And let’s be honest, there’s nothing quite like stepping inside the venue, putting faces to names, and experiencing the spaces in person. One of Buckinghamshire’s most beautiful Georgian stately homes — and Tatler and Vogue’s “dream venue” — Hedsor has earned quite a reputation. Beloved by celebrities and the London elite, it offers complete exclusivity and a setting that feels a world away, despite being just an hour or so from the capital.
I arrived on the afternoon of a wedding, so stayed just outside the main grounds in The Hive — Hedsor’s luxury self-catering cottage tucked neatly beside the entrance gates. Originally built in the 1980s and completely gutted and refitted in 2022, it’s now a very comfortable retreat for couples (and a few close guests) to spend the night before their wedding, and wake up rested, relaxed, and just minutes from the main house.
With space for six, The Hive has everything you’d want from a night-before stay: a spacious country-style kitchen, private garden, soft throws and squishy sofas, and plenty of bathrooms. However, the standout feature is the octagonal lounge, which boasts a pitched roof, botanical details, and super-stylish interiors. We’d booked a table at a local restaurant for the evening, but between the ambient lighting, exceptionally comfortable furnishings, and a chilled bottle of Hedsor’s own sparkling wine waiting in the fridge, I was half tempted to cancel.
The next morning, en route to the house for a tour, we stopped to greet a few of the estate’s resident Highland cows — a photogenic welcome party, grazing unbothered beneath the trees. A charming (and very Instagrammable) reminder that this is still a working estate, not just a film set or wedding backdrop.
Though, for the record, it has played both very well! You might recognise Hedsor from The Crown, Downton Abbey, or Quartet. The house has stood in various forms since the 1100s, but the current iteration — a Victorian build in Georgian style — is all perfect symmetry, impressive scale, and classical Italian influence. Owned by the Shephard family for four generations, Hedsor was once a wedding gift and is now a leading wedding venue in its own right.
My tour with Jenny from the team began in the heart of the house: the iconic Centre Hall, where ceremonies and first dances unfold beneath an extraordinary domed ceiling and mezzanine balcony. The space is dramatic, but the atmosphere remains warm and welcoming. Instagram tells me that while weddings here are always showstopping, they never feel stiff — a tricky balance to strike.
The Ballroom, meanwhile, looks like it’s made for celebration. With space for up to 150, generous proportions (and views), and original wood panelling, it’s perfect for long tables, tall candles, and heartfelt toasts.
And then there’s the Royal Staircase.
A highlight of my visit, the staircase is considerably more than just an architectural feature. It’s now home to a newly commissioned mural by scenic artist Melissa Wickham — a soft, romantic piece depicting dreamlike trees, inspired by those found across the estate. A subtle, captivating detail that transforms this transitional space into something far more memorable. You could easily miss it on the way to Champagne — but it’s well worth the pause. In fact, I could have lingered a lot longer than I did.
Elsewhere, the Wedding Suite (the largest in Europe, no less) is home to honeyed onyx, a clawfoot bath and soft natural light. The Drawing Room opens out onto the South Lawn for post-ceremony drinks. The Boudoir offers a smaller, calm space for intimate ceremonies or quiet moments. The Library becomes breakfast HQ the next morning. And the mirrored Willingdon Bar is where the evening begins — and often ends — in earnest (I really loved the vibe in here, and the patterned wallpaper!).
Outside, Hedsor House sits within 100 acres of Grade II listed parkland, with sweeping views across the Thames Valley and direct ties to neighbouring Cliveden (once part of the same estate). Here, you’ll find the Dutch Sunken Garden — elegant, picturesque, and ideal for fizz and couples’ portraits — and the South Lawn, perfectly placed for summer refreshments or outdoor ceremonies.
Sustainability appears to be deeply ingrained in the day-to-day operations of the estate. Over 2,500 trees have been planted in the last three decades. Areas have been rewilded to encourage biodiversity. There are solar panels, EV charging points, and Hedsor’s own herd of Highland cattle (nature’s lawnmowers) roam the grounds. Honeybees support local pollination efforts, and Green Touch wedding packages offer couples more sustainable catering, florals, and décor options — without compromising on style.
It was such a pleasure to be invited to stay at The Hive and visit Hedsor in person, a venue I’ve admired afar for a long time. While the house may be centuries old and could easily rest on its reputation, it clearly has no intention of doing so. The energy here is firmly forward-looking. From their interior upgrades to hospitality and sustainability, Hedsor is always thinking ahead — and making sure every update is carefully considered and every detail counts.
It’s a venue with history in spades and no shortage of ambition. Lucky, then, are the couples who get to revel in both.
Hedsor House is part of the Coco Wedding Venues directory; however, we handpick each venue to showcase and only feature venues we adore. We were not paid to write this feature, but were gifted an overnight stay.
Based on a weekday wedding in January. Includes accommodation.