My Top 5 Wedding Venues in County Durham
Looking for Wedding Venues in County Durham?
Are you looking for a wedding venue in County Durham? As a wedding photographer I get to travel and spend a lot of time in a lot of wedding venues across the region. Not just on the day of the wedding, but we will usually scout a venue or location 3 or 4 times prior to a wedding. We do this so we know all the places to try and get those absolute killer shots.
So, I just want to iterate that this isn’t an exclusive list of wedding venues. These are just some of my personal favourites from around County Durham. I’ve shot weddings at all but 1 (so far). So please don’t be discouraged or disheartened if your venue isn’t mentioned. Or if you are considering one that is not on my list.
Book Your Wedding Photography Now
Redworth Hall Hotel
A Classical & Stylish Wedding Venue
OK, so this one maybe a bit of a cheat as its not “technically” in County Durham anymore, but rather within Darlington in the village of Redworth. Which is just a stone’s throw from Shildon.
Built in the 17th Century, Redworth Hall is another former country house turned hotel that is wrapped with history and local lore. The building was supposedly haunted by a child walking along the corridors. The Story goes Lord Surtees had his mentally ill child chained to the fireplace whose cries of anguish can still be heard. It also tells the story of the peer’s affair with his scullery maid, who committed suicide by throwing herself down the staircase when his wife discovered she was pregnant. This story even made the BBC website in 2005 when the hotel hosted the Bangladesh Cricket team.
The Hotel is located just 7.5 miles from Darlington and 15 miles from Durham. It is ideally placed within the northeast to let visitors and guest explore the whole region. It is often used by sports teams visiting the area for away games and tours. I met most of the Arsenal “Invincibles” here at a work Christmas party.
The hotel is situated within a 26-acre landscaped garden, which is home to some stunning locations to use a photography backdrop.
The Manor House Hotel
For Smaller Intimate Weddings
The hotel is in the heart of County Durham in the historic village of West Auckland less than 4 miles from Bishop Auckland. Now this is one for the grooms, as West Auckland is steeped in football tradition. The local club West Auckland FC is the first team to win one of the first international football tournaments. The first world cup or the “Sir Thomas Lipton Trophy” to give it the proper name. Was hosted in Turin and won by West Auckland FC in 1909 and 1911. In the 1911 final, West Auckland ran out 6-1 winners over a team that goes by the name of Juventus. The trophy was stolen in 1994, the search continues!
Whilst The Manor House may not have the same lavish grounds as some others on the list, it has some amazing locations for your wedding photography. Including the main entrance with its symmetrical facia and the grand staircases with medieval suits of armour. There is a small garden area with a bandstand which always makes for a nice spot for some bride and groom portraits.
Joe & Siobhan in the Bay window, Redworth Hall Hotel
Whitworth Hall Country Park
A Wedding Photographers Dream Venue
Located just outside of Spennymoor, and a mere 7 miles from Durham to the north, and 25 miles from Darlington to the South. Whitworth Hall Hotel & Deer Park is a now privately owned, Grade II listed former Country House turned Hotel set in the heart of County Durham. The Hotel was formerly the home of the Shafto family whose roots in the Northeast date back almost 400 years to Shafto Crag in Northumberland. The Shafto’s served as Alderman, mayors and in other roles of Newcastle. Members of the Shafto family later served as members of parliament and high sheriffs of Durham.
The Hotel is nestled inside of its own country park filled with Fallow Deer. These tame animals make a fantastic addition to any wedding photography session. We always check with the staff before engaging with the deer, especially around the rutting season, as the stags can be violent. The hotel also sports its own on-site chapel, although I’m unsure if the chapel is part of the hotel itself or part of the neighbouring village.
Along with its 73-acre parkland including a lake, this hotel is one of the finest locations for wedding photography.
Book your Wedding photography TODAY!
It's never too early to book your wedding photography PackagP
View our Wedding photography Packages
South Causey Inn
A Luxury Hotel with A Contemporary Feel
Situated in the furthest reaches of the county. South Causey Inn is one of the nicest, most rustic, and enjoyable venues I’ve ever photographed a wedding at. Located 11 miles from Durham to the south, and just 9 miles from Newcastle. This venue is popular with couples from all over the northeast region.
Because of its location, and the fact that to date. I’ve only done ONE wedding here. I can’t offer you much in the way of my own personal knowledge on the venue. They have since added an onsite Gin distillery, a double decker bus and a converted 1960s fire engine bar. Al I will say is that, that one wedding remains one of my favourites to date.
Over the past 10 years, the venue has turned from a pub attached to a riding school. To one of the most sought-after wedding venues in County Durham. If not the entire northeast of England.
Lumley Castle
Is Lumley Castle A Wedding Photography Paradise?
Last but by no means least on my list of Wedding Venues in County Durham The Magnificent Lumley castle, located in Chester-Le-Street, County Durham dates back to thn14th century. A former manor house that was transformed into a castle at the end of the 14th century. It is a grade-I listed building owned by the earl of Scarborough but operated as a hotel. The castle became the home of the Bishop of Durham in the 1800s. After passing ownership of Durham Castle to the newly formed Castle College of Durham University.
This is the one venue on my list that I have yet to shoot any wedding photography at. But that is set to change in September 2020. So my opinions for this venue at the moment are based purely on my research and the work of other wedding photographers.
There are 6 rooms on offer for wedding functions, which all look stunning! There appears to be so much choice for potential wedding photography at this venue, it might be a case of choosing where NOT to shoot portraits and group shots.
