It’s going to be a busy year for weddings with some venues already booked for the 2023 season. Kent has some beautiful venues, from historic homes, barns, castles and country manors, the toughest decision for couples will be which one to pick!
Braxted Park
Set amongst the picturesque countryside sits the beautiful 500-acre estate of Braxted Park. This peaceful country house is the epitome of seclusion and grandeur, whilst still being within easy reach of towns around Essex and just one hour outside of London. The sprawling gardens provide beauty all year round with banks of lavender, rose arbours and immaculately clipped lawns.
Braxted Park can accommodate up to 150 guests for ceremonies and standard receptions. They also have the option of booking on a dry hire basis, which is perfect for cultural celebrations that require a larger guest list of up to 350.
There is space for up to 35 guests in the luxurious overnight accommodation in addition to the honeymoon suite for the bride and groom. Braxted Park has been operating as a wedding venue since 2005 and since then has have expertly hosted well over 1,000 bespoke weddings.
Braxted Park's mid-week, low-season packages start from as little as £1,650 for 2023 and 2024 weddings.
braxtedparkweddings.co.uk/dates-prices
Leeds Castle
Beautiful by design and first-class hostess to royalty, nobility, and glamorous guests for over 900 years, Leeds Castle rises majestically from the water in the stunning Kentish countryside, in Maidstone, making it an idyllic and romantic destination for nuptials.
Leeds Castle has an enchanting history, from serving seven of England’s queens, to its elaborate transformation into an elegant 20th-century retreat by Anglo-American heiress, Lady Baillie.
Leeds Castle welcomes couples and their guests to architectural, exterior and interior excellence. With delicate details of 16th century period design to original 20th century interior masterpieces, you will be captivated from the moment you arrive. Every small to large detail is handled with care from the professional, highly experienced, and ultra-friendly team.
Leeds Castle is one of the most romantic places, with mesmerising historical gardens and architectural landscapes filled with dazzling beauty, of which perfectly lend themselves to all seasons…just some of the reasons Leeds Castle is an ideal wedding destination.
Prices start from £9,440. See for yourself at the Wedding Showcase on March 4th and 5th.
leeds-castle.com/weddings
Sprivers Mansion
Heading to Sprivers Mansion, this Grade II listed Georgian country house wedding venue is tucked away in 100 acres of National Trust estate.
Nestled deep in the heart of the Kent countryside, in Horsmonden, the secluded and private venue offers luxury bridal suite and exclusive-use accommodation for up to ten guests. As the perfect year-round setting for both wedding ceremonies and receptions, the in-house caterer, The Curious, based in Boughton Monchelsea and beautiful 24-metre canvas pole marquee available from LPM Bohemia Tent Company Ltd, add to the unique touches.
Sprivers Mansion also ensures couples will not find themselves sharing the mansion on their special day, nor throughout the weekend, as it is the venue’s policy to host only one event per weekend.
Joanne Bryant of Sprivers Mansion said: “We’re finding couples are making the most of being able to tailor the way they use Sprivers to suit their budget more than ever. With purse strings tightening, couples are having to limit their spend by reducing guest numbers and opting for a more relaxed menu such as a spit roast or summer garden party.”
Only a limited number of wedding dates are set aside per year and Sprivers weddings are as unique and bespoke as the couples ever hoped they might be. Wedding parties can check in for two nights or three nights, or even longer, and enjoy a long wedding weekend with the friendly Sprivers team on hand to make sure memories will last a lifetime.
spriversmansion.co.uk
Bore Place
Bore Place, situated near Chiddingstone in West Kent, is an ideal wedding venue for couples looking to have guests stay on-site. A 500-acre organic estate with sustainability at its heart, it offers eco-friendly overnight accommodation for 60 people as well as glamping and camping.
Couples usually hold their wedding breakfasts in the Large Barn, which features oak beams and high ceilings. There is an outdoor ceremony area, pretty gardens and a manor house, which is ideal for drinks before or after the meal. Couples get to rent the estate for two nights giving them plenty of time to make their day their own and to enjoy the moment.
With the gardens and wider estate buzzing with wildlife, Bore Place is also committed to minimising their environmental impact by sourcing food locally and responsibly.
All in all, it makes for a perfect venue
boreplace.org
Bradbourne House
Heading to the quaint village of East Malling, Bradbourne House is an exclusive-use country house, located in the heart of the Kent countryside, just one hour from central London. Breath-taking scenery, exceptional service and fine, locally sourced food make Bradbourne House the most idyllic setting for your wedding day. Nestled within 20 acres of rolling Kent parkland, this magnificent Queen Anne country house, dating back to 1590, is full of the original character.
From the exquisite interiors to the tranquil lake, lush grounds and waterfall, it truly is the perfect backdrop for any day. See for yourself at the viewing days which take place every Saturday in January or visit the showcase event on February 19. Viewing days are by appointment only.
bradbournehousekent.co.uk
The Hop Farm
The Hop Farm is Kent’s quintessentially iconic wedding venue. Home to the largest collection of Victorian oasthouses, it provides the perfect backdrop for weddings.
Located in Paddock Wood, a variety of beamed, historic wedding suites, add wonderful character for indoor ceremonies and the wedding breakfast. The outdoor gardens are beautifully manicured and the wedding gazebo is ideal for summer outdoor ceremonies.
The Hop Farm has a first-class, in-house and experienced hospitality catering team who are incredibly meticulous in the fine details of presentation and quality. The wedding team have designed wedding packages that have been honed over the years to feature all the elements for the wedding, and therefore take the strain out of the bride and groom’s wedding planning and coordination. The team even book your wedding ceremony with the Kent Registry Office. Every detail is covered. That’s the Hop Farm, making your wedding day utterly enjoyable and a stress-free wedding planning experience.
hopfarm.co.uk
Winter Barns
At Winters Barns, with beautiful idyllic views, these Kentish barns are bursting with character and charm set in a rural oasis, yet just a stone’s throw from Canterbury city centre.
Winters Barns is open all year round, having the options of an outside ceremony under the Cart Barn with guests seated on the lawns, or alternatively inside the indoor ceremony room under a canopy of warm fairy lights.
The wedding day will then continue to flow into the bar lounge or outside courtyard for reception drinks, into the 1660-built wedding breakfast barn for your meal, then return to the ceremony room which transforms into a vibrant dancefloor come nightfall.
winters-barns.co.uk
Flint Bar
Tucked away in the quintessentially Kent village of Shoreham, The Mount Vineyard is also home to Flint Bar micro weddings.
The Flint Bar is arguably the prettiest and most romantic spot on the estate, with a rustic 'al fresco' bar, the site’s very own Nordic Tipi and outdoor seating right amongst the vines, all of which make for unique photo opportunities.
The Flint Package can accommodate 50 guests seated and 70 guests for a standing evening reception. A dedicated wedding planner and team of event managers and trained professionals will look after your every need on your wedding day including a choice of several trusted caterers.
Other benefits include access to the venue the day before the wedding and exclusive use of the Flint Bar area amongst the vines until midnight and private guest parking only a short walk away. Acoustic entertainment, which works beautifully in this small intimate venue, is permitted, as is a silent disco… a funky option for guests who still want to dance the night away. DJs or other types of amplified music are unfortunately not allowed due to the venue's proximity to the village.
The Flint Bar is bookable May to September, priced Tuesday – Friday £5,099 plus VAT, and Saturday £7,099 plus VAT.
themountvineyard.co.uk
Coltsford Mill
For a waterside location, then Coltsford Mill, could tick this box and several more.
A classic country barn wedding venue, it has an elegant contemporary finish bathed in natural light with two stunning lakes and flowing cascades fed by the river Eden.
With a dedicated family-run team, a highly-experienced head chef, and that beautiful backdrop, weddings of almost and size or style can be catered for.
Enquiries have already started for 2024 so it’s pipped to be a busy year, too.
There will be a showcase event on January 28 and 29. It is by appointment only and runs between 9am and 4pm.
coltsfordmill-weddings.co.uk
Chafford Park
Looking for a boho chic, festival style wedding venue with a country house elegant twist? Then Chafford Park in Tunbridge Wells, could be the answer. With two wedding barns, one for the ceremony which is fully licensed for marriages and the other for the reception, there is also the opportunity for an outdoor ceremony in the enchanted woodland which is ideal for humanist ceremonies. Add in picturesque ponds and shimmering lakes which are surrounded by 300 acres of sustainably managed arable farmland and the freedom it offers couples, Chafford Park could be the venue which provides the backdrop for the day of dreams.
chaffordparkestate.co.uk
Canterbury Cathredral
And finally, nothing says grand quite like a cathedral and Canterbury Cathredral Lodge is a unique and contemporary hotel in the grounds of Canterbury Cathedral, part of an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This unique wedding venue sees guests assured of a warm welcome and has options for both small and intimate weddings to sit down meals for up to 120 guests in the Clagett Auditorium.
The summer months see the Campanile Garden provide the ideal spot for a drinks reception.
canterburycathedrallodge.org
