Wedding venue inspiration - Historic venues

The Spa Hotel, Royal Tunbridge Wells

This hotel is a classic, elegant and grand venue with a rich history. Built in 1766 as a country mansion, The Spa Hotel has a grand Edwardian-style exterior that's truly breathtaking. It's recently been refurbished in a way that's sympathetic to the age and style of the building, creating a welcoming period feel with modern comforts. Nestled within 14 acres of glorious grounds and gardens, this is a stunning setting for your big day and a beautiful backdrop for those all-important photos. If al fresco vows are your preferred option, you can tie the knot in the gorgeous Spa Temple overlooking the gardens and lakes. It can accommodate 250, plus extra capacity for standing. The Kings Room is also able to welcome 250 ceremony guests and is the venue's largest space. It oozes grandeur and boasts a classic style with royal blue, gold features and stunning chandeliers. The Orangery was built in 2008 and is a more modern, bright room offering panoramic views of the grounds with its very own terrace, ideal for reception drinks.

Knowlton Court, Canterbury

This quintessentially English house oozes calm and serenity in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. The house is beautiful, and the rooms are elegant, complete with fine artwork, huge stone fireplaces and fabulous features. Sitting in 20,000 acres of private land, Knowlton Court is approached by an avenue of lime trees culminating in the circular lawn and walled garden. The house is surrounded by formal gardens and you feel a sense of calm and tranquility wandering through them. The amusing topiary hedges are always a talking point and the masses of climbing roses add fantastic colour and an unbelievable scent. There are a number of properties within the estate, which can accommodate up to 64 overnight guests, including the ten-bedroom Dower House.

The Hop Farm, Maidstone

The Hop Farm is one of Kent's quintessential, landmark weddings venues. With the famous backdrop of the county's traditional oast houses, and surrounded by beautifully manicured gardens, it's an idyllic location for your special day. The wedding gardens and terraces are exclusive to each wedding and provide a wealth of jaw-dropping backdrops for your photographer to utilise. You have the luxury of choice when it comes to your ceremony, with outdoor and indoor options available. In the gardens, the wedding gazebo can host 140 guests and indoors the Whites Wedding Suite can hold the same number. Receptions, on the other hand, can also be hosted in either of the above two places with capacity for 150 loved ones, or alternatively in the Shires Wedding Suite filled with beams and facing the outdoor terrace. It's a bright space and wonderful for hosting celebrations for 150 guests.

Nettlestead Place, Nettlestead

As you arrive at Nettlestead Place via the beautiful 14th-century gatehouse, the Grad I listed manor comes into view. It's still a private family home and has, over the centuries, hosted many a lavish event and celebration. This lovely historical building, along with its stunning surroundings, offers a quintessentially English setting for your big day. The venue has 10 acres of award-winning gardens with its own picture-perfect sunken pond and beautiful far-reaching views across the River Medway. With its stone walls, archways, secret gardens, and winding pathways, Nettlestead Place offers a wealth of incredible photo opportunities. What's more, you're offered a complimentary menu and wine-tasting experience when you book your wedding date here.

Tonbridge School, Tonbridge

Tonbridge School's main buildings feature original architecture from 1553 to the present day, which is all immaculately kept. Set in 150 acres, the site has a selection of beautiful gardens, sculptures, and tranquil spots. It's also conveniently located close to town with ample parking for your guests. There are six stunning locations to choose from for your vows from the headmaster's library, to the quirky cricket pavilion. For post-ceremony celebrations you have the option of The Lowry Room, with its vaulted ceiling, minstrel's gallery and large feature windows. It can accommodate 80 of your nearest and dearest for the wedding breakfast, with 120 joining you for the evening bash. Next the OBC Art Gallery is a modern space, boasting leaded windows, which provide a light and airy location for 120 diners and 150 reception guests. The Big School on the other hand is a traditional wood-panelled hall complete with stage and stained-glass windows. The space is ideal for seated buffet menus for 150 nearest and dearest, or evening celebrations for 300. Finally, there's the Orchard Centre. A fully air-conditioned, modern dining room, it overlooks the central school grounds, and can host 150 seated or 300 for the evening.

Cobham Hall, Cobham

Nestled in 150 acres of Grade II listed parkland, Cobham Hall dates back to 1208 when the original manor was granted by the King to the De Cobham family. The Hall is home to a priceless collection of paintings and antiques as well as to the famous ashes of English cricket, which were gifted by the then English cricket captain and future 8th Earl of Darnley, Ivo Bligh, in 1883. Now operating as an independent day and boarding school for 200 girls, Cobham Hall is one of the country's finest historic country houses. Only 28 miles from central London and within easy reach of the A2, M2, M20 and M25 the venue is conveniently situated, while enjoying a picturesque and tranquil setting. Offering a maximum of 20 wedding dates per year, Cobham Hall is a hidden gem that will amazing your guests with its history, grandeur and elegance, and its dedicated wedding team will help you create a day designed exclusively for you. What's more on booking your wedding day at Cobham Hall, you'll be invited to a complimentary menu tasting and wine pairing. Plus, there a bridal dressing room and groom's lounge on site for use on the morning of your wedding.

Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley

Bromley Court is a hotel steeped in history, with the atmosphere of a wonderful and intimate country house. Years of hospitality experience have gone into fine-tuning their beautiful rooms and event spaces, and things are kept wonderfully simple by ensuring all you need for your big day is included as standard in all packages. The stunning gardens are also rich in history with the Italianate gardens, which are bursting with vibrant flowers and complete with urns and terracing.

Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa, Fawkham

Built for the Duke of Norfolk in 1806, this Georgian mansion has a charming red brick facade and romantic front porch, positioned at the end of a long tree-lined drive, perfect for that special arrival and plenty of idyllic wedding photographs. This charming hotel gives way to elegant painted oak panelling and decorative cornicing, nodding to its past as a famous country house where entertainment was king. The function suites are enriched with contemporary touches such as modern spotlighting and decorative mirrors, creating a glamorous backdrop. Steps down from the traditional covered porch lead you on to a perfectly manicured lawn to the front of the hotel, with the smaller lawn to the rear accessed from the Terrace Suite.

Hythe Imperial Hotel, Hythe

The stunning four-star Hythe Imperial is a beautiful classically styled hotel situated on Kent's seafront, with the beach a mere stone's throw away. It boasts uninterrupted panoramic vistas across the English Channel from the rear, whilst the front looks out over the hotel's perfectly manicured gardens. As a point of interest, it also boasts the tallest chandelier in Europe, created by Royal Warrant holders Wilkinson and Co. It's a stunning confection of 25,000 individual crystals. How's that for some impressive wedding-day opulence? When it comes to your vows, you've a whole host of options from the gorgeous gazebo (130 guests), located amongst the spectacular gardens, to the glamorous Imperial Ballroom, a spectacular space that can also host 130 guests for your reception. There are spaces too, ideal for more intimate "I dos," in the shape of the Coast Restaurant (30 guests), which offers a majestic carpeted entrance, and the Elizabeth Room (100 guests), offering a lovely light blank canvas.

Best Western Clifton Hotel, Folkestone

Built in the 19th century, the Clifton Hotel is known for its scenic views and grand style. Bringing together elements of modern style and traditional charm, The Clifton Hotel is located on The Leas in Folkestone, next to the Clifton Gardens. Both offer glorious setting for your all-important wedding photos. The grand Georgian façade is painted in the traditional cream hue, common in buildings of the era, and there are terraces surrounding the front, which make it an inviting place to visit and spend time. In recent years this coastal hotel has introduced new facilities such as the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar and Grill, along with the Ocean Bleu lounge bar, all while retaining the period charm of the architecture. The Pleydell Suite and The Romney Suite are both licensed for ceremonies, as well as offering ideal spaces for your afternoon and evening celebrations. They can accommodate 50 and 30 guests respectively.