I recently coordinated a beautiful wedding at The Orangery in Holland Park and it reminded me that some of my favourite wedding venues in London are Orangery and glasshouse style. With their abundance of light and connection to nature, it’s easy to see why this type of venue is so popular, especially in urban London. If you’re looking for a wedding venue that gives you a slice of the English countryside while keeping your guests dry if rain decides to gatecrash, read on for some of my favourite Orangery style wedding venues in London…
London Orangery Style Wedding Venues
The Orangery at Holland Park | Image by Lloyd Dobbie
This historic building is set within Kensington’s Holland Park and was once used for glamorous summer balls, but it’s now known as an art gallery and venue for hire. Its tall arched windows flood the space with light and the textured stone floor lends charm to this intimate wedding venue. The Orangery is licensed for civil ceremonies and can be hired for weddings during gaps in the exhibition calendar. The space is ideally suited for up to 80 seated guests or 150 standing guests.
Kew Gardens offer a choice of flexible spaces which can be hired together, such as the Nash Conservatory which is fabulous for a ceremony and the Orangery which is great for dancing the night away afterwards… Kew have a number of amazing wedding venue options for your ceremony and reception, providing an idyllic garden setting in easy reach of London. They include Kew Palace and the Royal Kitchens, Cambridge Cottage, Nash Conservatory, Princess of Wales Conservatory, and Sir Joseph Banks Building, catering for weddings from 80-200 guests. Located in the Royal Botanic Gardens near Richmond, Kew has a special atmosphere thanks to exotic planting such as the Japanese Garden and tropical forest.
Syon Park | Image by Lloyd Dobbie
Syon House has belonged to the family of the Duke of Northumberland for more than 400 years and its grand classical interiors reflect this rich history. The Great Conservatory sits within a 200-acre park, combining breathtaking grandeur with the feeling of being deep in the countryside. Different venues in the grounds are available to suit you, including The Great Conservatory, Syon House, the Great Hall or State Dining Room. The Great Conservatory can accommodate up to 160 seated guests, with a marquee option for up to 600 guests.
This small but perfectly formed Grade II listed Victorian conservatory sits within the grounds of the Horniman Museum and Gardens. Right on my doorstep in Forest Hill, South East London, I often visit the pretty gardens with far-reaching views to the city. There are three venue options here, including The Conservatory which is fully licensed, the bright, airy and modern Pavilion, and The Bandstand which is perfect for small and intimate weddings with its original Victorian elegance and surrounding gardens. All arrangements and catering are through the fabulous Suzanne James Catering, who are well known for their eco-conscious approach and delicious seasonal food.
If you’re looking for a venue with an intimate atmosphere for your reception only, this internationally prized garden centre, is a tranquil oasis. It’s an eclectic mix of antique tables, candlelight and lush greenery, plus seasonally produced menus, which make for an amazing dining experience. There are choices between exclusive hire of the Petersham Nurseries Cafe which accommodates up to 120 or daytime hire of Glasshouse III for up to 40 guests.
Barbican Conservatory | Image by Dale Weeks
Who knew that this hidden gem was lurking at The Barbican Centre? Better known as one of the largest performing arts centres in Europe, the Barbican’s Conservatory is definitely one of the most unusual venues in London. With its glass roof, exotic fish, and tropical plants, it blends the urban London landscape with a lush oasis of plants. There’s room for up to 300 seated guests in the Garden Room, 150 in the Conservatory, plus a whole host of other areas throughout the Barbican available for hire.
If you’re looking for sophisticated romance and a showstopping setting for your guests, The Orangery within the grounds of Kensington Palace is unbeatable. It was once the setting for Queen Anne’s soirees and lavish balls, and with its classical 18th-century architecture and beautiful formal gardens, it’s not hard to see why. There is room to seat up to 200 guests and it’s popular year-round as the floor to ceiling windows can be closed to create a cosy atmosphere.
Another option for receptions only, Bourne + Hollingsworth Buildings is a restaurant and bar situated in the heart of Clerkenwell, just off vibrant Exmouth Market. Its eclectic mix of cane garden furniture and wrought iron benches, combined with fully grown trees and trailing creepers, creates a British colonial vibe. This place would be ideal for small to medium sized receptions and it’s available for full private hire so you can utilise all the amazing spaces, including the cute greenhouse.
Chiswick House has been a long-standing West London favourite for elegant and romantic weddings thanks to its beautiful formal Italianate gardens and 18th century villa. The newly restored conservatory makes a fantastic setting for an intimate civil ceremony for 50 or for up to 80 guests to enjoy post-ceremony drinks among the rare collection of camellias. The House is fully licensed for civil ceremonies, with the Burlington Pavilion marquee available for the reception for between 80 to 250 guests.
Gunnersbury Park homes the beautiful Rothschild Orangery, originally designed by by Sydney Smirke for the Rothschild family, the venue has since escalated to the top of the wedding market. The space is perfect for a more intimate affair of up to 80 guests, with an outside area overlooking the wondrous horseshoe pond. The venue is available for both ceremony and reception and a perfect choice for a couple looking for a little extra romance.
East Wintergarden Canary Wharf
It can be difficult to find a large capacity wedding venue that has an Orangery style because of the period that most were built. Nestled among the iconic towers of Canary Wharf, the East Wintergarden is a fully licensed blank canvas wedding venue for 20 to 500 guests, across three spaces: The Main Hall, the Gallery and the Promenade Room. What it lacks in greenery, it makes up for in huge glass panels and soaring ceilings that give you an amazing urban view. Think of it as a modern take on the conservatory, with scope to add in as much foliage and greenery as you like…
Outside of London
And of course, there are tons of amazing Orangery style wedding venues across the UK, but here are a couple of out of London venues that I’ve worked at before…
Northbrook Park– Surrey
Within reasonable distance from London is Northbrook Park, a beautiful Grade II listed 18th-century manor house, set within a bucolic country estate. The extensive grounds and walled gardens are truly romantic, while the option of on-site accommodation in Northbrook Park Mews means that you and your guests can really relax and have the run of the place. There are venue options of The Orangery, a warm and contemporary space for up to 250 guests, or The Vine Room which features elegant crystal chandeliers and lots of natural light for up to 120 guests. Look out for the resident peacock!
Sezincote– Cotswolds
I can guarantee you’ve never seen anywhere quite like Sezincote! Set in 4500 acres of Cotswold countryside, this 200-year-old Mogul Indian Palace inspired the famous Brighton Pavilion. This magical venue only hosts six weddings a year during the summer months and features a unique glass curved Orangery enclosing a Persian Garden of Paradise. You have a choice of locations for different phases of the wedding day, from a ceremony in The Orangery, to a wedding breakfast for up to 120 in a marquee on the lawns with views to the illuminated house. Full of contrasts, this venue is sure to make a lasting impression on your guests!
The Secret Garden – Kent
The Secret Garden is a gorgeous and unique venue that offers not one but two wedding packages available, if you are looking for a quaint little space then the Secret Garden is offering the use of their Glass House which they describe as a “quirky and fun room that can seat a minimum of 14 and up to 24 people” or if you’re thinking of creating a wedding to end all weddings then you can hire the entirety of the Secret Garden exclusively, this includes the full use of The Coach House, The Chapel, The Glass House, The Courtyard Seating, The Terrace Seating, The Walled Gardens, The Shepherd Hut and the Ceremony areas. The venue itself is light, delicate and truly a wonder to behold.
We are so lucky to have so many of these beautiful light-filled glass venues in this country. I know from experience that they really do make the most wonderful setting for your wedding day, especially if you love greenery and interesting architectural details.
As a creative London wedding planner, I offer venue finding as part of my full wedding planning service, whittling down a shortlist of the best of the best for your needs. It makes your life easier, saves you loads of time, but more importantly, I can find you some absolute gems that you might not have heard of on your own! Get in touch today weddings@alwaysandri.co.uk and tell me what sort of venue you’re looking for.
