What are the best wedding venues in Winchester?
Here in Winchester, Hampshire we’re super lucky to have so many fabulous wedding venues right on our doorstep. From luxurious country houses, rustic barns, light-filled glasshouses to stunning vineyards, there are just so many incredible places to tie the knot.
But where to start? Finding the right wedding venue for you shouldn’t be too hard, although, with so many options, it can get a bit overwhelming. So, to help you get inspired for your own wedding, I’ve rounded up some of my favourite Winchester wedding venues.
So grab a cuppa and enjoy browsing!
Lainston House Hotel
If you can’t decide whether you fancy your wedding at a gorgeous country manor house, a barn, or a ruined chapel, then Lainston House Hotel could be the perfect option as it has all three! And what’s more is that this oasis of luxury and tranquility is only a 15 minute drive from Winchester centre, so all amenities, travel connections, accommodation options for your guests are right there. Plus, if that wasn’t enough already, Lainston House is also home to Hampshire’s Chef of the Year, so top notch nosh is guaranteed!
Details
Capacity: From 20-120 guests, with the additional option of having a marquee with a maximum of 350 guests.
Hire: prices start at £14,500 for exclusive use and at £3,500 for non-exclusive use.
Accommodation: 50 luxury bedrooms and suites
Location
Woodman Lane, Sparsholt, Winchester, SO21 2LT (4 miles from Winchester city centre)
More Info
Houghton Lodge Gardens
As a big garden fan, Houghton Lodge Gardens is one of my favourite wedding venues near Winchester. Overlooking the River Test, with panoramic views over the water meadows, it offers a truly idyllic backdrop for your wedding. Choosing between the intimate riverside fishing hut, the walled garden conservatory, the light-filled Orangery, the circular Music Room hand-painted with blue skies, clouds and swallows, and the Chinese Dining Room with exotic birds and exuberant peony silk wallpaper, you’ll be totally wowed by this venue!
Details
Capacity: From 6 – 100 for your ceremony, and a maximum of 500 for your reception in the riverside marquee.
Hire: With prices from £2,500 for your ceremony, and prices starting at £3,500 for your reception.
Accommodation: There is room for 12 guests to sleep in the beautifully designed en-suite studio rooms, The Apple Rooms.
Location
Houghton, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20 6LQ (11 miles from Winchester city centre)
More Info
Houghton Lodge Gardens website
The Grange, Northington
Does the idea of saying your vows on a romantic lakeside portico followed by dinner and dancing into the wee small hours among the crumbling walls of a grand old Hampshire country mansion sound like your idea of wedding heaven? Then be sure to take a look at The Grange! It could be just the place you’re looking for…
With its elegantly distressed interiors and classically romantic surroundings, The Grange isn’t a completely blank canvas, but neither is it a finished product, so you will have plenty of opportunity to flex your creativity and style the place exactly as you want it.
Details
Capacity: 200 standing or 100 seated. If you’re having a larger wedding, it’s also possible to put up a marquee in the grounds.
Hire: 3 day-hire (to allow for set-up and take-down) starts from £16,000 venue hire.
Accommodation: There’s plenty of accommodation on site, including a farmhouse sleeping 16, a 2-bedroomed apartment sleeping 5, a garden cottage sleeping 4, and Abbotstone Wood Camping is only a 5 minute drive away, ideal for guests.
Location
Grange Park, Northington, Hampshire, SO24 9TG (10 miles from Winchester city centre)
More info
The Barn at Avington
Set in the beautiful Hampshire countryside on the banks of the River Itchen, The Barn at Avington – just a 10 minute drive from Winchester – offers a tranquil location and a modern light space for a fantastic celebration! Perfect for couples who are looking for a blank canvas to make their own, and love festival vibes.
Details
Capacity: 160 standing, 120 seated.
Hire & Accommodation: Prices start at £8,235 for 100 day guests and an additional 50 evening guests. The hire price includes exclusive use of The Barn and grounds, the stunning riverside ceremony area, Event Manager, bar staff and ssecurity.
Location
Park Farm, Avington, Hampshire, SO21 1BZ (6 miles from Winchester city centre)
More Info
Three Choirs Vineyard
Three Choirs Vineyards is set in the rolling hills of Hampshire, within a 30 minute drive of Winchester. Obviously, it’s most unique feature is the vineyard, but also the stunning views and the beautifully renovated Old Winery with original wooden beams, chandeliers made of vintage crystal cut wine glasses, make this a stunning choice for a rustic, country wedding.
Details
Capacity: 90 for the ceremony, 150 for the reception
Hire: Prices start from £3,250. Price includes exclusive use of the venue.
Accommodation: 5 bedrooms
Location
Botley Road, Shedfield, Hampshire, SO32 2HL (15 miles from Winchester city centre)
More Info
The Clock Barn
With history and brimming with rustic charm in a countryside setting, The Clock Barn is a great venue for a relaxed and laid-back wedding. Just 20 mins drive from Winchester, The Barn is full of stunning details including high ceilings, exposed beams, oak pillars and wrought iron chandeliers. The addition of fairy lights also helps create a wonderfully romantic atmosphere for your special day.
Details
Capacity: 160 seated, 200 standing.
Hire: Prices from £2,500. Price includes exclusive use of the venue.
Accommodation: At the end of the night, you can escape to The Hayloft, a wonderfully luxurious honeymoon suite. As well as The Hayloft, The Clock Barn has 9 bedrooms in Tufton Warren Farmhouse, just a two minute walk from the wedding barn.
Location
Tufton Warren, Whitchurch, Hampshire, RG28 7RB (13 miles from Winchester city centre)
More Info
West Green House Gardens
Another stunning Hampshire garden wedding venue, West Green House Gardens offers a range of reception venue options depending on the size of your celebrations. Choose between the flower and natural-light filled Greenhouse seating up to 80 people (little decoration needed here!), the Orangery which is perfect for parties of up to 20, or a marquee pitched in the Lake field or Apple Orchard for larger celebrations. And of course, the gardens themselves will make a fabulous backdrop for your wedding photos!
Details
Capacity: 20 seated to 100+ in the marquee (depending on your choice of marquee)
Hire: Prices start at £600 for a wedding ceremony in the gardens.
Location
Thackham’s Lane, near Hartley Wintney, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 8JB (28 miles from Winchester city centre)
More Info
West Green House Gardens website
Gilbert White’s House & Gardens
Another fabulous barn wedding venue in the Hampshire countryside, Gilbert White’s House & Gardens boasts of gorgeous gardens, acres of parkland and views over meadows. The barn can seat 100 and 150 for your evening party. For larger weddings, there’s an option to hire a marquee or tipi in the grounds. Or for smaller, intimate parties, there are beautifully decorated rooms inside the 18th C house.
Details
Capacity: 30 – 150
Hire: Prices start at £6,500
Accommodation: Sleeps 6
Location
The Wakes, High Street, Selborne, Hampshire GU34 3JH (21 miles from Winchester city centre)
More Info
Gilbert White’s House & Gardens website
The Great Hall, Winchester
If you’re looking for a historic building with wow-factor in the heart of the city, did you know that you can get married at Winchester’s medieval Great Hall, home to the world-famous Round Table? Exclusive use of The Hall would also give you and your guests access to the area outside The Hall, including the courtyard and the beautiful Queen Eleanor’s Garden. Hello photo ops!
Details
Capacity: 350 standing, 300 seated
Hire: Prices start at £3,600.
Location
Castle Avenue, Winchester, SO23 8PJ (In Winchester city centre)
More Info
Holy Trinity Church, Privett
Do you dream of having a church wedding because you love those sorts of venues – beautiful stained glass windows, the long aisle to walk down, the lofty ceilings, mosaic tiled floors and bells ringing – except you’re not religious and don’t want a religious ceremony? Then Holy Trinity Church – a 25 minute drive from Winchester – is a great option for you!
Details
Great for both ceremonies and receptions, with fab acoustics if you’re having a live band.
Capacity: 500 standing, 300 seated
Fancy a look? It’s open 10am – 4pm daily.
Location
Merepond Lane, Privett, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 3PE (17 miles from Winchester city centre)
More info
Holy Trinity Church, Privett website
The Hospital of St Cross
The Hospital of St Cross is one of Winchester’s hidden gems with it’s stunning Norman architecture and stained glass windows, making it a great option if you’re considering having a traditional church wedding. As well as the chapel, you can hire the Master’s Garden offering a gorgeous backdrop for your reception drinks and wedding photos afterwards. It’s also possible to put up a marquee for your reception on the bowling green.
Details
Couples with a genuine connection to St Cross and are living in the parish are given priority. But if you live outside the parish and are able to worship at the chapel for a time, then you are usually eligible to join the Electoral Roll which will then allow you to marry at the chapel.
Location
St Cross Road, Winchester, SO23 9SD (1 miles from Winchester city centre)
More Info
The Hospital of St Cross website
