Hidden wedding venue gems you must know about in Warwickshire

 The engagement season is upon us and there will be plenty of new couples right at the beginning of their wedding planning journey. So, as a wedding planner based in Warwickshire, I had to have a look at some hidden gems right on our doorstep. Some of these are hiding quite well, some of them are right there but would not be necessarily considered as a wedding venue. So, with various budgets, various styles and designs: these are the venues I really love and hope you will too.

 

1. Lord Laycester Hospital Warwick

A historic gem in the heart of Warwick. This venue can not be missed if you are looking for something truly special and different.

The Hospital provides a unique and very picturesque atmosphere of intimacy.

Civil Ceremonies are normally held in the 600-year-old timber-framed Guildhall. This wonderful room can seat up to 70 and its antique feel and simple charm makes it an unforgettable venue. A civil ceremony can be held in the ancient Great Hall which can accommodate up to 100 guests under its splendid beamed roof of Spanish oak. The drinks reception would be held in the Guildhall again in the case of rain and bad weather.

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After the ceremony, there are unique opportunities for photographs in the galleried Courtyard and the Master’s Garden under the Norman Arch or beside the thatched summer house.
The reception or wedding breakfast is held in the medieval Great Hall where up to 100 guests can celebrate the occasion. Food and wine are provided by recommended companies; however, you do have an opportunity to bring your own. This is a corkage free venue too if the bar is looked after by an insured provider.

      Candles are allowed at this mostly wooden venue if in the closed lantern or a   jar and you can use 4 hanging hoops and existing artificial flowers to decorate.

 

                                                           

There is some allocated parking, mainly for the wedding suppliers and the Registrars. However, additional parking for up to 50 cars can be organised in a private carpark nearby. Lord Laycester Hospital is opened to the public during the daytime. The wedding setup can be done during these hours. The music then must stop at 11.30 pm and guests would be asked to leave by 12midnight. Collections of flowers, additional decor, and cake can be organised for the next morning.

 

 

 

 

 

2. Longbourn Estate Barn & Surroundings Kineton

This is a true hidden gem in a stunning Warwickshire countryside. Longbourn Estate Barn is a beautiful historic building previously part of the Compton Verney estate.
The magnificent barn has stone floors, vaulted roof and huge wooden doors.
Set in the middle of 100 acres of South Warwickshire countryside, it offers an idyllic and wonderfully secluded setting. This wedding venue gives you great flexibility in the time to set up and suppliers you can bring on board to look after your wedding day.

You are allowed days to set up as this is private property and somebody will always let you in. Same for the clear out after the wedding day. You are welcome to bring your own caterers and bar. No corkage fee applies here either. This venue is not licensed for the wedding ceremony, however, there is a beautiful church just down the road in Kineton. Or you can always organise a wedding Celebrant to officiate your bespoke ceremony on the day. There isn’t any accommodation on site, but you would be welcome to pop some tents up on the grounds and use the kitchenette and showers at this venue. If you were to look for a lovely hotel room instead, Stratford upon Avon is just a few miles away with plenty of accommodation on offer.

This wedding barn is a little bit like a marquee wedding where you would be left to your own devices completely with up to 200 guests. This means hiring a wedding coordinator for the day or perhaps a few weeks before the big day is a great idea. A wedding coordinator would look after the setup, clear out, and all the timings and suppliers on the wedding day.

Longbourn Barn would be available to you until midnight on the wedding day. And there is plenty of parking on the lower field for your guests too.

 

3. Ashton Lodge Country House near Rugby

This is a comeback gem of a wedding venue available in the Warwickshire countryside. Under the new ownership, this venue has been refurbished throughout with 14 lovely bedrooms on site that can accommodate up to 36 guests and a separate Coach house breakfast room for the next morning. Built in Edwardian era and sitting in 3 acres of countryside, this venue has a unique edge.

Its many period features remain but have been enhanced by truly stunning interiors that give Ashton Lodge a unique edge.

 

 

 

This venue can accommodate party sizes of 150 for a formal sitdown meal and up to 200 informally.

Also licensed for Civil Ceremonies enabling the entire event to take place at Ashton Lodge. The stunning Garden Room can seat 120 guests which are also ideally suited to smaller more intimate weddings, or alternatively, Outdoor Ceremonies can take place in the Garden.

Both food and drink are provided by the venue and the menus are delicious. There is also a brand new private Bridal suite with its own entrance and bathroom. So absolute privacy is assured and the bride comes out only when ready for the ceremony. In house team and coordinator will look after the timings, set up and suppliers arriving and leaving the venue. There is plenty of parking on-site too. You should definitely meet the team and view this lovely house as soon as you can.

 

 

 

4. White House Villa Moreton in March

This potential wedding venue is not exactly in Warwickshire but in stunning Cotswolds and is definitely a hidden gem. This is an intimate home from home situated in a private 6-bedroom villa. With plenty of parking space and land, this can be a perfect base for your marquee wedding too. Hire this charming White House for 3 or more days which gives you plenty of time to set up, relax, and clear out.

 

 

 

 

 

5. House and Orangery Wedding Venue Leamington Spa

This is a new kid on the block and the location could not be better. Right in the heart of Leamington Spa.

The landmark building is steeped in the history of the elegant Regency town of Royal Leamington Spa, set in the extensive grounds of the Newbold Conym, and is surrounded by beautiful Warwickshire countryside.

The House and Orangery is one of the largest wedding venues in Warwickshire with The Orangery is able to accommodate up to 300 guests but rest assured, we still retain that personal touch to guide you through every step of the big day. This venue has its own catering team and in-house coordinator. Accommodation would then be available anywhere in Leamington Spa and you would have plenty to choose from.

 

6. Oldberrow House Henley in Arden

Oldberrow House is an impressive Victorian Country House. This former rectory was rebuilt in 1877.
It stands within 37 acres of mature grounds just outside the picturesque village of Henley-in-Arden in Warwickshire.  This offers enough grounds for your marquee or tipi wedding. The wedding ceremony would then take place either in one of the close-by churches or with a wedding Celebrant on the grounds.

Oldberrow House has recently undergone a complete restoration by its current owners, Joanne and Anthony Carr. The amount of work and love that has gone into the house can be felt from the first step in. This wedding venue also offers four king-sized suites for the nearest and dearest to stay in. There is plenty of parking spaces in the field nearby and accommodation in either Stratford upon Avon or Henley in Arden.

This venue will recommend a wedding catering company; however, the bar is offered by this venue.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. Ragley Hall Alcester

The magnificent Ragley Hall is perhaps not a hidden gem but it is worth mentioning on every occasion.  Especially not since it has been newly decorated.

This private stately home situated in Alcester has been the ancestral seat of the marquee of the Hertford family for over 300 years and is set in thousands of acres of its own estate overlooking unspoiled Warwickshire countryside. Celebrating 61 years since its initial opening Ragley Hall offers one of the most unforgettable wedding venues.

Celebrate your special day in a choice of rooms in this magnificent Palladian mansion and overlook the Rose garden and Avenue. There’s even the chance to experience a lakeside wedding in a marquee overlooking the water and the woodland beyond.

Licensed for civil ceremonies, easily accessible for your guests, and just a short drive from Warwick, Stratford-upon-Avon, Leamington Spa, the A46, and the M40.

With plenty of parking, closest accommodation just at the bottom of the driveway, and bring your own caterers – how can it get any better. You can also supply your own alcohol and the venue staff will serve it for you all night (until midnight or 1am with an extended license).

With such a choice of venues, we are really spoilt in Warwickshire. All of them offer a different experience, cover all wedding budgets, and wow your guests.

And I would be delighted to look after you in any of them?

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