Possibly the most important element to your wedding day is making sure the setting is picture perfect. Here are some of insideKENT’s favourite wedding venues in the Garden of England.

The Lodge at Prince’s

An intimate venue nestled on the Bay of Sandwich, offering stunning views across the English Channel and over to the White Cliffs of Ramsgate.

The Lodge has everything for your wedding: golf for the groom, treatment rooms for the bride, the fantastic Bay Suite which is commonly used as their bridal suite, the Links Suite, as well as a further 36 bedrooms to rest your heads after a night of partying.

Whether a reception for 50 or 120 guests, the Lodge will provide an exceptional service to ensure your big day is one you cherish forever.

Contact them now to book your 2013 date.

The Lodge at Prince’s
Sandwich Bay
Sandwich
CT13 9QB
01304 898540
weddings@thelodgeatprinces.co.uk
www.thelodgeatprinces.co.uk

Canterbury Cathedral Lodge

Situated within a wonderful and unique location in the beautiful grounds of Canterbury Cathedral, sits an often unknown wedding gem. For those seeking a truly exceptional venue, Canterbury Cathedral Lodge is a modern and contemporary venue that can accommodate up to 120 guests for a sit down wedding breakfast.

The team at the Lodge are dedicated to offering wedding couples quality and choice. Using their own in-house catering team to offer fine food and fine wine and in keeping with the ethos of the Cathedral, the highly skilled chefs source high quality fair-trade and local produce whenever possible.

A hidden treasure at the Lodge is the beautiful Campanile Garden that sits in an elevated position overlooking the Cathedral, so providing a stunning backdrop. In the summer months a champagne drinks reception in the garden is a must, with superb photograph opportunities available.

A dedicated events team offers expert help and advice in assisting couples with their individual requirements, ensuring the highest level of hospitality at all times. Offering peace and privacy within the heart of the city, those attending weddings have the option to stay overnight in recently refurbished stylish guest accommodation – with each room in the Lodge benefiting from an amazing Cathedral view.

Canterbury Cathedral Lodge
The Precincts
Canterbury
CT1 2EH
01227 865350
www.canterburycathedrallodge.org

Charlton Place

Charlton Place is a tranquil secluded venue and family home set within over 100 acres of parkland just off the A2 south of Canterbury. The Grade II listed mansion house provides a serene and exclusive setting for your wedding day. Each event hosted is tailor-made to suit the requirements of the individual client and yours will be the only event hosted on the day.

The Drawing Room suits a small reception or ceremony and holds up to 40 people whilst the elegant Regency Ballroom is the ideal setting for weddings for up to 100 people. The lawns to the front and side of the house provide a delightful marquee location and accommodate 120 to 300 people. The Civil Ceremonies Licence has been in place for the Regency Ballroom since spring 2012.

Charlton Park also hosts cultural and leisure events, private parties, business lunches, board meetings and seminars.

Charlton Place at Charlton Park
Bishopsbourne
Canterbury
CT4 5JA
01227 831355
info@charlton-park.org
www.charlton-park.org

St Augustine’s

If you’re reading this with interest, you were probably proposed to over Christmas and the New Year – congratulations! Getting engaged is exciting but that’s just the beginning. There’s so much planning to do: the dress, the flowers, the venue… it can all be a bit daunting, not to mention time consuming. Where do you start?

Well, you can start by visiting www.staugustineskent.com to see the facilities they have on offer, use their links to look at suppliers’ websites or take a virtual tour of the Chapel and Ruby Room. You’ll also find details about their free Wedding Open Evening on 31st January and the popular Wedding Fayre on 24th February.

With five elegant banqueting rooms, a garden gazebo and a stunning chapel, it’s the perfect – and unique – wedding venue; the only one in England that can offer a civil ceremony, chapel blessing and wedding reception all under one roof.

St Augustine’s College
125 Canterbury Road
Westgate on Sea
Thanet
CT8 8NL
01843 830150
info@staugustines.uk.com
www.staugustineskent.com 

Chart Hills

Chart Hills has received many accolades for its golf course and now too as a wedding and function venue. The main suite seats 120, but 160 can be accommodated for non-seated events. Chart Hills only takes bookings for one wedding on any day, meaning that couples getting married will have the sole attention of the wedding managers, Mark and Kim.

The extensive menu selection means that you will find something that suits you and your guests. From a casual buffet or BBQ to a five-course banqueting meal, the choices are vast and varied and will suit all budgets. Fully licensed to hold your ceremony, weddings at Chart Hills start from as little as £36 per person.

Chart Hills Golf Club
Weeks Lane
Biddenden
TN27 8JX
01580 292222
info@charthills.co.uk
www.charthills.co.uk/weddings-functions

St Edmund’s Canterbury – The Venue with a View

The beautiful, historic setting of St Edmund’s overlooks the city and cathedral of Canterbury, giving you and your guests a stunning panoramic view from St Thomas Hill. Newly approved for civil marriages, civil partnerships and renewal of vows for up to 120 guests, St Edmund’s is the quintessential English venue that promises to make your occasion truly memorable.

Step inside and you’ll discover the Drawing Room and Terrace with their scenic views, and the traditional oak-panelled Dining Hall, both perfect for your ceremony. Outside, the elegant limestone-arched colonnade provides a wonderful location for an outdoor ceremony. Wedding and catering packages available to suit all budgets.

St Edmunds Canterbury
St Thomas Hill
Canterbury
CT2 8HU
01227 475629
events@stedmundscanterbury.co.uk
www.stedmundscanterbury.co.uk

Commissioner’s House at The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Commissioner’s House, one of the most beautiful historic buildings in Kent, and HMS Gannet, a magnificent three-masted Victorian sloop, are nestled within the rich heritage of The Historic Dockyard Chatham. Both are stunning and unusual locations full of romance and enchantment – perfect for your wedding day.

SPECIAL OFFER

Quote ‘insideKENT’ for savings on 2013 weddings. Weddings must be booked with deposit paid by the end of February 2013. This offer applies to new enquiries and bookings only and is subject to availability. For further information or arrange a viewing please contact the hospitality team today.

Commissioner’s House at The Historic Dockyard
Chatham
Kent ME4 4TZ
01634 823846
ch-events@chdt.org.uk
www.commissionershouse.com

Rowhill Grange Hotel

Rowhill Grange Hotel was originally built as a grandiose Victoria Summerhouse in 1870. Over the years the hotel has grown into a stylish four-star boutique hotel and spa, yet the venue still holds the splendor of its origins.

This unique quality combined with a sweeping entrance, romantic gardens and a collection of individually designed suites makes Rowhill Grange Hotel a truly unique setting for your Kent wedding.

Rowhill Grange Hotel
Wilmington
DA2 7QH
01322 615 136
www.rowhillgrange.co.uk

The Mansion & Gardens at Port Lympne

The Mansion & Gardens at Port Lympne is a unique and popular wedding venue situated on the Kent coast. The elegant 1920s mansion is steeped in history and enjoys glorious panoramic views across extensive terraced lawns and landscaped gardens to the English Channel. To make it even more distinctive this exceptional mansion is nestled in the heart of the world-renowned Port Lympne Wild Animal Park.

The lavishly decorated and distinctive mansion rooms are available for wedding ceremonies, civil partnerships and guest receptions and can cater from 10 to 180 guests.

The Mansion & Gardens at Port Lympne
Port Lympne Wild Animal Park
Lympne
Nr Ashford
CT21 4PD
01303 234108
ericad@aspinallfoundation.org
www.aspinallfoundation.org/portlympne

Bridges Restaurant

Bridges Restaurant in Maidstone is only a five-minute walk from the historic 14th century wedding venue of the Archbishop’s Palace. With beautiful views from the garden and patio overlooking the river, Bridges is the perfect venue to hold your wedding reception.

Bridges can cater for large or small private wedding parties including entertainment. Whether you prefer a buffet or a sit-down meal, their staff will attend to you and your guests ensuring your wedding is a perfect and stress-free day that you will never forget!

Bridges Restaurant
Broadway
Maidstone
ME16 8PB
01622 753700
www.bridgesmaidstone.co.uk

Boys Hall

Boys Hall is a licensed wedding venue in Kent ideal for civil ceremonies and weddings and is able to accommodate from the modest to the very grand. The Hall is available on an exclusive hire basis offering a private and bespoke wedding venue service for your special day.

Whether it’s an intimate dinner for close family and friends or a buffet-style wedding breakfast, Boys Hall will be happy to accommodate. Whatever your requirements on your wedding day, the staff will ensure the day is perfect and truly unique for you.

The Hall boasts a range of individually styled bedrooms for overnight accommodations along with free onsite parking.

From the moment you decide to have your special day at Boys Hall, you will be allocated your own personal coordinator who will work with you, from your initial meeting right through the planning stages, and they will be there to take care of all your concerns on the day.

Boys Hall is one of the most beautiful buildings in Willesborough, Ashford, making it the perfect and ideal venue for a wedding or civil ceremony.

Boys Hall Manor
Boys Hall Road
Ashford
TN24 0LA
01233 633772
enquiries@boyshall.co.uk
www.boyshall.co.uk

ABode Hotel

ABode Canterbury is licensed for civil marriages in the County Room on any day of the week between 8am and 5.30pm with the last ceremony booked at 5pm.

Each wedding is special and unique. With the Abode’s care and expertise, they ensure that every detail is taken care of, leaving you free to enjoy your special day.

The County Room seats up to 100 guests for a ceremony and sit down meal and up to 150 for the evening reception. This beautiful room is air-conditioned and has high elegant ceilings, a grand chandelier, a dance floor and its own private bar.

ABode Canterbury
30-33 High Street
Canterbury
CT1 2RX
01227 766266
www.abodehotels.co.uk