19 of the Dreamiest Wedding Venues in the North West and the Lake District

When it came to muses, Keats and Coleridge knew they were onto something with the Lake District. From the world-famous Lake Windermere to the quaint streets of Grasmere, you’ll find inspiration at every turn here and not just for poetry - it turns out it’s a pretty great place to get married too. 

Elsewhere in England’s impressive and varied North West, you’ll find the glamour of the Cheshire country set, the industrial heritage of Lancashire and the quirky cool charm of Liverpool. There really is something to satisfy every nearly wed here. 

With such choice on offer, pinning down the perfect North West wedding venue can seem overwhelming. While a venue may seem perfect at first glance, you’ll need to get into the details before deciding it’s the one. Do you need your venue to have on-site accommodation for travelling guests? Would you prefer to provide your own catering? And, most importantly, can your venue facilitate live music?

Luckily for you, all of the venues below welcome live music and have even had the pleasure of hosting some of our bands – so feel free to fall in love with any of the 19 hand-picked gems below. 

Step into your period drama dreams at Arley Hall, a Grade II listed country house set amid award‑winning formal gardens in the heart of Cheshire. Built somewhere between 1832 and 1845 and with its own Gothic Revival chapel, it imbues grandeur at every turn.

The double herbaceous border (thought to be England’s first) offers one of the most magnificent aisles we’ve ever seen with the elegant, licensed alcove at the end of it. For indoor ceremonies, the intimate library or historic Cruck Barn await. 

Olympia, a converted barn designed especially for celebrations, is the perfect place to dance the night away post ceremony.

Tucked just outside Penrith, Askham Hall is a multi‑award‑winning, Grade II listed wedding venue with sweeping Lake District views and Michelin‑starred dining. With worn flag stone floors, stone walls, and carefully curated antique furniture, it effortlessly blends rustic charm with laidback luxury.

Here you can marry under the shade of the pavilion on the front lawn or within the Medieval Hall or rustic Bank Barn. The festoon-lit Bank Barn is also the perfect place to party after chowing down on some award-winning, home-grown food.

The venue boasts 19 boutique bedrooms and with so much Lake District beauty to explore on the doorstep, guests won’t want to hurry away.

Want to imbue your special day with peace and tranquillity? Look no further than Armathwaite Hall, set on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake and with an on-site spa it’s the ideal venue for chilled out celebrations. This venue offers a stunning outdoor oasis where couples can tie the knot or simply enjoy a drink and snap some photographs against the magnificent backdrop. 

Indoors you’ll find elegant suites with views out to the surrounding lake and gardens and a luxurious oak panelled hall. From summer nuptials under the shade of the woodland gazebo to winter celebrations warmed by the log fire in the hall and glasses of winter Pimm’s, weddings at Armathwaite delight year-round.

Nestled in 140 acres of idyllic countryside, Beeston Manor is a family-run, multi-award-winning barn venue that's as welcoming as it is stylish. The lovingly restored 16th-century sandstone barn, with its original oak beams adorned with fairy lights, sets the scene for rustic romance.

As a family-run wedding venue, every wedding day is treated as though it were their very own special day. You can expect meticulous attention to detail and a truly personal touch, which includes exclusive use of Beeston for the day.

You can host up to 125 guests to celebrate with you for the day and invite your nearest and dearest to spend the night in the 14 characterful and cosy bedrooms.

Perched between Windermere and Ambleside, Broadoaks Country House blends Victorian splendour with contemporary comfort. Here you can exchange vows in front of a crackling fire in winter or with blue skies overhead in front of the charming gazebo in summer.

Inclusive packages cover everything from a bridal lounge to welcome drinks and use of a private bar. Delicious canapés and a three-course feast or a more relaxed sharing style wedding breakfast are also included.

After the festivities you and your guests can look forward to kicking back in one of the 20 individually designed rooms, each thoughtfully created with relaxation in mind.

Nestled in the enchanting forest of Bowland is Browsholme Hall, Lancashire’s oldest ancestral home. The Grade I listed estate features a tithe barn straight from the pages of a fairy tale with stone walls, flagstone floors and fairy lights draped from oak beams. Step outside of the barn and you’ll find the magnificent courtyard, the perfect setting for reception drinks, acoustic music sets and late-night pizzas cooked on the woodfired ovens. 

Elsewhere on the estate, you’ll find multiple outdoor spots for al fresco nuptials, including the stunning lily pond and pavilion.

Also on the grounds, you’ll find The Woodland Glade, Browsholme’s very own luxury glamping site featuring 10 bijou lodges. Each lodge is totally self-contained and features a double bed, en suite shower room, kitchenette and living area.

Set within 100 acres of picture-perfect Cheshire parkland, Capesthorne Hall is a grand, family-owned Jacobean stately home overlooking serene lakes and immaculate gardens.

Venue hire here is on an exclusive use basis, meaning you can enjoy the hall and lakeside in total privacy. The team at Capesthorne Hall pride themselves on their attention to detail as well as their flexible approach, working with individual requests to make the day as unique as you are.

Beautifully decorated cottages and lodges onsite provide the perfect retreat for you and your guests after a day of celebrations.

Nestled in a private 300-acre country estate in Over Peover, Colshaw Hall is a grade II listed country house brimming with character charm.

As you drive through idyllic countryside and up the sweeping driveway, passing the Japanese Garden as you go, you’ll get your first taste of the luxury and splendour of Colshaw Hall. On the big day, you can get ready in the decadent Makeup Lounge or enjoy drinks, table tennis and darts in The Den. Once dressed to impress, you can make your way to the The Stables where oak beams, marble flooring and floor to ceiling windows make up an incredible ceremony space.

The Garden Bar awaits for post-ceremony drinks within the walled garden or, if the weather takes a turn, The Pavilion with its comfortable seating and high ceilings. The impressive spaces keep on coming at Colshaw Hall as you’re led into the state-of-the-art Peel Suite for a delicious feast cooked in-house and an evening of live entertainment.

A striking medieval abbey and country estate, Combermere Abbey sits on the Shropshire/Cheshire border surrounded by acres of rolling parkland.

Nestled within the walled gardens at the heart of the fruit tree maze is the Edwardian Glasshouse - the jewel in Combermere’s crown. You can say ‘I do’ in here come rain or shine with the idyllic gardens as your backdrop.

Head out to the lawns post-ceremony for a glass of champagne and a game of croquet. As your guests mingle and enjoy mouth-watering canapés, you can sneak off to the most romantic corners of the garden and snap some wedding portraits.

The night ends at The Pavilion, a purpose-built reception space where you can enjoy anything from street food to wood-fired pizzas or fine dining.

Step through wrought-iron gates into this lavish sanctuary. Delamere Manor is a family-owned, exclusive-use estate nestled on more than 100 acres of rolling Cheshire countryside, complete with a six-acre lake and woodland vistas. 

Choose from a range of stunning spots to say ‘I do’, including the lakeside jetty, the sun-soaked terrace or the roman folly. Next up, enjoy a feast in the courtyard with its glass front and retractable roof allowing you to dine under the stars. 

Take your party to the next level by inviting guests to join you in the private night club that was once Gary Barlow’s recording studio. With state-of-the-art facilities, this is the perfect place to dance the night away to a party band or DJ set. 

Step into Jacobean grandeur at Dorfold Estate, home to a Grade I listed manor set in stunning Cheshire parkland. Recently acquired by Cripps & Co., the team behind the incredible and award-winning Cripps Barn, Dorfold is currently undergoing a Cripps makeover and will be ready for 2026 bookings. 

The focus, as with all Cripps & Co. venues, is on stunning surroundings and exceptional food. Your day will unfold on this historic estate, but the experience will be anything but old-fashioned. Food will be cooked over open flames as guests gather around fire pits sipping on wine hand-selected by a sommelier. 

With a license extending until 1am, Dorfold will be the place to go for memorable late-night parties in Cheshire. 

A barn venue with a difference, Foxtail Barns offer pastoral charm mixed with contemporary style. Here you can marry in the rustic romance of the red brick orangery with its oak beams, fragrant foliage, and views across the gardens. 

Step out of the airy ceremony space and into the manicured walled gardens where reception drinks and canapés can be enjoyed on warmer days. As you sip fizz and snap wedding photography outdoors or within the orangery, the Foxtail team will prepare the wedding barn for a night of festivities. 

The incredible party barn contrasts with the romance and tradition of the ceremony space with its industrial design complete with double height ceiling. Festoon lights add atmosphere while floor to ceiling windows and foliage continue the outside-in theme. The built-in sound system ensures that your wedding band or DJ can be heard at their best, making the dance floor irresistible for guests. 

This 17th century storybook house covered in flowers and foliage sits amongst 15 acres of formal gardens, fields, and woodland. Approached via a long tree-lined drive, Hilltop Country House is truly what fairy tales are made of.

On your big day the entire ground floor of the house will be exclusively yours. Choose how you would like to use the drawing room, dining room and garden room. You can say ‘I do’ in the light filled garden room, on the terrace, on the lawn or in the marquee. 

The marquee is also the perfect place to host your evening celebrations. A blank canvas, you can really make this space your own with floral arches, foliage adorning tables and light-up lettering. 

Historic meets hip at Holmes Mill, a lovingly restored 19th-century textile mill in Clitheroe’s Ribble Valley. The light-filled Cotton Room, with its steel beams and festoon lighting, offers a ceremony setting with industrial-chic vibes

Move through to the cool and cosy Bar & Grill for reception drinks and mingling before heading back into the transformed Cotton Room for your wedding breakfast. Choose anything from formal dining to a sharing feast washed down with your favourite tipples. 

You can really enjoy the drinks at Holmes Mill knowing you won’t have far to go before you can turn in for the night thanks to the 39 on-site bedrooms. 

If historic grandeur is on your north west wedding venue wish list, look no further than Knowsley Hall. You will be lord or lady of the manor for the day with exclusive use of the house and gardens. 

Exchange vows in the decadent Stucco Ballroom surrounded by the intricate gold leaf encrusted walls and original fireplace. Afterwards, head out onto the terrace where you can enjoy stunning views of the elegant gardens, fountain, and lake. 

As you sip champagne, the Knowsley Hall team will prepare the breathtaking State Dining Room for your wedding breakfast. Menus here are bespoke and made with locally sourced ingredients, from the Knowsley Estate where possible. 

The luxury doesn’t end as the evening’s festivities draw to a close as Knowsley Hall’s 5-star rooms await. With room for 32 guests, you can invite your nearest and dearest to spend the night and join you for a delicious, cooked breakfast in the morning – the perfect antidote for sore heads! 

Set in lush Cheshire countryside near Knutsford, Larkspur Lodge is a lovingly restored 200-year-old barn combining rustic charm with high end elegance. 

Larkspur Lodge boasts one of our favourite ceremony rooms of all time. The unique and atmospheric room features chequerboard tiles, vintage theatre seats and fairy lights aplenty. What makes it so unique, though, is the amphitheatre set-up allowing guests to look on from the sides. 

The Lawn Garden is the ideal place for summer reception drinks, games, and photographs while the Bar and Lounge provides a stylish and cosy refuge from the elements come winter. The red brick lodge is ideally suited to wedding breakfasts, with nothing but rustic walls and crisp white tables cloths and chairs acting as a blank canvas on which to add your personal style. 

Moving away from rustic barns and country piles and onto the quirky streets of Liverpool, next up is a former bank turned afternoon tea and party hotspot. Oh Me Oh My sits a short stroll from the River Mersey and boasts views of the Liver Building and some of Liverpool’s other most important buildings. 

Ornate pillars and ceiling adornments hint to the venue’s early 20th century banking past while pared back furniture and minimal decoration give it a decidedly modern feel. You can drape fairy lights from the ceiling, wind foliage around the stair bannister or fill the room with disco balls and really make the space your own. 

Head out onto the rooftop terrace for photographs and delicious canapés before partying the night away indoors to a party band or DJ set. With a range of city centre hotels on the doorstep, you won’t have far to stumble before you can kick off your dancing shoes at the end of the night. 

Imagine marrying under the shade of a vintage gazebo at the edge of Ullswater Lake surrounded by 15 acres of landscaped grounds and sweeping lawns. At Inn on the Lake this dreamy vision can become a reality. 

Indoors you’ll find stunning suites for intimate weddings or winter nuptials. Here, you’ll also be invited to enjoy locally sourced ingredients prepared by an award-winning chef in contemporary comfort. Suites here are modern yet classic with neutral colour schemes and luxurious touches. 

The perfect venue for couples looking to accommodate guests overnight, Inn on the Lake boasts 44 suites and bedrooms created with relaxation in mind. Lake View Suites are the grandest on offer with their private balconies looking over the lake, walk in wardrobes and separate lounge areas. 

Consisting of a charming, bespoke oak-framed building, Oak Tree of Peover impresses at first glance. If beams and bricks and light-flooded spaces are on your wish list, keep reading. 

The Ladybird Room - named after an influx of ladybirds present at the building of the site and thought to symbolise good luck – is the perfect spot to say ‘I do’. The room is surrounded by picturesque views of the verdant grounds and features rustic touches aplenty. Similarly styled is The Acorn Bar, which is where guests will be greeted on the big day and enjoy reception drinks during the cooler months. 

The most impressive space of all is The Acorn Room. Reserved for wedding breakfasts and celebrations, this space features a vaulted ceiling, floor to ceiling windows and lush foliage climbing the walls. If you’re looking for a venue that brings the outdoors in, Oak Tree of Peover is your best bet.