23 Quintessentially English Wedding Venues in the Cotswolds
A firm favourite wedding destination for many a couple, the Cotswolds have that charming Quintessentially English feel absolutely nailed. From the soft, mellow houses of Cotswold stone set in quaint towns and villages, to the beautiful countryside and pioneering foodie and lifestyle spots, this is a English wedding destination that is pretty hard to beat, especially if you have lots of guests coming from abroad.
Below we’ve collated 23 of our favourites to get the ideas mill turning. We recommend noting down the ones you love and planning a little road trip to see them all in one go!
1. Kiftsgate Court
Regal in stature, the stunning Kiftsgate Court is surrounded by beautiful, botanical gardens in which to host your wedding. It is a dry hire wedding venue, holding just one wedding there per week and they can host up to 160 guests inside or 250 guests in a marquee outside.
2. Merriscourt
Consisting of three lovely interlinking Cotswold wedding barns set within a whopping 500 acres of land, Merriscourt is a beautiful Cotswold stone wedding venue. Make the most of their vaulted rustic stone barn for the ceremony and reception and the Gallery barn and lawn for your cocktail hour. The venue can host up to 130 guests and has accommodation on site.
3. Matara
Featuring a beautiful and unique Asian inspired courtyard to host your ceremony in and a lovely glass domed banqueting hall for the reception, Matara is nestled within 28 acres and can host up to 200 of your guests. Whilst being architecturally striking, it also serves as a great blank canvas space, that can easily adapt to a variety of wedding schemes.
4. Owlpen Manor
A gorgeous country estate, Owlpen Manor can be hired for a full wedding weekend, with 9 holiday cottages within the grounds that can host 40 guests, along with plenty of space for glamping. Say your vows in their Medieval cyder barn that dates back to 1446, and then celebrate with up to 120 guests within a marquee in their old English formal gardens.
5. The Swan Hotel
An iconic feature of the charming town of Bibury, somewhere that William Morris deemed to be the most beautiful town in England, the Swan Hotel is swathed in beautiful ivy and is a tranquil and serene location for a wedding. Perfect for small to medium weddings, you can host a more intimate wedding within their library for up to 26 guests, completed with a fireplace and rich red walls, or with up to 110 in their Signet room. They also have a summer house that is lovely for outdoor ceremonies and 22 rooms for your guests to stay in.
6. The Barn at Upcote
Pretty refurbished barns complete with exposed oak beams and Cotswold stone, The Barn at Upcote functions as several barns set around a central courtyard, creating a wedding village effect. The venue is able to host 100 guests for your ceremony and up to 150 guests for the reception.
7. Stone Barn
Part of the well loved Cripps and Co group who have 30 years of planning experience under their belts, Stone Barn forms a stunning backdrop to any wedding. Split your day between the Stone Barn and the Dutch Barn, featuring arched ceilings, large windows and a big terrace with toasty firepits. The venue is even home to the UK’s largest BBQ, perfect for serving your guests something a little different.
8. Blenheim Palace
Filled with grandeur and opulence, the regal Blenheim Palace was once the birth place of Sir Winston Churchill and has held many a decadent event in its time. A great choice for weddings both large and small, go big with a wedding in their commanding Great Hall or a marquee in the manicured gardens, or embrace understated elegance in their Orangery.
9. Barnsley House
A stylish, picture perfect country house that blends elegance and natural beauty seamlessly, Barnsley House can be exclusively yours for a full weekend. The perfect spot for a romantic and sophisticated celebration, with memorable spots to celebrate both inside and out.
10. The Manor House at Castle Coombe
Nestled within Castle Combe village in the wooded Bybrook Valley, this charming 14th century country manor is filled with history. With a dedicated wedding coordinator and award-winning dining, they have plenty of lovely ceremony and reception spaces to choose from.
11. Foxhill Manor
A five star boutique hotel located within the Farncombe Estate in the Cotswolds, Foxhill Manor can be hired out exclusively for house party weddings, perfect for small to medium sized weddings of up to 70 guests.
12. Sezincote House
A unique and opulent Indian house hidden away within the Cotswolds countryside, Sezincote House features lots of stunning Eastern architectural features, forming a beautiful backdrop to your wedding celebrations. Host your wedding in the main house or within a marquee in the grounds.
13. Elmore Court
A charming restored family home, Elmore Court is the perfect house party wedding venue for a full weekend takeover. The venue has plenty of beautiful spaces for the ceremony and reception, including their unique and historic stained glass hall and their pretty Gillyflower room. Carry on the party well into the evening in their soundproofed dance room, with your nearest and dearest able to stay on site within one of their 16 bedrooms.
14. Cowley Manor
The epitome of a grand country manor house, this architectural gem beautifully pairs historical exteriors with contemporary interior design. Set within 55 acres, it’s lovely for weddings both large and small and features an abundance of wow moments both in the main house and in the grounds.
15. Slaughters Country Manor
A luxury, 4* family run hotel, the quintessentially English Slaughters Country Manor is home to an award-winning restaurant, decadent bar, 5 acres of formal gardens and 19 guest rooms, all exclusively yours for a wedding weekend.
16. Calcot Manor
A quiet and intimate retreat filled with charming country features, you can celebrate your wedding in their converted barn with exposed stone walls and high ceilings, set alongside a lovely courtyard of lime trees, ancient stone barns and stables. The venue can host up to 100 guests for a ceremony, or up to 150 for a reception.
17. Cornwell Manor
Featuring a quintessentially English Georgian facade, prettily covered in climbing foliage, Cornwell Manor is a wonderful choice for weddings both large and small. Host an intimate wedding within the Ballroom followed by a lavish dinner, or party away with an abundance of guests in a marquee on their croquet lawn, or in a field overlooking the lakes. The venue can be exclusively hired for a minimum of 3 days and they can tailor the package entirely to your requirements.
18. Le Manoir Aux Quat’ Saisons
Created by renowned chef Raymond Blanc OBE, this venue is both stunning to look at and boasts seriously impressive culinary credentials, receiving 2 Michelin stars in 1984 in its first year of opening. The venue is filled with picturesque lawns, french inspired flower borders, orchards, vegetable and herb gardens, creating picture perfect moments at every turn. Ideal for small weddings of up to 50 guests, their private dining conservatory has its own entrance and ample outdoor space to utilise.
19. Old Gore by Yardspace
A gorgeous blank canvas wedding wedding that can host up to 150 of your guests within their barn, just some of their highlights include an impressive show kitchen complete with pizza oven and Argentinian Asado grill, and a state of the art sound system to party well into the night to. If you fancy sampling their foodie delights, you can join them for one of their many feast nights.
20. Daylesford
A highly regarded Organic Gloucestershire farm nestled in the countryside, Daylesford Farm functions a bit like a village, with their beautiful Glasshouse as your central ceremony and reception space, along with plenty of lovely amenities that can be enjoyed around the big day itself. These include their iconic farm shop, restaurants and cafes, holistic spa, workshops and pretty holiday cottages, to name just a few! They are able to host weddings of up to 140 guests with both indoor and outdoor spaces available to choose from.
21. Euridge Manor
Featuring stunning architecture and immaculate grounds, Euridge Manor is tucked away within the English countryside and hosts a very limited number of exclusive weekend and midweek weddings. Celebrate your ceremony by the Boathouse, licensed to host 20 guests inside, with additional guests by the wisteria scented pergola and Italianate terrace. The venue has ample spaces throughout for the reception and can host up to 150 guests.
22. Grittleton House
Dating back to 1660, Grittleton House has been labelled ‘one of the best kept secrets of the Cotswolds’ and for good reason. Featuring stunning Jacobean architecture, you can expect grand entranceways, ornate ceilings, large impressive rooms and a pretty roofed Orangery that’s perfect for your ceremony.
23. Caswell House
A 15th century stone house surrounded by an ancient orchard and secret garden, this pretty wedding venue feels instantly wedding ready. Featuring large spaces to celebrate your wedding within, it can host up to 140 guests for your ceremony and reception and up to 200 guests in the evening. It also has 16 bedrooms available to house your nearest and dearest too.