The Best Venues To Say ‘I Do’
Picking the perfect venue for your wedding is an important part of getting your day absolutely right. There’s a lot to think about – how will the photos look? How many guests can you fit in? What kind of catering packages are on offer? And how much do you love the venue of your dreams? With such an array of choice in Kent, we’ve put together a selection of some of the most idyllic, beautiful, and charming wedding venues in the county.
Charlton Place
Charlton Park, Bishopsbourne, Canterbury CT4 5JA
01227 831355
Charlton Place is a private country house set in parkland, off the A2, and just a 10-minute drive from Canterbury. The stunning white Regency facade, and elegant first floor ballroom, create perfect backdrops for civil marriages, celebrant weddings, and wedding receptions. Up to 80 guests can be seated in the ballroom for served meals, while marquees are erected to accommodate greater numbers (350 max) and evening dancing. The Bechstein piano in the ballroom is used during ceremonies and wedding breakfasts too.
Celebrant ceremonies held on the lawns and in the woods are tailored to the happy couple’s wishes. Meanwhile, during the winter months, guests can enjoy the open log fires in the hall and drawing room, and the marriage, wedding feast, and evening party (up to 60 guests) can be held in the house. The Charlton Park team is dedicated to creating the perfect, bespoke wedding day.
Eltham Palace and Gardens
Court Yard, Eltham, Greenwich, London SE9 5QE
0208 294 2577
ElthamPalaceHospitality@english-heritage.org.uk
www.english-heritage.org.uk/hospitality
Eltham Palace is a unique marriage between a Tudor palace and a 1930’s millionaire’s mansion. With glittering Art Deco rooms, a timber-framed medieval hall and a moated garden, it’s a spectacular wedding venue.
Emulate 1930s sophistication with a ceremony and reception in the stylish house. Or make your vows under the soaring roof of the medieval hall and dine in splendour like royalty once did. With acres of flower filled gardens, your guests can enjoy drinks on the terrace surrounded by springtime wisteria.
With space for up to 300, their team of hospitality experts and accredited suppliers can help you create your perfect day. However you celebrate, Eltham gives you a connection to the past and an inspiring setting for your future.
Canterbury Cathedral Lodge
Canterbury Cathedral, The Precincts, Canterbury CT1 2EH
01227 866204
weddings@canterburycathedrallodge.org
www.canterburycathedrallodge.org
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 Cathedral Lodge are dedicated to offering wedding couples quality and choice. Using its 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 is the beautiful Campanile Garden, which sits in an elevated position overlooking the Cathedral to provide 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 stylish guest accommodation – with each room in the Lodge benefiting from an amazing view.
London Golf Club
Stansted Lane, Ash, Kent, TN15 7EH
01474 875720
London Golf Club is one of the few Kent wedding venues located on the beautiful North Downs, providing a picturesque and private venue for your special day. Set in the heart of 700 acres, the Clubhouse is approached from the gatehouse by the impressive one-mile driveway – a real wow factor right from the start. With stunning views over the lakes, manicured fairways and a backdrop overlooking the two Championship Golf Courses, your photographer will be spoilt for choice.
In a world where the finest details matter, London Golf Club continues to raise the bar with an award-winning clubhouse, first-class and exceptional service including your own dedicated Wedding Coordinator to assist you with both planning and overseeing your special day from start to finish. The venue is easily accessible offering ample parking, a designated helipad available for use and several excellent hotels offering nearby accommodation.
The Bell Hotel
The Quay, Sandwich CT13 9EF
01304 613388
bellhotel@shepherd-neame.co.uk
A heartfelt welcome awaits you at the Bell Hotel – the perfect venue for your most special day. From the moment you step through the Edwardian revolving doors, a delightful, traditional hotel greets you, brimming with character and a touch of chic, modern magic.
Overlooking the river Stour, in the heart of Sandwich, you will find some charming places to capture your wedding photography. The hotel offers a selection of inclusive packages, is licensed for ceremonies and can accommodate receptions for 18 to 100 guests.
The Royal Wells Hotel
Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells TN4 8BE
01892 511188
royalwells@shepherd-neame.co.uk
The Royal Wells Hotel with its picturesque surrounding countryside is a delightful setting to hold a wedding. Overlooking the beautiful common the hotel is a stone’s throw away from the charming spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells.
Licensed to hold ceremonies, offering two function suites for your wedding breakfast, a selection of inclusive packages and a variety of en-suite accommodation, including three feature rooms, the Royal Wells Hotel is the perfect setting for your most special celebration.
Botany Bay Hotel
Marine Drive, Kingsgate, Broadstairs CT10 3LG
01843 868641
botanybay@shepherd-neame.co.uk
Situated on the magnificent cliff top at Kingsgate, you are invited to celebrate your big day against a stunning coastal backdrop.
The hotel is licensed to hold civil ceremonies and the function suite is the ideal venue for a fully contained wedding breakfast and reception, whether a formal sit-down meal or an informal buffet with entertainment and dancing. The hotel offers a range of wedding packages and all couples who book their wedding breakfast will enjoy a complimentary stay in the Honeymoon Suite.
The Marine Hotel
Marine Parade, Tankerton CT5 2BE
01227 272672
The Marine Hotel is a licensed wedding venue offering couples the complete package for their big day – including wedding breakfasts, evening receptions and of course, accommodation for guests.
With the hotel overlooking the Kent coast, the sea views make for a truly memorable backdrop for those precious wedding day photos, and with an expert team on board to help you with your planning and ensure the smooth running of the day, The Marine really is one of the most sought-after wedding venues in Whitstable.
Bradbourne House
New Road, East Malling ME19 6DZ
01732 897436
Bradbourne House is a breathtakingly beautiful venue, available for weddings, receptions and civil partnerships; a venue with charm and elegance, exquisite cuisine, true quality of service and attention to detail.
The stunning wedding venue is set in 20 acres of beautiful parkland complete with a lake, waterfalls and ancient trees – a perfect backdrop for photographs. The Grade I listed house was originally built in Tudor times, a historic venue for a day of elegance and splendor.
Booking your wedding at Bradbourne House will mean you can enjoy exclusive use of our truly stunning country manor and its surrounding grounds, exquisite culinary delights and a wedding partner to guide and assist you right through to your wedding day.
Eastwell Manor
Eastwell Park, Boughton Lees, Ashford TN25 4HR
01233 213000
Magnificent, secluded Eastwell Manor is simply the best, providing the perfect backdrop for the ultimate bespoke wedding. Renowned for its beautiful gardens and outstanding banqueting facilities, Eastwell Manor offers a fairytale experience. Hold the ceremony in a striking, oak-paneled room overlooking the gardens or in the secret, walled garden with its stunning gazebo.
The award-winning kitchen brigade will be delighted to devise a special wedding breakfast using the finest quality, locally sourced produce. Eastwell Manor has two rosettes for fine cuisine, four red stars for the hotel rooms, extensive spa facilities, ‘Dreams’ Beauty Salon and a golf course.
Hotel du Vin
Crescent Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2LY
01892 320749
www.hotelduvin.com/locations/tunbridge-wells
To help you plan your big day in every detail, have your own wedding organiser. Their job? To understand and bring your ideas to life (and make suggestions if needed) and then make it all come together on the big day – from arranging consultations with florists and hair stylists to designing the perfect menu and dressing the room.
Formal or informal, funky or traditional, Hotel du Vine will ensure the food and drink complement your wedding in Tunbridge Wells perfectly. What would you like? A five-course wedding breakfast, a casual and informal buffet, a completely bespoke dining menu and wine list specifically created for the occasion by the resident chef and sommelier?
The choice is yours, but whatever you decide, come the big day, they’ll work diligently behind the scenes to make sure everything runs like clockwork.
Hotel du Vin Tunbridge Wells is the perfect venue for weddings and civil partnerships. Book your winter wedding and receive 20% off weddings held in November 2016 to March 2017.
Hythe Imperial
Princes Parade, Hythe CT21 6AE
01303 267441
To ensure your dreams become reality the Hythe Imperial is dedicated to making your special day perfect and as individual as you are. Whether you are planning a civil ceremony, traditional church service or civil partnership, they recognise every wedding is different.
Along with their elegantly styled suites, including the amazing Imperial Ballroom which overlooks the English Channel, the hotel is delighted to offer wedding ceremonies in the beautiful grounds from September. This partnered with great food and dedicated customer service all equals the very essence of your wedding.
From the moment you meet with their specialised wedding consultant to the day of your wedding, you can feel confident that the Hythe Imperial Hotel will ensure every detail is covered and all you need to think about is saying ‘I do’!
Leeds Castle
Maidstone ME17 1PL
01622 767877
The 900-year-old Leeds Castle is an idyllic setting for the most romantic of weddings, whether you seek an opulent celebration inside the castle or the exclusive hire of the 16th-century Maiden’s Tower.
For weddings of up to 100 guests the beautiful and historic castle offers magnificent staterooms, impressive views across the moat and opulent 1920’s drawing rooms. For up to 80 guests the Maiden’s Tower is perfect for your wedding ceremony, evening celebrations and overnight accommodation for the bridal party. New for 2016/17 is the ‘Garden Party Wedding’ designed to create an informal, relaxed occasion in the private walled garden of The Maiden’s Tower.
Rowhill Grange Hotel
Wilmington DA2 7QH
01322 612778
Every couple deserves a wedding day that is nothing less than perfect and at Rowhill Grange you can celebrate in a setting which is truly unforgettable. Rowhill Grange is an impressive 19th-century manor house nestled in the Kent countryside. The blend of classic character has been carefully matched over the years with modern design which has seen Rowhill grow into the stylish, four-star boutique hotel and spa it is today. These traditional touches along with a sweeping entrance, romantic gardens, outdoor gazebo and collection of individually designed suites make Rowhill Grange a truly unique venue for your wedding.
St Edmunds Canterbury
St Thomas Hill, Canterbury CT2 8HU
01227 475629
events@stedmundscanterbury.co.uk
The beautiful, historic setting of St Edmund’s overlooks the city and cathedral of Canterbury, giving you and your guests a stunning view from St Thomas Hill, enjoyed from a large estate of secluded, mature gardens and parkland.
The quintessentially English venue offers a superb choice to make your wedding day a truly memorable occasion. Whether planning a small ceremony or a larger wedding for up to 120 guests, St Edmund’s will help you create the perfect atmosphere.
A range of the very best in local caterers, florists, photographers, entertainers and other services offers you the flexibility to select your own tailor-made wedding day, from the traditional to a more contemporary feel.
Whether the drawing room and terrace with breathtaking views; the traditional oak-paneled dining hall; or the elegant limestone-arched outdoor colonnade, let the magnificent venue of St Edmund’s be the starting point for the wedding of your dreams.
The Bull
Bull Lane, Wrotham TN15 7RF
01732 789800
The Bull Hotel has announced the appointment of new executive chef Adan Turley. Adam has worked under Mark Flanagan (now personal chef to the Queen) before moving onto the Michelin star kitchen at The Waterside Inn where he worked with chefs Michel Roux Snr and Alain Roux.
The Bull Hotel has become a destination wedding venue attracting foodies from Kent, London and even further afield. They have a beautiful 14th-century venue and can now offer a wedding breakfast unlike any other venue in the area. The Bull gives you beautifully created dishes that taste amazing as well as the flexibility and choice of what you want to offer your guests. The team understands how important this is.
This Winter Wedding offer is unmissable. All-inclusive wedding package for 50 guests for only £2,995 in January, February and March 2017.
The BarnYard
Gore Farm, Oak Lane, Upchurch ME9 7EZ
01634 235059
Nestled in the heart of the Kentish Countryside surrounded by 150 acres of stunning landscape combining rolling hills, natural woodland and romantic orchards, The BarnYard is an enchanting setting for the most memorable day of your life. Tranquil, charming and unique, licensed for Ceremonies and home to a luxurious marquee which can host lavish receptions for up to 300 guests.
Welcome your guests after your ceremony with a celebratory drink, relax and mingle on the beautiful lawn while your perfect memories are captured on film or meander over a romantic wooden bridge built over a relaxed bamboo garden set amongst stunning landscaping with a view of the family-friendly animals. Their menus offer a fine dining experience and have been created for your every indulgence, using fresh and locally sourced ingredients to prepare carefully selected dishes from 3-course menus to BBQs and hog roasts.
OUR TOP WEDDING VENUE PICKS FOR 2016/17…
Turner Contemporary
credit Nik Jordan
Rendezvous, Margate CT9 1HG
01843 233000
weddings@turnercontemporary.org
www.turnercontemporary.org/weddings
The memories of your wedding day stay with you forever, so make them even more special with a wedding or reception in a truly remarkable venue. Turner Contemporary is fully licensed to hold civil ceremonies and its elegant spaces and warm, welcoming atmosphere provide the perfect backdrop for the bridal party.
The venue’s beautiful reception space has panoramic windows that frame the captivating Margate coastline, a private terrace for your guests to enjoy, and all of the modern amenities to make your celebration flawless.
The dedicated Turner Contemporary wedding team will ensure that your day exceeds all expectations, whilst its superb on-site caterers will tailor the menu to your needs and tastes.
Whether you are looking to celebrate your whole day, the ceremony, or just the reception at Turner Contemporary, the team can provide a package to suit your taste and style.
The Port Lympne Hotel
Aldington Road, Lympne, Hythe CT21 4LR
01303 234111
weddings@aspinallfoundation.org
The Port Lympne Hotel at Port Lympne Reserve has been awarded the coveted title of Kent Venue of the Year at the prestigious Kent Wedding Awards 2015. The awards, now in their fifth year, celebrate the best of Kent’s wedding professionals and suppliers.
The Port Lympne Hotel, a beautifully refurbished Edwardian mansion at the heart of the popular wild animal park, offers a unique, romantic setting for weddings. Built in 1912 the hotel is surrounded by 15 acres of landscaped gardens, incorporating water features, colourful borders, romantic terraces and the famous Trojan steps.
A spokesperson for Kent Wedding Awards said: “Port Lympne Hotel is a splendid venue offering the height of elegance with polished floors, high ceilings, beautiful grounds and fabulous detail. Judges were impressed with the level of care and the almost unlimited service for couples detailed in their presentation and loved the variety of their packages, menus and open pricing shown.”
On Sunday 18th September, the Port Lympne Hotel will be inviting all couples to take a tour of the historic building, its beautiful ground floor rooms, picturesque gardens and luxuriously decorated bedrooms.
From 10am until 2.30pm, couples looking for the perfect wedding venue will be welcomed by the hotel’s experienced wedding coordinator and will also be able to meet some trusted suppliers as they explore the unique mansion, surrounded by Port Lympne Reserve.
Entrance to the open day is free and includes a free gift bag. Please call 01303 234111 to register.
