The best country houses for hire in the UK

Hedsor House has long been the setting for corporate events, big parties, and even filming, and with 100 acres of parkland it’s able to take on pretty much anything. If you’re looking to host an event indoors, each room can be transformed to suit your style and theme.

This Grade II listed manor house is a short drive from towns like Chelmsford and Chigwell, yet feels like a million miles away. Tucked away in the Essex countryside, you’ll find a secret garden, orchard and large pond with a picturesque willow tree overhanging, all within the beautiful grounds.

Whether you’re after exclusive use, or just hoping to bring the team for bonding activities for a few hours, Lainstone House is able to cater to all of your needs. Think everything from grand weddings to clay pigeon shooting, and even some cooking classes at the cookery school.

Surrounded by 500 acres of Essex Parkland, Braxted Park Estate is not short on space to hold your next event. Arrange activities for your group such as archery or dune buggy driving, and end the day with one of the delicious dining options - including summer BBQs, fine dining and even pizza nights.

This stately home on the Shropshire/Staffordshire border is ideal for company retreats, conferences and client entertaining, with a huge choice of high-spec function rooms and meeting spaces. Upstairs you’ll find a traditional country manor, and in the basement is a cosy space with copious amounts of fairy lights and golden palm trees.

Cliveden House is one of those truly breathtaking venues that almost seems too good to be true, but the team here are on hand to make all dreams become a reality. Take away the stress with an event planner, whether you’re after an intimate setting or exclusive use.

Dyrham Park Country Club was a family home for over 600 years, until its renovation where every modern luxury has been added, to create this top tier events venue. Perfect for a whole range of occasions, you can book here for your next birthday, anniversary or Bar Mitzvah, and choose from one of the celebration packages to include any extras in your special day.

Whether you’re looking to try out go karting, wine tasting, or get the team together for a golfing tournament, The Manor House has just about everything you can imagine. There’s also a choice of 50 individually styled bedrooms so no one has to rush home.

Wasing Estate is the perfect countryside escape for those after a change of scenery, so whether you’re taking the office out of London for some team building, or celebrating a major birthday, this venue has plenty of unique spaces up for grabs. Choose from indoor options like The Stables Meeting Room ideal for brainstorming, or The Woodlands which makes a great location for DIY festivals.

The Grove sits in the Hertfordshire countryside, and is the perfect option for those looking to celebrate just a short distance from London. With a variety of rooms available, you can find a light and airy room big enough for as many as 480 in the Amber room, or as little as 70 in The Potting Shed.

Down Hall comes steeped in history, with it being built back in the 1300s. This grand house is perfect for larger, more extravagant events, and smaller intimate affairs, with reception rooms varying between a capacity of 190 guests to just 32.

This five star country house hotel has it all - spectacular views over the Exe Estuary and Jurassic Coast, a range of activities available like clay pigeon shooting or wellbeing retreats, and a Michelin-starred restaurant from chef patron Michael Caines’. Lympstone Manor is a venue for when you’re looking to pull out all the stops.

This country house in Suffolk has a reputation for excellent food, friendly staff and attentive service, but the real wow factor comes from its luxurious surroundings. The lawn can even double up as a helicopter landing spot for when you need to arrive in style at the business meeting.

Set within a 120 acre estate in Henley-on-Thames, Badgemore Park offers an unrivalled setting for any event that you’re putting together. There’s a choice of three locations for your time here - The Coach House, The Fairway and the beautiful covered Courtyard. Combined with unbeatable views of the surroundings and an incredible team to help you along every step of the way, this venue is a recipe for success.

Tucked away between the rolling hills of West Sussex’s countryside is Cowdray House, a venue that can provide anything from a space for meeting rooms and conferences, to one of the world’s best polo grounds and an 18-hole championship golf course. For food, expect catering provided using the best local and estate-sourced produce.

This striking Tudor house is tucked away in the Essex countryside, whilst still being just 15 minutes from Chelmsford and just over an hour away from central London. Of course if you’re looking to stay over, then there’s a choice of 20 bedrooms set in a courtyard away from the main house, as well as a variety of lodges and cottages available.

Tucked away in 12 acres of Hertfordshire countryside, this family owned country house hotel offers everything from an award winning spa to a variety of restaurants and bars. Plus it boasts 128 rooms - including 16 individually styled Mews Suites, perfect for a wedding party.

If you want to feel like royalty during your event (and why wouldn’t you?), Brocket Hall is the place to go. The Ballroom is extravagantly decorated with fine paintings, and the breathtaking ceiling was painted by Sir Francis Wheatley. Plus, there will even be a butler service included in certain packages.