There are many engaged couples out there who want their wedding day venue to be one which is steeped in history, adding that built-in sense of character and warmth that some modern buildings are lacking in.
You would be hard pressed to find a wedding venue more rich in history than Layer Marney Tower, just outside of Colchester in Essex. This beautiful manor and gardens dates back to the Tudor era, which means your guests will be toasting to your marriage and nibbling on canapés in the exact spot where the likes of Henry VIII and Elizabeth I once stood.
Layer Marney Tower is a full-service wedding venue, with couples able to host both their ceremony and reception here. If you are looking to stage a religious ceremony, there is an on-site church called St Mary the Virgin Church Layer Marney which can cater to your needs. Civil ceremonies meanwhile, often take place in the Corsellis Room, which can accommodate up to 120 guests and comes complete with ancient oak timber walls and Mulberry wall hangings. There are other spaces for more intimate ceremonies too, including the Tuke’s Chamber which seats 40 and the Hall of the House, which can accommodate up to 18 people.
The most memorable part of the day for your guests will undoubtedly be the reception, and Layer Marney Tower has two gorgeous spaces to choose from. Larger wedding parties can host their reception in the Long Gallery, which is flooded with natural daylight thanks to large windows and also houses a roaring fireplace for cosy winter affairs. The Long Gallery can seat 140 guests, with standing room for between 180-200.
For smaller weddings of around 50 guests that don’t want a space for dancing, there is the option to use Tuke’s Chamber for your ceremony, followed by the Corsellis Room for your wedding breakfast. There’s also the added draw that all receptions here including an overnight stay in the Honeymoon Suite, as well as use of a chauffeur driven 1930’s Rolls Royce.