Owlpen Manor

We believe that a wedding should last more than just a day, which is why we offer you the estate for three days in total. Usually we hold weddings on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with the option of a Thursday as well, although this means you have less time the next day. The timeline usually works like this: Day 1: Kick-off. Arrive from 12pm (or earlier if you need) and begin to decorate. Maybe have a rehearsal. Guests start arriving after lunch, and checking into their accommodation. We like to have a planning meeting at 2pm to make sure everyone is happy with arrangements. If you would like to hold an informal meal in the Cyder Barn that evening, we can arrange this for you (more info below). Alternatively, you might like to throw a barbecue for all of your closest friends and family in a holiday cottage. Some of them have large and beautiful gardens, which make them perfect for this. If you would rather make things easier, head to the pub in Uley, just half a mile away, or enjoy a quiet night in before the big day. Day 2: The BIG Day! We follow your lead on this, so let us know how you would like to schedule things, and we’ll offer advice where we think it might be helpful, and do everything we can to make your dreams a reality. NB see the end of this page for a draft ‘schedule’ with possible timings for your day… Day 3: The Aftermath… Guests begin to check out of the holiday cottages from 10am, and where possible we try to arrange late check-out for those who would rather stay on a while longer (for a maximum of five cottages. The fees are £50 per cottage to stay till mid-day. The cottages are all available to rent on that night as well, if you’d rather delay your return to reality just a bit more. If not, you are welcome to stay on the estate until 5pm if you like, perhaps to have a relaxed brunch in a garden or at the venue itself, take a dip in our spring-fed swimming lake, or just to hang out and relive the moments of the day. Let us know what you’d like to do, and we shall try and make it work!

We include the following in our venue hire fees: access to the gardens and grounds; use of the barns at no additional charge; event coordination; cutlery & crockery; wine glasses; choice of round or long tables; festoon lights; bunting outside; parking; use of the fire pits including logs; unlimited camping. There are a few exclusions when outside caterers are used: please speak to a member of the team for details.

Yes you can choose packages which include venue hire, plus food and drink. The midweek packages include food and drink for 40 people, and the minimum is 80 for weekends. Please enquire for more details.

Owlpen is tucked away in a valley beyond the village of Uley, so it can be hard to find if you don’t have directions. However all satnav (GPS) systems will take you straight to the estate if you type in our post code, which is GL11 5BZ. If you do not, the best way to reach us is to head to Uley and turn off the main street at the Old Crown Pub, on the village green. The estate is just half a mile further on, and it is clearly sign-posted. If you would like printed directions, we would be happy to send them to you or your guests by email, so just let us know.

Yes. The Cyder Barn is licensed for 100 people, the Pole Barn is licensed for 150, and the Great Hall of the manor house is licensed for up to 50 people. Civil Ceremonies in the Cyder Barn, and in the manor gardens, are free when booked as part of one of our wedding packages above. Please note: Gloucestershire County Council charges a fee for registrars to visit all licensed venues. You can find more information here: https://gloucestershireregistrationservice.co.uk/

We are able to conduct official ceremonies outdoors, in certain areas of the gardens. The final decision on this rests with the registrar on the day: usually it is dictated by weather. We recommend hiring chairs for outdoor ceremonies: more below. We also regularly hold unofficial ceremonies in a number of locations, either in the gardens or in a woodland glade near to the Cyder Barn. These can take the form of a blessing, performed by an official celebrant, or even an informal exchange of vows conducted by a friend or family member.

The Church of the Holy Cross is a stone’s throw from the manor house, and is used regularly for weddings in conjunction with the venue itself. The church seats 120 comfortably. It’s a great way to add a religious element to your wedding day, although you need to establish a ‘qualifying connection’ to the church in order to be married there. This usually involves going to church at least one each month for six months, before your banns can be read. You can find more information about this here: https://www.churchofengland.org/life-events/your-church-wedding

Please get in touch with Clare White at this email address: ewelmeparishoffice@gmail.com. For more information about the history of the church, please follow this link: https://owlpen.com/holy-cross-church/

Absolutely, yes. This is a popular way of doing it if you want more flexibility with your main ceremony. We can host an intimate official marriage in the Great Hall of the manor house, or larger ceremonies in the gardens or Cyder Barn, depending on your requirements. Please note: there is an additional fee for ceremonies held the day before, and prices start from £450.