Wedding venue inspiration - Glorious gardens

Eastwell Manor, Ashford

With its oak-panelled spaces, open stone fireplaces, quirky original features, grand staircase, ornate windows and doors, and stylish early Art Deco interior design, Eastwell Manor exudes charm. Built more than 450 years ago, the grey stone exterior of this Neo-Elizabethan manor house is covered in beautiful ivy, which changes colour with the seasons. Set in 3,000 acres of landscaped gardens, this idyllic spot provides a stunning backdrop for your nuptials. Situated at the end of a long tree-lined drive it boasts 72 elegantly styled bedrooms and suites. All wedding packages include a deluxe suite for the newlyweds and nine bedrooms, with bed and breakfast. The venue also offers exclusive hire of the manor house, which includes all 23 of its bedrooms.

Nettlestead Place, Nettlestead

As you arrive at Nettlestead Place via the beautiful 14th-century gatehouse, the Grad I listed manor comes into view. It's still a private family home and has, over the centuries, hosted many a lavish event and celebration. This lovely historical building, along with its stunning surroundings, offers a quintessentially English setting for your big day. The venue has 10 acres of award-winning gardens with its own picture-perfect sunken pond and beautiful far-reaching views across the River Medway. With its stone walls, archways, secret gardens, and winding pathways, Nettlestead Place offers a wealth of incredible photo opportunities. What's more, you're offered a complimentary menu and wine-tasting experience when you book your wedding date here.

Cobham Hall, Cobham

Nestled in 150 acres of Grade II listed parkland, Cobham Hall dates back to 1208 when the original manor was granted by the King to the De Cobham family. The Hall is home to a priceless collection of paintings and antiques as well as to the famous ashes of English cricket, which were gifted by the then English cricket captain and future 8th Earl of Darnley, Ivo Bligh, in 1883. Now operating as an independent day and boarding school for 200 girls, Cobham Hall is one of the country's finest historic country houses. Only 28 miles from central London and within easy reach of the A2, M2, M20 and M25 the venue is conveniently situated, while enjoying a picturesque and tranquil setting. Offering a maximum of 20 wedding dates per year, Cobham Hall is a hidden gem that will amazing your guests with its history, grandeur and elegance, and its dedicated wedding team will help you create a day designed exclusively for you. What's more on booking your wedding day at Cobham Hall, you'll be invited to a complimentary menu tasting and wine pairing. Plus, there a bridal dressing room and groom's lounge on site for use on the morning of your wedding.

Bromley Court Hotel, Bromley

Bromley Court is a hotel steeped in history, with the atmosphere of a wonderful and intimate country house. Years of hospitality experience have gone into fine-tuning their beautiful rooms and event spaces, and things are kept wonderfully simple by ensuring all you need for your big day is included as standard in all packages. The stunning gardens are also rich in history with the Italianate gardens, which are bursting with vibrant flowers and complete with urns and terracing.

Inn on the Lake, Gravesend

The Inn on the Lake sits on the edge of 12 acres of woodland. Its glorious gardens are built around three natural lakes, providing stunning backdrops for your all-important photos. The floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows flood the hotel's large wedding room with natural light and offer stunning panoramic views over the lakes and gardens. The lakes are the focal point for weddings here, from nuptials at the water's edge and beautiful photo opportunities on the jetty through to barbecues on the lakeside terrace. You could even wake up to coffee on your bedroom terrace looking out at this gorgeous scenery. The ultimate romantic spot, the Lakeside Gazebo is set on the edge of the largest lake and permits 200 loved ones (with an additional 50 standing) to witness your vows.

Knowlton Court, Canterbury

This quintessentially English house oozes calm and serenity in a relaxed, informal atmosphere. The house is beautiful, and the rooms are elegant, complete with fine artwork, huge stone fireplaces and fabulous features. Sitting in 20,000 acres of private land, Knowlton Court is approached by an avenue of lime trees culminating in the circular lawn and walled garden. The house is surrounded by formal gardens and you feel a sense of calm and tranquility wandering through them. The amusing topiary hedges are always a talking point and the masses of climbing roses add fantastic colour and an unbelievable scent. There are a number of properties within the estate, which can accommodate up to 64 overnight guests, including the ten-bedroom Dower House.

Hayne House, Hythe

Located close to the beautiful and historical village of Saltwood, nestled in the serene and tranquil setting of its immaculately landscaped private family estate, is wedding venue Hayne House. It's a venue that offers a wonderful combination of traditional country house charms, coupled with the sophistication of the ultra-modern. Purpose built in 2018, the Orangery at Hayne House was conceived and constructed with the dreams of its couples in mind. Fronted by uninterrupted floor to ceiling French doors and stunning overhead lanterns, the space forms a natural link to the outdoors. Light and airy, it's like being seated in the beautiful gardens once the doors are flung open, offering a wonderfully flexible, contemporary, stylish and eco-friendly venue for any style of wedding. There are three stunning ceremony areas to choose from including the new outdoor pavilion, and the Orangery, also with the option for blessings anywhere the gardens. All spaces seat up to 120 loved ones.

Penshurst Place and Gardens, Tonbridge

This wedding venue is set in an estate of 2,500 acres, the 14th-century house and formal gardens are steeped in natural splendour and historical architecture. With sandstone walls and an impressive sweeping driveway on the private north-side entrance, it's been described as the perfect combination of an inspiring castle combined with an intimate country manor house. The 14th-century, Grade I listed, gardens are considered to be amongst the most beautiful in England. Originally laid out in 1346, their 11 acres have been kept true to their Elizabethan design. Colourfully surrounding the house with a breathtaking blend of roses, tulips, blossoms and herbaceous plants, they make Penshurst Place an enchanting photographic backdrop.

The Gardens, Yalding

With no less than 12 acres of beautiful grounds to explore, The Gardens, Yalding, is a living celebration of Kent's long heritage as the Garden of England. Couples have exclusive use of this stunning space as a wedding venue, which is divided into 16 areas demonstrating planting styles throughout the ages including Medieval, Tudor, 19th-century cottage, Victorian and Edwardian Gardens, all alongside orchards and a large fruit garden. The organic produce used by the venue's catering team is even grown here. Set in the heart of The Gardens, the gazebo provides a delightful setting for your outdoor ceremony with a 360-degree view of the venue's magnificent garden (130 guests). A lovingly restored barn is connected to quirky tipis, adorned in fairylights with two firepits, providing a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The sides of the tipis can be lifted to reveal impressive views of the beautiful outdoor space. The Barn is suitable for 130 ceremony, 90 wedding breakfast and 240 evening guests, and the tipis can host 140 seated and also 240 for an evening buffet. There's also the Croft, situated on the upper level of the barn, a lovely ceremony spot for 80 guests. Use of the bridal dressing room is included within the wedding package. It's located on the upper level of the barn.

St Julians Club, Sevenoaks

St Julians is an elegant Georgian country house wedding venue set in charming surroundings just outside Sevenoaks, which has been a secluded and exclusive private club since the early 1950s. Overlooking the Weald of Kent, surrounded by 70 acres of woodland and beautiful manicured gardens, St Julians offers a characterful and traditional venue for your special day. The Lounge is the original drawing room of the house, with long bay windows, which open onto the external flagstone terrace. It has a beautiful marble fireplace and Steinway grand piano, which is available for you to use on the day. Double doors lead to the Victorian Conservatory, with its incredible canopy of wisteria giving fragrant blooms up to four times a year. The Gallery boasts the same amazing views and the bay window is the perfect spot for a more intimate wedding ceremony.

Sprivers Mansion, Tonbridge

This elegant Georgian country house wedding venue, built in 1759 and now owned by the National Trust, is blessed with beautiful ornate period features and décor. Amongst its historical features are fine Georgian fireplaces, ornate plasterwork, a sweeping oak Chippendale staircase, stunning original chandeliers, and a stunning gold family coast of arms. Plus, the generous three-room bridal suite is decorated in the same style. The elegant façade of the main house is typical of the era, with its dolls' house symmetry and large double oak doors, all surrounded by formal gardens. There's also plenty of opportunity to capture those all-important photos in the walled rose garden, wild flower meadow, fields, orchards and ponds.

Weddings at Brenley, Faversham

Brenley Farm makes for a lovely rustic wedding venue in the Kent countryside.Outside on the lawn, in front of the beautiful Georgian Farmhouse, just by the duck pond and barn, you'll find a beautiful traditional gazebo, complete with Kent peg roof and timber posts. Here you can seat 100 of your nearest and dearest to witness your vows. If the weather doesn't suit, though, there's a marquee available, which can be set up in the event of rain. Inside the farmhouse, surrounded by apple and pear orchards, hop gardens and vineyards, is a Georgian dining room that can seat up to 30 of your loved ones for intimate celebrations. This offers a lovely formal option in the summer months or even shelter from the temperamental British weather the rest of the year. It's also licensed for ceremonies. You have the choice of several fields in which to host your celebrations, all set in the glorious Kent countryside on a working farm. Each can host up to 150 guests and comes complete with water and electricity, offering a blank canvas. There's also accommodation on site for 30 people, plus space for campers. The venue is fully booked for 2021, but has availability for 2022 and 2023 and is taking bookings now.