Gaddesden Estate

Set in over 300 acres of private woodland and countryside in the heart of the Chiltern Hills, the Gaddesden Estate is a privately owned country farming estate, at the centre of which is the Golden Parsonage, built in 1705.

The gardens and grounds of Gaddesden Estate range from semi-formal gardens to fully wild spaces and are available to hire for marquee weddings. The house itself is still a private home and is not available for use; instead, acting as the perfect backdrop for your celebrations.

The Walled Garden Meadow

The Walled Garden Meadow offers the greatest flexibility when it comes to the use of space and is an ideal place for a marquee or tipi. The meadow is a riot of wildflowers in spring and early summer, and the adjacent tree-lined avenue and folly is a natural place for a ceremony, outdoor dining or drinks reception. With a woodland backdrop and views across the countryside, this is the perfect location to really make your day your own.

Available April to October

Badger’s Garden

Laid out at the end of the 20th century, Badger’s Garden comprises a series of more formal tree plantings with views over the countryside beyond. This unique location, overlooked by the main façade of the house, is ideal for ceremonies, relaxed events and drinks receptions.

Available April to October

Golden Meadow

With the backdrop of the Golden Parsonage, Golden Meadow has views over the rolling countryside and Badgers Garden. Mature trees provide an intimate area for drinks receptions and marquees.

Available April to October

There is complete flexibility to choose which of these areas is ideal for your celebration, with the option to use multiple spaces on the day. They give you exclusivity over the Estate grounds, and you can choose which of the unique spaces are the perfect setting for your structures, drinks and ceremony.

All the outdoor spaces are dry hire only, so you can design and create your ideal day using your own suppliers. If you need a little help and expertise, marquee specialist and wedding planner Big Green Space can be on hand to guide you through your wedding planning journey.

This stunning estate is just a stone’s throw from London, with direct transport links to Hemel Hempstead, St Albans, Berkhamsted and Harpenden, just a short drive away. There are multiple accommodation options nearby, including hotels, B&Bs, and on-site glamping.

Please note that all infrastructure, including power, toilets and any other structures, will need to be brought in, and The Golden Parsonage itself is a private residence and not available to hire.

Badgers Garden provides the ideal location for your ceremony. A natural aisle located amongst the formal hornbeam trees, wildflowers and topiary with the backdrop of the rose-covered house and Library Lawn.

Alternatively, The Avenue is a beautiful aisle of low-hanging trees surrounded by wildflowers and grass meadows.

Both locations are perfect for celebrant-led and cultural ceremonies.

Choose from numerous semi-formal and natural reception locations. Whether you use the semi-formal garden around the house as your backdrop or prefer to be surrounded by waving grasses, wildflower meadows and mature trees, there are endless possibilities for receptions.

The Gaddesden Estate farm is managed with a focus on organic farming and soil health, with activities aimed at enhancing soil structure and organic matter and using a range of minimum-cultivation techniques. The farm has been involved in environmental stewardship schemes since the 1990s, and is currently in a Higher Level scheme. This means there are many field margins planted specifically to provide food for pollinators and birds, and the hedgerows are carefully managed. Much of the grassland is also managed with conservation in mind, with restrictions on fertiliser, and there is a dedicated wildflower meadow incorporated into the farm.

Gaddesden Estate is approximately a 40-minute drive from London, and is accessible from Hemel Hempstead, St Albans, Harpenden and Berkhamsted stations.