I Do in the Garden of England: Top Venues To Tie The Knot In
From fairytale castles to cool and contemporary spaces, these are 2025’s top Kentish wedding venues to tie the knot in.
Newly engaged? Congratulations. After the proposal comes the prospect of wedding planning, which can be daunting for some. Where do you start? Well, selecting a venue that’s perfect for you as a couple is a great first step and thankfully Kent has an abundance of stunning venues.
Whether you’re after a fairytale castle, an ambient art gallery or a boho-chic barn setting, the county has a plethora of perfect picks to suit any kind of wedding from the intimate to the extravagant. Consider saying “I do” at one of these very special Garden of England venues.
Port Lympne Safari Park, Hythe
If you’re looking for a truly unique way to celebrate your wedding, then what about at a venue with the option to do a safari tour mid-way through your big day? You can do all of this and more at Port Lympne, Kent’s wild animal reserve where you can come face-to-face with giraffes, lions, tigers and more.
But, we digress – there’s ample options for weddings at Port Lympne. Celebrate with just your closest friends and family in the charming Grade-II listed mansion, tranquil terraces and Moroccan courtyard or admire the panoramic views of the Kent countryside with all of your nearest and dearest from the romantic Pergola and magical Orangery. Once the magic of the day is over, what about spending the night in one of Port Lympne’s suites or lodges, where you can encounter the world’s most beautiful and intriguing wildlife.
A 15th-century manor house where manicured gardens lead to a welcoming and pristinely presented Tudor property, Donnington Manor Hotel specialise in creating beautiful, bespoke weddings to suit each couple’s requirements.
For larger weddings, there’s the Riverhead Suite function room where up to 200 guests can raise a glass for your drinks reception and up to 140 can dine. Or, if you’re after something a little more intimate, the modern Cromwell Room is the perfect space for smaller weddings.
The venue’s lawn and patio can also be used to host your wedding (and make for some lovely photos) and you can add a marquee to the grounds too for extra space. With a number of affordable wedding packages, accommodation for you and your guests and a serving of historic charm, this venue is well worth considering for your upcoming nuptials.
The Harty Estate, Isle of Sheppey
The Ferry House offers ‘rustic-luxe’ weddings at their waterside barn wedding venue. Set in a stunning location, you can wed amongst the beauty of the Swale estuary among wild meadows, wetlands and family farmland.
Couples can choose between a barn wedding or an outdoor celebration – and in 2026 a second barn will be joining the family, so couples seeking a larger wedding can host their ceremony in the spring barn. With ‘readying rooms’ on-site to get you perfectly prepped, luxury accommodation to stay in once you’re all partied out and the option to host a two-day wedding, this venue is perfectly set up for all kinds of wedding celebrations. The ample outside space also lends itself to warmer weather weddings, but fret not; cosy, rustic weddings can also be hosted here if you’re looking to say “I do” in the cooler months.
Weddings at Cave are held in a stylish sanctum that seamlessly blend a high-end contemporary look with a laid-back and welcoming approach, and with the venue focused on premium dining, accommodation and aesthetics, this hotel is a truly special place to tie the knot.
The venue offers a range of diverse spaces, leaving you spoilt for choice. Ceremonies can take place in the outdoor pergola, which, surrounded by the captivating greenery of the golf course, is adorned with delicate decorations and seats up to 100 loved ones. The Korean Cowgirl Room is an unconventional setting with wood panelling and a dark, moody ambience’ perfect for those seeking something different or a Cave-like vibe, it can host up to 100 guests. Then, there’s the food. Cave says ‘forget stuffy three-course dinners’ – instead they offer international flavours, firepit menus and new ways to shake up the traditional wedding breakfast.
If a modern and minimalistic aesthetic is what you’re after for your wedding, then you can’t go far wrong with one of the most contemporary spaces around – the Turnery Contemporary in Margate. The gallery might be home to art and sculpture, but it also offers up a fantastic space to tie the knot in.
The Foyle Rooms, with their panoramic windows that frame the captivating Margate coastline, makes for a wonderful place to host your reception. Plus there’s a private terrace for you and your guests to enjoy too. When it comes to tying the knot, ceremonies can be held in the Clore Learning Studio which offers spectacular views out over the harbour and beyond. With incredible views and light and airy rooms to host a spectacular wedding in, this venue is a must-see for anyone looking for a seascape with a difference.
The Old Kent Barn is a multiple award winning wedding venue situated in the rural countryside not far from Folkestone. The charming 250-year-old barn was originally used to house cattle and hay but now is one of the county’s most popular barn wedding venues.
The venue hosts barn weddings, cultural and twilight weddings and ceremony only weddings in its indoor and outdoor ceremony spaces. Choose from the romantic garden setting or inside the beautiful oak framed barn. The Old Kent’s Barn wedding promise is: ‘we look after you from pyjamas to pyjamas’ – meaning they’ll look after couples every step of the way on their big day, making sure it’s as magical as can be. The venue also has three double ensuite rooms guests can stay in after the big day is over, and this year they’re adding a further two bedrooms to their accommodation offering.
History buffs will already know all about one of Kent’s most famed castles. Once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, it’s now a popular visitor attraction – and wedding venue, too. Set in 125 acres of idyllic Kent countryside, you can really make your fairytale wedding come true at Hever Castle.
Whether it’s the stately grandeur of the castle itself, the classic, country house atmosphere of the Astor Wing or the stunning lakeside location of the Italian Garden, wherever you choose to host your wedding at Hever you can be sure it’ll be magical. Fancy staying the night too? You and your guests can rest after a day of celebrating in the castle’s 27 five-star luxury bedrooms; how’s that for a bit of royal relaxation?
What could be more perfect than saying “I do” while overlooking the stunning Kentish coastline?
The Hythe Imperial is a beautiful, classically styled hotel right on Hythe’s seafront offering uninterrupted and dramatic views of the Kent coast and out across the English Channel.
With elegant charm, it’s a beautiful space to host your nuptials and the 11 different wedding packages available mean there really is something to suit every couple and budget. Whether you want an intimate twilight celebration or a big, beachfront party the Hythe Imperial team are on hand to make the magic happen. Of course, there’s ample accommodation too so the newlyweds and their guests can relax long after the last dance.
This 17th-century manor house set in 77 acres of Kentish parkland oozes elegance and opulence, and is a beautiful place to tie the knot in any season. Situated in the beautiful Grade I listed Coach House complete with cobbled courtyard, say “I do” in the Coach House Suite, walk down the aisle in Culpeper’s – a room filled with ornate intricacies, wed in the light and bright orangery, or opt for an outdoor ceremony and have your happily every after under the garden gazebo.
Then, for your reception there’s even more choice, so whether rustic or refined is your desired aesthetic, you’ll find your perfect space at Chilston Park. For romantic photos that really capture the magic of your day, head down to the venue’s tranquil lake and manicured gardens. Lastly, once the party’s over, the hotel’s 53 unique bedrooms offer something for everyone.
Bradbourne House, East Malling
Set in the quaint village of East Malling, Bradbourne House is a magnificent country house set in 20 acres of rolling parkland. From its elegant interiors to its tranquil lake, waterfall and thriving gardens, the venue is stunning both inside and out and can accommodate celebrations both big and small.
Depending on the time of year, you can choose to wed in the grounds or in the house. Inside there’s the historic Great Hall which provides the perfect space to host a refined wedding banquet, overlooking the lawns and grounds beyond, or opt for the more intimate gold-adorned Drawing Room for smaller weddings. When it comes to dining, local and sustainable ingredients are at the forefront of the menu offerings, and you can be assured that everything is expertly prepared and tailored to your tastes.
Nestled in the Kent countryside, not far from Minster, Chapel House Estate is a sprawling private estate complete with bountiful orchards, lush paddocks and a dreamy walled garden.
The venue promises a unique experience for each couple, and their ethos is ‘the freedom to create unique memories’. Although the team’s there to assist and make sure your big day is perfect, they also don’t believe in strict rules when it comes to weddings, saying: “We’re not about you-must-use-these flowers list, there’s no rigid time to say “I do” and there’s certainly no rush. You’ll get our help, ideas, acoustics, endless styling options and an abundance of space to really make it a day, and night, to remember.”
Originally built over 450 years ago, this elegant manor house might be home to the luxurious Champneys spa, but it’s also a dreamy wedding venue that seamlessly blends historic charm with glorious and glamorous surroundings.
There’s a choice of three beautiful oak-panelled reception rooms and a stunning Italian gazebo situated in the intimate walled garden, so whatever the weather you can have a picture-perfect ceremony and reception. When it comes to the all-important wedding breakfast, Eastwell Manor’s dining options from its award-winning restaurant include wedding menus expertly created by their head chef using the finest seasonal produce. At the end of your big day, rest your head in one of the venue’s sumptuous suites – and of course, enjoy some post-wedding pampering at the iconic Champney’s spa.
If you’ve always dreamed of a fairytale castle wedding, then Leeds Castle needs to be on your venue list. One of Kent’s most iconic landmarks, the castle is a truly magnificent venue where you can make your magical wedding dreams a reality.
Adorned with beautiful and magnificent state rooms, you can opt to wed in the castle itself, or for smaller, more intimate celebrations, then the 14th century Battel Hall could be the perfect space.
Then, there’s the Maiden’s Tower, used by Katherine of Aragon’s Maid of Honours during her wedding to King Henry VIII. Want something with more rustic charm? Then the Fairfax Barn’s the venue for you. Or, if you want to make the most of Leeds Castle’s grand grounds, then a marquee wedding is also an option. Whatever you choose, you can be assured that your day will be magnificent, magical and memorable for all the right reasons.
With three different spaces to tie the knot in – the main dining room, the garden room or the outdoor apple barn, The Cider Works offers couples the chance to make their big day truly their own.Having been a finalist in the 2022/23 Kent Wedding Awards, it’s clear that the team at The Cider Works know a thing or two about putting together a spectacular celebration.
This venue is a public house and restaurant known for its great menu, but increasingly more couples are now choosing to wed at The Cider Works, too. With exclusive hire prices from under £4,000 and food starting from just £15 per head, those looking for somewhere they can celebrate without breaking the bank would be wise to consider this venue. What also makes it special is the individually designed shepherd’s huts in the grounds, where up to 20 members of the wedding party can stay the night before and the night after your big day.
For more Kent wedding inspiration, click here to read our February issue.
