16 of the Best Beach Wedding Venues in the UK
The UK has some of the best beaches in the world, fact! If you want to marry with sand between your toes, we've found the most beautiful beach wedding venues across the country
If you fancy marrying on the beach or as close to it as you can get, we've rounded up the best beach wedding venues in the UK.
From Devonshire coves with secret tunnels to the sea and castles overlooking sand dunes, to seaside piers and hidden Scottish gems, you'll fall in love with each of these waterside venues. Although you might think beach weddings are only for the summer months, there's just as much charm on crisp spring and autumn days where the water creates a beautiful soundtrack to your ceremony and the light sparkles off the sea.
The rules of a UK beach wedding are pretty simple: tell your guests to bring layers, wear shoes you can walk in the sand on, and have a plan B (which can be as simple as a nearby gazebo) should the heavens open. You'll never regret choosing the beautiful beaches of the UK for your wedding and we guarantee you'll always look back on photos of the day with a smile.
These are the 16 best beach wedding venues in the UK.
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1. Tunnels Beaches - Ilfracombe, Devon
Is there anywhere more perfect for a beach wedding than your own private beach on the rugged North Devon coast? You can say 'I do' in the thatched gazebo next to the sea, then follow hand-carved tunnels through the cliffs up to the garden, terrace and bar for your reception. You can even marry within the tunnels themselves if that floats your boat!
With a wide choice of gourmet barbecue, canapé and drink packages, there's a lovely relaxing and informal feel to a wedding at Tunnels Beaches that would suit a low-key couple to the ground (although it can also be dressed up for more formal occasions).
If you're concerned about disabled access or suitability for elderly guests, Tunnels has that covered with lifts and wheelchair facilities in the venue and the tunnels are paved and slope very gently so no-one needs to feel excluded from your beach day.
Those looking for a private, secluded beach venue with lots of space, stunning views and the most romantic sunsets should consider Tunnels Beaches.
2. Carbis Bay Hotel - St Ives, Cornwall
With a quintessentially relaxed Cornish style and a breathtaking private Blue Flag beach as your backdrop, Carbis Bay Hotel is a gem in Cornwall's crown.
Twelve separate areas are licensed for weddings, including the beach itself, the quaint Wedding Hut on the buttery soft sands, and the chic Ocean Venue that boasts floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking St Ives' bay.
The team are up for arranging anything you want to make the day perfect, including a helicopter arrival or igloos on the beach. End the evening in the most incredible way with a fireworks display on the beach as you sip cocktails in the sand (or from the warmth of the hotel on chillier nights).
With 38 bedrooms in the Main House and separate luxury beach villas, you and your guests can spend the night before waking up for even more beachside activities in the morning. How about brunch on the sand followed by a surf lesson?
3. The Boathouse at Dougarie - Isle of Arran
The Isle of Arran has some of the most beautiful beaches in Scotland. Don't be fooled by the rocks you see in the picture above: as well as dramatic boulders for beautiful pictures, only a few metres away is the softest sand you'll dig your toes into! The Boathouse is perched on the west coast of the island and is a tranquil, rustic setting for your wedding day.
The Boathouse has spectacular panoramic views across the water and is ideal to tie the knot in front of, before heading inside for your reception. You can actually marry anywhere on the Dougarie Estate grounds so it's up to you to pick your favourite place. The team can arrange for you to exchange vows by the magical Loch Iorsa too, if you're after a different waterside vibe.
Only two hours door-to-door from Glasgow, you'll feel in another world as you and your guests step off the boat. While keeping their original rustic features, the boathouse and five houses that come with it for your use (which sleep 35) have all been renovated with 21st century, luxury touches. With so much to do on the island, you'll want to make a whole weekend of your celebrations.
4. Lusty Glaze Private Beach Weddings - Newquay, Cornwall
This magical private cove in Newquay offers weddings right on the beach or in the gorgeous Top Deck restaurant. Previous couples here have described the sunsets as spectacular as anything they've seen in Hawaii and Bali, so it's sure to be a wedding guests never forget.
Whether you want a grand or intimate wedding, and whatever the season, Lusty Glaze can cater for it. An airy marquee is perfect for up to 120 guests during the summer months, while the Top Deck features flickering fireplaces and festoons of string lights in winter for a cosy atmosphere.
Make sure you stay the night before in The Cottage and The Chalet, which sleep up to six, and wake up to the serene sounds of the sea. For guests, there is beachside glamping available, with 12 yurts that sleep two adults plus extra room for children.
This dreamy spot really is the most wonderful backdrop to a beach wedding celebration.
READ MORE: 15 Cute Seaside-Themed Wedding Stationery Ideas
5. The Gallivant - Camber, East Sussex
The Gallivant is a beach house hotel that offers "ludicrously romantic" weddings (their own words but we wholeheartedly agree). You'll have exclusive use of the beach house for your wedding day, with 20 gorgeous bedrooms and views across the silky dunes outside.
It is licensed for weddings indoors and you can have a celebrant-led ceremony on the beach afterwards. Lots of their couples choose a handfasting ceremony and drinks reception among the sands, and you'll want to frame every one of those ocean photos.
With stunning food, a well-stocked bar, friendly staff and exclusive run of the house, you'll love the relaxed and chic coastal vibes of The Gallivant. Amazingly, it's only one and a half hours from London so perfect for guests who have to travel too.
6. Harvest Moon - Dunbar, Lothian & Borders
Located on the coast of Tyninghame in East Lothian, celebrations at Harvest Moon are a weekend long event. You get exclusive use of two sites when you hire Harvest Moon: the beach and their incredible treehouse.
You can say 'I do' on the beach, either on the sand or under one of their luxury safari tents, or mix it up with vows in their treehouse before drinks and dancing on the dunes. The beauty of the site is it can cater to any size wedding or theme, and because it's all yours, you can have exactly the day you've dreamed of.
At night, you can retire to their Arabian Nights-style luxury beach honeymoon tent or the honeymoon treehouse: both are a night you'll never forget. If you're after a really unique venue for your beach wedding, this is it.
7. The Roslin Beach Hotel - Southend on Sea, Essex
Whether it's unsteady elderly guests or a huge ballgown dress, if you're concerned some of your day won't work on the sand, perhaps the best option is to marry overlooking the sea. The Grand Ballroom at Roslin Beach Hotel has panoramic views right over Thorpe Bay, while the private wedding terrace outside is ideal for a beach wedding feel without getting sandy.
The team here go above and beyond to make your day as perfect as possible, while their award-winning chefs will create a wedding breakfast that's out of this world.
You'll be able to put up all your guests in their bespoke designed bedrooms and suites before a decadent breakfast the next morning. It really is an ideal option if you want pictures on the beach, but the beach itself isn't quite right for you and your guests.
8. The Barn on the Bay - Morpeth, Northumberland
You get the best of coast and country at The Barn on the Bay. Based at Hemscott Hill Farm, a working farm right next to the beach, it's the only venue to offer a beachside ceremony overlooking the stunning Druridge Bay. From the rustic-chic Cowshed Wedding Barn, you're a mere minute's walk to the beach, although you can hop on their vintage tractor for a dramatic arrival!
The beach, barn and paddock are all perfect spots for your ceremony, before you move back to the courtyard for garden games and Champagne from The Old Dog & Duck, their vintage horsebox bar.
With a laidback and friendly vibe, you can bring your dogs to join you for the day, hire your own suppliers, and even get to meet the farm's resident alpacas. It's a dream venue for a boho couple who want bags of rustic charm and personal touches for their day.
You can make a weekend of the celebrations too. The Calico Barn sleeps up to 18, plus there's a shepherd's hut, beachside camping and a cottage too. You can even add teepees!
9. Polhawn Fort - Rame, Cornwall
The Rame Peninsula is an unspoilt corner of Cornwall where you'll find Polhawn Fort nestled on the western tip. Set in a wildly dramatic location against the Cornish cliffs, this Napoleonic fort is an incredible spot for a private, secluded wedding.
We recommend marrying on the sweeping lawns where you can take the most breathtaking photos before meandering down the path that leads to the private beach. Back at the fort, you'll enter through a drawbridge and granite spiral staircase to the Grand Napoleonic Hall for dinner, with majestic vaulted ceilings and views across the bay. For smaller ceremonies, there's the Emperor’s Room, which is ideal for weddings of up to 30.
The beauty of hiring Polhawn Fort is that the price includes use of the Fort and grounds for a three night weekend, or a two/four night midweek break. It sleeps up to 24 in eight bedrooms which are split across two floors, each offering sea views.
Whether you choose summer or winter, this beachside venue is bursting with atmospheric and all set against the achingly beautiful Cornish coast.
READ MORE: 17 of the Best Coastal Wedding Venues
10. Holkham Hall - Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk
Although you can't marry on Holkham Beach, we'd be remiss not to mention Holkham House with its stunning, unspoilt beach that has been voted the best in the UK.
Found on the north Norfolk coast, the house and estate are full of gorgeous backdrops to tie the knot. From the striking Marble Hall and Statue Gallery inside the Palladian house to the Temple hidden away in the woods, you'll find a ceremony spot here that suits you.
After your wedding, head over to the beach for a wonderful photoshoot at newlyweds and raise a glass of Champagne, just the two of you, as you share a special, intimate moment together.
The team are all about offering you freedom and flexibility for your day, so like other venues before, it could be possible to hold a celebrant-guided ceremony outside on the beach after your official marriage.
11. Crear Weddings - Kilberry by Tarbert, Argyll
Crear is an exclusive use destination wedding venue on the west coast of Scotland. Whether you're after an intimate elopement or a grand party, you'll be able to celebrate just how you want here.
With uninterrupted views of the isles of Islay, Jura and Gigha, and the lighthouses of Rathlin Island, the beach at Crear is truly one-of-a-kind.
You can host up to 100 guests in Crear - and many more in a marquee - or keep it to a smaller house party vibe for an intimate wedding. Guests can arrive the night before the wedding for an informal meal, and you can follow up your day with a bonfire and brunch on the beach. The talented team at Crear Kitchen will keep all of you well fed on the most delicious local, seasonal produce, so all you need to do is relax and enjoy the view.
12. Bamburgh Castle - Bamburgh, Northumberland
The fairytale vibe is strong with this idyllic castle perched on a rocky plateau overlooking miles on Northumberland coastline. Surrounded by its own private beach with panoramic views across to the Farne Islands and Holy Island, Bamburgh Castle is a stunning location for photos.
Indulge your Disney princess fantasies as you say 'I do' in the grand King's Hall or the more intimate Keep, before photos on the sand and a reception in a marquee on the sweeping Castle Green that looks out over the beach.
Packed with ornate ceilings, stained glass, magnificent portraits and eye-catching antiques, every corner has something to interest your guests. It's romantic, unspoilt and a heavenly wedding venue, right on the beach.
13. Cae Gwyn Weddings - Caernarfon, Gwynedd
This two acre wedding field is ideal for a marquee or tipi wedding, with after parties that can go late into the night and a tented village for your guests to camp! And did we mention the magnificent views of the Menai Straits, Anglesey and Snowdonia? It's beautifully secluded, tranquil and private - perfect if you want to pitch up with all your loved ones for a weekend of celebrations.
Cae Gwyn is just over a mile from Caernarfon Castle and close enough to shops, pubs and restaurants so there's plenty of activities for your guests to do in the area, as well as places for a great pre-wedding dinner or post-wedding lunch.
Delicious food will be provided on the day by Elen, the owner and chef of over 20 years, and she's also got a listed of trusted local suppliers so you know the day is in safe hands.
We love this venue for a beachy, festival feel wedding with some of the best views in Wales.
14. The Grand Pier - Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset
Those after a beach wedding with a difference will love The Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare. Standing a quarter of a mile out to sea, the pier is best known for its 500 amusements and 13 rides, but you'll also find some amazing wedding spaces tucked away from the day visitors.
The Regency Suite can host weddings of up to 300 guests with panoramic views across the sea and back to the beach, while the Tiffany Room is great for smaller weddings. It's a fun, wonderfully British venue, where you can really embrace the beach theme and serve fish and chips, Mr Whippys and candyfloss on sticks.
For those wanting a cool, quirky venue with endless photo opportunities - both on the beach and inside the colourful amusement arcade - The Grand Pier is the choice for you. There's something for all budgets here and it really will bring joy, fun and some seaside magic to your day.
15. The Lodge on Loch Goil - Lochgoilhead, Argyllshire
Yes, that is a treehouse! How enchanting is this Victorian country house venue on the shores of Loch Goil, which comes with its own treehouse licensed for weddings. Beach venues don't need to only be by the sea, as the gorgeous rocky shore of this loch proves.
You can marry in the treehouse, inside the luxury country house or in the gardens outside which looks over the peaceful lake. Whichever you choose, you're guaranteed a magical backdrop with the soft sound of water as your soundtrack.
This exclusive-use venue only hosts weddings of up to 50 guests so it's the ultimate location for an intimate wedding. The Lodge has seven luxury en-suite bedrooms to stay in, so you and your guests can make yourself at home in this comfortable and opulent manor.
The experienced team have been planning weddings for more than two decades and have an in-house planner so you don't need to worry about anything except enjoying yourself.
16. The Ferry House - Sheerness, Kent
Admittedly this gorgeous rustic venue overlooks the Thames Estuary so we aren't at the sea quite yet, but with an Oak Gazebo set on the water's edge, you're as good as on the beach. Just an hour from London and surrounded by rolling farmland, bird and nature reserves and a lovingly landscaped wedding garden, The Ferry House is a beautiful setting for your day.
After the ceremony, up to 70 guests can join you in the Oak Barn or their classic 'white wedding' Event Suite can seat up to 300 for an evening reception.
Their award-winning catering team have an AA Rosette to their name and will create you a bespoke menu with their home-reared beef, lamb and chicken, plus veggies from the kitchen garden. Everything here is so fresh, local and delicious that you'll feel sad your meal has to end.
At the end of the night, enjoy their on-site bedrooms (including a gorgeous Bridal Suite) and just five minutes away is the Mocketts Farm Cottages complex, which can host up to 54 people so everyone can stay over!
Don't miss our review of the Carbis Bay Beach Lodges when editor Sarah went to stay for a glorious weekend on the Cornish coast.
