Cowdray House

England, GU29 0AY, United Kingdom

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3 Reviews

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Cowdray House Weddings

Nestled amid the picturesque rolling hills of South Downs National Park, on a sprawling 16,000-acre estate, you’ll find Cowdray House. This magnificent country house wedding venue dates back to the mid-19th century and is brimming with historic charm and timeless elegance. Weddings here are exclusive, luxurious and seamless, with all the finer details taken care of by Cowdray’s experienced staff.

Whether you’re envisioning an intimate wedding or an extravagant weekend-long celebration, Cowdray House’s dedicated wedding coordinator will ensure everything runs smoothly for your special day. From designing a bespoke wedding package to finalising mouthwatering menu options, they’ll be there every step of the way to assist with planning and deliver a truly personalised and seamless experience.


The Scene at Cowdray House West Sussex

It’s hard to imagine a more picture-perfect setting for your wedding celebrations than Cowdray House, with the historic 22-bedroom country home and seemingly endless acres of enchanting Capability Brown-designed parkland at your disposal. The house is surrounded by sprawling woodlands, a serene lake, and meticulously manicured gardens, providing endless possibilities for wedding photography and outdoor soirées in the warmer months.

Inside the house, an array of opulent reception rooms provide the perfect setting to exchange vows, dine and dance the night away with your loved ones. The magnificent Buck Hall is a popular choice for ceremonies and wedding breakfasts, with its soaring vaulted ceiling, grand fireplace, stained glass windows, and warm terracotta walls. If you’re envisioning a more intimate occasion, the charming wood-panelled Dining Room is a wonderful choice for seated banquets.

As Cowdray House is an exclusive hire wedding venue, you’ll have access to the entire house and its amazing facilities for the duration of your stay. Features include 22 individually designed en-suite bedrooms, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, a bowling alley, tennis courts, a croquet lawn, and a helipad. Across the wider estate, over 70 guests can be accommodated in various cottages and lodges, meaning they won’t have to travel far once the party is over.

If you’re looking to extend the celebrations further, your dedicated wedding coordinator can organise unique and immersive activities across the Cowdray Estate for you and your guests. Head out for a round of golf on the 18-hole championship golf course, try your hand at fly fishing on the River Rother, or immerse yourself in nature on a wildlife tour. As Cowdray is the home of British polo, lessons and tickets to polo matches can also be arranged in the summer.


Cowdray House Wedding Ceremonies

Boasting incredible views of South Downs National Park, the beautiful Summer Pavilion offers an enchanting setting for wedding ceremonies at Cowdray House. Exchange vows inside the charming pavilion, then head out into the immaculately landscaped gardens to enjoy a celebratory glass of champagne with your guests.

If you’re worried about inclement weather or prefer to exchange vows indoors in a cosy, intimate setting, the wood-panelled Dining Room and majestic Buck Hall are licensed for ceremonies. There are also several charming local churches in nearby Midhurst and Petworth, as well as the villages of Easebourne, Tillington and Lodsworth.


Cowdray House Wedding Receptions

Wedding receptions at Cowdray House are nothing short of spectacular. With glorious, sprawling grounds and a selection of opulent reception rooms exclusively yours, you’ll have the freedom to create your perfect wedding day flow. Following your ceremony, enjoy bubbles and canapés on the immaculate lawns, then dine under the lofty vaulted ceilings of Buck Hall before making your way to the Dining Room to dance the night away.

Wedding breakfasts typically unfold in the magnificent Buck Hall, offering plenty of space to comfortably seat up to 150 guests. As your guests sit down to dine, they’ll be blown away by the exceptional menus from Cowdray House’s renowned in-house culinary team, with incredible bespoke options to suit all tastes.


Wedding Photography at Cowdray House West Sussex

You’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to your wedding photography at Cowdray House, with an array of magnificent photo locations dotted across the sprawling estate. 110 acres of spectacular Capability Brown-designed gardens, serene lakes, and lush woodlands provide a picture-perfect backdrop for your photos at this elegant country house wedding venue.

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Capacity

sitting Up to 150 Sitting
standing Up to 300 Standing

Wedding Venue Details

Wedding Services Ceremony & Reception
Reception Only
Wedding Ceremony Indoor
Outdoor

Facilities

Accommodation Onsite
Rooms Available 22
Onsite Car Parking
Available Spaces N/A

Spaces At This Venue

  • Buck Hall

    Boasting many original features, the magnificent Buck Hall offers a grand setting for weddings and private parties at the heart of Cowdray House. This stunning space features a soaring vaulted ceiling, stained glass windows, warm terracotta walls, an arched minstrels’ gallery, and an impressive open fireplace.

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  • Cowdray House Dining Room Ben Wright Photography

    Dining Room

    The opulent wood-panelled Dining Room is the perfect place to dance the night away with your loved ones at Cowdray House. This intimate space can also host seated dining events for up to 80 guests.

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  • Summer Pavilion

    The lovely Summer Pavilion boasts stunning views over the South Downs, offering a picturesque spot to exchange vows at Cowdray House. The pavilion can accommodate up to 150 seated guests.

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Location

Nearby attractions:

  • Cowdray ruins
  • South Downs National Park
  • Cowdray Park Golf Club

Venue Testimonials

Cowdray House is the most fantastic and beautiful venue to have a wedding. We have just got married on 19th March 2022, and we can't thank the Cowdray team enough. The house is beautifully clean, and all members of the Cowdray team are so friendly and professional.

Louise G

One of the most beautiful wedding venues in the local area! Always a pleasure to go here! The staff are so helpful! And just want to help! Can’t wait to go back!

Declan S

Cowdray House is a stunning backdrop for your wedding photography. The bedrooms are gorgeous for those 'getting ready' shots, the grounds are stunning, and Buck Hall is a gorgeous room for your ceremony and reception. If you are considering Cowdray House for your wedding, we highly recommend you book!

Paige P

Frequently Asked Questions

Weddings at this historic country house are luxurious, exclusive and seamless, with everything you could possibly want for an unforgettable experience in one place. Enjoy exclusive use of the house, gardens, swimming pools, bowling alley, tennis courts, and 22 double en-suite bedrooms when hiring Cowdray House for your wedding.

As Cowdray House is a bespoke venue, their experienced team will work closely with you to design your dream wedding package.

Cowdray House can welcome up to 150 guests for a seated wedding breakfast, up to 300 for cocktail receptions and has marquee space for around 600 guests.

At Cowdray House, evening celebrations can extend as late as 2am inside. Outside you are more than welcome to have music until 11pm.

The house itself has 22 individually designed double bedrooms boasting elegant interiors, immaculate en-suite bathrooms and picturesque parkland views. Across the estate, over 70 wedding guests can be accommodated in various cottages and lodges.

Yes, there is plenty of onsite parking at the venue.

Delicious food is central to weddings and events at Cowdray House, whether it’s an indulgent afternoon tea or a lavish multi-course wedding dinner. Enjoy exquisite dishes featuring high-quality meat, game and fresh produce sourced from Cowdray land.

Yes, Cowdray’s dedicated events coordinator will discuss options for menu tastings once your bespoke wedding package is finalised.

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