venue is also surrounded by a championship golf course…
Scotland
A lovely, wholesome wedding venue, the Harvest Moon offer the unique opportunity to choose between a beach or woodland wedding. You can choose to get married at the Luxury Safari Tent site and stay in a beautiful honeymoon tipi, or get married within the treehouse site and have a memorable stay in the honeymoon treehouse.
At Arta, you’ll be transported into the rich and vibrant surroundings of a Spanish Hacienda. This Mediterranean-inspired venue is located in the heart of Merchant City in Glasgow and can host your guests over three floors and seven rooms.
A magical walled garden in the borders of the countryside, Cherrytrees has inspiring views across the Cheviot Hills. The gardens have been carefully looked after and developed for over 10 years by its owner Amanda Barnes and her family, so expect to be blown away by this part in particular. It features a stunning victorian conservatory and terrace, along with a cutting garden created to provide flowers and foliage for the weddings held there.
North West
The Rum Warehouse at the Titanic Hotel
A beautifully renovated 1950s warehouse, this wedding venue offers a whopping 789m of flexible event space and can seat up to 500 guests. It’s in a lovely waterside location, set overlooking the waters of Stanley Dock and hosts an impressive Titanic staircase is a replica of the one found on RMS Titanic.
Set within picturesque surroundings that are home to llamas, donkeys and alpacas, The Wellbeing Farm is available for exclusive hire and is fully licensed for civil ceremonies. They provide a range of different quirky bars and offer on site catering, along with being a dog friendly venue too!
After a successful local campaign to prevent the closure of the baths, the Victoria Baths were fully restored, bringing back the Turkish baths and the swimming pool. It provides a unique, quirky wedding venue for any couple that fancies something a bit different, and is licensed to serve alcohol and host wedding ceremonies.
Everyman Theatre
Located in the centre of the Georgian quarter in Liverpool, the Everyman Theatre is situated between two iconic cathedrals. It offers a number of different places to build your wedding day, with the option to hold the ceremony on the stage!
Secluded in the Cumbrian countryside close to the Lake District on a private estate, the barns and cabins overlook the beautiful River Lyne. The venue is ideal for groups from 50 to 250, with the wedding hosted within the beautiful barn, which is ready whatever the weather with both the option of roaring fires or air conditioning. Guest can stay in the luxury accommodation provided by the log cabins and listed properties around the site.
North East
A well-loved alternative wedding venue, Le Petit Chateau provides a slice France from the comfort and accessibility of the UK. This French inspired venue is bursting at the seams with originality and splendour. It is an exclusive use venue with 30 boutique rooms for your guests to stay in. The style of the venue is shabby chic blended with elegant nature and beauty and is described as a ‘place of fun and fantasy, love and laughter’.
Home to the UK’s largest independent contemporary art, craft and design gallery, The Biscuit Factory was a former victorian warehouse with all the lovely architecture and original features to boot. With space for guests from 40 - 250, you can enjoy your wedding nestled within all this beauty and culture.
East Midlands
The Riding School at Calke Abbey
Located on 600 acres of picturesque Derbyshire parkland, this Grade I listed venue is nestled within the Calke Abbey Estate. Ticking all the boxes of bare brick walls, exposed oak beams and stunning original windows that let the line shine through, this venue serves as a beautifully interesting yet good blank canvas venue.
This exclusive use venue has a distinct laidback and relaxed style, with a rustic bohemian vibe set within a stunning 250 year old walled garden. Located in the heart of the Lincolnshire Wolds, the venue consists of three giant and one midi tipis linked together, with the ability to cater for up to 160 people.
West Midlands
On approaching the venue, you’ll be greeted by the beautiful and impressive turrets, and when you venture inside you’ll see wondrous ceilings, ornate chandeliers and floor to ceiling windows. The grounds feature a Norman church, an orangery and neatly kept gardens. The venue can be exclusively yours with your own private bar and courtyard and can host 90 guests for your ceremony and evening meal, and then 120 guests in the evening. Outdoor ceremonies in their lovely grounds are also available here.
Set on the waterfront, at The Mill Barns you’ll have exclusive use of three magnificent oak framed wedding barns and luxury accommodation at this former 17th century watermill. The grounds include acres of mature landscaped gardens, water features, unique walkways and three outdoor terraces.
Originally opened as one of Birmingham’s five free libraries in 1866, The Old Library is now the only one still standing. Having been recently refurbished, it can accommodate up to 150 guests for a ceremony and sit-down reception.
South West
Larmer Tree Gardens are a wonderful example of Victorian extravagance and vision, originally created by General Pitt Rivers in 1880. Spread across 11 acres, you’ll find their collection of unique ornate buildings, from a singing theatre to a magical roman temple. The venue can cater for 150 people during the day and 250 in the evening.
A well known attraction of the UK as a whole, the Roman baths in Bath provide a stunning and romantic wedding location. You can exchange your vows beside the torch lit and steaming water of the Great Bath and then move onto a reception in the Pump Room or on the Terrace.
Centrally located near Bath Abbey and the Guildhall, the Victoria Art Gallery was named to celebrate Queen Victoria’s sixty years on the throne. The venue houses a fine collection of paintings, sculptures, glassware and decorative arts, with a wealth of history for you to get married amongst.
A highly unique venue, it is accessed via a hand carved tunnel through the cliff. On the other side you’ll be greeted with spectacular views over a private beach, which is known for its spectacular sunsets in the evening. The venue is fully licensed for wedding ceremonies within its thatched gazebo and can have 120 guests for the day and 160 in the evening. Quirky add ons to hire include an Ice Cream Tricycle, a Cake of Cheese and a VW Wedding Guest Shuttle.
A beautifully unique venue that is family run, the Glasshouse at ANRAN is a walled garden that has been converted into a glasshouse. The locals liken it to a mini ‘Eden Project’ which we particularly love, and it can seat up to 180 dinner guests.
London and South East
Dreamland Margate
Known as the UK’s original pleasure park, Dreamland offers a completely unique wedding venue, filled with lots of nostalgic seaside magic. Described as an ‘old fashioned, yet oh so fashionable’ world of thrills, amusements and good times, almost all the venues on site are available for private hire. With everything from a roller disco to a 1930’s pub, the possibilities are endless.
A beautiful and striking 4* hotel, Port Lympne is a Grade II listed Mansion surrounded by a wildlife and safari park and is a wedding venue unlike any other. With grounds spanning over 600 acres and overlooking Romney Marsh and the English Channel, is a hotel that has entertained royalty, aristocracy, prominent politicians and playwrights. Fully licensed for your wedding day, it is a sure fire way to dazzle your guests.
A luxury private island retreat with panoramic views of the Solent and beyond, Spitbank Fort is incredibly private and with no neighbours, means you can celebrate well into the early hours. An exclusive use venue that is licensed for ceremonies, you can enjoy your champagne reception up on the deck and stargazing opportunities from the rooftop hot pool.
An accredited green venue by Green Tourism for London, the London Canal Museum is a quirky Wes Anderson-esque wedding venue that sits on the waterside, split across two floors with exposed brick. It is a no corkage venue and can host 120 guest for a meal or 200 standing for a drinks reception. Plus if you really want to embrace the nautical theme, you can arrive by boat too!
A well loved local favourite, The Bell provides the perfect backdrop for a quirky wedding. With a relaxed and informal yet luxurious feel, their Big Room can accommodate 90 guests sitting down and 120 for an evening party.
East of England
Nestled in 20 acres of stunning countryside on the Cambridgeshire/Hertfordshire borders, the beautiful South Farm is host to glorious gardens, lovely elegant buildings and a charming farm. The venue is eco friendly and family run, and offers five different licensed ceremony options.
Against the backdrop of an old fashioned working farm, you’ll have use of the celebration tent, their hand-built eco roundhouse to sign the marriage register and the 18th century covered barn for your wedding breakfast and evening entertainment. It’s an exclusive hire venue for up to 200 guests, with on site glamping accommodation.
