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About

On Hitched.co.uk since 2022

Last update: October 2024

***HIGHEST RATED CASTLE VENUE IN UK ON HITCHED***

Hedingham Castle is a historic and unique wedding venue nestled in the charming village of Castle Hedingham on the Essex-Suffolk border. If you've been dreaming of a fairytale celebration full of romance and atmosphere, take a moment to appreciate this 900-year-old Norman keep, grand Georgian Country House and picturesque gardens. With such an impressive and regal backdrop for your vows, Hedingham Castle brings the wow-factor to your big day. Because a magnificent marriage begins in a magnificent place.

Facilities and Capacity

Civil ceremonies at Hedingham Castle are held in the Banqueting Hall, a breathtaking double height space with soaring ceilings and many old-world details that will entice your photographer. The hall is ideal for up to 100 seated guests, and the Minstrels' Gallery offers space for an additional 30. After exchanging your vows by candlelight, you and your guests can follow the path across the Henry VII's Tudor Bridge and gather for a drinks reception in the Great Hall of the Georgian House. This area is perfect for a relaxed champagne toast overlooking the grounds and picturesque lake. If you're planning a seated evening reception, you're welcome to celebrate beneath the grand Ballroom Marquee, suitable for up to 150 guests. Thanks to the lush greenery and tulip trees, you'll enjoy complete privacy there. Alternatively, host your entire day in the Castle itself, with an enchanting wedding breakfast in the Tapestry Room which can host up to 70 guests.

Outdoor Ceremonies

If you would prefer to say your vows outside, we are able to offer outdoor ceremonies on the lawns of the Georgian House with stunning views over the lake.

Weekend Weddings

Picture this: the entirety of the Hedingham Estate is yours for the weekend. The magnificent 900-year-old Castle, the beautiful Georgian House with its elegant rooms and Ballroom Marquee, and the charming Garden Cottage and Lodge surrounded by romantic Essex countryside. Spend an enchanting three days with your most cherished friends and family and create memories that will last a lifetime. Make Hedingham your home for the weekend and soak up every magical moment.

Catering

Hedingham Castle offers a choice of three trusted caterers for you to choose from, all of which can provide extensive menus and offer tastings, and can be flexible to your requirements.

Services Offered

Upon booking Hedingham Castle, your dedicated wedding coordinator will work closely with you to bring your vision to life. This team is known for their impeccable attention to detail and will ensure everything is perfect, from fine-tuning your aesthetic to your wedding breakfast menu. To help make your big day run smoothly, they are happy to provide an on-site hairdresser and beautician and will also work closely with your own chosen suppliers. This venue also invites couples to spend their first night as newlyweds in their charming Garden Cottage, complete with its own private orchard, just a stone's throw from the Castle.

The Royal Chamber - Couples can also choose the one-of-a-kind honeymoon retreat situated inside the Castle itself, The Royal Chamber. Positioned on the top floor of the Castle, this is the very first modern bedroom inside a Norman Keep in the country and is the ultimate in historic luxury, complete with enormous four poster bed, double bath and commanding views of the stunning Essex countryside.

Elopements now available - intimate weddings for two for couples seeking a romantic and private celebration.

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Frequently asked questions

Venue type:

In the country
Unusual weddings
Castle
Stately home
Historic
Landmark
Outdoor license
Unique weddings

Ceremony options:

Civil ceremony licence

Dining options:

Seated meal facilities
Corkage option
Alcohol licence
Buffet meal facilities
In-house catering

Evening entertainment:

Marquee available
Dance floor
Entertainment licence
Live band facilities
Evening reception facilities
DJ facilities

Overnight accommodation:

Overnight accommodation for wedding couple
Overnight accommodation for guests

Venue staff assistance:

Wedding coordinator

Venue leisure facilities:

Hairdresser
Beautician

Other features:

Exclusive use
Accessible facilities
Car parking
Helipad
Confetti permitted
illustration notebook

Do you have any questions?

Reviews for Hedingham Castle

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5.0 out of 5 rating
5.0 out of 5 rating
374 reviews
100% recommend it
  • Quality of the service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Response time
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value for money
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    5 out of 5 rating
P
Patrycja C. Sent on 12/09/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Dream Venue, Dream Wedding

We got married at Hedingham Castle on the 13 July, I can hardly begin to describe how extraordinary the entire day was. Let’s start with the castle—it is absolutely unreal. Everywhere you look, it makes you go "wow" repeatedly. The stunning architecture and the grounds, kept in immaculate condition, provide a breathtaking backdrop that adds to the fairytale atmosphere.From the moment we first visited for the viewing, it was clear that Hedingham Castle is managed with the utmost professionalism. Sarah and her team provided world-class service, making us feel completely at ease. She patiently answered all my questions, no matter how trivial or repetitive they might have seemed, and her insightful advice was invaluable.
We are incredibly grateful for her support and for the exceptional care she and her team provided.

The planning process went absolutely smoothly—everything was taken care of, leaving me to only worry about sunny afternoon on the big day. The entire team operated like a well-oiled machine, ensuring that every detail was flawless. There was nothing, absolutely nothing, we could fault; it was almost too perfect! Our guests were in awe of the venue and couldn’t stop complimenting how seamlessly everything came together. We wouldn’t change a single thing about our wedding day; it was so magical that we wish we could do it all over again.

I highly recommend Hedingham Castle to anyone searching for a venue. The entire experience was exceptional, free from the typical pitfalls of wedding planning. If you want a flawless, stress-free celebration in a breathtaking setting, this is the place. Our day was truly unforgettable, and we are forever grateful for the memories created at this extraordinary venue.
Renate
Renate S. Sent on 24/09/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful Day

We thoroughly enjoyed the whole wedding organising experience. I personally am missing that it is over now. The day was perfect. The guests said the day could not have gone any better.

The staff were brilliant and very well organised. Jacqui was wonderful and very caring. She dealt with the issue of whose flowers were who superbly.

Thank you for a wonderful wedding day.
Josie
Josie Sent on 20/08/2022
5 out of 5 rating

A dream come true xx

Our fairy tale venue!!

We simply had the most wonderful, wonderful day! I couldn’t have asked for a better service or more from the team that helped us.

Sarah was a rock and nothing was too much trouble from day one even through my million emails and questions. Jackie made our day run so smoothly and was often seen just out of sight running and organising everything to a T.

Jenny really made the morning getting ready delightful, she made teas and got Prosecco’s and even sewed up a last minute hole in a bridesmaids dress seam! It really was a fairy tale dream come true and a day we will remember with thanks for all of our lives. Jenny’s husband Bob also helped all of the guests and made them feel welcome as did all of the staff from the moment everyone arrived.

Hedingham castle is exquisitely grand but the warmth of the team and the feel of the place felt so homely and intimate. We knew the day was going to be good but it was better then what we could have ever hoped for.

A big thank you to the lovely Demetra and the Lindsay family for creating such a wonderful venue and for being so kind and welcoming to us, from start to finish there aren’t enough gold stars for you all and you deserve every hard earned award you get - we feel privileged to be part of the history of the castle.

Love Mrs S xx
Rebecca
Rebecca H. Sent on 20/01/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Our dream day

Hedingham castle was the only venue we viewed and we booked instantly just two weeks after our engagement. Hedingham castle has everything you need in one place but within separate buildings which I think is impossible to find elsewhere.
The castle is stunning and so atmospheric, the mansion house and their gardens are idillic for reception drinks and canapés and the marquee has the wow factor, unlike so many. The James bond chandeliers are a stand out feature, the loo’s are modern and clean, the bar doesn’t dominate the space and the dance floor is a little surprise once the curtains are pulled back. The accommodation is ideal for what you need to lay your head after the best day of your life.
Like many, we were planning our wedding during covid. Sarah and all the team at Hedingham castle remained upbeat regardless of what was going on back stage. They helped to keep us positive that our day would happen and it did, on the 01st of October 2021. They delivered a seamless day that we had dreamt of. From Bob on the entrance gate to the bar manager who drove us back to the accommodation at the end of the night the staff could not have done more and our guests even commented so.
Thank you to all at Hedingham castle we will be forever grateful to you all for providing the best day of our lives.
A
Alice F. Sent on 21/10/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Everything we wanted and then some.

My partner & I got married here 7th September 2024.

From start to finish, the entire process was made seamless by the amazing team at Hedingham.

Sarah && her team work tirelessly to help you bring your wedding ideas & dreams to fruition and I genuinely cannot recommend the venue enough. Any & all requests, no matter how trivial were undertaken with immense attention to detail & professionalism.

Our guests were truly taken aback at the sheer beauty & uniqueness of the venue and have commented on multiple occasions as to just how amazing the entire day was - this would not have been possible without the wonderful team.

Hedingham's trusted partnership suppliers are also wonderful (Lewis Cabuche, Limeberry to name a couple) and are very reasonably priced.

I urge you to book this wonderful place for your special day if you are considering it - you will not regret it.

Alice & Charlie
L
Lauren Sent on 04/08/2024
3.6 out of 5 rating

Gorgeous wedding venue though service lacking

We had our wedding at Hedingham Castle & the venue is simply stunning - the gardener(s) should be commended for keeping such beautiful gardens. We had many lovely compliments from guests about how great everything looked, and we can’t wait to see how the photos turn out.

Unfortunately the service from the rest of the team has been a bit disappointing. From dropping off our decorations on Friday we were instructed to put everything in the same place and were assured it would be where it needed to be come Saturday morning - it wasn’t there - this caused quite a lot of unnecessary stress the morning of & ultimately the ceremony room decorations ended up being wrong vs. how they were planned.

Timing for getting family members from the cottages up to the Castle got confused on the day which was a bit disorienting and meant some family didn’t get to see the Groom preceremony as had been planned.

My handbag with my speech got temporarily lost by the staff though they had tried to put my bags where they needed to be, again causing quite a lot of unnecessary stress & we had to last minute change the order of speeches.

The following morning we were told to collect our decorations from a secured cupboard which we were assured would be unlocked. When we got there it was still locked up, there were no staff around - which meant we wasted time waiting for the cupboard to be open (we had to guess the lock code in the end) and meant we weren’t able to get our leftover cake which we were told someone would get for us that morning.

Overall, we had an amazing day and whilst these are only small errors, they are simple enough that they shouldn’t have happened, especially on your wedding day and you’ve been charged a fee for the service.

C
Claire B. Sent on 17/06/2024
5 out of 5 rating

The perfect place to get married

There aren't words to describe the incredible place that is Hedingham Castle. I first came to an open day 2 years before our wedding and as I stepped out of the car and saw the venue and heard the bagpipers playing I was blown away - we had a look at some other venues but nothing quite compares to Hedingham!
We had an initial planning meeting which gave us all the information we needed and then another one or two before the day - we always came away feeling so excited and not at all overwhelmed.
The venue is incredible - you can really see how much work goes in to maintaining it and how much the team there care about it. The castle itself is so beautiful and well kept but without taking attention from the novelty of it, on the day we decided to decorate it minimally as it really doesn't need any dressing up. Having our ceremony in there was such a dream. We also had the tea rooms in there open before the ceremony which offered a unique experience for guests and gave them the chance to be inside the castle more and mingle before heading upstairs for the ceremony.
We were lucky on the day with the weather so we could use the gardens as well as the manor house for the drinks reception - everything is just gorgeous.
The marquee for dinner is again so impressive - they managed to pack our large wedding in, and yet at no point did anything feel cramped. The dancefloor is a perfect size and curtained off while you eat, which makes it feel a bit more special when the time comes for the first dance. Everyone was very impressed with the chandeliers that are from Casino Royale as well!
There's endless photo locations on site which also means you can slip away for some pictures just the two of you which is a lovely touch.
We were able to book the lodge and cottage for the night before the wedding as well as the night of, and with a large family it worked out perfectly. Both are so spacious and gives you the perfect space to get ready. In the cottage there is a prep room which we used to hang dresses and get changed, and the downstairs bedroom was where we had hair and make up being done.
The week of the wedding we were also able to drop everything up that we would need - again this really helped us. We were lucky enough to have the ceremony set up exactly how we wanted also by the team there.
On to the team there - we cannot thank them enough. They all work so hard to make sure your day goes smoothly, from having someone with you in the cottage to look after you while you get ready, to people helping with my dress and veil going up the stairs and down the aisle, to someone making sure you get driven back to the cottage at the end of the day.
I want to say a thank you to Sarah, she was so helpful throughout the whole process and always there to answer any questions I had, we couldn't have done the day without her!
I also want to mention Jackie who was our coordinator on the day - what an amazing support she was and nothing was too much for her. At no point did I not know what was going on or going to happen next. Even when it was time for her to go she made sure we knew who our next point of contact would be.
The communication from the whole team is fantastic and they do an amazing job of making sure you know what's going to happen next. I doubt there is a more hardworking and lovely team anywhere! The day flies by but they do an amazing job of making sure it runs smoothly and that you have time to take it all in and just enjoy it.
During dinner we were given a card congratulating us by the venue, such a thoughtful thing for them to do! Another little touch which was so appreciated was getting back to the cottage to find it had been tidied up and there were cups and saucers laid out by the kettle for us.
The day after the wedding we all went for breakfast at Moot House and while there, one of the team brought over a suit that had been forgotten in the lodge - they are just so thoughtful.
Suppliers we used that were recommended - luckily we attended a few open days and got to meet them. We have done separate reviews for Lewis (photographer) and Splinters (caterers) but just wanted to say how amazing they were. We've had so many compliments on the pictures and also so many people mention how much they loved the food. Definetely go along to open days and evenings also as you get a feel for the location and a chance to view it all. We also booked their in house DJ Jethro Baker - he was amazng, played so many songs we asked for and kept people on the dancefloor for the whole night.
A special mention also to the bagpipers - from the moment I heard them two years before the wedding I booked them straight away, they were one of our favourite things from the day and were unforgettable. I would recommend them to everyone - if you want them involved then Dick Camp is the person to get in contact with. They were so incredible and even played some songs that we had requested off their normal set list. We love watching back the videos of them and again so many people were blown away by them.
We have had so many comments on the day and since from our guests who had nothing but good things to say about the venue.
Thank you so much Hedingham for giving us the most perfect and special day - it was better than we dreamed it would be x
R
Rachel Sent on 25/02/2023
4.8 out of 5 rating

Perfect, stunning wedding venue!

We got married at Hedingham Castle in August of 2022, and I cannot say enough good things about the venue and Sarah and her team.

I live in the US (my husband is British hence the UK wedding), and Sarah worked with me through time zone differences and my need to iron out every single detail with her. We rented the venue for two days to throw a more casual welcome party on the Friday and then the full wedding on Saturday-- Sarah and her team managed to pull together both a casual outdoor event with activities on Friday quickly followed by a black tie elegant affair on Saturday. Everything was absolutely perfect down to the last detail.

On the Friday, they had a magnificent outdoor tent to allow for cover from the sun where we set up picnic tables and wine fridges for guests to help themselves. Inside, there was a wine a beer bar in the castle along with the buffet and indoor tables if people preferred to eat inside. We hired a historian from the castle to tour our guests to learn the history of the stunning castle grounds, and we hired games, archery, and falconry, which Sarah was kind enough to coordinate for us. Our guests were blown away by the history and beauty of the castle.

On the Saturday, the venue was transformed into an elegant fairytale, where our guests told us that they couldn't believe so many different settings were in one venue!!!!! They took an old red double decker bus from the hotel to the venue where they were seated in the castle for the ceremony. Sarah and the staff adorned the room in candles and despite being a 3pm summer ceremony, the room was dimly lit by romantic candlelight. Following the ceremony, guests went out to the lawn where we got photo and then were ushered to the bridge to throw confetti, quickly followed by heading into the house for drinks reception. This was yet another magnificent change of scenery where guests were thrilled by the restrooms behind the bookcase, the stunning house indoors, and mostly by the surprise of the French doors opening up to a fairytale lawn to enjoy their champagne and cocktails in a picturesque landscape. When guests were then ushered into the marquis for the reception, they couldn't believe that there was yet another location at the venue. Sarah and her team moved mountains to make the reception perfect as well. Sarah worked closely with me on the table layout, which tables could and could not move for the dance floor to open, placing the menus and napkins exactly how I wanted them, and ensuring that we had the right number of drinks ordered to keep the drinks flowing!

In addition to the experience for all the guests, we had my parents and my in-laws stay at the bridal cottage on the grounds, and my husband and I and the bridal party stayed at the Lodge on the grounds. Everything was just perfect for us and our closest family and friends.

Hopefully the length and detail of this review convey just how much I loved everything about this venue - don't miss the opportunity to get married in this incredible, versatile space! Six months later, our guests are still talking about it, and for us, it was absolutely the best weekend of our lives.
N
Natalie C. Sent on 26/08/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing - the wedding of our dreams

We had our wedding at Hedingham Castle in August 2022 and it was absoultey amazing. Everything was perfect - the venue itself, the planning, detail and care Sarah and the team put in leading up to the wedding, the food and the staff on the day. I honestly cannot thank everyone at Hedingham enough for making our day so special.
R
Grace P. Sent on 15/07/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Incredible

What can I say that will actually do Hedingham justice? From the beginning we fell head over heels in love with this stunning venue but not only the venue the incredible staff. We met Sarah from our first visit at Hedingham and I can honestly say I don’t know what we would have done without her. Through the whole pandemic Sarah, & Hedingham generally, were fantastic. Supportive of date changes and our crying phones calls to them, they became like a family to us over 3 and a half years of planning our day and we genuinely now miss them so much.
On the day of our wedding, which was the best day of our lives, everyone was truly incredible. Jackie our corrdinator was amazing!!! AMAZING!! She made us relax and truly enjoy what was the most magical day.
We wish we could thank personally every single person who was there on our day. So Hedingham team, thank you, thank you for everything you did during the pandemic, thank you for looking after us and most importantly thank you for getting us married ❤️
We wish we could do it all over again! See you in 10 years to renew our vows.

Grace & Oli Game xxxx
G
Georgia S. Sent on 05/07/2022
4.8 out of 5 rating

Unforgettable Day - the best of our lives!

I must say a heartfelt thank you, on behalf of my husband and family as well, to everyone at Hedingham for being so wonderful from start to finish.
Poor Sarah was probably sick of my constant emails in the run up! She never failed to reassure me or answer my questions. And somehow Jackie managed to ensure everything ran smoothly on the day with every single one of our huge number of guests!
I would live our wedding day on repeat if I could. All my childhood dreams and more came true at Hedingham.
The only complaint I have is that we cannot do it all again next year!!

Georgia and Joseph Stewart
E
Louise T. Sent on 30/06/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Incredible! Flawless wedding venue

Absolutely incredible wedding venue! From the moment we booked right up until the end of our wedding day, the staff were just amazing - always there to answer any questions along the way (no matter how silly they were!). Since our wedding, our family and friends have all echoed how amazing the staff at Hedingham Castle were on the day - it’s so nice to hear it wasn’t just us with this option. Flawless venue - thank you Hedingham Castle for our dream wedding!
F
Francesca M. Sent on 05/01/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Best day ever!

After having to change our date 3 times, the staff at the castle were so helpful and reassuring all the way through. When the day come, everything run so smoothly and was perfect!
Everyone commented on how amazing the venue was and loved the fact that each part of the day you experience another part of the venue. Ceremony in the castle, pictures in front of the castle, drinks in the gardens with the amazing lake and then finally dinner and dancing in the marquee.
I would recommend Hedingham Castle in a heartbeat and I wish I could do the day all over again.
H
Nicola E. Sent on 04/01/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Dream venue & day

We had our wedding in August 2021, after several setbacks & cancellations dues to Covid.Sarah and the team at Hedingham were amazing throughout planning, rescheduling and on the day. Highly recommend as a wedding venue, the location itself is breathtaking and the staff were professional throughout! Thank you x
C
Charlie K. Sent on 04/01/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Pure Delight, What a Team!

Sarah and the team at Hedingham Castle were just incredible from start to finish. For us the team were involved in our wedding from our engagement as that happened at the castle!!! It was beautiful and felt so personal to have Sarah there from day 1 to our wedding day! Jackie was our wedding day coordinator and was not only the nicest person but also did not spare any moment running the day perfectly and making us feel so special at every step. The fact that Demetra was also a part of our engagement, and offered to show our parents round once we had booked our day was also very touching and made it even more personal. Alongside the incredible service we received the venue is just absolutely stunning, and truly worth every penny spent to enjoy our day!
Thank you to all at Hedingham Castle, Sarah, Jackie, Demetra and the team there we could not have asked for a better venue and team!!
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Hedingham Castle Real Weddings

Eleanor & Dan
44 photos · 12/10/2024
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47 photos · 15/07/2023
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49 photos · 20/08/2022
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29 photos · 17/06/2022
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16 photos · 21/09/2021

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