Venue inspiration from An Essex Wedding

Deciding on your ideal Essex wedding venue is an key part of your wedding planning. There is a huge choice of different venue types in Essex including hotels, barns, country manor houses, romantic castles as well as chic city and town centre locations.

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Where are the venues?

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Pontlands Park, Chelmsford

Located on the outskirts of Chelmsford city centre, Essex, up a private driveway, this lovingly restored Victorian house wedding venue is surrounded by landscaped gardens and a pretty pond is the ideal setting for weddings. The interiors have a contemporary finish, but retain historical features such as the grand staircase. Outside, the silk-lined Marquee twinkles under an impressive chandelier.

Three Rivers Golf and Country Club, Chelmsford

On the outer fringes of the village of Cold Norton, in Purleigh, Chelmsford, Essex this wedding venue is surrounded by 300 acres of stunning Essex countryside, providing a tranquil big-day location. Inside the contemporary building there's a covered welcome area followed by a large staircase leading up to the function suites. To the rear is a balcony offering far-reaching views. The lawn, opulent Wedding Gazebo and arched bridge provide memorable photo opportunities.

Colchester Town Hall, Colchester

A Victorian building completed in 1845, Colchester Town Hall is based on the High Street in the heart of Colchester, Essex, with Castle Park close by for beautiful photographs. A prestigious building rich in history, the impressive facade conceals a hidden gem. The magnificent function rooms are all decorated in an opulent style with ornate and original features, such as satined-glass windows, oil paintings and murals.

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Old Brook Barn, Navestock

Discreetly positioned within the picturesque village of Navestock, Brentwood, Essex Old Brook Barn is a 17th-century barn found within 23 acres of quintessentially English countryside. Accessed via a charming timber bridge, groups can enjoy views across the meadow field, a secret garden for celebrations and a natural brook. A secluded courtyard is positioned to the front of the building and is furnished with a gazebo, rustic bar area and characterful timber furniture. Step inside the barn, and visitors find gorgeous original features, exposed beams, high ceilings and carved-wood detailing but with the benefit of modern lighting and a PA system. The Minstrel's Gallery overlooks the Main Hall and opens on to a wonderful south-facing balcony.

Houchins Wedding Venue, Coggeshall

Though situated just off the A120 near Coggeshall, Essex Houchins is hidden away and set in its own peaceful, landscaped grounds. The zinc and cedar-shingle barn is nestled in the Wedding Garden, surrounded by abundant plants and flowers. Huge glass folding double doors open on to an expansive west-facing terrace to give the feeling of bringing the outside in, and for loved ones to enjoy views over the elegant marquee and pond.

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Layer Marney Tower, Colchester

Layer Marney Tower is a stunning Tudor building set within formal gardens in Colchester, Essex. The grounds flow seamlessly into oak avenues, a pond, parkland and the Blackwater Estuary in the distance. The building's soft red brick and terracotta façade has been weathered over 500 years and is the perfect backdrop for weddings. Although magnificent – this is the tallest of all the Tudor gatehouses – it has a homely, welcoming ambience. Floodlit in the evenings, its beauty is breathtaking. Having welcomed visitors such as Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, you might expect the interior to feel imposing. In reality, its subtle tones, beautiful hangings and oak finishes create a timeless beauty, which has been brought into the 21st century.

Marks Hall Estate, Coggeshall

A leading visitor attraction in Coggeshall, Essex, Marks Hall Estate offers a heritage landscape that extends to more than 2,200 acres of Essex countryside. Managed and cared for by a charitable trust, the estate features woodlands, a world-class arboretum, tranquil lakes and a walled garden. Carefully planted for year-round colour, it provides a wonderful big-day backdrop and a memorable setting for guests to explore.

Wivenhoe House Hotel, Colchester

Found in idyllic Essex parkland and gardens, this stunning 18th-century country house hotel is nothing short of spectacular. Its magnificent façade is enhanced by the elegantly restored interiors and sweeping staircases. Sixteen individual suites and bedrooms are located in the main house while beautiful, relaxing lounges overlook the carefully restored sunken lawn. The traditional house is complemented by the modern Garden Wing, which is home to 24 modern bedrooms and a popular brasserie serving the best of British produce.

Down Hall Hotel and Spa, Bishop's Stortford

Nestled in 110 acres of woodland, parkland and meticulously landscaped gardens, in Bishop's Stortford, Essex, is this grand Italianate mansion. The grounds are full of picturesque spots including a large water fountain sitting across from a quirky folly, as well as the new Charles Garden, which is an exclusive spot designed with al fresco celebrations in mind. There's also the terrace with its outdoor gin bar – the perfect place to while away a summer's evening.

Gosfield Hall, Halstead

Nestled on the edge of Gosfield village, Halstead, Essex in scenic Constable country, Gosfield Hall is surrounded by 10 acres of landscaped parkland and a natural mile-long lake. Flanked by enormous statues of stags and styled with ornate fountains, it creates a stunning big-day backdrop. The Grade I listed Georgian manor has four wings, each with differing façades. In the centre is a pretty gravelled courtyard and four impressive Roman statues built into the walls. Visitors step inside to find luxuriously opulent interiors.

Colchester Castle, Colchester

Located at the entrance of Castle Park, in Colchester, Essex, Colchester Castle is steeped in thousands of years of history and makes quite the wedding venue backdrop. Set in the heart of the town, and surrounded by manicured lawns and gardens, it's an idyllic backdrop for weddings. Crossing the grand drawbridge into the venue, guests enter the Norman castle, which dates back to the 11th century. The keep is mostly intact and is the largest of its kind in Europe. Inside, hundreds of artefacts dating back to the Romans provide unique entertainment for guests.

Little Easton Manor, Dunmow

Found in the heart of the Essex countryside, in Dunmow, Little Easton Manor estate is a precious piece of Essex history, with its 15th-century manor house being built on the foundations of a Medieval castle and recorded in the Domesday Book. The manor and its two magnificent barns proudly sit in 66 acres of glorious grounds, with lakes, manicured lawns, ever-changing seasonal flowers and resident peacocks!

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Ivy Hill Hotel, Margaretting

Nestled in five acres of landscaped gardens, Ivy Hill Hotel, a wedding venue in Margaretting, Essex, is a family-owned 31-bedroom boutique hotel. Dating back to 1891, and with traditional values still very much at its core, this lovingly converted Victorian country house offers exceptional levels of comfort and service along with contemporary styling.

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Greenwoods Hotel & Spa, Stock

A wedding venue located in acres of beautifully landscaped gardens in the picturesque village of Stock, Essex, Greenwoods Hotel & Spa is an idyllic big-day setting. Dating back to the 17th century, the impressive building boasts many original features, and recent extensions are in-keeping with the style of the original manor house.

Stoke by Nayland Hotel, Golf, Spa & Lodges, Colchester

Set in 300 acres of Constable country sits this award-winning and family-owned venue, which has been hosting weddings for more than 45 years. The rural hotel is reached via a long driveway, which passes between the stunning fairways of two championship golf courses. There are 80 en suite bedrooms and a two AA Rosette restaurant. In the winter, the hotel is transformed, with log fires burning apple wood from the owner's family farm. Guests will love the five luxury lodges for accommodation in a secluded, woodland setting beside a beautiful lake.

Check out their listing in our Find A Service Directory