How to find the best Gloucestershire countryside wedding venue
Gloucestershire offers a rich tapestry of countryside settings for wedding celebrations, from the rolling hills and meadows of the Cotswolds to the ancient woodlands of the Forest of Dean and the fertile river valleys of the Severn and Wye.
Matara
Matara is an extraordinary fusion of East meets West set within 28 acres of peaceful parkland near Tetbury in the Cotswold countryside. This unique venue centers around a Grade II listed Regency house complemented by Japanese-inspired gardens and contemporary circular spaces designed according to sacred geometry principles. Check out this beautiful Matara wedding.
Main Offerings for Weddings:
- Ceremony and Reception Spaces: The venue offers multiple ceremony settings including the stunning light-filled Cloistered Courtyard with its central water feature (accommodating up to 150 guests), the elegant Regency Drawing Room for more intimate ceremonies (up to 40 guests), and several licensed outdoor locations. For receptions, the Asian-inspired banqueting hall can accommodate up to 150 guests with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the countryside.
- Outdoor Spaces: Matara’s grounds feature a remarkable blend of formal Regency gardens, tranquil Japanese elements with koi ponds and meditation spaces, and natural woodland areas, all designed to create a journey through different landscape experiences that evolve with the seasons. Multiple outdoor ceremony locations are licensed, including beneath a copper beech tree and alongside reflecting pools.
What Makes Matara Stand Out:
- Spectacular Rural Isolation: Located down winding country lanes in a hidden Cotswold valley, Matara offers exceptional seclusion and privacy while being just minutes from Tetbury and Nailsworth, creating a sense of discovery and escape from everyday surroundings.
- Comprehensive On-Site Accommodation: The venue offers 10 uniquely designed en-suite bedrooms accommodating up to 20 guests, including the spectacular Bridal Suite with its Japanese-influenced design and private garden access. Additional accommodation includes two self-contained cottages sleeping up to 6 more guests, making it possible to house key wedding party members on-site for a complete weekend experience.
- Holistic Wedding Packages: Matara offers transparent pricing with exclusive-use packages starting from £5,500 for midweek dates to £9,500 for summer weekends (2023 pricing). Their flexible approach allows couples to create either single-day celebrations or weekend-long experiences, with accommodation charged separately (from £1,800 for all rooms).
Review Highlights:
- ”The most incredible Venue! My husband and I recently got married at The Matara Centere and cannot praise this beautiful place highly enough! We knew from the minute we first visited that it was the perfect place to celebrate our special day and absolutely loved the amazing sense of peace that seems so apparent the moment you set foot on the lovely grounds!” Google
- ”As we were having a celebrant led ceremony we had our pick of places within the grounds and we chose to have our ceremony outside by the lake (not the courtyard pond). We really wanted an outdoor ceremony surrowned by nature, which Matara has in abundance!” Google
Brinsop Court
Brinsop Court is a medieval moated manor house nestled in 800 acres of unspoiled Herefordshire countryside near the Welsh border. This Grade I listed estate, dating back to the 13th century, combines authentic historical character with a remarkably secluded rural setting away from public roads and neighbouring properties. The perfect Gloucestershire countryside wedding venue!
Main Offerings for Weddings:
- Ceremony and Reception Spaces: The venue offers multiple ceremony locations including the intimate wood-paneled Elizabethan Library (accommodating up to 60 guests), the grandeur of the Banqueting Hall with its original medieval features (up to 96 guests), and the charming 12th-century St. George’s Church located on the estate. For larger receptions, the purpose-built oak-framed Knot Barn within the courtyard can host up to 120 guests.
- Outdoor Spaces: The estate features enchanting gardens surrounding the moat, including formal knot gardens, ancient oak woodlands reputedly visited by Wordsworth, and sprawling wildflower meadows that showcase the natural beauty of rural Herefordshire.
What Makes Brinsop Court Stand Out:
- Complete Rural Privacy: Nestled in its own extensive valley with no public access, Brinsop offers exceptional seclusion within the rolling Herefordshire hills, guests approach via a mile-long private drive through estate farmland, creating a genuine countryside retreat experience.
- Luxury Estate Accommodation: The manor house and connected buildings offer exceptional accommodation for up to 33 guests across 18 individually designed bedrooms, with additional capacity for 12 more guests in self-contained cottages on the estate. All rooms feature luxurious furnishings that blend historical character with modern comfort.
- Flexible Multi-Day Packages: Brinsop specialises in weekend-long celebrations with packages starting from £10,000 for exclusive use of the entire estate for three days (2023 pricing), allowing couples to create an extended house party experience.
Review Highlights:
- ”Pure magic. There’s no better way to describe our wedding weekend at Brinsop Court. My husband and I had our unforgettable celebration there last summer, and we’re still not over it—and don’t think we ever will be.” Google
- ”Just OBSESSED! We got married at Brinsop in April this year and it everything and more!! Everything went perfectly and we couldn’t be happier. We can’t thank the team enough for all the help on the lead up to the day to the next morning. They were always on hand to answer any questions no matter how small or how many!” Google
Eastington Park
Eastington Park is an elegant Georgian manor house set within 8 acres of gardens surrounded by the pastoral Gloucestershire countryside near Stonehouse. This 18th-century residence combines classical architectural proportions with a refreshingly relaxed approach to country house celebrations.
Main Offerings for Weddings:
- Ceremony and Reception Spaces: The venue offers multiple ceremony settings including the elegant Ballroom with enormous sash windows overlooking the grounds (accommodating up to 120 guests), and the grand Entrance Hall with its sweeping staircase (up to 60 guests). The venue can accommodate up to 250 guests for larger celebrations, with all internal spaces featuring professional sound systems and atmospheric lighting included in the venue hire.
- Outdoor Spaces: The house is surrounded by manicured lawns that transition into countryside views, with mature trees, a charming gazebo, and a traditional Victorian walled garden that provides a secluded outdoor setting within the broader landscape. The grounds include a licensed outdoor ceremony area perfect for summer celebrations.
What Makes Eastington Park Stand Out:
- Rural Setting with Accessibility: While surrounded by open countryside and farmland, Eastington benefits from exceptional transport links being just minutes from the M5 motorway, combining rural tranquility with practical convenience.
- Extensive On-Site Accommodation: The house offers 23 beautifully appointed en-suite bedrooms accommodating up to 50 guests, including a magnificent Bridal Suite with countryside views and spacious preparation areas.
- Transparent Pricing Structure: Eastington Park offers straightforward packages starting from £5,000 for midweek dates to £12,000 for summer weekends (2023 pricing), with significant seasonal variations that make winter and spring celebrations particularly good value. All packages include exclusive venue use for 24 hours, accommodation for up to 50 guests, essential furniture, sound equipment, and dedicated coordination support.
Review Highlights:
- ”From our first visit, to our wedding day, everyone at Eastington Park has been amazing. Every detail, big and small, was perfect. Our wedding manager Kathryn was so helpful and made the whole day so stress free. We can’t thank you all enough! Thanks for the memories.” Google
- ”On the day, nothing was ever too much and Jen was on top of everythng and knew our plan for the day inside out. We had a lot of little bits to put out in the morning and Jen made sure everything was put where it needed to be and was checking in on us to make sure we were all okay.” Google
Clearwell Castle
Clearwell Castle is a Gothic Revival masterpiece nestled within the enchanting Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. This magnificent Grade II* listed castle, built in 1727, offers couples a genuine fairy-tale setting steeped in 18th-century romance and architectural grandeur, all surrounded by the ancient woodland of one of England’s oldest forests. When you think of the best Gloucestershire countryside wedding venues, Clearwell is at the top of the list!
Main Offerings for Weddings:
- Ceremony and Reception Spaces: The breathtaking Ballroom serves as the castle’s primary ceremony space, featuring a 75-foot aisle, original leaded windows, and a magnificent vaulted ceiling that can accommodate up to 150 seated guests for both ceremonies and formal dining. Additional spaces include the elegantly appointed Drawing Room for more intimate gatherings and the Cellar Bar for evening entertainment, all included within the exclusive use hire.
- Outdoor Spaces: The castle is surrounded by 20 acres of private gardens and woodland, including ancient forest paths, and a charming walled garden.The formal front lawns offer a spectacular backdrop for drinks receptions with the castle façade serving as a dramatic setting for group photos.
What Makes Clearwell Castle Stand Out:
- Authentic Castle Experience: Unlike venues with castle-inspired features, Clearwell offers couples genuine castellated architecture with turrets, Gothic arches, and an imposing entrance that creates a sense of authentic historical grandeur.
- Comprehensive Wedding Packages: Clearwell specializes in all-inclusive wedding experiences with packages starting from £7,500 for midweek dates to £15,000 for summer weekends (2023 pricing). Their approach focuses on simplifying the planning process with packages that include venue hire, catering, drink packages, evening food, DJ services, and coordination support, allowing couples to arrange their entire celebration through a single point of contact.
- Romantic On-Site Accommodation: The castle offers 15 beautifully appointed bedrooms within the main building and adjacent Gatehouse, sleeping up to 30 guests. The spectacular Bridal Suite features an original four-poster bed, countryside views, and a luxurious bathroom with roll-top bath, while additional themed rooms maintain the castle’s romantic character throughout.
Review Highlights:
- ”Absolutely amazing! Couldn’t imagine a better place to get married. Married here on the 28th of April, and had the time of our lives! Everything right down to the finest detail was perfect. Staff lovely, food delicious, venue incredible.” Google
- ”An amazing place!!! My best friend got married here yesterday. It was an absolutely fantastic day from start to finish! The Castle is beautiful, with excellent grassed croquet lawns. The service from all the members of the staff was incredible! They all did an amazing job.” Google
Marquee Weddings in Gloucestershire
If a fixed Gloucestershire countryside wedding venue isn’t for you, marquee celebrations offer couples the ultimate flexibility to create a bespoke countryside wedding in some of Gloucestershire’s most spectacular rural locations. From family farms and private estates to meadows with panoramic views, marquee venues provide a blank canvas that can be positioned to maximise the natural beauty of the surrounding landscape.
Main Offerings for Weddings:
- Ceremony and Reception Spaces: Modern marquees range from classic pole structures to contemporary clear-span designs with glass walls that bring the outside in. These versatile spaces can be configured to accommodate celebrations from intimate gatherings of 50 to grand affairs of 500+. Many Gloucestershire landowners now offer dedicated areas for marquee weddings with established utilities, while others provide truly untouched settings for more adventurous couples.
- Outdoor Spaces: Gloucestershire offers exceptional diversity for marquee settings, from riverside meadows in the Severn Valley to elevated positions on the Cotswold escarpment with commanding views, ancient orchards, or woodland clearings that provide a natural cathedral effect.
What Makes Gloucestershire Marquee Weddings Stand Out:
- Landscape Diversity: The county’s varied terrain creates multiple distinctive settings for marquee celebrations, from the dramatic elevations of the Cotswold edge to the ancient woodland of the Forest of Dean.
- Budget Flexibility: Marquee weddings offer unparalleled budget control, with basic structures starting from around £2,500 for simple affairs to £20,000+ for elaborate designs with multiple connected spaces.
- Complete Customization: Unlike established venues with fixed features, marquee celebrations allow couples to create environments that perfectly reflect their personality and style, from traditional English garden parties to festival-inspired gatherings or elegant formal affairs.
