Whether you're a Hampshire local or out-of-towner looking for a countryside spot to host your nuptials, Gilbert White's historic home could be the answer to your wedding day dreams. If you didn't know, Gilbert White was an acclaimed 18th-century naturalist, who spend his life writing about the natural life of his hometown. He resided in his family home, a sprawling, 16th-century manor with stunning gardens, and today this site is a museum, preserving an insight into his era.
With period features galore, beautiful gardens leading out to flower meadows and parkland beyond, as well as multiple events spaces and an enthusiastic team of staff, you could say this is the creme de la creme of historic, rural wedding venues.
In terms of space, many couples use the barn to host their wedding breakfast. With high ceilings and authentic wooden beams, it's a gorgous backdrop for feasting and dancing and looks particularly pretty when decked out with fairy lights and flowers. Here, smaller, round tables are the norm, but you can speak to the team about your preferred configuration.
If you'd prefer to make the most of White's home itself, two rooms within the great house are available and allow you to marvel at the antique furniture and period interior design. Or perhaps, for a summer wedding, you pictured festivities on the lawns? Everything from marquees to bell tents are welcomed in the gardens, which benefit from beautiful views of the surrounding lands but also the house itself.
Finally, the on-site bistro is also a cute place to hold a wedding day, incorporate it into your event, or make it your main venue if having a smaller, low-key wedding and it looks beautiful when transofrmed by your theme.
Other sweet touches to note are that couples are invited to create their very own brew for the day, courtesy of the on-site brewery, and locals also receive a discount on the price of the venue hire.