Yorkshire is the largest county in the UK and we are positively spoilt for choice for wedding venues – from ancient castles, gastro-pubs, smartly converted barns, national trust ruins and at funky boutique hotels!
I’m Barnaby Aldrick, a Leeds-based Yorkshire wedding photographer with a decade of experience capturing couples wedding stories. My journey in photography, enriched by a degree in Psychology, has found me shooting fabulous weddings up and down this stunning county, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to run through the best Yorkshire wedding venues with ideas, inspiration and links…
York is the historic capital of Yorkshire, overlooked by the huge Minster and famous for the ramshackle 14th century street ‘The Shambles’. Within its giant stone walls are all kinds of ancient gems to host a wedding. The one I’ve photographed most at are The Merchant Adventurer’s Hall (main image above) – a medieval guildhall that was one of the most important buildings in the medieval city. I’ve also photographed enjoyed shooting weddings at Bedern Hall – a stunning 700 year old hall – St William’s College – a stripy tudor building around a secret quadrangle, once a home for York Minster’s priests – the Hospitium – a stunning hall in the grounds of the Museum Gardens, between the Ouse and the ruined Abbey – and The Merchant Taylors Hall – an historic guild hall, for the less adventurous and those into fabrics. ;) You can’t go wrong at any of these lovely spots!
My home town of Leeds has plenty of exciting venues within easy reach of this bustling metropolitan Northern powerhouse. In the city centre I’ve papped civil ceremonies overlooked by the wise owls at Leeds Civic Hall and the Leeds Town Hall (top  left and right in the above images), and often these affairs end up at interesting gastro-pubs such as The Foundry, the Midnight Bell or The Crossed Keys, or at the funky, alternative former-church-cum-arts-space LeftBank in Hyde Park (where I actually had my wedding!).
Within a 15 minute drive of the centre, The Mansion at Roundhay Park (main image above) is an 1800’s Grade II listed building set in over 700 acres of gorgeous parkland, overlooking lakes and woodland.
Heading out of Leeds you’ve got Woodlands Hotel (top left above, looking misty) – a country house that’s added a brilliant orangery to it’s wedding space – and the Hansel & Gretel looking stack of Holdsworth House out near Halifax (above right). I also love shooting at Newburgh Priory – a country home that’s still lived in and run by the family, with beautiful ruins to celebrate in!
Denton Hall (main image above) – a grand stack overlooking Otley Chevin – was one of my faves, and closed its doors in 2022 to undergo a full makeover and I can’t wait for its return.
South of Leeds you’ve got Oulton Hall (above left) – an 18th century mansion, spa and 27 hole golf course – and Waterton Park (above right) – a spa with an old hall on its own island, accessible via a bridge!
Heading out towards Harrogate and Knaresborough are a plethora of wedding venue options, my favourite being Goldsborough Hall (main image above) – a 17th-century country mansion with royal connections, set in 12 acres of landscaped. There’s also a new garden centre Crimple Hall that’s worth a look for something funky!
Within the city are the Victorian super hotels of The Old Swan or the Sun Pavilion, but heading out of Harrogate, you’ll find Rudding Park (above left) a listed Regency building with a modern state of the art spa, stunning golf course and a stunning little 19th Century Chapel.
In the direction of Wetherby is my favourite wedding barn venue Priory Cottages (above right) – in the a working family working farm, with stunning cottages in a courtyard facing an ancient 12th century priory.
Not far away is another spa and country house venue Wood Hall (main image above) – with its pride and prejudice style sweeping drive down to it affording lovely views of rolling Yorkshire.
Heading into North Yorkshire you pass the elegant Hazlewood Castle wedding venue (top left above) – a pet friendly spa, with grand dining rooms and sneaky priest holes. And in the vein of Henry VIII’s priest drama, Yorkshire’s has stunning Abbey ruins; my favourites being Kirkstall Abbey in Leeds and Fountains Abbey up near Ripon (main image above).
Gods County shines brightest in the Yorkshire Dales, and one of my favourite castle venues there is Bolton Castle (main image above) – perhaps not perfect in winter, but stunning banquet hall vibes with towers and turrets and lovely views across Wensleydale.
Swinton Park near Marsham is an opulent stunner up this way too, or for something more low key, there’s the gorgeous boutique gastro-hotel Yorebridge House in Bainbridge. There are also a glut of wedding venues around Burnsall (above left) in Wharfedale – including The Red Lion and the Devonshire Fell in the pretty village itself, The Tithe Barn at Bolton Abbey and the Priests house up the hill, and the Michelin-Starred Devonshire Arms, which has it’s own helepad in case you need somewhere to land your chopper!
If you’re looking for a bit of fun from a wedding venue, there’s nothing more unique than a wedding at the Crab & Lobster – a boutique hotel in the truest sense – a quirky, kooky hotel, decorated with whimsy and adorned with all manor of random trinkets! I mean, they’ve not only got an 7ft yeti who’s dressed in different outfits every time I visit, but there’s also a hidden beer tap that’s free for all those lucky enough to find it – what’s not to love!?
At the other end of the spectrum, there’s class, culture and spectacle with a wedding at the Bowes Museum up in Barnard Castle near Durham – where you can host your wedding in a French-style chateaux surrounded by a World-class art!
My favourite venue in the Dales though, on the edge of Richmond, is Middleton Lodge – an extensive Georgian Estate wedding venue, with no less than three wedding venues – a Georgian country house, a former coach house and now the Fig House. It’s been fab seeing this venue expand and improve over the years!
One thing I do love Yorkshire for are the high-end gastro-pubs that also host fab weddings, such as the gastro mecca of the Angel at Hetton or The Pheasant (main image above) and Michelin Starred wedding yorkshire venue The Star Inn – both in the same quaint village of Harome, near Helmsley.
East Yorkshire is often a bit overlooked for weddings, but venues such as Saltmarshe Hall and Carlton Towers (above main image and both near Goole) are absolutely gorgeous!
I’ve mentioned Hazlewood Castle, and Castle Bolton, but I’d say my fave castle wedding venue is the superb  Ripley Castle (above main image) – a Grade I listed 14th-century country house in a time warp of a village (with an amazing ice cream shop!)
We’ll as you can see, we’re spoiled for choice in Yorkshire, and the best venue is… the venue that’s best for a couple! And wherever is finally chosen, it’s my job and my pleasure to tell a candid, love-filled story of the day – championing all the fun and frolics, and while letting the day unfold naturally and not become dominated by the photography!
I hope this list of my best Yorkshire wedding venues has given you some ideas and inspiration.
If you like what you see hit the button below and I’ll send you an eBrochure Price Guide to explain everything, with no pressure to book:
It’s so important to me that my couples have a fab experience with me, and these reviews from real couples on Google and Facebook are great to read, straight from the horses mouth:
Below is a grid linking to all the weddings I’ve photographed in the Yorkshire area. Feel free to look through for ideas and inspiration!
Alternatively, search for your venue using the search bar below:
Yesterday I joined Emma + Marc for their gorgeous wedding photography at The Tithe Barn at Bolton Abbey – a beautifully restored, ancient barn, overlooking the Bolton Abbey estate in the stunning Yorkshire Dales! My wingman Matt ...
Last Saturday I joined Hannah & Simon for their lovely sunny wedding photos at The Priory in Syninthwiate, a stylish wedding barn on a working farm near Wetherby in Yorkshire! Now I’m a fan of dogs, and this was the most ...
Last Saturday I joined Emily + Charlie for their brilliant wedding photography at Rudding Park near Harrogate in North Yorkshire! Emily + Charlie got together in a whirlwind romance at the start of the pandemic, and their classy yet ...
Last Saturday I joined Danielle + Nicky for their most excellent wedding photos at Rudding Park near Harrogate in Yorkshire! I’ve photographed this family before, at Danni’s brother Ben’s wedding to Kim 6 years ago, ...
Last Saturday I joined the lovely Emma + Keaon for their wedding photos at The Fleece Countryside Inn in Ripponden in the beautiful Ryburn valley in Yorkshire, overlooking the picturesque village of Ripponden. I had a lovely morning ...
I recently joined the lovely Clare + Joe for their wedding photography at The Pheasant Hotel in Harome near Helmsley in North Yorkshire! This was such a pleasure to photograph: a relaxed, funky couple at a relaxed, stylish venue. I ...
Yesterday I joined Sam + Josh for their wedding photos at The Tithe Barn at Bolton Abbey – a beautifully restored, ancient wedding barn, overlooking the Bolton Abbey estate in the Yorkshire Dales! This lovely pair originally ...
Last weekend I joined Georgina + Oliver for their wedding photos at Denton Hall – an exclusive country house wedding venue overlooking the beautiful Ilkley moors, opposite the Cow & Calf in Wharfedale, in West Yorkshire. ...
On Saturday I joined Sophia + Sammy for their wedding photos at Goldsborough Hall, a fab stately home wedding venue between Harrogate & Knaresborough in Yorkshire! It was such a lovely Spring day, with the daffs starting to show ...
Last Friday I joined Maria + Gary for their wedding at one of York’s best kept secrets, Howsham Hall – an exclusive, Downton Abbey style wedding venue, just 14 miles north east of York, in North Yorkshire! Built in 1610, ...
Last Saturday I joined Amy + Simon for their wonderful (snowy!) wedding photography at Bunny Hill Farm near York! Now these guys originally enquired with me all the way back in November 2018 for a big day originally penned for May ...
Last weekend I joined Ruth + Joe for their wonderful winter wedding photography at Hornington Manor. I’ve shot here a few times recently (and at their new sister wedding venue The Oakwood at Ryther too) and it’s a fantastic ...
On Sunday I joined Rebecca + Liam for their winter wedding photos at The Grand Hotel in York! Yet another postponed wedding coming to fruition! This time in an atmospheric, misty York City Centre… I’ve not photographed at ...
On Sunday I joined Vicky + Chris for their amazing michelin-starred gastropub wedding at The Angel At Hetton in North Yorkshire. It was a misty wintery day for a wedding at this newly refurbished fine dinery; and the roaring wood ...
Yesterday I joined Harrie + Rob out near Linton, just outside Wetherby, for their wedding photography at Wood Hall Hotel & Spa! Bearing in mind this time of year can be cold and sketchy, and a slightly gloomy forecast was loitering ...
Yesterday I joined Laura + David for their relaxed wedding photography at The Cross House Lodge in Rydale the wedding and lodgings side of sensational Michelin Starred gastro pub, The Star Inn in Harome near Helmsley! The oranges and ...
Last Saturday I joined Charlotte + Adam for their wedding photos at Yorebridge House, a fab Boutique hotel wedding venue in Yorkshire. With my wingwoman Steph White at my side, we set of early doors from Leeds to drive to my favourite ...
Last Saturday I joined the lovely Pru + Matt for their wedding photography in a field in the beautiful rolling Yorkshire hills near Farnley Tyas! Now this was a fab day all round! A chilled out couple, stunning weather and locations, a ...
Yesterday I joined this lovely pair, Pippa + George, to capture their wedding photos at Goldsborough Hall, a fab stately home wedding venue between Harrogate & Knaresborough in Yorkshire. Now this wedding has been a long time ...
Last weekend I joined Felicity & Alireza (AKA: Fliss + Ali) for their wonderful sunny wedding photos at Hornington Manor. As Ali has Persian heritage, they tied the knot with a beautiful blend of Iranian & British traditions. ...
Last Wednesday, I joined Clare + Mwansa for their frankly amazing summer wedding photography at The Priory in Syninthwiate, a stylish wedding barn on a working farm near Wetherby in Yorkshire! Now I’ve photographed tonnes of ...
Last weekend I joined Chloe + Luke out near Linton, just outside Wetherby, for their wedding photography at Wood Hall Hotel & Spa! This was the first time I’ve photographed an outdoor wedding ceremony at Wood Hall, as in my ...
Last weekend I joined Jackie + Tony for their wonderful wedding photos at Weetwood Hall in Leeds! This adorable pair met on a blind date to see guardians of the galaxy 2 back in the day and are just made for each other! It’s ...
Last weekend I joined Naomi + Graeme for their beautiful (albeit slightly wet!) summer wedding photos at The Fig House at Middleton Lodge, a stunningly restored walled garden near Richmond in Yorkshire! While I’ve photographed ...
Yesterday, I joined Terri + Jamie for their stunning, summer wedding photos at The Priory in Syninthwiate, a stylish barn and marquee venue on a working farm near Wetherby in Yorkshire! The entire day was hosted at Priory Cottages and ...
