Your wedding venue

A wedding at Westonbirt House means exclusive use of the state rooms and gardens for the whole of your wedding day.  Your choice of rooms and outside spaces makes every Westonbirt Wedding unique. The perfect backdrop to a wedding, whatever the size or season, Westonbirt House is a special place to make beautiful memories that will last a lifetime.  Below, a quick guide to the most popular rooms and spaces in the grounds before you book a visit for a personal tour.

The House

A spectacular neo-Elizabethan, Victorian mansion designed by architect Lewis Vulliamy, Westonbirt House is equally suited to a small and intimate mid week wedding or large, extravagant weekend celebration. The beautifully decorated state rooms with their period features offer a host of warm and welcoming spaces to host guests invited to share your special day. 

The Library

Capacity: 80 seated around circular tables  | Licensed for civil ceremonies with capacity for 120 guests 

One of the most exquisite rooms at Westonbirt House, with its ornate gilded ceiling, historic silk-covered walls and spectacular picture windows overlooking the lawns, The Library is a warm and welcoming space. Entering from the charismatic ante-library, it is a popular choice for civil ceremonies and the beautiful light-filled room with easy access to the terraces, is a favourite for wedding breakfasts and guest gatherings.

The Great Hall

Capacity: 150 seated at long tables or 120 seated around circular tables | Licensed for civil ceremonies with capacity for 150 guests 

On passing through the grand marble-floored entrance hall on arrival at Westonbirt House, you enter the magnificent double-height Great Hall. With an historically noteworthy marble fireplace, ornamental ceiling and galleried balcony above, the Great Hall lies at the heart of the house. Ideal for large ceremonies, wedding banquets and perfect as an impressive reception space for evening celebrations.

The Reading Room

Capacity: 90 seated at long or around circular tables  | Licensed for civil ceremonies with capacity for 75 guests

A versatile room with brocatelle silk walls, ornate carved ceiling and direct access to The Upper Terrace and lawns. Most often chosen as the space for the bar, to host a drinks reception, guests can easily flow onto The Terraces, which are especially inviting during the summer. The Reading Room is also the perfect backdrop for your civil ceremony, wedding breakfast or evening reception.

The Dining Room

Capacity: 100 seated at long or around circular tables.

Retaining many of its original features, The Dining Room is with its ornate gilded ceiling, is a stunning space to host the most special of dining occasions. Enjoying a beautiful warm light cast through the double aspect windows much of the year, it’s the perfect room for a wedding breakfast for a wedding at any time of year.

The Gardens

The gardens were laid out between 1830 and 1885 by owner Robert Holford. Inspired by landscape designer William Sawrey Gilpin & the picturesque aesthetic popular at the time, the formal terraces and lawns gradually give way to picture-perfect intimate spaces and the sweeping pastures beyond.  

The Italian Gardens, ornamental lake and carefully placed specimen trees are typical of the Romantic movement and the perfect backdrop for your wedding day. With a unique locations licensed for outdoor ceremonies, special places for intimate wedding photographs and space for guests to mingle, Westonbirt House has everything for a truly memorable wedding. 

The Terraces

Capacity: – Licensed for civil ceremonies.

The Terraces adjacent to the main house offer space and versatility for wedding ceremonies of all sizes. Whether you are planning a majestic, multi-cultural event or a smaller family gathering, for couples keen to include the house as a backdrop to your ceremony, The Terraces are a popular choice for summer weddings.

The Italian Gardens

Capacity: – Licensed for civil ceremonies

The formal design of the Italian Gardens contrasts perfectly with the picturesque aesthetic of the western lawns. Architectural features include the famed Picture Frame seat, Jacobean Revival gateways and Dolphin Fountain. Originally planted with a colourful array of annuals typical of high Victoriana style, it continues to be filled with roses, ferns and herbaceous borders and can be entered through a beautiful rose covered archway.

The Ha Ha

Capacity: – Licensed for civil ceremonies

Formerly to prevent livestock encroaching on the gardens while preserving the uninterrupted view over the wider estate, with the pasture as your backdrop, the Ha-Ha is a truly unique setting for you and your guests if you are planning a spring or summer wedding.

The Lake

Capacity: – Licensed for civil ceremonies

Set away from the main house, on the site of the original medieval village of Weston Birt, the lake is popular location both for ceremonies and intimate photographs. Reached via the informal West Gardens and surrounded by specimen trees The Lake is ideal for a summer wedding before heading back to the house via the terraces.

Camellia House

Capacity: – Licensed for civil ceremonies

Originally part of an extensive range of glass houses that housed the Holford’s famous collection of orchids and amaryllis, the elaborately carved stone columns either side of the entrance were once chimneys for the heated garden wall. A popular choice for couples in the warmth of the late summer when the camellia is in bloom.

St. Catherine’s Chapel

Capacity: – Perfect for wedding blessings

Within the grounds of Westonbirt House is St Catherine’s Chapel which dates back to 12th century and is dedicated to St Catherine of Alexandra, the patron saint of young women and education. Whilst only those closely connected with Westonbirt School can formally marry here, the enchanting chapel is available for blessings.

Creating Memories

Westonbirt House is a favourite with couples keen to create very special memories of their wedding day. In fact, it’s a wedding photographer’s dream we’ve been told! Perfect for weddings all year round, the grounds looking particularly splendid during high summer, as the trees turn in autumn and on a magical, frosty winter day. 

The West Gardens

Capacity: – N/A

Stunning year round, but particularly in the Spring when wild flowers pepper the lawn creating a beautiful natural carpet on the way to The Lake. A popular place for intimate photographs away from guests at the house, and to catch the afternoon and evening sunlight as it illuminates the house.

The Italian Gardens

Capacity: – Licensed for civil ceremonies

The formal gardens, gravel pathways and colourful borders are in direct contrast to the picturesque aesthetic of the lawns and terraces. With its Jacobean Revival gateways, warm redbrick walls, borders of ferns and climbing plants and Victorian iron archway covered in pink roses, the Italian Gardens are a popular gathering place for photographs of the bridal party.

The East Pavilion

Capacity: – N/A

There are many special places in the The Italian Gardens, but no more so than the East Pavillion with its faded blue archway. The light that pours in from above the archway provides depth and casts beautiful shadows creating a dreamlike space to capture the most romantic of wedding photographs.

The Lake

Capacity: – Licensed for civil ceremonies

Laid out in 1870 on the site of the original medieval village of Weston Birt by famous Victorian landscape gardening company Pulham & Son, the lake has architectural connections with Sandringham & Buckingham Palace. With the rockery and grotto nearby, the lake is a popular spot with couples.

Amongst the trees

Capacity: – N/A

Westonbirt Estate is filled with specimen trees and autumn is the perfect time to enjoy the gardens as a colourful backdrop to your wedding day. Many planted before those in nearby Westonbirt Arboretum, which was also designed and planted by Robert Holford, owner of Westonbirt House, the late summer light and kaleidoscope of colours are a photographer’s dream.

Church Terrace

Capacity: – N/A

The oldest architectural feature in the gardens was laid out in 1840 and the Yew tree to the north is believed to be the oldest tree in the garden and at least 300 years old. Beautiful year round, the Bishops Seat is a popular spot for couples to dwell a while.

Westonbirt House Floorplan