Hatfield House Hospitality

Hatfield House Hospitality Weddings

Hatfield House is a 17th-century country house set in a large and beautiful park, the Great Park, on the eastern side of the town of Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England. This renowned country wedding venue evokes old-world romance yet is backed by a modern, client-focused team bringing contemporary convenience. 

You needn’t look any further than Hatfield House for a country wedding venue near London. The venue offers indoor and outdoor ceremony options, two charming reception options, and countless gorgeous photography locations. Each Hatfield House package delivers exceptional value with exclusive venue hire, event management, and a versatile food and beverage selection. 

Conveniently close to plenty of accommodation options, Hatfield House Hospitality provides a fairytale-eqsue getaway just an hour’s drive from Central London.

The Scene at Hatfield House Hospitality

Hatfield House is a historical and deeply romantic wedding venue set within Hertfordshire’s Great Park. Amidst sprawling grounds and enchanting maze gardens, the grand country house dates back to 1611 when it was built by Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury and Chief Minister to King James I.

Although conveniently near to London, this unique country wedding venue provides an immersive rural experience. The Old Palace, featuring breathtaking, domed ceilings and intricately woven tapestries, evokes an old-world majesty that will inspire your guests, while the Riding School plays host to more intimate celebrations. Be sure to explore The Knot Garden, a manicured hedge maze perfect for photographs and mingling with your guests post-ceremony. 

Each wedding space comes with a selection of thoughtful add-on options, as well as attentive in-house event management. The dedicated team from Hatfield House will work with you to deliver a personalised, unforgettable wedding experience tailored to your unique style.

Hatfield House is a renowned filming location for blockbuster hits such as Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Batman Begins, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2, and Netflix productions such as The Crown, The Great, and Bridgerton.

Hatfield House Wedding Ceremonies

With an array of beautiful on-site ceremony options, your Hatfield House wedding will flow seamlessly from vows to celebrations.

Civil ceremonies at Hatfield House Hertfordshire can take place within the grand and historical structure of the Old Palace. This is an ideal choice for couples looking for an indoor, non-religious ceremony wedding venue with a strong sense of tradition and antiquity.

Hatfield House Wedding Receptions

Hatfield House Hospitality offers two unique venues for a truly memorable occasion.

The magnificent Tudor Old Palace, built in 1485, was the childhood home of Elizabeth I and where she held her first Council of State. It is one of the foremost examples of medieval brickwork in the country, and with its original wood beams, your guests will be surrounded by history. The Tapestry, elegantly hanging in the Old Palace, is a replica of the original ‘Devonshire Hunting Series’, which you can now find in the Victoria and Albert Museum.

The stunning and open Knot Garden, attached to the Old Palace, is based on Elizabethan patterns and provides the most picturesque wedding photos. The Raised Lawn is perfect for outdoor
blessings, drinks, receptions, and lawn games, with breathtaking views of Hatfield House, home to Lord and Lady Salisbury, who reside there today.

The Old Palace can accommodate large weddings from 80 – 250 guests on long or round banqueting tables and space for a DJ and dancefloor. Our large bar is attached to the room, meaning guests do not have to wander far for drinks and is the perfect space to add additional entertainment, such as photo booths.

Hatfield House’s other venue, The Riding School, blends historic features with modern architecture to offer a contemporary alternative. Located in the Stable Yard, its origin was to accommodate the horses and family’s motor cars. In 2010 the Riding School was transformed into what it is today. Its glass roof allows the room to be flooded with natural daylight, and the mezzanine level adds versatile characteristics to this venue. This is a fitting venue for smaller weddings of 40 – 110 guests. The Riding School can also be hired out in conjunction with the Old Palace.

Wedding Photography at Hatfield House

You are truly spoilt for choice when it comes to idyllic wedding photography at Hatfield House. With natural and architectural beauty abound, there is no need to leave the grounds at all for your wedding portraiture. 

• The maze gardens. The house’s lush and elegant grounds are a photographer’s dream, with manicured hedges, plentiful blossoms, and stunning water features. The garden’s close proximity to the Old Palace makes it the perfect location for family and wedding party photographs. 
• The country house. For wedding photographs with a historical twist, be sure to have pictures taken within the Jacobean architecture of Hatfield House itself. The high ceilings, eclectic decor, and traditional moulding make for eye-catching backdrops in your wedding portraiture.