5 COUNTRY HOUSE WEDDING VENUES IN HAMPSHIRE
Located in southern England in amongst the Home Counties, Hampshire is known for its rolling countryside, historic villages, and of course its famous Jane Austen collection. So it’s only natural that it boasts plenty of country house wedding venues, all of which would easily make for a beautiful backdrop for any wedding day.
With so many to choose from, however, exploring all the amazing country house wedding venues in Hampshire can be a bit of an overwhelming task. So here’s a list of just some of my favourites.
HECKFIELD PLACE
This is a venue (pictured above) that proves the best things really do come to those who wait! Heckfield’s lengthy renovation has been atleast 6 years in the making, with the owner actually purchasing the estate 20 years ago. And what a mighty fine job they have done! The result is far less formal than say Cliveden House, instead having a much more easy-going vibe. If you’re used to the London hotels think of the effortless homeliness of the Firmdale Hotels (Soho Hotel, Hamyard etc) and the gorgeous decor designed their by the owners wife, Kit Kemp. They only offer Monday-Thursday hire but the beauty is that you can have the whole week, exclusively for you and your friends and family.
Other factors that make Heckfield hit the top of my list include the food offering, a majority of which is sourced from the 400 acre (!) grounds and prepared by Skye Gyngell, who is maybe best known for winning a Michelin star at the gorgeous Petersham Nurseries Cafe. Plus, the service from the staff is some of the very best we’ve come across! The couple who choose this Hampshire venue for their wedding will get one of the worlds most indulgent treats.
SOMERLEY HOUSE
Located in the New Forest, on the Hampshire/Dorset border, it’s approximately 90 minutes from London or you have Southampton and Bournemouth airports right on it’s door step.
The house, which is a family home rather than being open to the public, offers exclusive use and can accommodate seated dining for up to 140 guests and has 9 gorgeously appointed bedrooms for you and your wedding party to stay.
What really makes this venue stand out is their flexibility and the number of different options you have. If you don’t want a country house ballroom style wedding then you have the opportunity to go much more relaxed boho with a woodland wedding where you could even provide glamping for your guests or why not have a black-tie wedding in a marquee on their beautiful grounds.
If you’re having plenty of international guests here is a brand they will all know and trust, plus it’s located just 40 minute drive down the M3 from Heathrow.
Like many other properties on this list it offers you great flexibility with gorgeous outside space as well as 2 elegant ballrooms. The largest ballroom seat up to 200 guests and opens out onto a lovely terrace with sloping lawns which make an ideal setting for evening fireworks.
I’m a particular fan of their Walled Garden which is ideal for receptions or a seated ceremony for up to 300 guests.
CHEWTON GLEN
If you want an exclusive use venue but you have a lot of guests who need accomodation your options can be slightly limited. This is where Chewton Glen down in the New Forest comes into it’s own. Exclusively hired, it gives you 70 guest bedrooms and 12 of the most amazing treehouse suites you’ve ever seen. Plus you have access to their spa.
You can have your ceremony in the walled garden followed by your wedding breakfast in the Lake suite ballroom which has it’s own terrace overlooking the grounds. Both spaces have capacity for up to 140 guests.
The property is owned by Iconic Luxury Hotels, who also own the likes of Cliveden House.
PENTON PARK
The delightful Rolfe family, who own and live in the gorgeous property to this day, will invite you to make their home your own. The house is licensed for civil ceremonies, allowing you to host both your ceremony and reception under one roof. The fact that they don’t have in-house caterers also allows you the flexibility to choose your own suppliers.
This is just a small selection of the country house wedding venues in Hampshire. Others include the beautiful Avington Park, Hale Park, Lime Wood and Pylewell Park. To learn more about these and many others please get in touch.
Hi I'm
CAROLINE
I’m an award-winning London and Hampshire-based wedding and event planner with more than 20 years of events experience to my name. With a passion for luxurious, stylish weddings and events, I love dreaming up exciting ways to bring ideas to life - from city chic London weddings and idyllic country house venues, to large scale celebrations bringing together guests from around the world. When the out of office is on, you’ll usually find me off on an adventure to a far flung destination or recharging with friends over cake and bubbly.
