Wedding venues in Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire punches well above its weight for wedding venues. It's the county of "squires and spires", so you've got stately homes, a castle, an old abbey, ironstone barns and plenty of hotels with golf courses and spas. Most of it is within easy reach of the M1, A14 or A43, which helps when guests are travelling in.

This guide covers real wedding venues in Northamptonshire that are taking bookings now. We've checked every one on its own website, and we only list what the venue says about itself. We do run an entertainment agency in Corby, Fine Entertainments, so when we suggest entertainment we'll point you to our own acts. Read about that on our about page.

How to choose a venue

Start with your guest numbers, not the pictures. A rough count for the day and a separate one for the evening will knock half the shortlist out straight away, and it saves falling for somewhere that can't fit your family. Then think about how far people are travelling and where they'll sleep. A venue with rooms, like Rushton Hall or Hellidon Lakes, makes life easy. A barn in the countryside might mean booking hotels and taxis for everyone.

Next, decide if you want everything in one place. Plenty of venues here are licensed for ceremonies, so you can marry and party without moving. If you're having a church service, look for a reception venue close to the church. And set a budget before you go on showrounds. It's very easy to fall in love with somewhere and then try to make the numbers fit. Our wedding budget guide and planning checklist will help with that.

Types of wedding venue in the county

Country houses and stately homes are the big tradition here. Boughton House, Kelmarsh Hall, Lamport Hall and Delapré Abbey all take weddings, and Rockingham Castle gives you a medieval Great Hall. Some are exclusive use, some are open to visitors on other days, and most don't have bedrooms, so check.

Barns are hugely popular for a relaxed day. Dodmoor House, Crockwell Farm, Brampton Grange, The Barns at Hunsbury Hill and the Threshing Barn at Chester House Estate each do it differently. Then there are hotels, from country house hotels like Barton Hall and Sedgebrook Hall to resorts with golf and spas such as Whittlebury Park. And if you want to build your own day in a tent, Deene Park has woodland, lakeside and walled garden sites.

Questions to ask a venue

Ask what's actually included in the hire, and what isn't. Chairs, linen, a bar, a coordinator on the day? Ask if you'll have exclusive use or if there could be another event, hotel guests or visitors around. Check the ceremony licence covers the room or garden you want, and what happens to an outdoor ceremony if it rains.

Then the practical bits. What time do you have to finish? Is there a noise limit for a band or DJ? Can you bring your own drink, and is there corkage? Are there rooms on site, or where do guests stay? And ask about suppliers. Some venues have a list you must use, others let you pick. It's also worth asking what space there is for entertainment, like a wedding magician during drinks or a photo booth in the evening. Our wedding entertainment page has more ideas.

Questions

Which venues are in this guide?

Only venues we could check on their own websites, and that were taking weddings when we checked. If you spot one that's stopped, pop us a message and we'll update the guide.

Can you get married outdoors in Northamptonshire?

Yes, at venues with the right licence. For example, Boughton House is licensed for ceremonies in its colonnade, Delapré Abbey and Lamport Hall have licensed walled gardens, and Deene Park's Dibbins Wood is licensed for ceremonies among the trees. Always check the exact spot with the venue.

Which Northamptonshire wedding venues have rooms on site?

Hotels such as Rushton Hall, Barton Hall, Sedgebrook Hall, Whittlebury Park, Hellidon Lakes and The Talbot in Oundle have bedrooms. Some barns have rooms too, like Crockwell Farm and Brampton Grange. Many stately homes don't, so plan for local hotels.

Do you recommend one venue over another?

No. We haven't ranked them. Every couple wants something different, so use the guide to make a shortlist and go and see them. Where we do have a bias is entertainment, because we run the agency behind the acts we suggest.