With regards to marriage, each pair has a fantasy of a special day that they and their visitors will cherish for a lifetime. Wouldn’t it be romantic to get married in a castle that has stood the test of time and is associated with romance? A castle wedding venue is breathtaking, with stunning designs, beautiful sceneries and many histories of the place that are depicted in the walls, which makes your parties magical.
Luckily for couples in England, the heritage experts at English Heritage care for an incredible collection of over 60 castles, keeping the spirit of these historic buildings alive for future generations to enjoy. From ruinous romantic remnants to mighty fortified fortresses, English Heritage’s castles offer a diverse array of unique venues for untraditional couples to pick their perfect medieval masterpiece.
Let’s take a look at some of the most spellbinding English Heritage castles that provide a dream setting for an enchanted wedding day:
Old Wardour Castle, Wiltshire
Old Wardour Castle in Wiltshire is like something out of a fairy tale if you are a real romantic at heart. This six-sided manor house was built based on French chateau designs but was partially destroyed during the English Civil War; the ruins are now covered with ivy.
Couples can exchange vows surrounded by the ivy-clad stone remains, with shafts of natural light pouring through the ancient windowed apertures onto the lush grassy grounds below. For a more traditional ceremony setting, there is also the option of an 18th century lakeside pavilion within the grounds.
The rambling ruins and magnificent rolling landscape provide a breathtaking backdrop for your wedding photos that will transport you back to a medieval fairy tale world. The spacious courtyard area is ideal for drinks receptions or relaxed picnics as the evening falls.
Pendennis Castle, Cornwall
Whisk your guests away to the rugged Cornish coastline for a wedding celebration at the atmospheric 16th century Pendennis Castle. Perched atop a headland with panoramic views across the Falmouth estuary, this Tudor artillery fortress promises to wow with its sweeping sea vistas.
Enter through the mighty gatehouse and say ‘I do’ in the Lower Gun Room, where original wooden benches and historic gunpowder barrels evoke the castle’s military past. Follow your romantic vows with a glass of celebratory fizz out on the grassy Chemise or pause for newly-wedded couple photos framed by the crenellated turrets.
Eltham Palace, London
Why should a couple get married in a normal stately home when they could tie the knot in a mediaeval royal palace redecorated in the Art Deco style of the 1930s? Favoured by Henry VIII, Eltham Palace has been upgraded in the 20th century by the Courtauld family, who brought their signature glamour into the castle.
Imagine making your grand entrance down the striking black and gold Entrance Hall staircase before exchanging vows in the vaulted 15th century Great Hall. Then celebrate into the night with a showstopper of a reception amid the decadent wood panelling and statement light fittings of the map room.
With almost 20 acres of idyllic gardens to spill out onto, Eltham Palace has ample space for a marquee reception too. This unique venue seamlessly blends medieval grandeur with Jazz Age opulence for an unforgettable wedding with true wow factor.
Tynemouth Priory and Castle, Tynemouth
Tynemouth Priory and Castle have been standing for more than a thousand years and are situated on the headland in the north-east of England, which gives the brides and grooms-to-be a unique experience of the wedding outside.
This ancient landmark began life as an Iron Age settlement before becoming a 7th century Anglo-Saxon monastery and later a royal castle and coastal defence. Today the imposing stone ruins encircled by waving grasslands offer a spectacular setting for a marquee wedding in Newcastle’s outer suburbs.
Surrounded by the weathered heritage buildings and with panoramic views over the River Tyne and North Sea, your wedding celebrations will unfold amid a tangible sense of the centuries of history etched into the rugged landscape.
English Heritage’s Members’ Area
The Members’ Area is also a great place for wedding ideas; there are guides that may help you choose the perfect venue, and there are entertaining educational materials that will be interesting for the children. By joining the English Heritage, you shall be part of the team that will ensure that the history of England will be preserved and made available to the future generation.
Signing up is simple – just register on the English Heritage website to unlock the Members’ Area and begin your journey towards an unforgettable castle celebration. What better way to start your own historic love story than by getting married at one of these ancient, romantic sites? By choosing an English Heritage wedding venue, you’ll not only be tying the knot amid centuries of grandeur, but also supporting the vital conservation of the nation’s most iconic landmarks.
With so many ancient castles, fortresses and palaces under their careful custodianship, English Heritage offers an extraordinary collection of exclusive medieval venues for untraditional couples to make their wedding dreams of a fairy tale castle celebration come true.
