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Weddings

About

Welcome to The University of Winchester, our historic wedding venue nestled in the heart of Winchester, England. As you embark on this beautiful journey of love and togetherness, we are honored to offer you a setting steeped in tradition and timelessness, creating the perfect backdrop for your classically elegant celebration.

Within the grounds of this Hampshire university lies The West Down Business School, a magnificent Grade II listed Victorian building that will capture your heart from the moment you lay eyes on it. Its façade adorned with beautiful archways and vibrant climbing plants sets the stage for a truly breathtaking experience. Inside, you'll discover two enchanting rooms at your disposal: the Shakespeare Room and Ceremony Room.

The Shakespeare Room and Ceremony Room boast breathtaking oak panelling, a restored parquet wooden floor, and an elegant raised gallery. These historic rooms will leave you and your guests in awe, providing a touch of grandeur and timeless beauty to your celebration. Imagine making a grand entrance, gracefully descending the staircase to your wedding breakfast, surrounded by love and joy.

If you desire a more modern setting, our Dining Hall awaits you with its bright, inviting ambiance. This versatile banquet hall can comfortably accommodate up to 200 guests, making it the ideal space for your unforgettable wedding reception. And when it's time to dance the night away, our unique Vault Venue beckons with its enchanting charm, ensuring your celebration continues late into the night.

At The University of Winchester, we take great pride in offering not just exceptional venues but also personalised service that caters to your every need. Our dedicated staff will work closely with you, providing a seamless and supportive experience throughout your wedding journey. We take culinary excellence seriously, and our award-winning menus promise to be a highlight of your special night. Embracing an ethical approach, our talented chefs source the finest local ingredients to craft delectable dishes that will delight your taste buds.

We are excited to be a part of your special day and look forward to working with you to create a wedding that reflects your style and personality. Get in touch with our team to explore the possibilities and begin planning an unforgettable day.

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Frequently asked questions

Venue type:

Unusual weddings
Historic
In the city
Unique weddings

Ceremony options:

Civil ceremony licence

Dining options:

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

Evening entertainment:

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:

Fitness centre

Other features:

Exclusive use
Accessible facilities
Car parking
Confetti permitted
Changing room for wedding guests
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Reviews for The University of Winchester

We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to make your big decisions easier.
5.0 out of 5 rating
5.0 out of 5 rating
4 reviews
100% recommend it
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    5 out of 5 rating
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  • Value for money
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Nicola Sent on 17/11/2017
5 out of 5 rating

All the staff were so friendly and approachable

We were so impressed with the venue on the day. All the staff were so friendly and approachable. The food was fantastic! We found that everything went very smoothly and if there were any problems (which there weren't!), we felt that we could easily approach a member of staff and ask.

Harvey and I are very grateful for your help in organising. You're brilliant at your job and made us feel at ease with everything that was planned! If there are any awards for the University of Winchester staff or for wedding venue coordinators, we would happily nominate you!
K
Kerrianne Sent on 17/11/2017
5 out of 5 rating

The rooms are gorgeous and full of history

We had a selection of places we were looking at around Winchester (as a Winchester girl I wanted it to be in my home town) but the University of Winchester (West Downs Campus Business School) stood out beyond the rest. Many friends have chosen some of the beautiful barns and hotels in the surrounding area but the University stood out to us because no one else we knew had got married there, we could have the ceremony and reception in one building and the rooms are gorgeous and full of history.
D
David Sent on 17/11/2017
5 out of 5 rating

You were all so helpful, efficient and friendly

We wanted to thank you all so much for making Kate and Kyle’s wedding on 30th July such a wonderful day from beginning to end. You were all so helpful, efficient and friendly – nothing seemed to be too much trouble.


The building was transformed from a practical teaching and conference space into a very attractive and flexible wedding venue, and you happily accommodated all our wishes and made helpful suggestions.


Planning, organisation and decorations were all of a high standard. The food was delicious, top quality, and very good value for money too.


We were reassured by the answers to every question we raised, and were grateful for the flexibility shown both in the planning process and when we suddenly needed to change the timing of the speeches and meal on the day at very short notice – all credit to the catering team that the meal was still perfect.


All our guests have been full of praise for the venue, the staff, and the day as a whole.


We feel that we could not have wished for a lovelier day and thank you sincerely for making it so special.
C
Clare Sent on 17/11/2017
5 out of 5 rating

The reception last Saturday went like a dream

I just wanted to say a big thank you for all your help in organising Maddie and Mark’s wedding reception. From the first time we visited the Shakespeare Room just over a year ago and met you we knew we were in good hands. You are unflappable, diplomatic, enthusiastic and flexible. The reception last Saturday went like a dream and met, and in many instances, exceeded our expectations. We had so many compliments from our guests about the delicious meal and the beautiful venue. It was certainly a class act. Arranging a wedding from over 100 miles away was always going to be a challenge but you made it all straight forward and stress free.
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West Downs Business School SO22 4NR Winchester (Hampshire)
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