Congratulations on your engagement!
As you plan for your upcoming wedding, choosing the perfect venue is one of the most important steps. Finding that wonderful, picture-perfect setting that ticks all the boxes is crucial to making your dream wedding a reality. And once you’ve found it, that’s when the magic begins.
With its vast countryside and picturesque surroundings, Essex has a wide range of stunning wedding venues that are sure to impress you and your guests. And with over 130 licensed wedding venues in Essex, including Tudor barns, castles and stately homes, you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding that dream venue.
Let’s take a look at the top 20 wedding venues in Essex and why they could make the perfect choice for your special day.
Crondon Park
Having been recently crowned as ‘The Best Countryside Wedding Venue in Britain’ and receiving over 1000 five-star reviews on Hitched, Crondon Park has gained a stellar reputation as the top wedding venue in the UK. The Baronial Hall, a stunning Tudor barn dating back to 1606, has become an immensely popular venue in Essex, hosting more than two hundred weddings annually within its charming walls. Set against the stunning backdrop of the Essex countryside, its rustic beams and high ceilings create a picturesque atmosphere and make for the ideal setting for capturing your special moments. Crondon Park also offers luxury accommodation, first-class food and drink and all-inclusive wedding packages so that every detail of your day is taken care of and handled with the utmost care and attention. With their award-winning wedding planning services, Crondon Park provides the wow factor alongside the perfect romantic setting for your wedding day.
Braxted Park
Braxted Park is a Georgian mansion located on 500 acres of parkland and gardens. The stunning house offers several elegant ceremony rooms, including the Orangery, the Pavilion, and the Walled Garden. The Orangery is a light and airy room with stunning views of the park. The Pavilion is a modern, purpose-built venue with contemporary decor and large windows overlooking the park. The Walled Garden is a beautiful outdoor space surrounded by high walls, offering privacy and seclusion. Braxted Park also offers exclusive use of the entire estate.
Leez Priory
A beautiful Tudor manor house located on 40 acres of landscaped gardens and lakes, Leez Priory offers several ceremony rooms, including the medieval banquet hall, the coach house, and the tower house. The medieval banquet hall features oak beams, an open fireplace, and grand chandeliers, providing a grand and historic atmosphere. The coach house and tower house also provide alternative ceremony options. Leez Priory offers exclusive use of the entire estate, including the house, gardens, and lakes, ensuring complete privacy for your wedding day.
Gosfield Hall
Set in 10 acres of parkland and gardens, Gosfield Hall is an 18th-century Georgian mansion. The venue offers several ceremony rooms, including the grand ballroom, the queen’s gallery, and the drawing room. The grand ballroom includes a stunning painted ceiling, providing a perfect setting for a fairytale wedding. The queen’s gallery is a stunning room with high ceilings and large windows, offering beautiful views of the parkland. The drawing room is a more intimate space, perfect for smaller ceremonies. Gosfield Hall also offers exclusive use of the entire estate, providing a luxurious setting for your wedding day.
Hylands House
Surrounded by 574 acres of landscaped parkland, Hylands House is a Grade II listed mansion. The mansion has many spacious rooms on offer, including the banqueting room, the drawing-room, and the library. The banqueting room features ornate ceilings and chandeliers, providing a grand and opulent atmosphere. The drawing room is a more intimate space, perfect for smaller ceremonies. The library is a stunning room with book-lined walls and a beautiful fireplace. Hylands House also offers exclusive use of the entire estate, including the house, gardens, and parkland.
Down Hall Hotel
Down Hall Hotel is a beautiful Italianate mansion set in 110 acres of parkland and gardens. The hotel comprises of several ceremony rooms, including the Garden Suite, the Oak Room, and the Bridal Suite. The Garden Suite is a stunning room with large windows overlooking the parkland and a private terrace. The Oak Room is a more intimate space with oak-panelled walls and a beautiful fireplace. The Bridal Suite is a luxurious space with a four-poster bed and a private balcony. Down Hall Hotel also offers a beautiful marquee, providing a light and airy setting for your wedding day.
Gaynes Park
A beautiful barn conversion set in 100 acres of private parkland, Gaynes Park offers several ceremony spaces, including the orangery, the Gather Barn, and the Mill Barn. The Orangery is a unique and beautiful room with large windows offering beautiful views of the parkland. The Gather Barn is a beautiful space with exposed beams and a large fireplace, perfect for intimate ceremonies. The Mill Barn is a more spacious venue with vaulted ceilings and a mezzanine level. Gaynes Park also offers exclusive use of the barn and grounds, ensuring complete privacy for your wedding day. The venue is perfect for couples looking for a rustic and romantic setting for their wedding day.
Hedingham Castle
Hedingham Castle is a stunning Norman keep, and Tudor mansion set in 160 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland. The castle boasts several rooms to choose from, including the Banqueting Hall, the Long Gallery, and the Tapestry Room. The Banqueting Hall is a stunning room with high ceilings, a minstrel’s gallery, and large windows with views of the parkland. The Long Gallery is an impressive room with oak beams and a beautiful fireplace. The Tapestry Room is a more intimate space, perfect for smaller ceremonies. Hedingham Castle also offers a marquee on the lawn, providing a perfect setting for your wedding day. The castle offers exclusive use of the entire estate, ensuring seclusion and intimacy for your wedding day.
Layer Marney Tower
A stunning Tudor palace amidst the breathtaking 82 acres of the Essex countryside, Layer Marney Tower has a host of ceremony rooms to choose from. These include the Long Gallery, the Corsellis Room, and the Tudor Hall. The Long Gallery boasts an oak-beamed ceiling and a charming fireplace, while the Corsellis Room features a more intimate space with wooden-panelled walls and an impressive ceiling. The Tudor Hall is grand and steeped in history, with tall ceilings and large windows. Layer Marney Tower also provides an exquisite banqueting hall and exclusive use of the entire estate to enjoy on your special day.
Orsett Hall
An elegant Georgian hotel featuring beautifully landscaped gardens, Orsett Hall is spread over 12 acres of land. The venue offers a variety of ceremony rooms, including the Chapel, the Orsett Suite, and the Garden Room. The Chapel is an impressive room with a high vaulted ceiling and gorgeous stained glass windows, while the Orsett Suite is a grand space with ornate ceilings and a stunning chandelier. The Garden Room, on the other hand, is a more intimate area with large windows overlooking the lush greenery outside. Orsett Hall also offers a fantastic ballroom, making it a show-stopping venue for your wedding.
The Fennes
Georgian manor house situated in 100 acres of landscaped gardens and parkland, The Fennes is another stunning wedding venue. The venue offers multiple ceremony rooms, including the Banqueting Hall, the Drawing Room, and the Pavilion. The Banqueting Hall is a breathtaking space with ornate ceilings and dazzling chandeliers, while the Drawing Room features a more intimate area with a beautiful fireplace and large windows. The Pavilion is a contemporary purpose-built venue with modern decor and large windows overlooking the parkland. The Fennes also provides exclusive use of the entire estate, ensuring complete privacy and seclusion for your wedding day.
Reid Rooms
The Reid Rooms provides an enchanting barn conversion set in three acres of Essex countryside. The venue offers exclusive use of the barn and its surroundings, providing complete privacy for your special day. The barn itself creates a rustic and romantic atmosphere with its exposed beams and gorgeous brickwork, while the courtyard and gardens are perfect for outdoor ceremonies and receptions. The Reid Rooms is an excellent choice for those looking for a more intimate wedding celebration.
Rochford Hotel
This elegant hotel is set on five acres of beautifully landscaped gardens. The venue offers a range of ceremony rooms, including the Conservatory, the Drawing Room, and the Crystal Room. The Conservatory is a lovely room with large windows and stunning garden views, while the Drawing Room boasts a beautiful fireplace and wood-panelled walls. The Crystal Room is a grand and opulent space with a dazzling chandelier and ornate ceilings. The Rochford Hotel also offers a stunning ballroom, creating an ideal setting for your wedding day.
Warren Estate
The magnificent estate is situated in 325 acres of Essex countryside, with several ceremony rooms to choose from. The Great Hall is a splendid room with high ceilings and a magnificent fireplace. The Orangery is a light and airy space with lovely garden views, while the Marquee is a purpose-built venue with modern decor and large windows. The Warren Estate also provides exclusive use of the estate, ensuring complete privacy and seclusion for your wedding day. The Warren Estate is the perfect choice for those looking to host a large wedding celebration.
Smeetham Hall Barn
This stunning 16th-century barn is situated in the midst of the beautiful Essex countryside. The venue offers exclusive use of the barn and its gardens, providing complete privacy for your special day. The barn’s exposed beams and beautiful brickwork create a romantic and rustic atmosphere, while the gardens offer a beautiful backdrop for outdoor ceremonies and receptions.
Blake Hall
Located in 60 acres of Essex countryside, is a stunning country house wedding venue with several ceremony rooms to choose from. The Coach House is a beautiful space featuring a stunning fireplace and exposed brickwork. The Orchard Barn, on the other hand, exudes a rustic and romantic atmosphere with its exposed beams and beautiful brickwork. The Great Barn is a more spacious venue with high ceilings and a mezzanine level. Additionally, Blake Hall provides a beautiful marquee, which is a popular choice for modern weddings.
Maidens Barn
The exclusive-use wedding venu that is Maiden’s Barn, is located in 200 acres of Essex countryside. This beautiful barn has exposed beams and beautiful brickwork, providing a rustic and romantic atmosphere. Maidens Barn offers complete privacy for your special day, with the barn and gardens available exclusively for your use. The gardens provide a beautiful backdrop for outdoor ceremonies and receptions.
Newland Hall
Newland Hall is a beautiful Tudor manor house located in 120 acres of Essex countryside, is another great wedding venue choice. This venue offers several ceremony rooms, including the Great Hall, the Pavilion, and the Tithe Barn. The Great Hall features high ceilings and a beautiful fireplace, while the Pavilion is a purpose-built venue with contemporary decor and large windows. The Tithe Barn is a more intimate space with exposed beams and beautiful brickwork. Newland Hall also offers a beautiful marquee, providing a perfect setting for your wedding day.
Pontlands Park: Ann elegant hotel located in 4 acres of landscaped gardens, Portlands Park offers a selection of rooms, including the Orangery, the Conservatory, and the Garden Suite. The Orangery is a stunning room with large windows and views of the gardens. The Conservatory is a more intimate space with a beautiful fireplace and wood-panelled walls. The Garden Suite is a grand and opulent space with chandeliers and ornate ceilings. Pontlands Park also offers a beautiful ballroom, providing a perfect setting for your wedding day.
The Lawn
This exquisite Georgian manor house is a unique wedding venue located in 12 acres of landscaped gardens. The estate has much to offer, including the Garden Room, the Drawing Room, and the Grand Hall. The Garden Room is a light and airy space with large windows and views of the gardens. The Drawing Room is a more intimate space with a beautiful fireplace and wood-panelled walls. The Grand Hall is a grand and opulent space with high ceilings and a beautiful chandelier. The Lawn also provides a beautiful marquee, perfect for asummer’s wedding day.
It’s clear to see that Essex has a plethora of stunning wedding venues, each with its unique charm and appeal. From rustic barns and elegant hotels to Tudor manor houses and Georgian mansions, the county offers a perfect setting for every couple.
Each of these venues offer exclusive use of the estate, ensuring complete privacy and seclusion for your wedding day. With so much choice and splendour, couples looking for a romantic and memorable wedding day are sure to find the perfect venue in Essex, which will you choose?