The Ultimate Guide to the 10 Best Wedding Venues in Somerset & Bath (2025/26)

Choosing your wedding venue is the first, most defining chapter of your wedding story. It’s the stage upon which every future memory will be built. As a wedding filmmaker and photographer, I see venues through a unique lens—I’m constantly observing the dance of light, the flow of space, and the subtle acoustics that can transform a moment into cinematic magic.

My name is Michael, the founder of The FX Works. For over a decade, I’ve been immersed in the world of Somerset weddings, capturing stories in breathtaking locations. This is not just another list. This is my definitive guide, born from experience, designed to help you discover the perfect backdrop for your day. We'll go beyond the brochure to explore how these places truly look, feel, and sound on camera.

A Quick Note on That Famous Somerset Light...

There's a reason artists have flocked to the West Country for centuries. The light here is different—softer, warmer, and golden. Because of our rolling hills and vast open skies, 'golden hour' seems to last that little bit longer. It’s a filmmaker’s dream, and choosing a venue that embraces this light is the first step to a truly beautiful wedding film and gallery.

The Venues: A Curated Selection

To make this guide easier to navigate, I've grouped the venues by their signature style. Click a link below to jump to the category that inspires you most.

• Grand & Stately Venues
• Rustic & Chic Barn Venues
• Elegant Country House Venues
• Unique & Utterly Unforgettable Venues

Grand & Stately Venues

1. Orchardleigh Estate

My Filmmaker's & Photographer's Take: Orchardleigh offers a sense of scale that's unmatched. For film, the long, sweeping driveway is non-negotiable for a stunning opening drone shot that establishes the grandeur of your day. The quality of light inside the main house is soft and perfect for elegant morning prep shots, but be aware it can be dark in winter months. The key is to find the rooms with the largest windows. For portraits, the boathouse at sunset is a classic, but don't overlook the secluded island church for incredibly romantic, intimate moments away from the crowds. Their team is fantastic at helping to coordinate these moments.

• Best For: Grand, exclusive, and traditional weddings with a 'wow' factor.
• Style: Stately Home / Country Estate / Fairytale
• Capacity: Up to 180 guests for the wedding breakfast, with evening capacity for more. Estate weddings can accommodate up to 250.
• Accommodation: Extensive on-site accommodation across the 500-acre estate, including the main house, cottages, and lodges, sleeping up to 165 guests.
• Key Features: Exclusive use of the island church, a stunning ballroom, beautiful formal gardens, a private lake, and an 18-hole golf course.
• Catering: In-house catering team providing bespoke menus.
• Accessibility: Good accessibility throughout the main venues, with some considerations for older parts of the estate.

The Practical Details: Investment & Logistics for 2025/26

• Investment Guide: Orchardleigh specialises in multi-day wedding experiences. For 2025, inclusive packages for 80 guests start from £8,080 in winter and £12,868 in summer. These prices often include accommodation for the night before and the night of the wedding, creating a seamless celebration. For larger celebrations, bespoke 'Estate Wedding' packages are available with a minimum of 120 guests.
• Your Wedding, Your Way (Supplier & Corkage Policy): While catering is handled by their excellent in-house team, Orchardleigh is flexible with other suppliers. A key benefit is their policy of no corkage charge, allowing you to bring your own alcohol for the reception and wedding breakfast, which can represent a significant cost saving.
• A Place to Stay (Accommodation Deep Dive): This is where Orchardleigh excels. With the ability to sleep up to 165 guests across the estate—from opulent rooms in the main house to the unique Orchardleigh Castle—you can host your entire guest list on-site for a true weekend takeover.

The Filmmaker's Contingency Plan

• Embracing the English Weather (The Official Wet-Weather Plan): Orchardleigh offers excellent 'contingency confidence'. The grand interiors of the main house provide a stunning backdrop for drinks receptions if the gardens are off-limits. For ceremonies, the island church is a beautifully atmospheric all-weather option, and the covered terrace is perfect for dancing, with clear sides that can be added if rain is heavy. The ornate windows and open fires make winter or wet-weather weddings feel incredibly cozy and romantic.
• The Bird's-Eye View (Drone Usage Policy): Drone use is welcomed and almost essential to capture the scale of the 500-acre estate, the main house, the lake, and the island church. Permission must be confirmed with the venue, and your operator must be fully licensed and insured.

Real Stories from Orchardleigh Estate

"What a Beautiful Venue. It really is the perfect Wedding Venue. The rooms are stunning. The staff are amazing. The best Wedding I think we have ever been to!"

[Image Placeholder: Add your best wide-angle or drone shot of Orchardleigh House.]

2. Forde Abbey

My Filmmaker's & Photographer's Take: Forde Abbey is a masterpiece of history and horticulture. The sheer beauty of the gardens means we can create a film with incredible colour and life. The 16th-century tapestries in the Great Hall create a rich, textured backdrop for indoor ceremonies. The challenge and opportunity here is the scale; you need a plan. I love using the long pathways for 'walking and talking' shots with a gimbal, and the famous Centenary Fountain adds a dynamic, lively element to both photos and film. This is for the couple that appreciates art, history, and nature in equal measure.

• Best For: Sophisticated couples with a love for history, art, and world-class gardens.
• Style: Historic Abbey / Stately Home / Botanical
• Capacity: Up to 200 guests for ceremonies in the Great Hall, with marquee receptions in the grounds. The Undercroft seats up to 150 for dining.
• Accommodation: No on-site accommodation, but plenty of options in nearby villages and the town of Chard.
• Key Features: 30 acres of award-winning gardens, historic interiors, exclusive use of specific areas for weddings, and a truly unique sense of grandeur.
• Catering: Works with a selection of approved caterers to ensure high-quality dining experiences.
• Accessibility: Historic building with some limitations, but staff are very accommodating to assist guests.

The Practical Details: Investment & Logistics for 2025/26

• Investment Guide: Venue hire for Forde Abbey ranges from approximately £1,500 to £8,000, depending on the spaces used and guest numbers. This fee covers the exclusive use of your chosen areas for the day. Remember to budget for marquee hire and catering on top of this. The venue only hosts one wedding per weekend, ensuring true exclusivity.
• Your Wedding, Your Way (Supplier & Corkage Policy): Forde Abbey allows you to build your day with their trusted partners. They provide a highly recommended list of suppliers, from caterers to florists who know the venue well, but you have flexibility. They do not charge corkage, allowing you to supply your own drinks.
• A Place to Stay (Accommodation Deep Dive): While there is no accommodation within the Abbey itself, the venue provides a comprehensive list of recommended local hotels, B&Bs, and cottages to share with your guests, ensuring they can stay comfortably nearby.

The Filmmaker's Contingency Plan

• Embracing the English Weather (The Official Wet-Weather Plan): Forde Abbey's indoor spaces are as magnificent as its gardens. The Great Hall, with its soaring windows and grand fireplace, is a spectacular setting for a ceremony or drinks reception, regardless of the weather. The 12th-century Undercroft provides a characterful, vaulted space for the wedding breakfast, ensuring your day feels grand and historic even if it's spent entirely indoors.
• The Bird's-Eye View (Drone Usage Policy): Given the historic nature of the Abbey and the public access to gardens, drone usage requires specific, prior permission from the estate management. Your licensed pilot will need to coordinate closely with the venue to ensure flights are conducted safely and respectfully.

Real Stories from Forde Abbey

"We fell in love with the gardens and enquired about a Forde Abbey wedding, expecting it to be hugely out of our budget. When the numbers came back we were very pleasantly surprised! We viewed a few other venues just to make sure we'd made the right choice, but nowhere else made us feel the way that Forde does."

[Image Placeholder: Add a photo of a couple within the stunning gardens of Forde Abbey.]

Rustic & Chic Barn Venues

3. Quantock Lakes

My Filmmaker's & Photographer's Take: This venue is a perfect example of rustic-luxe. The barns are beautiful, but the masterstroke is how they connect to the landscape. For your film, the huge bi-folding doors in the Meadow Barn allow me to capture speeches while keeping the stunning countryside in the frame. Audio is great here as the modern construction avoids the echo of older barns. The hero shot is always on the lake pontoon at sunset—the golden light reflecting on the water creates the perfect romantic closing scene. It's a guaranteed 'wow' moment.

• Best For: Rustic-luxe barn weddings and weekend-long celebrations.
• Style: Rustic Barn / Lakeside / Modern Farm
• Capacity: Up to 250 guests for the wedding breakfast, with capacity for up to 500 for evening receptions.
• Accommodation: Extensive on-site accommodation for up to 60 guests, including luxury lodges, cottages, and a stunning bridal suite with a secret corridor to the venue.
• Key Features: Three beautifully converted barns (Great Barn, Quantock Barn, Meadow Barn), stunning lakeside views, outdoor ceremony pontoon, and exclusive use with no back-to-back weddings.
• Catering: Excellent in-house catering with a focus on locally sourced ingredients.
• Accessibility: Very good accessibility throughout the modern barn spaces and grounds.

The Practical Details: Investment & Logistics for 2025/26

• Investment Guide: Quantock Lakes focuses on all-inclusive packages that simplify planning. For 2026, a package for 60 guests is priced at £13,780. This includes venue hire, a full catering and drinks package, and two nights' accommodation for 20 guests. A clever option allows you to reduce this cost to £10,180 if you pass the accommodation costs on to your guests. Venue hire alone ranges from £3,000 in low season to £7,000 in high season.
• Your Wedding, Your Way (Supplier & Corkage Policy): Catering is exclusively in-house. For other suppliers, they provide a comprehensive list of recommended professionals they know and trust, from florists to entertainers. Their exclusive fireworks supplier is Sonic Fireworks, ensuring displays are managed safely and are wildlife-friendly.
• A Place to Stay (Accommodation Deep Dive): With capacity for 60 guests across stunningly designed properties like the Farmhouse (with its own hot tub and sauna) and the Posh Piggery bridal suite, this is a true destination venue. The fact they don't host back-to-back weddings means you can check in the day before and truly relax into the celebration. For additional guests, they provide a list of excellent local accommodation options.

The Filmmaker's Contingency Plan

• Embracing the English Weather (The Official Wet-Weather Plan): The venue is perfectly equipped for any weather. You have the choice of two licensed barns for an indoor ceremony, both of which are beautifully lit and atmospheric. The three interconnected barns mean guests can move from ceremony to reception to party without ever stepping outside, while the huge windows ensure you never lose the connection to the beautiful landscape.
• The Bird's-Eye View (Drone Usage Policy): Drone use is generally permitted with prior consent, allowing for breathtaking shots of the barns, lakes, and the surrounding Quantock Hills. As always, your chosen filmmaker must be fully licensed and insured, and will coordinate with the venue team on the day.

Real Stories from Quantock Lakes

"Quantock Lakes is, in our opinion, the best wedding venue we have ever been to, and we were fortunate enough to have it as our wedding venue. They guided us through every aspect of the day and allowed us to add our personal touches wherever we wanted.”

[Image Placeholder: Add your most romantic sunset shot from Quantock Lakes.]

4. Priston Mill

My Filmmaker's & Photographer's Take: Priston Mill offers two distinct vibes in one location. The Tythe Barn is ancient, atmospheric, and intimate. Here, I focus on capturing the character—the texture of the stone, the dramatic light from the high windows. The Watermill is brighter and more elegant. A key shot here is capturing the couple by the working water wheel, adding movement and a unique point of interest to the film. The gardens are compact but perfectly manicured, meaning we can get a great variety of beautiful portrait shots without having to take you away from your guests for too long.

• Best For: Couples wanting classic charm and character close to Bath.
• Style: Historic Barn / Watermill / Countryside
• Capacity: Tythe Barn up to 150 for ceremony/dining; Watermill up to 90 for ceremony/dining. Both can accommodate more for evening receptions.
• Accommodation: No on-site accommodation, but numerous hotels and B&Bs are available in Bath and surrounding villages.
• Key Features: Choice of two unique venues (Tythe Barn and Watermill), beautiful gardens, historic architecture, and a dedicated events team.
• Catering: Excellent in-house catering with a strong reputation for delicious food and service.
• Accessibility: Good accessibility for both venues, with ramps and facilities available.

The Practical Details: Investment & Logistics for 2025/26

• Investment Guide: Venue hire is separated from catering costs. For 2025, hire of the larger Tythe Barn is £4,250 on a peak Saturday, while the more intimate Watermill is £2,450. Catering packages are then added, with a guide price of around £100 per person for a comprehensive food and drink offering.
• Your Wedding, Your Way (Supplier & Corkage Policy): All catering is provided by the exceptional in-house team. For other suppliers, you have complete freedom of choice, though they offer a list of trusted professionals they work with regularly. You may bring your own wine and sparkling wine, though a corkage fee applies.
• A Place to Stay (Accommodation Deep Dive): There is no accommodation on-site. However, its prime location just 6 miles from Bath means your guests have a vast array of options, from luxury city-centre hotels to charming countryside inns.

The Filmmaker's Contingency Plan

• Embracing the English Weather (The Official Wet-Weather Plan): Both the Tythe Barn and the Watermill are self-contained and stunningly beautiful indoor spaces, making them perfect all-weather venues. Even if it rains all day, the character and atmosphere are not compromised. Photographers who have worked there note that even with heavy rain, the staff are excellent at managing transitions, and it's often possible to dash outside for portraits during brief dry spells.
• The Bird's-Eye View (Drone Usage Policy): Drones are not permitted at Priston Mill. This is an important consideration if aerial shots are a priority for you. However, the character of the buildings and the beauty of the gardens provide more than enough visual interest at ground level.

Real Stories from Priston Mill

"Choosing Priston Mill was honestly the best decision we could have made. Jenny and Sean celebrated their special day at our charming Watermill, and what a perfect day it was!"

Elegant Country House Venues

5. Babington House

My Filmmaker's & Photographer's Take: Babington is all about capturing a specific, effortlessly cool atmosphere. My job is to blend in and document the story as it unfolds. The 18th-century chapel is incredibly intimate, and its brilliant acoustics are perfect for capturing crystal-clear vows for your film. The Orangery is a dream for light. Even on a cloudy day, it's bright and airy, making for gorgeous shots of the speeches and reactions. Their wet-weather plan is essentially 'stay inside the gorgeous house', which is no hardship at all. It’s a masterclass in relaxed luxury, and photographers consistently praise its unique, characterful vibe that feels more like a home than a venue.

• Best For: Stylish, modern couples wanting a luxurious, all-in-one 'house party' wedding.
• Style: Exclusive / Modern Luxury / Country Chic
• Capacity: Up to 120 guests for the ceremony and wedding breakfast.
• Accommodation: 33 luxurious bedrooms on-site for exclusive use by you and your guests.
• Key Features: Private chapel, stunning Orangery, indoor and outdoor pools, spa, cinema, and 18 acres of beautiful grounds. Known for its relaxed yet sophisticated vibe and no curfew.
• Catering: Exceptional in-house catering, tailored to your preferences.
• Accessibility: Good accessibility throughout the main areas, with staff on hand to assist.

The Practical Details: Investment & Logistics for 2025/26

• Investment Guide: A wedding at Babington House is a significant investment in an all-encompassing luxury experience. Prices start from around £35,000. This typically includes exclusive use of the entire house, accommodation for all 33 rooms, a full food and drink package (champagne reception, three-course dinner, late-night snacks), DJ, flowers, and breakfast the next morning.
• Your Wedding, Your Way (Supplier & Corkage Policy): Babington House works with a carefully curated directory of handpicked suppliers who understand the venue's unique aesthetic and high standards. They are the sole suppliers for key elements like entertainment and production, ensuring a seamless experience.
• A Place to Stay (Accommodation Deep Dive): The 33 bedrooms are a core part of the experience. From split-level rooms to the palatial Playroom for the wedding couple, every space is designed with the signature Soho House style. Your guests can enjoy the full run of the house, including the spa and pools, for the duration of their stay.

The Filmmaker's Contingency Plan

• Embracing the English Weather (The Official Wet-Weather Plan): Babington's wet-weather plan is one of the best, because the interiors are as much of a draw as the grounds. The light-filled Orangery, the cozy Library, and the elegant bar areas mean that even if you spend the entire day inside, your film and photos will still be stunning. There is no sense of compromise, which provides ultimate peace of mind.
• The Bird's-Eye View (Drone Usage Policy): Due to the exclusive and private nature of the venue and its high-profile clientele, drone use is highly restricted and requires explicit, advance permission from management. Any approved flights would be subject to strict operational plans to ensure guest privacy is maintained.

Real Stories from Babington House

"The photos are wonderful, you really captured so many incredible moments which we will cherish for years to come.” – Richard and Camilla, captured by photographer Samuel Docker.

6. Pennard House

My Filmmaker's & Photographer's Take: Pennard feels like coming home. It’s a family-owned country house with a wonderfully relaxed and welcoming soul. The key here is to capture that feeling of intimacy and comfort. The gardens have a secret, magical quality, and the small lake with a boat is perfect for beautifully romantic, quiet moments. The Coach House for the reception is a fantastic party space, but my favourite feature is the roaring fire pits in the evening. Filming guests chatting and laughing by firelight adds an incredible warmth and atmosphere to the end of a wedding film.

• Best For: Relaxed, intimate, and quintessentially English country garden weddings.
• Style: Country House / Bohemian / Family-Owned
• Capacity: Up to 120 guests for the wedding breakfast in the Coach House, with capacity for up to 180 for evening receptions.
• Accommodation: 13 bedrooms on-site, plus glamping options in tipis, accommodating the core wedding party and close friends.
• Key Features: Beautiful walled gardens, a charming Coach House, indoor and outdoor ceremony options (including a village church at the bottom of the garden), and a relaxed, exclusive-use feel.
• Catering: Works with a selection of excellent approved caterers via their in-house team, Pennard Kitchen.
• Accessibility: Good accessibility to main areas, with staff available to assist.

The Practical Details: Investment & Logistics for 2025/26

• Investment Guide: Venue hire for Pennard House ranges from £2,500 to £7,450, which includes exclusive use of the house and grounds, the Coach House, and the Orchard Room bridal suite. This fee also includes tables, chairs, and a personal wedding coordinator, avoiding hidden extra costs. Catering is charged separately.
• Your Wedding, Your Way (Supplier & Corkage Policy): Catering is handled by the excellent in-house Pennard Kitchen team, ensuring quality and seamless service. For other suppliers like florists and entertainment, you have the freedom to choose your own, allowing you to personalise your day.
• A Place to Stay (Accommodation Deep Dive): Pennard offers a wonderful blend of accommodation. The main house has beautifully appointed rooms for close family, while the option of tipis in the garden adds a fun, festival-style element for friends who wish to stay on-site.

The Filmmaker's Contingency Plan

• Embracing the English Weather (The Official Wet-Weather Plan): Pennard is well-prepared for rain. They have a beautiful indoor ceremony room for up to 95 guests as an alternative to the outdoor Garden Pavilion. The team is praised for being flexible, often allowing couples to make a last-minute call on an outdoor ceremony if there's a break in the weather. The self-contained Coach House ensures the reception and party are unaffected.
• The Bird's-Eye View (Drone Usage Policy): Drone use is generally possible at Pennard House with prior permission from the owners. Flights must be conducted by a licensed and insured operator, respecting the privacy of the family home and the nearby village church.

Real Stories from Pennard House

"Booking Pennard House was the best decision we made for our wedding. It's not just a stunning venue, the team are absolutely incredible. Nothing was too much trouble. They think of everything before you do. We knew it was going to be an incredible day, but it truly surpassed all our expectations."

[Image Placeholder: Add a photo capturing the relaxed, garden-party vibe of Pennard House.]

7. Hamswell House

My Filmmaker's & Photographer's Take: Two words: That. View. Hamswell’s terrace, overlooking the valley, is the ultimate establishing shot. A drone shot here at sunset is breathtaking. The 18th-century stone orangery is a beautiful, light-filled space for ceremonies, and because it's west-facing, you get the best of the golden hour light streaming in. The gardens are terraced, offering different levels and perspectives for portraits, which is a fantastic way to add variety. It’s a venue that feels private, exclusive, and deeply connected to the beauty of the Cotswold landscape.

• Best For: Elegant summer weddings with an unforgettable view.
• Style: Historic / Country House / Cotswold Stone
• Capacity: Up to 200 guests for marquee receptions. The Orangery is licensed for ceremonies.
• Accommodation: No on-site accommodation, but very close to Bath with many options.
• Key Features: Panoramic views, 18th-century stone Orangery, beautiful terraced gardens, exclusive use, and no corkage charge.
• Catering: Works with a selection of four excellent recommended caterers, but allows you to use your own for a supplement.
• Accessibility: Some terraced areas, but main event spaces are accessible.

The Practical Details: Investment & Logistics for 2025/26

• Investment Guide: For 2025, venue hire is £9,500 for a peak weekend (May-September) and £7,500 in April and October. For 2026, these prices rise to £10,000 and £8,000 respectively. It's important to note that marquee hire is an additional cost, starting from around £7,000 + VAT, as is catering.
• Your Wedding, Your Way (Supplier & Corkage Policy): Hamswell offers great flexibility. They have a list of recommended caterers but are open to you bringing in your own. A major advantage is that they do not charge any corkage for the entire event, which can lead to huge savings on your drinks budget.
• A Place to Stay (Accommodation Deep Dive): There is no guest accommodation at the house itself. Its proximity to Bath (just ten minutes away) provides guests with a wealth of choices, from luxury hotels to charming guesthouses.

The Filmmaker's Contingency Plan

• Embracing the English Weather (The Official Wet-Weather Plan): Hamswell has a well-thought-out rain plan. An awning can be erected in front of the 400-year-old lime tree, allowing an outdoor ceremony for up to 200 guests to proceed with shelter. Alternatively, the ceremony can be held under the awning of the marquee. The marquee itself provides a bright, spacious, and fully-covered environment for the reception, ensuring the view is still a key feature of the day.
• The Bird's-Eye View (Drone Usage Policy): Drones are permitted with prior consent from the venue owner. Given the spectacular panoramic views, aerial footage here is highly recommended to capture the full beauty and context of the location.

Real Stories from Hamswell House

"Hamswell House is an incredible wedding venue that you won't regret choosing! The location in the Somerset countryside is breathtakingly beautiful and provided a stunning backdrop for our special day. From the very start, communication with Rupert was seamless and easy."

[Image Placeholder: Add a photo that showcases the incredible view from Hamswell House.]

8. Coombe Lodge

My Filmmaker's & Photographer's Take: Coombe Lodge is a masterclass in light and space. The Music Room's floor-to-ceiling windows mean that even on a grey day, your film and photos will be bright and luminous. It's a huge advantage. The spacious grounds are perfect for smooth, gliding gimbal shots as you walk together, creating that elegant, cinematic motion. One key consideration is audio: for speeches in the grand Music Room, I always recommend using our discreet lapel microphones to ensure every word is captured perfectly against the room's natural ambiance.

• Best For: Timeless, elegant, and classic weddings with breathtaking views.
• Style: Country House / Elegant / Contemporary
• Capacity: Up to 160 guests for the wedding breakfast, with capacity for up to 200 for evening receptions.
• Accommodation: 12 luxurious bedrooms on-site, perfect for the bridal party and close family.
• Key Features: Stunning Music Room with panoramic views, beautiful landscaped gardens, exclusive use, and a dedicated wedding team.
• Catering: Exceptional in-house catering with a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients from trusted local suppliers.
• Accessibility: Good accessibility throughout the main house and grounds.

The Practical Details: Investment & Logistics for 2025/26

• Investment Guide: For 2025/26, venue hire for a peak Saturday is £5,050, with prices at £3,550 for Sundays to Fridays. An additional £300 is applied to 2025/26 bookings. Special offers are available for winter and Sunday weddings. Food, drink, and accommodation are charged in addition, with per-person packages ranging from £67-£100.
• Your Wedding, Your Way (Supplier & Corkage Policy): Coombe Lodge is proud of its talented in-house chefs and does not permit external caterers. You may supply your own wine, but a corkage fee will apply. For other suppliers, you have freedom of choice, and fireworks are permitted via their recommended supplier.
• A Place to Stay (Accommodation Deep Dive): The venue offers 12 individually designed, elegant rooms for your closest friends and family. A minimum booking of 8 rooms is required, with a special rate applied if all 12 are booked. The nearby Garden House B&B offers convenient additional accommodation.

The Filmmaker's Contingency Plan

• Embracing the English Weather (The Official Wet-Weather Plan): Coombe Lodge is an exceptional all-weather venue. You have a choice of beautiful indoor ceremony locations, including the grand, light-filled Music Room or the more intimate Billiard Room. The house's layout allows for a seamless flow between spaces, and the panoramic windows mean the stunning views are a key feature of your day, rain or shine.
• The Bird's-Eye View (Drone Usage Policy): Drone photography and videography are permitted at Coombe Lodge with prior arrangement. This allows for stunning aerial shots that capture the grandeur of the house set against the backdrop of the Mendip Hills and Chew Valley.

Real Stories from Coombe Lodge

"Captivating, romantic and altogether enchanting. Exclusively yours, nestled against the foot of the Mendip Hills, Coombe Lodge is a unique and majestic venue."

[Image Placeholder: Add a photo showing the incredible light or views at Coombe Lodge.]

Unique & Utterly Unforgettable Venues

9. Euridge Manor & The Lost Orangery

My Filmmaker's & Photographer's Take: Euridge is not a venue; it's a fantasy world. It’s a slice of Italian paradise hidden in the Cotswolds, and for a filmmaker, it is pure creative heaven. Every corner is a backdrop: the crumbling castle ruins, the sparkling boat house, the crystal-clear lake. You could film for a week and not run out of ideas. The key here is time management. We need to build a schedule that allows us to explore at least a few of the iconic spots. A drone is almost essential to capture the scale and magic of the estate. Euridge is for the couple who wants a film and photos that are truly unlike anyone else's.

• Best For: Couples wanting a truly unique, jaw-droppingly beautiful, and fantastical wedding.
• Style: Fantasy / Italianate / Lost World / Exclusive
• Capacity: Flexible. The Ballroom can seat 150 for a ceremony or dinner, while the Orangery seats 120 for a ceremony or 70 for dinner.
• Accommodation: On-site accommodation for up to 36 guests across the Orangery, cottages, and Christie's Cabin.
• Key Features: The Lost Orangery, the Boathouse, crumbling castle ruins with a suspended chandelier, secret gardens, and a stunning lake. Every corner is a photo opportunity.
• Catering: Operates on a 'dry-hire' basis, allowing you to bring in your own suppliers. They have a list of recommended partners who know the venue well.
• Accessibility: Due to its unique and sprawling nature, some areas may have limited accessibility, but the main event spaces are manageable.

The Practical Details: Investment & Logistics for 2025/26

• Investment Guide: Euridge offers exclusive three-day hire. Peak season weekend hire starts from around £23,000 + VAT, with midweek options also available. This is a 'dry-hire' fee, so catering, bar, and production costs are additional. A £1,000 damage deposit is also required.
• Your Wedding, Your Way (Supplier & Corkage Policy): As a dry-hire venue, you have complete freedom to choose your suppliers, from caterers to florists. This allows for ultimate personalisation. Crucially, Euridge does not charge corkage, so you can supply all your own drinks without any additional fees.
• A Place to Stay (Accommodation Deep Dive): The estate can sleep up to 36 guests across a range of magical properties. The hire package includes the Orangery, Cloister Suite, and Christie's Cabin (sleeping 11 total), with the option to add the charming cottages for larger groups.

The Filmmaker's Contingency Plan

• Embracing the English Weather (The Official Wet-Weather Plan): While the outdoor spaces are iconic, Euridge's indoor options are breathtaking. The Lost Orangery, with its palm trees and fountains, provides a stunning, light-filled sanctuary for a ceremony of up to 120 guests. The majestic Ballroom can host up to 150. Even on a rainy day, the atmosphere remains magical, with photographers noting that the light inside the Orangery is amazing even during a storm.
• The Bird's-Eye View (Drone Usage Policy): Drones are highly recommended to capture the full scale and fairytale quality of the estate. Permission must be sought from the venue, and your operator must be fully licensed and adhere to a flight plan that respects the property and ensures guest safety.

Real Stories from Euridge Manor

"The Lost Orangery truly is the most stunning and unique venue – all of our guests couldn't get over how beautiful it was! We have so many happy memories and so many beautiful photos which we will treasure forever” — Katie and Tom.

[Image Placeholder: Add your most magical photo from Euridge, likely by the water.]

10. The Silk Mill

My Filmmaker's & Photographer's Take: Back in the heart of Frome, The Silk Mill is for the creative soul. The beauty here is in the texture and the dramatic light from the huge warehouse windows. I love using this for moody, high-contrast, artistic portraits. The raw brickwork and wood create a rich, characterful backdrop that makes a wedding film feel authentic and cool. The cobbled courtyard is a hidden gem for urban-style group shots and a romantic 'first look'. Its 'blank canvas' nature means it can be whatever you want it to be, and my job is to capture the unique personality you bring to the space.

• Best For: Creative, DIY, and alternative weddings with an urban edge.
• Style: Industrial / Urban / Blank Canvas / Artsy
• Capacity: Up to 100 guests for a seated ceremony and dining, with capacity for up to 150 for evening receptions.
• Accommodation: No on-site accommodation, but located in the vibrant town of Frome with many local options.
• Key Features: Historic industrial architecture, huge windows for natural light, a versatile 'blank canvas' space, a charming cobbled courtyard, and a four-day hire period.
• Catering: Fully flexible 'dry-hire' approach, allowing couples to bring in their preferred caterers, food trucks, or run their own bar.
• Accessibility: Good accessibility throughout the main mill building.

The Practical Details: Investment & Logistics for 2025/26

• Investment Guide: The Silk Mill offers excellent value. For 2026, hire for a full wedding ceremony is £3,050, and for a reception-only celebration it's £2,700. For 2027, these prices increase by £150. This hire fee gives you access to the venue for four days (Thursday to Monday), allowing ample time for setup and breakdown.
• Your Wedding, Your Way (Supplier & Corkage Policy): This is a true blank canvas venue. You can bring in any caterer you wish and run your own bar with no corkage charge, provided you have someone with a personal license to serve. This offers incredible flexibility for your budget and style.
• A Place to Stay (Accommodation Deep Dive): Being in the centre of Frome, there is no on-site accommodation, but your guests are spoiled for choice with boutique hotels, quirky Airbnbs, and traditional inns right on the doorstep.

The Filmmaker's Contingency Plan

• Embracing the English Weather (The Official Wet-Weather Plan): As an indoor venue, The Silk Mill is inherently weatherproof. The beautiful gallery space works perfectly for both ceremony and reception. For wet weather, the venue has two waterproof canopies that cover part of the courtyard between May and October, providing a sheltered outdoor area for guests to get some fresh air.
• The Bird's-Eye View (Drone Usage Policy): Due to its town-centre location, drone use is restricted. Any flights would require careful planning, potential road closures, and specific permissions from local authorities, making it generally impractical. The beauty of this venue is all about the interior character and urban setting.

Real Stories from The Silk Mill

"Everybody just went on and on about how beautiful the venue was! Having the time to set the space up how we wanted it made our wedding feel very relaxed."

Questions to Ask on Your Venue Tour (From a Filmmaker's Perspective)

When you visit these incredible places, take this list with you. Asking these questions will not only help you choose, but will also ensure you get the best possible wedding film and photos.

Light & Space

• What time does the sun set behind the main building during our wedding month? (This helps me plan for golden hour!)
• Can we see the getting-ready suites? I'm looking for large windows and good natural light for those beautiful morning shots.
• Aside from the main gardens, is there a quiet, private spot we could use for 10-15 minutes for portraits?
• What does the venue look like at night? Is there ambient lighting (e.g., festoons, uplighters) that we can use for atmospheric evening shots?

Logistics & Flow

• What time can my supplier team (florist, band, etc.) get access for setup?
• Are there any restrictions on where we can do a confetti toss? Is only biodegradable petal confetti allowed?
• How many weddings do you host per weekend/week? (This helps gauge how busy the venue might be and the level of dedicated attention.)
• What are the options for a 'first look' location if we choose to do one?

Sound & Tech

• Are there easily accessible power sources near the ceremony and speech locations for audio equipment?
• Are there any sound restrictions or volume limiters we need to be aware of for the evening band/DJ?

Contingency & Creative

• Could we walk through the wet-weather plan from a guest's perspective? How seamless is the transition from the outdoor ceremony spot to the indoor alternative?
• Are there any restrictions on using drones? What are the specific take-off and landing zones, and what permissions are needed?

Found Your Venue? Let's Tell Your Story.

Choosing a venue is a huge step, and the next is choosing someone to capture it. My intimate knowledge of these locations means we can create a seamless plan, knowing exactly where to be and when to catch the perfect light, sound, and emotion.

It means less time taking you away from your guests and more time creating a cinematic, authentic record of your day that you will treasure forever.

If my approach resonates with you, I would be honoured to hear about your plans.

View My Films & Photography

Check My Availability & Get In Touch

Appendix: Somerset & Bath Wedding Venues at a Glance (2025/26)

Use this table as a quick reference to compare our top 10 venues based on the key factors that matter most in your initial search.

Cost Key: £ = under £5k hire | ££ = £5k-£10k hire | £££ = £10k-£20k hire | ££££ = over £20k hire. Note: These are indicative venue hire fees for peak season dates and do not include catering or other costs unless specified as part of a package. Please contact venues directly for precise quotes.