May 6, 2025
Josie Wright

Top Five Historic Wedding Venues in the UK

Top Five historic wedding venues in the UK

A fairytale wedding demands a fairytale setting… the perfect venue for the perfect day. And what could be more perfect than getting married in an historic setting, one which will create memories to last a lifetime? Here’s our choice of five top historic wedding venues in the UK with our own beautiful estate up first:


St Osyth Priory


Walk in the footsteps of royalty as you get married at beautiful St Osyth Priory.  This stunning venue dates back more than 1,400 years and has no less than 16 Grade I, II* and II listed buildings all being lovingly restored. It has hosted the rich and famous including being twice visited by Queen Elizabeth I.



The priory is nestled in the coastal district of Tendring with its magnificent 350-acre estate having been transformed into an exquisite venue. Weddings can be held in the historic Abbots Tower ruins or in the beautifully restored gallery with wedding parties being staged in the impressive Darcy House.


The priory’s grounds provide a breathtaking backdrop for wedding pictures including its scoping parkland, formal gardens, historic lakes and woodland avenues.


Our experienced staff can help you create bespoke weddings as well as offering the chance of an unforgettable three-day wedding package.

After the celebrations, newlyweds can stay in the breathtaking Darcy West accommodation with the priory also able to offer elegant rooms for up to 22 guests.


Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire


Historic Blenheim Palace is famed for its 18th century Baroque architecture and is set in 2,000 acres of parkland. The formal gardens stretch for 90 acres and include landscaped lawns, walled areas and sensory gardens.


The palace is licensed for civil ceremonies and partnerships and the venue offers a choice of locations for wedding receptions including the imposing Clementine’s on the Lawn glass marquee.


Moving inside, the palace and state rooms offer a combination of spaces including the Great Hall, Saloon and Long Library.


The Orangery has also been restored to its former glory and now embraces a captivating bar area and seating arrangement for wedding guests.


Warwick Castle


British history in all its splendour is celebrated at Warwick Castle which provide a captivating backdrop to a wedding. Civil ceremonies can take place within the fortress or outside in the 64 acres of open spaces and stunning gardens.


For the wedding photographs, the East Front lawn offers majestic castle views at the foot of the 14th century Guy's Tower while the Central


Courtyard is the venue's most inspiring setting, surrounded by turrets and ramparts.

Inside, the opulent State Dining Room is perfect for ceremonies and the Great Hall banqueting hall a most impressive place for a lively reception.


Notley Abbey, Buckinghamshire


Built in the 12th century, Notley Abbey was once the home of Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh. It’s steeped in history, class and elegance making a fantastic venue for a sophisticated wedding.


It sits within secluded riverside grounds adorned with lavender and exudes timeless charm. The Abbott’s Hall, which features a hidden staircase leading up to a 15th century turret, is perfect for a romantic setting for the exchange of vows.


Celebrations continue in the Monks’ Refectory which has barn-like architecture and floor-to-ceiling glass which floods the space with natural light.


For summer weddings, a walled garden is licensed for al fresco ceremonies and expansive gardens encircling the house provide outstanding backdrops for wedding photographs.


Farnham Castle, Surrey


Farnham Castle is an impressive venue for weddings set in five acres of beautiful grounds, overlooking the historic market town of Farnham on the Surrey/Hampshire border. The castle features Grade I and II listed buildings conveniently located just an hour from London and between London Gatwick and Heathrow airports.

Couples have a choice of locations for their wedding from the historic Lantern Hall to the elegant Winchester Suite and from the imposing Great Hall to the magnificent Great Lawn. Two beautiful chapels can also be used for wedding ceremonies.


Celebrations are held in the Great Hall with catering from the in-house chefs.


If you’re looking for the perfect historic wedding venue in the UK, then don’t hesitate in booking a tour of St Osyth Priory today.

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By Josie Wright September 23, 2025
Historic St Osyth Priory took centre stage for the new series of the BBC’s flagship show Strictly Come Dancing. The multi-award winning TV show launched its new series on Saturday with 15 celebrity contestants meeting their professional dance partners for the first time. More than five million viewers tuned in to watch the show with more catching up on BBC iPlayer. Viewers saw five of the contestants waiting nervously at St Osyth Priory to find out who their dance partners would be. Model and actress Ellie Goldstein, who became the first model with Down syndrome to feature on the cover of Vogue and appear in a campaign for fashion giant Gucci, waited in the formal gardens of the priory, smiling broadly as she discovered she would be partnering former Strictly winner Vito Coppola. EastEnders actor – and Strictly superfan – Balvinder Sopal, who plays Suki in the BBC soap, was paired with dancer Julian Caillon who is looking forward to his first year on the show. Shakespearean and TV actor Alex Kingston joyously greeted flamboyant dancer Johannes Radebe outside the priory while TV personality and broadcaster Vicky Pattison was filmed in the stunning panelled Darcy House to meet popular dancer partner Kai Widdrington. England footballer Lioness Karen Carney smiled with delight when she saw dancer and choreographer Carlos Gu. Aerial shots also showed the priory’s scoping grounds and stunning gardens as well as the exterior of the magnificent estate. William Grinsted, managing director of St Osyth Priory Estate, said it was wonderful to welcome the Strictly celebrities and dancers and he said he hoped the venue would be used again in the future. He said: “Everyone was so nice and it was great to have them here. They seemed to be having a good time and they were laughing and chatting with each other. “We have had historians filming here before and, of course, TV presenter George Clarke, who officially opened the restore Gatehouse. But having Strictly to film here was the pinnacle. The estate looked amazing and we are hoping it will lead to more opportunities.” To find out more about the priory and organising an event, click here , call us on 01206 430160 or email info@stosythpriory.co.uk and our staff would be happy to see how we can help you. If it’s good enough for Strictly….!
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