And after spending time getting to know the venue, we can confirm they’ve pretty much nailed it. Set within 320 private acres just outside Bisley in Gloucestershire, it’s a venue that’s part family home, part working farm, and part countryside retreat, all rolled into one.
Home to a beautifully restored Wedding Barn accommodating up to 100 guests, with overnight accommodation for 21 across the main house and pool house, Gulliver’s Hall is perfect for couples looking for something a little bit different, and it might be the kind of venue you’ll want to keep to yourselves… Over to the venue for everything you need to know.
Gulliver’s Hall has been part of Martin’s family story since 1967, when his parents bought the farm and transformed it into a much-loved family home. Martin’s father moved the cattle yards away from the house and created beautiful gardens, while his mother nurtured the landscape that still surrounds the property today.
The current house dates largely from the 18th century, and the farm was once part of the historic Lypiatt Park Estate before Martin’s parents bought it in 1967. When Martin’s parents passed away, Martin and Kate inherited both the house and the surrounding 300-acre farm, which they had been tenant farming for the previous 25 years. The inspiration to host weddings came naturally as they renovated the house and transformed the former dairy into a pool house and spa. They realised that Gulliver’s Hall offered something truly special: a private countryside retreat where people could gather, celebrate and create lasting memories together.
One of the property’s most distinctive features is the way family history has been woven into its restoration. Many of the ancestral portraits and antique furnishings originated from Winstanley Hall, Martin’s ancestral family home in Lancashire. Today, these treasured pieces sit alongside contemporary design elements, creating a home that feels both timeless and welcoming.
One of the things couples love most about Gulliver’s Hall is the variety of spaces available across the estate, allowing celebrations to unfold over the course of a wedding weekend.
At the heart of the venue is the beautifully restored Wedding Barn, where stained-glass windows, exposed Cotswold stone walls and soaring timber beams create a romantic setting for ceremonies, wedding breakfasts and evening celebrations. Accommodating up to 100 guests, the barn combines impressive scale with warmth and character, making it equally suited to intimate moments and larger gatherings.
Outside, the eight acres of gardens and grounds provide a stunning backdrop for every stage of the celebration. Couples can exchange vows amongst wildflowers and mature trees, host drinks receptions on the lawns, and enjoy photographs amongst the sculpture gardens, woodland paths and sweeping valley views.
The contemporary pool house and spa courtyard offer yet another dimension to the experience, perfect for pre-wedding relaxation, post-wedding recovery, or simply spending time together over the weekend. With a heated outdoor pool, spa bath, sauna, steam room and games room, guests can make the most of the estate long after the formal celebrations have ended.
Gulliver’s Hall feels wonderfully secluded and relaxed. Although it is within easy reach of major cities and transport links, guests often remark that it feels as though they have escaped to their own private corner of the countryside. The atmosphere is elegant yet informal, blending historic charm with contemporary comfort.
One of the greatest joys of hosting weddings here is seeing couples and their families experience the property in their own way. Every wedding brings a different atmosphere, and it’s incredibly rewarding to watch guests discover the gardens, enjoy the spa, gather around the fire pits, or simply take in the views across the valley.
What stands out most are the quieter moments: seeing grandparents sitting in the sunshine on the terrace, guests gathering around the piano for an impromptu singalong, or couples taking a moment alone by the ponds as the sun sets. Those personal moments are often the ones people remember long after the day itself.
HALL UNIQUE
The setting is often the first thing couples fall in love with. Reached by a mile-long avenue of chestnut trees and surrounded by 320 private acres, Gulliver’s Hall feels wonderfully secluded, despite being within easy reach of the Cotswolds and major transport links.
Guests are captivated by the estate’s rich variety of landscapes, from fragrant gardens and wildflower meadows to ancient woodland, spring-fed ponds and rolling pastureland overlooking the beautiful Toadsmoor Valley. Wildlife is a special part of the experience, with roe deer, red kites, peregrines and even the occasional otter making appearances throughout the seasons.
The sculpture gardens are another unique feature. Created by Martin’s father after his retirement, the collection of whimsical bronze sculptures appears throughout the grounds, bringing creativity, humour and unexpected moments of discovery to every walk around the property.
One of the most distinctive features is the private spa complex, which includes a heated outdoor swimming pool, a mosaic-tiled spa bath, a sauna, a steam room, and a sun terrace, all enclosed within a beautiful Cotswold stone courtyard. It allows wedding parties to enjoy the atmosphere of a boutique spa entirely to themselves. Alongside this, guests can also enjoy a padel court, croquet lawn, woodland walks, a cinema room and direct access to footpaths across the farm.
Accommodation at Gulliver’s Hall is designed to feel like a private country house retreat rather than a traditional wedding venue. The estate sleeps up to 21 guests across the beautifully restored main house and contemporary pool house, allowing close family and friends to extend the celebration over an entire weekend.
The seven bedrooms in the main house each have their own distinctive personality, blending colourful interiors, carefully sourced antiques and family heirlooms with luxurious modern comforts. Guests particularly love the master bedroom, home to a magnificent 17th-century Adam and Eve four-poster bed inherited from Martin’s family, as well as the charming Birdcage Room, inspired by the gardens beyond its windows. Many bedrooms enjoy sweeping views across the gardens, the valley, and the surrounding countryside.
The pool house offers a more contemporary experience, with three stylish king-size bedrooms overlooking the spa courtyard and gardens. Large windows, natural materials and a relaxed, modern aesthetic provide a beautiful contrast to the historic character of the main house.
What guests appreciate most is the feeling of staying in a much-loved family home. Hidden doorways, ancestral portraits, eclectic artwork and thoughtful details throughout the property create an atmosphere that is both elegant and deeply personal.
Rather than offering an in-house catering package, we work with carefully selected catering partners who share our commitment to exceptional food and hospitality. This gives couples the flexibility to create a menu that reflects their tastes and style, whether that’s a formal wedding breakfast, a relaxed sharing feast, or an outdoor celebration centred on fire-cooked food. The estate itself is designed to support memorable dining experiences, from the impressive dining spaces within the house to the outdoor kitchen featuring a traditional pizza oven and paella burner.
Couples begin their journey with Unique Homestays, which manage bookings and guide them through the initial enquiry stages. Once a couple has fallen in love with Gulliver’s Hall, we are delighted to welcome them for a viewing and share the story of the house, gardens and estate that have been part of Martin’s family for generations. Viewings often become a memorable part of the experience in their own right, not least because of Kate’s legendary homemade flapjacks, which have become something of a talking point amongst visiting couples. They offer the perfect accompaniment to a stroll through the gardens, barn, and grounds while discussing ideas for the upcoming celebration.
For weddings with more than 40 guests, a dedicated wedding coordinator is included from six weeks prior to the wedding.
Recent additions include a new padel court and a fully equipped gym with dedicated yoga and wellness space, giving guests even more opportunities to relax, recharge and make the most of their time at the estate. These facilities complement the existing pool, spa, sauna and steam room.
Alongside these enhancements, we continue to invest in the gardens, woodland and wildlife habitats that are such an important part of the estate’s identity, as well as making thoughtful improvements to guest accommodation and outdoor spaces.
Based on a weekend wedding in January. Includes 3-night venue hire and accommodation.