Top Wedding Venues in Durham

I may be biased as I call it home, but Durham has some of the best wedding venues in the UK. I have the pleasure of photographing many of them frequently and have put together this list to help you in your search for the perfect wedding venue. Looking a little wider than just Durham? Check out my post listing the Best North East Wedding Venues.

If you are searching for a wedding venue in Durham, then give this post a read, if you have any questions then please get in touch. I would be happy to discuss your wedding plans and give you tips for getting the most from your venue from a wedding photographer.

Before I list the venues it is important to say I have not been to every venue in Durham and this is purely my personal opinion. Every wedding and every couple is unique. Hopefully this post will give you a good idea of where to start, but only you know if a venue is perfect for your wedding. There are venues suitable for various prices, styles and sizes. I would always say go to the venue, look around, speak to the staff, only then will you know if it is the venue for you. It can be hard and overwhelming, but you will get a feeling when you step in a venue if it is where you want to get married. As always I advise you think about your budget before you even start looking for venues, also discuss your ‘must have’ list, things like accommodation on site or capacity for a certain number of guests.

Good luck if you are planning a wedding, Durham is such a lovely place with stunning venues and countryside. Keep an eye on my Instagram to see images from weddings at these venues and others across the North East.

Top Wedding Venues in Durham

• Bradbury Glade, Located just off the A1 near Sedgefield, this secluded tipi venue is hidden amongst the trees and is one of the best tipi venues in Durham. A wooden structure for the ceremony is located across the open green space before the three giant tipis host the rest of your wedding day. There are plenty of places for photos, ample parking and access to allow for DIY decorating if you wish.
• Hardwick Hall Hotel, situated in the stunning Hardwick Park you have plenty of green space on all sides of the hotel. Located near Sedgefield in South Durham it has great connections to main roads. Accommodation on site and plenty of ceremony options from small to large weddings. Hardwick Hall also have the option to hold your wedding alongside the Hardwick Festival, including access to the festival itself.
• Wynyard Hall Hotel, set in huge landscaped surroundings complete with a popular golf course and plenty of photography options, Wynyard Hall is the perfect backdrop to your large manor house style wedding. Ceremony options include a marquee and different rooms to accommodate weddings of all sizes from small to very large. Located between Durham and Teesside just off the A19 and A1 you have great travel connections and I have seen some truly stunning weddings here.
• The Manor House, country hotel in Bishop Auckland. The Manor House offers a lovely setting for your wedding day. reasonable pricing options for wedding packages and a great history dating back to the 12th century. Family owned hotel with exclusive use for your wedding so you won’t share your day with any other couples.
• Ramside Hall, This spa hotel in Durham boasts five rooms you can use for your ceremony including a marquee so you will not be short of options for your wedding day. Ramside Hall has a great golf course for any golf mad couples out there and you can host weddings from small 20 – 30 people to large with 500 guests! A hugely popular wedding venue. Ramside Hall also has the option to use the Treehouse space for weddings, a unique venue surrounded by trees.
• Beamish Hall, If, like me you went to school in the North of England you probably went to Beamish museum at some point as a child. It’s a stunning area of County Durham and the Hall doesn’t disappoint. A family owned hotel it has 44 rooms on site all sitting in stunning parkland. You have plenty of options for your ceremony include outdoors and rooms to suit various sizes of wedding.
• Black Horse Beamish, Just a stones throw from Beamish Hall this stunning pub style venue has a large marquee, stunning countryside on all sides, lavender field and forest. Whatever style of wedding you are planning, I would highly recommend looking at The Black Horse.
• South Causey Inn, Located in the North of Durham, South Causey offers two very different wedding styles, the barn and the Durham Suite allowing for a great backdrop whatever style of wedding you are planning. There is plenty of free parking, accommodation including hot tubs and fields for those green backdrops for your photos.
• Seaham Hall, If you are looking for a gorgeous cliff top location with views of the sea then Seaham Hall might be the perfect venue for you. Situated in 37 acres of landscaped gardens including a luxury spa and packages to suit a variety of weddings including exclusive use.
• Durham Castle, Ever dreamed of having your wedding reception in a castle? Durham castle can hold your wedding reception, overnight stay for the couple and stunning castle surroundings for photos. Check with the wedding team as they have limited availability during Durham University term time and various other events.
• New Close Farm, An exclusive outdoor wedding venue in Sacriston. Tipi weddings have never been more popular and it’s easy to see why. Stunning farm setting with amazing views and a DIY feel. There are so many options available including glamping! Easily one of my favourite venues in Durham.
• Lumley Castle, A grand castle venue with so many options for your special day. From turrets to an interior fit for your castle backdrop wedding you will be sure to find something about Lumley Castle that you love. A unique venue for any wedding.
• Bowburn Hall Hotel, Exclusive use wedding venue in a great location just off the A1. Outdoor wedding options and you can hire the entire hotel just for you and your guests. With a capacity of up to 120 for the ceremony you will be able to fit in plenty of friends and family.
• Redworth Hall Hotel, Stunning 17th century manor house, Redworth Hall boasts high ceilings and chandeliers in the amazing ceremony room. A lovely setting in the South of Durham near Newton Aycliffe with great access to main roads and public transport. The exterior and grounds are stunning for wedding photos.

I will continue to update this list with images, information and links to blogs from weddings at these venues. If you think I have missed one that you love, let me know. Durham is a stunning location and even if you are not planning a wedding it’s worth a visit. The history, Cathedral and river are all worth seeing. It reminds me of my home city of York, another fantastic northern location to get married, but that’s for another post.

If you would like some tips on what questions to ask a venue, I recorded a podcast episode covering just that, take a listen below: