Which fancy hotel would you have a micro wedding at in the UK?

[Reori]

i am engaged and decided I really don’t want to have a big wedding. I like weddings but most weddings to me are nothing spectacular especially when you find out how much they cost per head.

Fiance and I are also the last siblings in our families to get married so the novelty is kind of gone.

Fiance and I initially assumed we would do something small abroad with our siblings and parents. But I find the concept of being married in a country which I don’t know at all and where I don’t speak the language really daunting. The idea of running around the Tuscan countryside trying to find a place that sells a specific object really unappealing.

I was hoping to book my family rooms at a big country house and share a sort of mini break with food and activities.

Cliveden is at the top of my list but I just think there must be better value for money elsewhere.

What would you do if you were having my style of wedding?

I went to a wedding at Babington House in Somerset and it was glorious. the chapel is lovely, they really took care of us all and it felt so intimate, despite not having exclusive use.

Another option is Foxhill Manor in the Cotswolds. It’s on a huge estate that offers everything you are looking for. You can take exclusive use of the manor or by room. Or there’s also larger hotel on the estate. They have an excellent country activities team and they can design a bespoke weekend for you. I’ve used them for executive team weekends and I can’t fault their team.

Other luxury country house hotels that I’ve stayed at which could be worth looking into are:

• Beaverbrook, Surrey
• Lime Wood, New Forest
• Bovey Castle, Dartmoor

Swinton, or a bit cheaper Coniston
theconistonhotel.com/

Bovey Castle

Also, if you do go for Babington House, my friend managed to negotiate a years Soho House membership thrown in too to sweeten the deal. However she had a lot more guests than you so her total spend must have been eye-watering, but worth a shot.

Could the Four Seasons Hampshire be a contender?

Agree with @PemberleynotWemberley and would add Boringdon Hall Hotel near Plymouth to the Devon list.

If you are open to Edinburgh too the Gleneagles Townhouse do micro weddings.

Bath Priory Spa Hotel
Bath Spa Hotel
The Pig Cotwolds (what used to be Barnsley House)

Armathwaite Hall x

Last time I went it was looking a bit tired.

Newton Hall in Northumberland!

I'd be surprised if any of these venues will do a micro wedding. Maybe if it's on a weekday in a quiet season. Majority of stately venues have a minimum amount of people for sit down meal which is usually at least 50 people, sometimes more.

I'd also go to the Gilpin - take over the Lake House, one of my favourite places.

I do a lot of spa days and am based the North. Swinton Park tends to have maintenance issues in my experience, there's often something not working, one of the steam rooms or saunas or both. I don't go there any more for that very reason so if that's important I wouldn't go there although I haven't been for 15 months so maybe it has changed.

Grantley Hall is wonderful, very luxurious, wonderful service, no spa maintenance issues, really lovely place.

Fife Arms, Braemar
Gleneagles
Old Course, St Andrew
Gleneagles Townhouse, Edinburgh

@FirstsignsofSpring I was wondering about that Sea view myself

Another vote for Gleneagles!

The Witchery, Edinburgh
Prestonfield House, Edinburgh
Monachyle Mhor Hotel, near Killin

Cromlix, Dumblane

I promise I don't work for the Scottish tourist board but couldn't imagine a lovelier place to be married than Scotland!

The Penn Estate in Dorset

Clifftop, amazing sea views

Wales?

| Roch Castle search.app/M8T4hkno26mZCzok9

It was a while ago that we were there - before covid - but we found Cromlix quite underwhelming.

What about 3 Chimneys on Skye, OP?

headlam hall in County Durham or hoar cross hall in the midlands

Hi OP, I was also going to suggest Middleton Lodge and can see PP has beaten me to it

Very practical for travel from SE too

Can I suggest the Manor House at Castle Combe, outside Bath in the Cotswolds? Beautiful, just a gorgeous small English Manor House, within walking distance of the village church if you wanted a small ceremony there, otherwise can get married on their lawn. They have lots of activities, including nearby which they will organise for you. Food is divine. Rooms are stunning. I was first married there 35 years ago and had an amazing experience, and they've gone up several levels since then, and are 5 star.

Here's the link: https://www.exclusive.co.uk/the-manor-house/

(it's the village where Dr Dolittle was filmed)

We didn’t rate Gilpin at all. We found the food mediocre and the service poor compared to what we’re used to, so I’m surprised to see it getting so many recommendations.

The Elvetham is nice but not in the same league really.

My choice would definitely be Le Manoir au Quat’Saisons, it’s absolutely stunning and they definitely do micro weddings.