Wedding venue inspiration - Historic venues

Hengrave Hall, Suffolk

This wedding venue is a must-see if you're looking for a breathtakingly beautiful setting for your big day. It's got it all, a fascinating history, its own idyllic chapel, glorious gardens and more. Enter through the iron gates and make your way down the tree-lined drive to catch your first glimpse of the magnificent Tudor mansion. Exclusively yours, you can create your dream wedding and make the most of the indoor and outdoor spaces. With four different rooms licensed for ceremonies, you'll be spoilt for choice. You can tie the knot in the grand Banqueting Hall with 140 guests or for more intimate 'I dos', the Library is ideal and can seat up to 20 loved ones. The sun-kissed West Terrace is great for al fresco drinks receptions and the Long Gallery, with its white timber panelling and crystal chandeliers, is a popular choice for the wedding breakfast. Come the evening, throw open the doors to the Banqueting hall and take to the dazzling black and white dancefloor for a party to remember. There's a separate bar, a chill-out area and even a fully equipped playroom for the little ones.

Caley Hall Hotel, Norfolk

If you're on the hunt for a coastal wedding venue for your big day, this charming hotel is a must-see. Just a ten-minute walk from the glorious beach at Old Hunstanton, it's the perfect spot for a chilled celebration and toes-in-the-sand photos post vows. Fresh and bright, it's tastefully decorated and the recently refurbished public spaces create a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere with a country-chic feel. Think wooden beams, beautifully dressed long tables with crisp white cloths and hessian runners. Whatever your taste or style, it's a great venue for a stylish wedding. Set around the original ivy-clad manor house, which dates back to 1648, the hotel boasts 38 chalet-style bedrooms, a stylish bar and lounge and an award-winning restaurant which can host up to 80 people for the ceremony and wedding breakfast, plus a further 50 for the evening celebration. For intimate ceremonies the Old Barn is ideal and when the weather's fine, the patio areas are the perfect place to mix and mingle post-vows or just for taking time out to relax in the sun.

Woodhall Manor, Sutton, Suffolk

Step inside Woodhall Manor and discover a romantic exclusive-use wedding venue steeped in history. Close to the Suffolk Heritage Coast, surrounded by beautiful grounds and countryside, your guests are sure to be impressed as they arrive down the sweeping drive. Full of character and charm, the stunning manor is set in nine acres of glorious gardens. With an experienced team on hand to help every step of the way, the versatile venue caters for everything from intimate weddings to grand celebrations with up to 200 guests. Licensed for indoor and outdoor ceremonies, you can be sure of a one-of-a-kind big day. The manor's mix of history, beauty and eclectic features offers something for everyone. Combined with the Blossom Bar, with its stage, comfy seating and dancefloor, it's great for a lavish evening party so you can dance the night away in style with your family and friends. Foodie heaven too; the award-winning chefs use only the freshest local ingredients for a feast to remember.

Abbot’s Hall Weddings, Stowmarket, Suffolk

Abbot's Hall Weddings, set within the grounds of the Museum of East Anglian Life, offers historic buildings galore. From the stunning Queen Anne-style architecture of Abbot's Hall, to the 13th-century Medieval Abbot's Hall Barn providing a stunning backdrop for wedding photos, it offers something to suit a whole host of different styles and themes. The impressive marquee on the back lawns of Abbot's Hall provides a blank canvas for the wedding breakfast with up to 200 guests and the stunning Medieval tithe barn is a wonderfully atmospheric setting for evening receptions. There's a variety of characterful ceremony spaces too, full of original features including Edgar's Medieval farmhouse, Abbot's Hall dining room, the Stable block for outdoor weddings and Gt Moulton Chapel, a tin tabernacle that still retains original features from when it was an active chapel.

Christchurch Mansion, Ipswich, Suffolk

This iconic Ipswich landmark can't fail to impress. The mansion is a Tudor gem, with standout features at every twist and turn, so be prepared for plenty of stop-stare moments. Step inside and enter the Great Hall, a magnificent high-ceilinged room with a black and white chequered marble floor and an ornate fireplace. Numerous other period rooms and furniture as well as a large fine art collection add to its charm. The building has been altered over the years with classical columns and balustrade added in the 17th century. The picturesque grounds offer a wealth of photo opportunities, with rolling lawns, ponds and scenic woodland.

Heacham Manor Hotel, Heacham, Norfolk

If you're dreaming of a quintessentially English country house wedding, Heacham Manor Hotel is a must-see. Built from the region's earthy carrstone bricks in 1580, it oozes history and charm with period features inside and out. From the moment you arrive down the pretty driveway to catch your first glimpse of the gardens and picturesque duck pond, the magic begins. With two rivers winding through the parkland golf course, and four lakes, it's a photographer's dream. The peaceful grounds include garden areas with romantic arbours, ponds and hidden seating areas. What's more, it's only a mile-and-a-half away from the Victorian seaside town of Hunstanton; great if you're planning to stay over to explore the surrounding coast and countryside.

Hintlesham Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk

Wind your way down the tree-lined drive to discover this historic gem of a wedding venue. Surrounded by peaceful mature gardens, the outside of the hall has a Georgian façade and an elegant Tudor feature at the back. You can tie the knot in a choice of distinctive rooms to suit weddings large or small. The Georgian-style Salon can host up to 100 guests and boasts an impressive chandelier and ornate gold-leaf ceiling while for more intimate 'I dos' with up to 20 loved ones, The Justice on the ground-floor overlooks the back lawns and has a charm all of its own. There are three beautiful function rooms including The Salon which with the adjacent Parlour is big enough for 135 family and friends. There are three lounges to relax in and at the end of the night staying guests can retire to the luxuriously furnished bedrooms, all individually designed and many with original timber beams.

Kimberley Hall, Wymondham, Norfolk

You'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing where to pose for romantic photos at Kimberley Hall. Built in 1712, the romantic Queen Anne-style house offers breathtaking views of the lake and private park and the redbrick frontage, curved colonnades, wings, turrets and other classical features provide a fairytale big-day backdrop. Your family and friends are sure to be impressed as they're welcomed into the grand entrance hall. You can tie the knot in the light and elegant Music Room with its grand pianos, chandelier, cosy fireplace and huge arched window looking on to the garden. There's space for up to 130 guests and the room connects to the garden via an impressive spiral staircase complete with a cascade of hanging butterflies; great for bridal shots. The terraced garden looking towards the lake can also be used for outdoors ceremonies and with a marquee for the wedding breakfast and reception, there's unlimited capacity if you're planning on inviting a crowd.

Shire Hall, Woodbridge, Suffolk

Say 'I do' immersed in history at the Shire Hall Council Chamber in Woodbridge. The magnificent Grade I listed redbrick building is a local landmark with its impressive black-iron railing, stone steps and balcony. Originally built by Thomas Seckford around 1575, the arched entrance doors stand proudly overlooking Market Hill and its historic neighbours. The fabric of the building has undergone many changes over the centuries, and the upper part was formerly used for judicial purposes while the ground floor served as an open corn market. Today it provides an intimate and romantic space for wedding ceremonies. With a wealth of stunning features including six large candelabra hanging from the tall ceiling and panelled walls, ceremonies take place in the Council Chamber, a large airy room which can hold up to 69 people seated, including the wedding par