the best
alternative wedding venues
Here at UW, we’re lucky to get to visit lots of awesome, alternative wedding venues. From alpaca farms to the double decker bus marquees, we’ve seen it all! Your wedding venue sets the vibe of your day, so it’s important to pick one that matches your personality. We know venue hunting can be overwhelming, especially when you’re looking for something a little different. So we’ve compiled some of our favourite alternative wedding venues into this list for you! Starting with those we recommend in our directory followed by the ones we just can’t forget!
Eco Wedding Venues
The Wellbeing Farm, Lancashire
The Wellbeing Farm is a B Corp Lancashire venue packed with colour, character and personality. With eco-friendly barns, homegrown décor, local food, renewable energy and a strict zero-waste approach, it’s made for couples who want a greener wedding without going rustic-traditional. Plus, you get quirky extras like bow-tied llamas, a huge prop store and laid-back farm vibes – an eco wedding that’s anything but ordinary.
Nuroosa - The Gathering Place, South Derbyshire
Looking for a venue that’s as eco-conscious as it is cool? Let us introduce you to Nuroosa, a proud accredited member of the Sustainable Wedding set in the South Derbyshire countryside. This purpose-built venue is all about relaxed vibes, stunning design, and doing things differently. Expect wildflower meadows, gorgeous indoor spaces with biophilic interiors, and a full three-day hire to make the most of your celebration. Whether you’re planning a laid-back outdoor ceremony or a creative feast with your favourite food trucks, Nūroosa gives you the freedom to celebrate your way – with sustainability baked into every detail.
Check out their listing here.
Rustic barn venues
The Tractor Barn, Northamptonshire
The Tractor Barn is a part of Stone Siding Events, a rural Northamptonshire wedding venue. What makes this venue special is that it’s a family-run working farm, so you’ll get an extra personal service! Decorate this gorgeous space however you see fit – no theme or idea is too much! The floor is yours to get creative and build your dream day.
See there listing here.
The Haybarn, Herefordshire
The Haybarn is a family-run venue tucked away in the gorgeous Herefordshire countryside. With its light, airy barn and riverside Cartshed, it’s the perfect blank canvas to make your own. Whether you’re dreaming of a laid-back elopement or a full-on weekend party, you’ll have the space (and the freedom!) to create a wedding that’s totally you.
See their listing here
Small & Micro Venues
Treetop Escape, Devon
Tree Top Escape is an intimate treehouse venue in North Devon made for elopements and micro weddings. With space for up to 14 guests, a glass-fronted ceremony room overlooking the valley, and a private treehouse with hot tub for the stay, it’s perfect for couples who want something small, relaxed and surrounded by nature. A peaceful hideaway where you can celebrate your way – no big-wedding rules attached.
See their listing here
Quirky & Urban Venues
The Shack Revolution, Hereford
The Shack Revolution is an industrial wedding venue, smack bang in the middle of Hereford. This urban blank canvas is SUPER versatile, with walls hand-painted by local artists, exposed brick, metal beams, a greenhouse room, high industrial ceilings, greenery, and outdoor space. Craft your big day exactly how you want! They have a licensed bar and an on-site catering kitchen for your choice of food supplier. This alternative wedding venue is pretty special!
See their listing here.
Canalhouse, Nottingham
Canalhouse is a Grade II listed Nottingham venue with serious character. Bursting with features such as exposed brick, soaring high ceilings and a real canal (complete with narrowboats and a footbridge) running inside! The upstairs function room is your blank canvas: moody lighting, wooden floors, and plenty of room to make it your own. Whether it’s a quirky city-centre party or an LGBTQIA+ celebration, the team are all about tailoring everything to you
See their listing here.
Marquee, Circus & Festival Venues
Bigtopmania - Amazing circus tents
What if instead of a venue you went for a marquee?
Check out these circus vibes from Bigtopmania! These guys are the kings of Devon marquee hire, with everything from traditional tents to awesome big tops, as well as accessories and finishing touches. They also offer kickass wedding entertainment. Perfect for circus weddings or for creating the alternative shindig of your dreams!
Check out their listing here!
Deckerdence, Warwickshire
Deckerdence is the perfect venue for couples who just want to ditch the ordinary. Picture a vintage double-deck bus transformed into a buzzing bar below and a luxe cocktail lounge above – nestled inside a circular marquee that feels like a mini festival. There’s a fire pit with hay bales outside, room for glamping, festival flags in the breeze… it’s yours to style however you like. Whether you host it at their Warwickshire field or have them bring the magic to you, it’s seriously unforgettable.
See their listing here.
The Best
of the rest
There are some venues that will forever be in our hears and so we wanted to include them in our blog about the best alternative wedding venues.
Trading Boundaries
Trading Boundaries is a Sussex wedding venue with a difference – a mix of country house vibes and bold Indian-inspired style. Colourful marquees, twinkling lights, lush gardens and boutique bedrooms make it a unique space to throw a wedding that’s anything but ordinary.
The Bell at Ticehurst
Looking for a laid back and quirky wedding venue with traditional charm? Well you may just have found it! The Bell in Ticehurst, East Sussex is a historic pub with unique rooms to hold your wedding celebrations. From the lavish Big Room to the historic stables and intimate snug there really is something for everyone. It also has eleven charming bedrooms on site, including the enchanting Love Nest, so you really can make a weekend of it.
The National Space Centre, Leicester
For a wedding that’s out of this world (excuse the pun, I just had to…), take a look at The National Space Centre!
Located in Leicester, The National Space Centre is the only one of its kind in the UK. You can get married under the stars in their planetarium with a mind-blowing 360 degree cinematic experience – without the worries of the english weather! If you’re looking for a smaller wedding ceremony, you can get married beneath two real rockets… how cool is that? You’ll also get to explore their six space themed galleries with hands on exhibits and stunning visuals.
Perfect for Sci-Fi weddings, space weddings, star wars weddings (they have resident storm troopers) and generally out of this world wedding days.
The National Justice Museum
The National Justice Museum is a stunning, Grade II listed building in the heart of Nottingham City Centre. If you’re looking for a dramatic, gothic and historic backdrop, this alternative wedding venue is for you! It’s just perfect for gothic wedding days. You can hold your wedding day in the Grand Jury Room, grand Shire Hall or the amazing civilian courtroom. They are also a featured tribe member.
Couples could go for a full-on medieval wedding, gothic themed wedding or keep it traditional. The venue is packed with so much personality!
Fonmon Castle - Vale of Glamorgan
Fonmon Castle in the Vale of Glamorgan is a bespoke, historic wedding venue for up to sixty guests. And there are endless wedding ceremony options! From an outdoor wedding in the scented garden, to a fairytale wedding in the watchtower, or the timeless elegance of the old library. It’s perfect for unique wedding ceremonies. And the team at Fonmon Castle offer a fully bespoke wedding day so you fully personalise your day in this timeless wedding venue.
Great Betley Farmhouse, Sussex
Looking for a laid back, blank canvas to make your own? Great Betley Farmhouse in Sussex is perfect for an alternative wedding. It has a 16th century farmhouse with 200 acres of countryside, this venue is perfect for outdoor weddings and tipi weddings. For all styles including: traditional, rustic and luxury, this versatile venue can work for everyone!
This venue is perfect for outdoor weddings in the countryside with a rustic touch.
Canary Shed
The Canary Shed is a farm-barn hideaway on the Essex coast that turns your wedding into a full weekend takeover. You get exclusive use of a beautiful converted barn, on-site stays for up to 30 friends or family, space to arrive early and decorate, and capacity for around 120 guests to eat, drink, dance (and recover) together. Colourful, warm, totally personal – this one’s for couples who want more than just a day.
Crumplebury
Crumplebury is an exclusive-use wedding estate on the Herefordshire/Worcestershire border made for people who hate ordinary. With a jaw-dropping Grand Hall, lush gardens, food kitchens (pizza ovens included), and 11 luxe bedrooms + honeymoon suite, it’s built for immersive weekends not just one day. Whether you’re sitting down to wild feasts or dancing under the stars, this place gives you complete freedom to fashion something wildly you.
Find your own Alternative Wedding Venue
Maybe your dream wedding venue isn’t listed as one! Look around local museums and attractions- maybe you can hire them out! We’ve seen some awesome weddings in breweries, train stations, zoos and more! If you don’t ask, you won’t get!
Pictured above is the Museum of Scotland – with the impressive dinosaur skeleton (see our blog on this one here). In the gallery below we’ve also pulled out The National Brewery Centre and wedding in the Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery!
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