Cliveden House:
With over 350 years of history dedicated to power, politics and pleasure, this Grade I listed stately home sits within 376 acres of National Trust grounds above the River Thames near Taplow in Berkshire. Winston Churchill, Charlie Chaplin and Franklin D. Roosevelt all spent time here. The house is a Relais & Châteaux member and winner of the 2026 UK Weddings and Honeymoons Awards. The dedicated Wedding Manager, Lydia, oversees every celebration personally.
The hotel operates a strict one-wedding-per-day policy. This means the entire team, the house and the grounds focus entirely on one couple from start to finish. For weddings of up to 60 guests, individual rooms are available without exclusive use. For larger celebrations, exclusive use of the whole estate accommodates up to 130 guests for the ceremony and wedding breakfast, up to 180 for the evening reception and up to 250 with a marquee on the grounds.
The Wedding Spaces
The French Dining Room is the most ornate of the non-exclusive spaces. Its gilded rococo panelling, large mirrors and chandeliers give it a grandeur that suits a formal wedding well. It holds up to 60 guests for a ceremony or seated wedding breakfast without exclusive use, and up to 80 for a ceremony on exclusive use.
The Cockerel Pavilion is a white-columned structure set on a terrace with open garden views. It holds up to 60 for a ceremony without exclusive use and up to 120 on an exclusive use basis. Its outdoor character makes it a particularly strong option for summer ceremonies.
The Lady Astor Suite holds up to 40 guests for a ceremony and suits more intimate celebrations where a private, contained space is preferred. The Boudoir holds up to 30 for a ceremony and up to 24 for a seated wedding breakfast. For exclusive use weddings, both the Cliveden Dining Room and the Great Hall accommodate up to 120 guests for a ceremony. Spring Cottage offers a further intimate option for up to 16 guests.
Couples arrange the civil ceremony licence directly with Buckinghamshire Register Office. The hotel team supports this process throughout the planning.
Exclusive Use
Exclusive use gives couples access to all 47 bedrooms and suites, Spring Cottage, the spa with one treatment per person for the couple and wedding party, the gym, tennis courts and the full estate. Each bedroom is named after a prominent guest or figure from Cliveden’s history and furnished accordingly. The rooms contain exquisite furnishings and original antiques throughout.
The marquee option extends the celebration further. For guests above 130, a marquee on the estate grounds accommodates up to 250 seated for the evening reception. The grounds also include access to the National Trust parkland, with a contribution to the National Trust included as part of exclusive use.
Spring Cottage
Spring Cottage is one of the most distinctive elements of a Cliveden wedding. Nestled among mature trees on the banks of the River Thames, it was originally a secluded summer house and tea room. The Duchess of Sutherland extended it in the 1870s. Today it has a private boat mooring, a rear garden with the original spring and small lake, a covered porch with river views and a small library overlooking the Thames. In addition, it has a luxury lounge with open fireplace and a fully equipped country kitchen with Aga. It sleeps up to eight guests and exclusive use bookings include it as part of the estate.
Dining
Cliveden House has two restaurants. The Cliveden Dining Room serves formal dining with seasonal British produce. The Astor Grill is the more relaxed option and suits welcome dinners, post-wedding lunches and informal gatherings across the wedding stay. The Crown Afternoon Tea is available for pre-wedding celebrations and bridal party gatherings on The Veranda.
Wedding menus use the finest English ingredients. Full menu tastings are arranged with the culinary team during the planning process.
Is Cliveden House Right for Your Wedding?
Cliveden House suits couples who want a country house wedding with genuine historical grandeur, complete privacy and a setting that is simply unlike most venues in England. The one-wedding-per-day policy, the National Trust grounds, Spring Cottage on the Thames, the 47 individually named bedrooms and the personal involvement of Wedding Manager Lydia make it one of the most complete luxury country house wedding venues within easy reach of London.
It is not suited to couples wanting a city setting, a hotel with a conventional ballroom or a wedding above 250 guests. Civil ceremonies require direct coordination with Buckinghamshire Register Office.
For further reading, explore our guide to exclusive use wedding venues outside London and our overview of getting married in the UK. For other options in the region, browse our wider collection of luxury wedding venues across England.
- Grade I listed stately home near Taplow, Berkshire
- Relais & Châteaux member
- Winner of the 2026 UK Weddings and Honeymoons Awards
- One wedding per day policy
- Licensed for civil ceremonies with Buckinghamshire Register Office
- French Dining Room: up to 60 ceremony/dining (non-exclusive), 80 ceremony (exclusive)
- Cockerel Pavilion: up to 60 ceremony (non-exclusive), 120 (exclusive)
- Lady Astor Suite: up to 40 ceremony
- Boudoir: up to 30 ceremony, 24 dining
- Cliveden Dining Room and Great Hall: up to 120 ceremony (exclusive use only)
- Spring Cottage: up to 16 ceremony, sleeps 8, private Thames mooring
- Exclusive use: up to 130 ceremony/breakfast, 180 evening, 250 with marquee
- 47 individually named bedrooms and suites
- Spa with one treatment per person included in exclusive use
- National Trust grounds, 376 acres
- Wedding Manager Lydia
- Dog-friendly and child-friendly accommodation
- Private vintage boat trips on the Thames available
Full details and pricing on enquiry.
Getting There
Cliveden House sits near Taplow in Berkshire. Taplow railway station has direct services from London Paddington in around 30 minutes. Maidenhead is also nearby, with services from Paddington via the Elizabeth line. By road, the M4 is the most direct route from London, with journey times of around 45 minutes. Heathrow Airport is approximately 12 miles away, making it one of the most accessible country house venues for international guests.
Other Luxury Wedding Venues in England
Cliveden House is one of a small number of Grade I listed country house wedding venues within easy reach of London. Explore our guide to exclusive use wedding venues outside London and our full collection of luxury wedding venues across England to compare country houses, historic estates and five-star hotels.