Whether you’re looking for a large space for a huge festival style shin-dig or a small gathering in an intimate venue, you’ll find something to suit your wedding plans in Basingstoke and Deane. From farms to historic houses, hotels to barns, there are so many stunning locations to choose from and we’re here to help you find your perfect venue.

Farms and barns

Silchester Farm
The romantic ambience of Silchester Farm is apparent from the moment you arrive along the tree-lined driveway, with endless views across stunning countryside. Couples can tie the knot in the 400-year old oak-beamed Hampshire Threshing Barn. Bedecked in gently twinkling fairy lights makes this the perfect setting for that all-important 'I do' moment. If you're looking for something less traditional, the charming outdoor ceremony area offers a calm and tranquil setting for a summer ceremony. With a maximum capacity of 140, there is plenty of space to enjoy both indoor and outdoor areas with your nearest and dearest. There are unique accommodation options including two luxury restored barns and from spring 2025, a collection of luxury eco pods known as ‘The Pigsties’ will accommodate an additional 18 guests. 

The Yard
You will discover a hub of vibrancy and creativity at The Yard which sits within the beautiful surroundings of Chilton Manor Farm. With rustic, pared back aesthetics, the dramatic space lends itself as a beautiful blank canvas for you to design your perfect day. The Loft is a generous room, dramatic in size and is a space which feels contained and cosy, yet more than capable of filling with a crowd. The Barn is a fantastic place to gather - whether for eating, dancing or both. A unique feature in The Barn is an iconic skate ramp which sits at one end of the space. For smaller intimate weddings, there is the option of hiring The Parkland area.

Clock Barn
Surrounded by Hampshire countryside and luscious gardens, Clock Barn is an idyllic exclusive-use barn wedding venue located in a private setting just outside the picturesque village of Whitchurch. Bursting with charm and character, Clock Barn offers several stunning spaces to choose from for your civil ceremony. The main barn is idyllic with its high ceilings, original exposed wood beams and wrought iron chandeliers. Paired with twinkling fairy lights and your choice of florals, this rustic space has a beautifully romantic feel and atmosphere. As the day loses light, the barn becomes an ambient space to enjoy the wedding breakfast, followed by an evening of celebration and dancing.

Dummer Down Farm
Looking for a blank space to make your own? Dummer Down Farm offers versatile indoor and outdoor spaces and has the attitude that with plenty of planning, anything can be used as an events space. Spaces for hire include the ‘Bullpen’ a two-acre field, ‘Pastures pond’ which has a backdrop of the farm house making it a beautiful setting and the lawn in front of the house is perfect for wedding photos. Camping is free with venue hire and there are items available to hire for events at the farm including hay bales and tables. Book a site visit to find out more.

Unique properties

Are you looking for some a bit different? Take a look at these venues:

Milestones Museum
Milestones Museum is the perfect place for a vintage wedding. Weddings at the living history museum Milestones take place in period streets with historic vehicles parked in the cobbled lanes and a wedding team dressed in period dress. Ceremonies for up to 200 guests can take place in your choice of location. Choose between Jubilee Street, Station Approach leading to the Victorian Railway Station or Victoria Place. The Victoria School Room is also licensed for intimate ceremonies of up to 25 people. Viewings are available by appointment.

Basing House
The perfect setting for a ‘historic’ day. Set in the heart of the picturesque village of Old Basing next to the River Loddon are the remains of Basing House. The romantic ruins, charming Jacobean Knot Garden, Tudor Great Barn and nearby river walk offer the perfect backdrop to create the most stunning memorable wedding with plenty of opportunities for gorgeous photographs. Basing House offers flexibility and exclusivity for all couples from April until October. With only one wedding per weekend you are guaranteed full attention and one-to-one service. For more information about the romantic ruins, barn and gardens for your wedding at Basing House or to book a viewing email weddings@hampshireculturaltrust.org.uk.

Bombay Sapphire Distillery
Celebrate your wedding at Bombay Sapphire Distillery, the historic distillery at Laverstoke Mill in rural Hampshire is a truly unique wedding venue suited to couples looking for a venue with a difference. The distillery offers a suite of event spaces to hire including the iconic intertwining tropical Glasshouses, a perfect photography backdrop. The all-day wedding package caters for up to 350 at the wedding reception. An evening only wedding package is also available for up to 150 people. 

Explore the unique event spaces, meet the events team and some suppliers at the wedding showcase on Thursday 25 April between 4pm and 8pm.

Bartons Mill
Bartons Mill is a unique late 17th century mill situated on the River Loddon in Old Basing, a charming village steeped in history. A versatile exclusive venue with a range of rooms that accommodate between eight to 160 guests for the ceremony and/or wedding reception.  The mill offers seasonable changing menus from a sit down wedding breakfast to an outdoor hog roast or BBQ. There are 12 elegant en-suite bedrooms for you and your guests, including a Bridal Suite - perfect to get ready before your big day.

Highclere Castle
Highclere Castle is a perfect setting for the smaller more intimate wedding, whether for just the bridal couple or for a gathering of up to 30 close family and friends.  The castle and surrounding gardens are available to you exclusively for your special day, with stunning views across the Capability Brown designed landscape, follies and parkland. Your wedding day could be a real life experience as glamorous and magical as any depicted on Downton Abbey! To find out more information e-mail the office at theoffice@highclerecastle.co.uk

Walled Garden
The Walled Garden is a delightful secret garden dating back to the 1800s, when it once served as a kitchen garden to Down Grange House. Today it operates as a public garden and wildlife area. Although not licensed for weddings, the garden is an idyllic location for a wedding reception. The garden is an enclosed area of approximately two acres, with a wildlife pond and dipping platform, a Bothy building, show allotments, beehives and colourful herbaceous borders. Original features still remain today, such as the formal yew hedges and gothic gate. There is also a level grassy area large enough for a 70ft by 50ft marquee. The Bothy includes toilets and kitchenette area, which is available to book for events.

Hotels

Oakley Hall Hotel
With 18th century architecture, an award-winning restaurant and a collection of 50 bedrooms for guests, it's easy to see why Oakley Hall Hotel is a popular choice for a countryside wedding. There are beautiful ceremony and reception spaces catering for intimate celebrations for a select few to grand receptions of up to 350 guests. Want the place to yourself? There is an exclusive use hire option so you and your guest can enjoy the entire manor house and beautiful grounds to yourselves.

Also, did you also know that Oakley Hall is a dog-friendly wedding venue? So even your canine companion can be a part of your paw-fect day!

See the spaces and meet the wedding team at a wedding fayre on Sunday 24 March 2024.

Audleys Wood Hotel
Audleys Wood Hotel is an ornate Victorian mansion set in the Basingstoke and Deane countryside surrounded by picturesque private grounds. There are many options for your wedding ceremony here including the stunning conservatory which has a magnificent, vaulted ceiling and floor-to-ceiling windows. The garden pavilion offers a large airy marquee space or for an outdoor ceremony, there is also the garden gazebo, a cute wooden structure which sits upon a carpet of lush green lawn. For the newlyweds and guests, there are 68 bedrooms, including two beautiful suites.

Want to find out more? See Audleys Wood set up for a wedding at one of the five wedding showcases planned throughout the year.

Red Lion Hotel
The Red Lion Hotel is in the heart of Basingstoke town centre, conveniently located a short walk from Goldings - Basingstoke's. Register Office. This venue offers two function rooms which can accommodate up to 150 guests. The largest ‘Festival Suite’ has large doors which lead directly to an outside area, a private bar and floor-to-ceiling windows flooding the space with natural light. For smaller weddings, the two suites offer flexibility utilising dividers to separate the spaces to suit your requirements.

The Wellington Arms
Located on the stunning Wellington Estate, The Wellington Arms is a beautifully refurbished country pub, hotel and wedding venue. Expect a modern, bright space accommodating up to 120 guests for a delicious sit-down meal and 160 guests for evening entertainment. For the warmer months, the Rose Garden and open-sided barn is beautiful for outside ceremonies.

Apollo Hotel
Apollo Hotel is a centrally located hotel and a short drive to Basingstoke town centre. The hotel has a wide range of room options and wedding packages available. There are different ceremonial and wedding reception rooms available for up to 250 people with 125 rooms available for guest accommodation.

Basingstoke Country Hotel
The picturesque Basingstoke Country Hotel has everything needed to tie the knot in style. The property features a choice of stunning suites perfect for civil ceremonies, wedding breakfasts, and evening parties. The largest event room can accommodate weddings with up to 240 guests. There is also a charming garden area where newlyweds can capture idyllic wedding photos.

Holiday Inn
Situated close to Basingstoke town centre, the Holiday Inn has a range of affordable and all-inclusive wedding packages available which include everything you need for an unforgettable day. All packages include one night’s stay in one of the executive bedrooms. The hotel has a variety of different licensed rooms to host your civil ceremony including the elegant Eton Suite which is ideal for weddings for up to 150 guests.

Join the Holiday Inn team at its wedding fayre on Saturday 18 May 2024 to find out more.

Golf courses

Sandford Springs
Set amidst the rolling hills of Watership Down, between Newbury and Basingstoke, this luxurious four-star hotel is the ideal setting for a relaxing and romantic wedding celebration. The Clock House at Sandford Springs offers an impressive setting for your civil ceremony with a vaulted ceiling, open beams and views of the Kingsclere countryside. It provides seating for up to 100 guests with views overlooking the golf course. The Sandford Lounge and The Garden Suite, located in the Club House, are the venue's main reception suites which can accommodate up to 200 guests for your evening reception. The patio, terrace, garden and surrounding golf course are a wonderful backdrop to take stunning photographs with the wedding party.

Did you know, the newlyweds can even take a golf buggy onto the course to take further pictures in the picturesque Watership Down Countryside.

Bishopswood Golf Course
In the beautiful Hampshire countryside lies Bishopswood Golf Course where you can host your wedding reception in style in one of their two luxurious function rooms. Each has stunning views across the golf course.

Test Valley Golf Club
Nestled in 136 acres of beautiful English countryside in Overton, Test Valley Golf Club offers an idyllic setting for a receptions for couples who have been married elsewhere.

Other venues

Basingstoke Register Office
Goldings - Basingstoke's Register Office is a magnificent historic Georgian building which dates back to the 16th Century. It is located close to the Top of the Town in Basingstoke town centre, adjacent to War Memorial Park, which has some picturesque photo opportunities for couples and groups including a Victorian bandstand. There are two beautiful ceremony rooms to choose from. The Carnarvon Room is the smaller of the two, holding up to 30 guests. It's a bright and popular room, decorated in keeping with the period of the building. The Wellesley Room holds up to 50 guests and is a lovely setting for any ceremony.

Village halls and community centres
Basingstoke and Deane has several characterful village halls and community centres for a wedding reception, such as Silchester Village Hall, which offers indoor and outdoor spaces and a flexible layout providing a romantic backdrop for your reception whether it’s an intimate gathering or a grand celebration. Old Basing Village Hall has a main hall licensed for up to 300 people. Viables Community Centre has several spaces to choose from including the The Madeline Barn which has a capacity of up to 200 people standing or 160 seated at tables.

If you’ve found your perfect venue, check the Hampshire County Council registration services webpages for more details about marriage and civil partnerships, ceremonies and giving notice.

Blog created February 2024