Outdoor wedding venues: 7 of the best in and around London

Looking for a wedding venue that offers gorgeous outdoor space in which you can celebrate your nuptials? You’re not alone. If you’ve been looking for outdoor wedding venues in the London area, you’ll know just how hard it is to find ‘the one’.

Come summer, it's all about weddings in lush, alfresco settings - picture-perfect country manors, pretty lakes and immaculate gardens - boxes that can be hard to tick in our capital. But there are some fantastic options if you know where to look, that are still super easy for your guests to reach.

We've scoured the area for the most beautiful - and perfectly positioned for afternoon sun - outdoor wedding venues near the centre of town, from lovely Richmond to the Instagrammable Cotswolds.

So, go on, have a good read – you may just find 'the one'…

1. Morden Hall, Morden

For the quintessentially English wedding, say “I do” at one of London’s newest wedding venues, Morden Hall. The exclusive use venue is set within 125 acres of National Trust Parkland and just a stone’s throw away from the south London underground station. Its chic and boutique-style interior boasts stunning views of the parkland – so, even when you’re inside you’ll be able to enjoy the picturesque surroundings. The gardens and grounds are also yours to enjoy for the day, and perfect for summer drinks beside the River Wandle.

2. Chelsea Physic Garden, Chelsea

If there’s a time to feel like a celebrity, it’s on your wedding day – which is why you should consider a wedding party in Chelsea. If you want to combine one of the city’s hottest postcodes with a glorious outdoor wedding reception, Chelsea Physic Garden is the venue for you. With its secret garden tucked away beside the Thames, there’s so much to discover here. Ideal for socialising with guests and all your big-day snaps, you can revel in its lush natural beauty.

3. Wasing Park, Reading

Just a short drive from London in Reading, you’ll find Wasing Park – a charming barn venue with plenty of outdoor space. The privately owned estate is a great choice for your outdoor ceremony, with the option to tie the knot outside at the stunning Victorian Summerhouse. Indoor ceremony options, including the Garden Room, also boast charming views of the gardens while the pretty walled gardens set the scene for a romantic day.

4. The Matara Centre, The Cotswolds

If you’re one of the many London brides with a dream to escape to the Cotswolds for your wedding, Matara might just be for you. The unique wedding venue has a peaceful and tranquil vibe and is set in 28 acres of glorious parkland. There’s the option to tie the knot outdoors in the cloistered courtyard, which features a Japanese-inspired lake, as well as opportunities to plant a tree or have a second blessing under the real-life wishing tree.

5. The Roof Gardens, Kensington

The Roof Gardens is one of central London’s only wedding venues to offer a garden setting – and mighty fine it is too. While you can’t get married outdoors, you can enjoy an outdoor reception here or arrange for a separate blessing in the pretty garden. The stunning rooftop gardens also boast views of the city and are perfect for those celebratory fireworks.

6. Gaynes Park, Essex

For a wedding that oozes countryside charm, choose Gaynes Park – just an hour away from the city by car. The rural idyll, located in Epping, boasts a number of fantastic options for your ceremony, including Gather Barn – the beautiful outdoor open sided barn. From here, you can enjoy the gorgeous views of the surrounding countryside and parkland before going on to celebrate in the pretty walled garden.

7. Kew Gardens, Richmond

While you can’t get married outside here – it still had to make our list thanks to its stunning 300 acres of gardens. With access to the Royal Botanical Gardens, which includes the pretty Rose Garden and the gorgeous Pagoda, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to photo opportunities. What’s more, the ceremony setting of the bright and airy Nash Conservatory is pretty impressive too.

Recently married Hamish Shephard is the founder of free online wedding planner Bridebook.co.uk. His ES column, ‘Groom with a View’, gives fuss-free, practical advice to make wedding planning as enjoyable as it should be.