Top 5 Retro Wedding Venues in the UK
A touch of retro glamour can be the perfect way to elevate weddings of any scale. I’ve put together a roundup of my current top 5 retro UK wedding venues to help couples make the perfect choice. Spanning minimal mid-century modern, all the way to a repurposed Manchester swimming pool that looks like a snapshot in time. So mix yourself an old fashioned & pull up a seat!
Limekiln
Sussex
Seats up to 200 guests
Venue hire price from £4,000 + VAT
A recent addition to the Sussex countryside, this midcentury events lodge is perfect for intimate & wild parties alike. With thoughtful details including a hair-washing station that makes getting ready for your wedding feel like a spa day, & an iconic 1960s tiled bar to host cocktail hour.
LIMEKILN is set amongst 60 acres of Sussex woodland, making it the perfect outdoor venue for Summer banquets or fireside receptions.
Every detail is carefully considered to bring your Mad Men dreams to life with your guests in style & comfort. Food is at the heart of it all here, with a carefully curated list of catering partners who can create the feast of your dreams.
Image credits: LIMEKILN
Royal Institute of British Architects
London
Seats up to 250 guests
Venue hire price from £90 + VAT per person
This Grade-II listed space is known for its retro charm, combining towering ceilings with full-length windows allowing in heaps of natural light. It is currently closed for renovations between until 2027, but it will again be available for hire from 2028.
Situated in the heart of Marylebone, RIBA is an icon of England’s architectural landscape, this venue is not only ideal for architects & lovers of the Eames chair, but also for those who want to feel plugged in to the heartbeat of the city of London.
Image credits: Royal Institute of British Architects
Victoria Baths
Manchester
Seats up to 500 guests
Venue hire price from £500 + VAT
A rare find; this Edwardian Grade-II listed ‘water palace’ features the kind of architectural detailing that you just don’t find these days. Despite being much earlier than mid-century, this venue has a certain Wes Anderson je ne sais quoi in the way the warm brick plays against the industrial green struts, or the surprisingly preppy affect given by the subway style pool tiling.
This venue is perfect for large weddings, with ample space for up to 500 guests, & brings with it a unique charm that would suit couples who like to do the unexpected.
Image credits: Victoria Baths
Hedsor House
Buckinghamshire
Seats up to 250 guests
Venue hire price from £7,250 + VAT
This Georgian mansion is a very popular wedding venue, & for good reason. Grade-II listed, Hedsor House sits amongst 100 acres of historic parkland.
A romantic English castle on the outside, the interior also lends itself well to weddings with a touch of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Elegance, opulence, & heritage come together at Hedsor House to create a venue that is truly unique.
Image credits: Hedsor House
The Ned
Shoreditch, London
Seats up to 140 guests
Venue hire price from £2,750 + VAT
The former Midland Bank headquarters, this Grade-I listed architectural masterpiece in the heart of Shoreditch was re-opened in 2017, & has since hosted some truly iconic events.
The renovations have truly accentuated centuries of design heritage. Marble columns punctuate tall white walls topped with detailed coving, with solid parquet floors throughout to create a continuous grandeur like nothing else.
The ideal location for city weddings, & firmly cemented within London’s nightlife, the Ned is the perfect backdrop for both timeless ceremonies & raucous cocktail parties after hours.
Image credits: The Ned
