Wedding photograph of a bride and groom in the spa at gilpin lakehouse - lake district elopement

The Best Lake District Wedding Venues – The top 12 in the Lakes

Author

Gavin Jacob Power

The Twelve Best Lake District Wedding Venues from a Wedding Photographers View.

The Lake District and Cumbria is awash with glorious wedding venues. I have been a wedding photographer in the Lake District for seven years, and in that time I’ve had the privilege of photographing weddings in some of the best lake district wedding venues around. Chances are you are reading this after recently getting engaged – congratulations if this is the case. Wedding planning can be a stressful time. The first instance you will be wandering what do I do first? Well booking your wedding venue is most likely priority one. So hopefully this will help.

Picking your dream wedding venue can be tricky, with so much choice. The Lake District is without doubt known for its outdoor beauty and its vast array of unique wedding venues. Tipi weddings & Marquee weddings have boomed in recent times, but without question wedding barns, country houses, or large hotels still hold their worth in the Lake District and Cumbria. The list of Cumbria & Lake District wedding venues below is varied to offer a good selection of choices. They are based on some of my personal favourites that throughout the years I have enjoying photographing weddings at. So grab a glass of Prosecco and enjoy a peruse.


1| Abbey House Hotel >> South Lakes Wedding Venue

Abbey House Hotel & Gardens is a stunning, award winning wedding venue that will create the perfect wedding of your dreams. Abbey House is more than just a luxury Lake District hotel, above all it is a wedding wonderland set in 14 acres of landscaped grounds on the doorstep of the Southern Lake District.

When you are not eating your delicious wedding breakfast in the majestic grand hall, I suggest you take a stroll down to the nearby Furness Abbey or around the grounds. You don’t always need a lake as these locations will capture without doubt the most magical wedding photographs before partying the night away. Abbey House has a larger function suite for weddings with more guests, and a fabulous bothy to get ready in the morning of your wedding.

Abbey House Wedding photo at furness abbey

ABBEY HOUSE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG


2| Armathwaite Hall >> Country House wedding Venue near Bassenthwaite lake

Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa is an unforgettable Lake District wedding venue, set on the shores of the breath-taking Bassenthwaite Lake. They offer four different wedding ceremony venues, including the stunning outside Woodland Gazebo. There is an option to suit every budget and style.

A wedding in the Lake District would be pointless without stunning views of the surrounding countryside. One of the greatest pulls of Armathwaite Hall is its location. Set in an elevated position on the shore, looking out over Bassenthwaite Lake and Mount Skiddaw means you can get married outside whilst you a glimpse of your amazing natural surroundings.

With the tranquility of the gardens, breath-taking countryside, mouth-watering food. Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa is a truly unique place to celebrate your wedding day in the Lake District. An exceptional venue and environment for an elopement wedding.

Gay Wedding at Armathwaite Hall lake district elopement - the best lake district wedding venue

ARMATHWAITE HALL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG


3| Askham Hall >> Best wedding Lake District Wedding Venue full of pure class

Askham Hall, Is a wedding venue of pure class. With a charming Grade II listed Bank Barn that has been sympathetically converted into a first class wedding venue. With original features, bare stone walls and an open beamed oak ceiling together with contemporary lighting, an oak dance floor and large glass doors. Perfect for the wedding ceremony and after party.

Askham Hall really is a special and unique setting for your wedding. The hall itself retains a grand allure. With Michelin Starred food, a swimming pool, and the most delightfully manicured gardens for your wedding walk. It is a place that wedding photographers dream of. A venue with a lot of character and charm.

Askham Hall Wedding Photography Of Bride and Groom lake district

ASKHAM HALL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG

4| Blaithwaite House >> Lake District wedding venue with the best outdoor vibes.

Blaithwaite House weddings are like no other. With heavenly secluded gardens, exquisite original features and a rustic barn. This uniquely private wedding venue, just north of the lake district, is not only great for an outdoor wedding but also has plentiful accommodation for your guests. The venues backdrops will create incomparable photos of your day and memories to last for a lifetime.

It’s the attention to detail which really makes a successful and memorable wedding and the team at Blaithwaite House are next to none. They cater for your every need and there is nothing too much. The highlight is a glorious autumnal wedding on the summer house and the sun glistens across the pond. If you want wedding serenity this is your place.

bride with a jenny packham wedding dress by the summer house at blaithwaite house

BLAITHWAITE HOUSE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG


5| Eden Barn >> Barn Wedding Venue Just outside of the lakes, up there with the best of the best.

Eden Barn host weddings with a true charm! Set in 100 acres, their exclusive and intimate licensed Wedding Barn will immerse your guests in the endearment and character of Cumbria’s enchanting Upper Eden Valley, just west of the Lakes.  

Eden Barns traditional 200 year old Westmorland stone barn has a rustic elegance that can be tailored to your theme, for a unique wedding. This beautiful building is packed with rustic charm from the giant chandeliers to the exposed stone walls, limestone flagged floor and vaulted ceiling. Outside there are expansive views, a hand-thatched gazebo – for that outdoor wedding ceremony – and lovely landscaped grounds. 

I believe that it still maintains the character of the farm, which is perfect for creating some truly memorable wedding photographs. A must view for all and only a short distance away from your perfect lake District honeymoon.

exterior photography of Eden Barn  wedding venue

EDEN BARN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG


6| Gilpin Lake House >> The Best elopement wedding venue in the Lake District

The wedding venue that I always said I would choose. In my eyes there is not a better wedding venue in the Lake District for a small intimate or elopement wedding.

Designed with exclusive use in mind. The Lake House is on three levels with a beautiful entrance and sweeping staircase leading to six fabulous suites; include the bridal suite with endless windows overlooking the lake and woodland. Your wedding guests can keep snug next to the log fire in a large lounge scattered with sofas, armchairs, bookcases and floor to ceiling windows. The large conservatory overlooking the lake hosts the wedding ceremonies and wedding breakfast, however an outside gazebo caters for the more adventurous of brides.

Unwind the next day with Michelin starred food, created by Hrishikesh Desai whilst enjoying the tranquility of Gilpin Lakehouse. With a spa including traditional saunas (inside and out), two outdoor hot tubs, a heated indoor pool with views towards the four-acre lake – which comes with its very own rowing boat. A wedding photography opportunity right there.

A wedding couple taking a row on the tarn at gilpin lakehouse during their elopement at a top lake district wedding venue

GILPIN LAKEHOUSE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG

7| Hidden River Barn >> The Best Barn Wedding Venue in the Lakes

Hidden River Cabins is a beautiful Cumbrian wedding venue on the Scottish border, just outside the Lake District! Hidden River Cabins makes the perfect wedding venue for any outdoorsy bride and groom, with woodland walks; log cabins; hot tubs and a river meandering through. The options of where to get married are vast at this wedding venue. you could get married in a tipi/marquee, inside one of the log cabins, the cafe, or to hold your wedding ceremony the newly renovated and quite simply stunning wedding barn.

As far as venues go, Hidden River Cabins can literally cater for any type and size of wedding. Then to top it off your wedding photos will be outrageously cool – especially when you book to photograph them. No hint dropped.

Golden hour wedding photo at hidden river cabins

HIDDEN RIVER CABINS WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG


8| High Barn & Edenhall Estate >> The Best venue for A DIY relaxed wedding in the lake district

High Barn offers stunning panoramic views of the eden valley, pennine fells, and the Lake District. Who wouldn’t want to see that on their wedding day?

The wedding barn itself is of traditional sandstone and comfortably accommodates 70 people for the wedding breakfast. Oh and there is extra space for extra guests to party the evening away. From the sandstone barn head out through the arched entrance onto a large flat garden area. A perfect place for a relaxed drinks wedding reception, whilst the guest toast smalls around the fire-pit. For weddings larger than 70, this site can host a tipi or marquee. The surrounding woodland host outdoor wedding ceremonies. Grab a celebrant and enjoy a perfect getaway wedding venue for any couple looking for an elopement wedding.

High barn is one part of the Edenhall estate, which in itself hosts an array of exciting places to say “I will” It even comes with its own resident deer. A wedding photograph that you would never forget.

alternative bride and groom in game of thrones style wedding at high barn.

HIGH BARN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG


9| Longlands at Cartmel >> The best up and coming of Lake District Wedding Venues

Longlands at Cartmel is a wedding venue in the lake district that simply ticks all my boxes. One of main features of Longlands that draws me has to be the garden. The walled kitchen garden is a perfect place for wedding photographs. The garden is stunning and the completion of the orangery is the tip of any wedding drinks reception. Did I mention all the greenhouses! My wedding photography forte

The hay barn on one side of the courtyard at the back of the main house has been restored to provide a unique wedding ceremony and recpetion venue for up to 120 people. Outside there are stunning views across to Hampsfel. To simply summarise, Longlands at Cartmel has all the relaxed wedding vibes yet genuinely a stunning wedding venue. Plus you can stock up on Cartmel’s famous sticky toffee pudding as wedding favours.

Wedding photography Bride and Groom in the walled garden at a wedding in longlands at cartmel

LONGLANDS AT CARTMEL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG


10| Skitby >> North Lakes Wedding Venue

Ok, so it isnt quite in the lake district, however this venue was worth a listing. However Skitby was once a working dairy and beef farm Skitby has since been converted to an award-winning wedding venue. The traditional sandstone and ancient timber beam interiors merge to create a cool, chic yet elegant contemporary feel. A unique environment for your wedding day. With outstanding service, and eye for decoration and mouth watering food, Skitby is a perfect venue for any intimate day. The caring and passionate team at Skitby will always aspire to deliver a professional and seamless service.

The building itself is glorious, and when couples alongside Skitby’s beautiful gardens, it turns into a wedding paradise. The nearby field is perfect for wedding photographs that host a backdrop of the Lake District and Carrock fells.

Confetti photograph at skity house.

SKITBY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG


11| Storrs Hall >> Lake District Wedding Venue with the Best Jetty

Storrs Hall offers one of the most idyllic wedding venues in the Lake District, with an extraordinary backdrop for a wedding celebration. The elegant Grade II listed Georgian Mansion sits within 17 acres of beautifully landscaped grounds on the picturesque shoreline of Lake Windermere. To sum up whether you dream of a small intimate wedding, or the exclusive use of the house then Storrs Hall is the wedding venue for you.

Storrs Hall offers you an unforgettable wedding day, from fine dining to wine tasting whilst looking out on the Lakeland fells beyond. A truly unique setting for your wedding in the most beautiful of locations in the Lake District

Wedding photo of a Bride and Groom on the jetty at a Storrs Hall

STORRS HALL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG


12| Three Hills Barn >> Another of my favourite barns in the northern lake district

Three Hills Barn is a beautiful wedding barn and more, set within the 300 acres of a family farm in Torpenhow, in the North of Cumbria. The warm and spacious 19th century threshing barn, Illuminated all year round by glistening fairy lights, seats up to 150 people and is set in the middle of 300 acre ring fenced farm with access to woodlands and views of the Caldbeck Fells.

Three Hills Barn has minimal guest accommodation to this end it is the perfect place for a more adventurous couple, it is a wedding venue surrounded by natural beautiful and basked in sunlight.

Inside the ceremony room at three hills barn.

THEEE HILLS BARN WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY BLOG


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