With this endless source of inspiration, let’s explore castles with strong ties to the British Royal Family, from the wedding site of Queen Victoria’s daughter to the Royal residences. Especially, good luck with your future wedding plans.
1. Highcliffe Castle, Dorset
This grand castle is a stunning backdrop for your ceremony and wedding photos. Highcliffe Castle boasts stunning Wintergarden-style high ceilings, opulent interiors and stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The grand Great Hall with its stained glass windows, cosy candlelit main dining room and brick walls create a fairytale atmosphere. All of this makes for an ideal setting to welcome your guests.
Highcliffe Castle was formerly owned by Lady Waterford, who hosted the Prince and Princess of Wales - later King Edward and Queen Alexandra.
Weddings here start from £840. Hiring the entire castle for around 80 guests starts from £4,895. The castle also offers wedding packages for couples.
2. Lumley Castle, Durham
If you are a history buff rather than a fairy tale lover, Lumley Castle Hotel is the ideal place for you. This 600-year-old castle boasts magnificent rooms and dining rooms with luxurious interiors, suitable for the main event of the ceremony. If you want an outdoor wedding, the beautiful Secret Baron's Garden is also worth a look. The historical element here is also shown in the wedding breakfast, making couples feel like they own a palace of their own. In addition, because the castle has been restored and renovated into a hotel, this is also a favorable factor for guests attending the wedding, as well as reducing the pressure of traveling or preparing accommodation for guests at your wedding. Lumley Castle also boasts a beautiful and famous Royal Room - a highlight not to be missed - the King James Suite and a Royal Wedding Package. Wedding packages start from approximately £5,000 for around 100 guests.
In the past, King James VI once stopped at Lumley Castle on his way from Edinburgh to London to take over the throne.
3. Pennsylvania Castle, Portland Island
With beautiful ocean views, pristine natural gardens and luxurious rooms, Pennsylvania Castle is the place to meet all the above factors. Suitable for both intimate gatherings and large weddings, the castle offers wedding packages to satisfy all the needs of the bride and groom. It includes a licensed bar, charming rooms, high-class culinary services... The Twilight Wedding package offers a magical experience with a sunset ceremony and a party that lasts all night. King George III and Queen Charlotte also celebrated their wedding anniversary at this Pennsylvania Castle.
The castle's wedding packages start from £9,675, however couples can opt to hire the castle as just a wedding venue for just £2,690.
4. Osborne Castle, Isle of Wight
If you're looking for a place with strong Royal connections, Osborne Castle won't disappoint, as it was a favourite retreat for one of Britain's greatest monarchs - Queen Victoria.
Couples who marry here will have access to a horse and carriage for a royal ceremony, use one of the lavish rooms for the main event, or enjoy a luxurious beach wedding. All this thanks to the castle’s priceless artworks, grand architecture and monuments that create a backdrop that is both historic and modern. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert used Osborne Castle as a retreat, and it was here that their daughter, Princess Alice, was married.
The cost of hiring the venue at Osborne Castle is around £1,500.
5. St. Donat's Castle, South Wales
Just a 40-minute drive from Cardiff, St. Donat's Castle is famous for its colourful gardens and picturesque sea views making for a stunning wedding backdrop.
The castle is currently owned by UWC Atlantic College. Outside of term time, from mid-June to mid-August, it is an ideal venue for large wedding parties. Couples can request to hire the entire castle for their wedding day to avoid multiple weddings on the same day, including areas such as Bradenstoke Hall, the gardens (Rose, Blue and Beast Garden), the Top Lawn (with sea views), the Inner Courtyard, the Great Hall and a specially designed wedding dressing room. The castle was visited by Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 2014.
Couples can contact the castle to find out more about the packages available here.
6. Pembroke Castle, Pembrokeshire
Pembroke Castle is the perfect choice for a small, intimate indoor wedding with around 60 guests, including the beautiful Western Hall, The Great Keep or the Henry VII Tower, which is a historical landmark. The interior of the castle contributes to creating a unique mark for each couple holding their wedding ceremony here. The scenery around the castle not only helps the bride and groom, but also their guests to have the best photos.
Pembroke Castle was the birthplace of King Henry VII, the founder of the Tudor Dynasty. The venue costs around £1,000 to hire, with full wedding packages starting from £5,500.
7. Borthwick Castle, Scotland
Borthwick Castle has been used as a wedding venue since 1458. They have a team of experts who are experienced in planning weddings, from simple ceremonies to religious ceremonies. Weddings here often take place in the beautiful Garrison Room on the top floor of the castle; or in mysterious locations hidden in the castle grounds. Get ready to be amazed by the breathtaking Scottish views.
The State Room is a beautiful and relaxing space, suitable for welcoming wedding guests. In addition, the castle also offers fine dining with a diverse menu of champagne and wine for guests to choose from.
Borthwick Castle, once a refuge for Mary Queen of Scots, offers bespoke wedding packages. In 2018, Borthwick Castle was hired as the venue for a two-day wedding with 26 guests, costing around £54,000.
8. Pendennis Castle, Cornwall
Couples can exchange their vows in the castle’s round tower, which is surrounded by outer walls and a secluded slope covered in lush green grass. You will feel like you have stepped back in time thanks to the long wooden benches and cannon barrels that are characteristic of the castle. Along with that, the decoration of candles contributes to the fairytale atmosphere of the wedding. You can also choose one of the castle’s eye-catching and elegant rooms to hold a cozy, intimate wedding or a large, lavish party.
Pendennis Castle was built by King Henry VIII and has been used as a coastal fortress to protect Cornwall from foreign invaders since the Tudor Dynasty. Castle hire starts from £450, with wedding packages starting from £4,199.
9. Cardigan Castle, Wales
Cardigan Castle offers couples elegant Regency lawns, a Georgian mansion and a host of historic architecture; all combined to create a stunning setting for a wedding.
Numerous rooms in the castle can be used for ceremonies or receptions. Not to mention, the castle also owns an outdoor pavilion ideal for wedding breakfasts or speeches. The 5-star accommodation is also a highlight that cannot be missed for guests or couples who want a comfortable place to rest after a long day filled with excitement.
Cardigan Castle was originally used as a residence by King Edward I, then passed to Prince Henry. It was eventually passed to Katherine of Aragon as part of her dowry. Hiring the entire castle starts from £1,000, while the lawns can be hired separately from £300.
