The Riding School is corkage free, and an extensive drinks package is also available.
Please contact the venue for detailed prices.
The Riding School is at the heart of the picturesque and historic Grade I-listed Calke Abbey estate. The estate is set within 600 acres of rolling Derbyshire countryside. It is surrounded by unique courtyards, exquisite gardens, and an enchanting orangery that all lend themselves to being the perfect botanical backdrop for your incredible wedding photographs.
The Calke Abbey estate is on the Derbyshire, Leicestershire border and is within easy reach of major road networks, including the M1, A50, and M46 / A46 and is within 15 minutes of access by rail and air.
Nestled in the heart of the historic Calke Abbey estate, The Riding School effortlessly blends rustic allure with timeless elegance. With original features, exposed bare brick walls and oak beams felled from the estate over 400 years ago, this venue is full of history and throws its doors open for you to become a cherished part of it.
Surrounded by 600 acres of natural splendour, The Riding School offers a romantic atmosphere that begins inside its charming walls and unfolds into the courtyards that echo whispers of bygone eras to gardens that paint an ever-changing living canvas. From the perfectly manicured, scent-filled floral borders to the greenhouses and the enchanting orangery, the wider estate offers the most incredible botanical backdrops for your wedding photography.
When the sun begins its descent over the estate, casting a warm glow across the meadows, you are invited to take some time out and stroll hand in hand for some of the most romantic photographs of you during the golden hour before your evening reception begins, and you get to dance the night away.
What sets the Riding School apart is the variety of catering options and the freedom it offers each couple, allowing you to create bespoke menus as individual as you are. A celebration where you have the flexibility to bring your vision to life, collaborating with an incredibly talented catering team that can transform your ideas into a delicious reality, leaving a lasting impression on all of your guests.
To truly personalise your day, the Riding School is delighted to offer a corkage-free period during your special day, allowing you to bring your favourite beverages to toast to your love. This unique offering further allows you to add your personal touch to your celebration, ensuring that every sip reflects the two of you. From cocktails to bottled beer, it’s always about making the day all about you and creating memories that last a lifetime.
The Riding School is not your average wedding venue; it’s a beautiful, captivating wedding venue full of possibilities and the perfect blank canvas for you both to personalise your day with your style and unique touches. Whether you envision an intimate affair or a lavish gathering, The Riding School adapts to suit you both, ensuring you have the most beautiful and memorable day surrounded by the people you love most.
- For a Ceremony - Maximum capacity is 160 guests
- For a Wedding Breakfast - Maximum capacity is 160 guests
- For the Evening Reception - Maximum capacity is 240 guests
It is of the utmost importance to us that our couples have the choice to have the ceremony that is perfect for them. We welcome all kinds of wedding ceremonies within the Riding School and have a church on site. More information can be supplied upon request. Please also note that we do not allow flames within the Riding School. Couples can also marry elsewhere and then join us to continue their celebrations.
The National Trust has five beautiful self-catering cottages across the estate that sleep between 2 and 14 people. A full list of alternative local accommodation can be provided upon request.
As well as offering reasonably priced drinks packages, we can offer the Riding School as a corkage-free wedding venue. (Time limited; please ask for further details).
We absolutely do! We will talk you through your options and always make it our mission to ensure that everyone and every aspect of your day is taken care of.