Nestled in the heart of the rolling English countryside stands a castle of such enchanting beauty that it seems plucked from the pages of a fairytale. Rose Castle is a timeless haven where love blossoms amidst ancient stone and verdant gardens. It is a magical realm where every wedding becomes a storybook affair, imbued with the charm and elegance that only Rose Castle can bestow.

With its exclusive allure, Rose Castle hosts just a handful of weddings each year, ensuring that every couple's special day is as unique as their love story. Here, at this distinctive wedding venue, dreams are transformed into cherished memories as the whisper of centuries-old tales of romance and celebration echo through the halls, inviting the betrothed to delight in a truly one-of-a-kind wedding experience.

Once upon a time…

Seeped in over 800 years of love and devotion to detail, Rose Castle is your blank canvas for creating the fairytale wedding of your dreams. Set in Caldew Valley in the heart of Cumbria, our history of heartfelt, old-world hospitality makes Rose Castle truly one of the most unique wedding venues in the UK.

With the freedom to fashion our expansive estate in any way you like, we don’t believe in offering cookie-cutter wedding packages. This is your space to host your day, your way, and our team is dedicated to bringing even your wildest wedding dreams to life, whatever they may look like.

Making a memorable entrance

Imagine inviting your closest friends and family to celebrate your union in a space befitting royalty. As they enter the antiquated castle gates, they're welcomed by 60 acres of diverse habitats and sprawling natural lands adorned with manicured gardens, flowery meadows and bountiful fruit orchards.

The magnificent facade of Rose Castle comes clearly into focus as your guests make their way along the path to the motor court. Mesmerised and enchanted, your loved ones have arrived, and awaiting them beyond the walls of this unique wedding venue is a time of merriment and memory-making as you prepare to step into yours and your beloved's forever.

The time has come for you to write your own chapter into Rose Castle's centuries-long legacy, surrounded by those dearest to you.

A vow to wow

Making their way through the light-filled vestibule, guests are greeted by a roaring fireplace and a grand sweeping staircase leading to your own 16th-century chapel. A light and airy space gleaming with low-hanging lights and chandeliers, polished wood and gilt, the splendour of the chapel sets the scene for a ceremony that promises to stir the hearts of your guests. Make your way to the altar accompanied by music from the grand piano and exchange vows in the flood of colour beaming from the beautiful Victorian stained glass windows—a majestically perfect start to your new life.

Credit: Emma Stoszkowski Photography

Alternatively, say “I do” in one of our elegantly refurbished reception rooms for your ceremony. The exquisitely warm and welcoming State Drawing Room boasts large, shuttered bay windows with breath-taking pastoral views of the main lawn, the gardens, the fields and the tree-lined river beyond. Just through the main entrance beneath the grand staircase, the Bishop’s Study offers a more intimate, peaceful, and contemplative setting with an open fire, subtle lighting and windows overlooking the lawns.

Or perhaps you'd prefer an open-air ceremony in the invigorating summer breeze, enveloped by the organic splendour of the Lake District's lush, undulating terrain. Pettinger’s Garden, a walled enclave, provides a refreshing outside setting with awe-inspiring views of Hevelyn just off in the distance.

The picture-perfect beginning

Sealed with a kiss and a festive toss of confetti, it’s time to capture the moment's beauty forever. A photographer's dream, Rose Castle is a feast of picturesque backdrops; with spectacular views, meticulously kept gardens, intimate nooks, and elegant interiors, the opportunities for incredible photographs are almost endless.

Treat your guests to lawn games and cocktails while your family portraits are snapped, or kick-off celebrations with an opulent oyster bar and champagne tower while your photographers capture your unrestrained moments of elation, surrounded by your loved ones.

However you picture your wedding day photobook being realised, the uniqueness of Rose Castle as a wedding venue gives you and your photographers full creative license to frame the day in absolutely any way. Whether it’s capturing the perfect pose, editorial style, or documenting the moment as it naturally unfolds, kodak moments abound at Rose Castle, guaranteeing the picture-perfect start to your future.

Eat, drink and be married!

Perhaps it’s an elegantly understated high tea to refresh guests after the ceremony, a casual outdoor barbecue at golden hour, or a lavish hot buffet you're after. Or maybe it’s a traditional three-course meal, a tasting menu of five or six courses with a bit of everything, or a fully-fledged banquet fit for a king that you envision for your wedding day feast.

With the freshest ingredients sourced straight from our own gardens or locally harvested seasonal produce, dining at Rose Castle is nothing short of a spectacular experience. However you wish to cater for your guests, our passionate head chef is ready to help you design a menu that will put the cherry on top of your special day.

Our interior spaces offer the flexibility to arrange your seated feast in any way you desire. Whether you envision a full family-style table setting that invites warm, communal conversations or prefer separate individual tables for an elegant dining experience, Rose Castle can accommodate your vision. For larger gatherings, we provide enchanting options such as marquees, pavilions, and teepees, perfect for alfresco-style dining under the soft glow of the evening sun.

Our chef, operations manager and dedicated team will work with you and recommend the most suitable spaces and menu options based on your budget, expected number of guests and favourite dining options. You’ll also get to sample menus for inspiration and attend tasting sessions ahead of the day to ensure your wedding day cuisine is nothing short of perfect.

Celebrating in style

Ambience is everything at Rose Castle. We give you the time and the space to celebrate with friends and family in a unique wedding venue that can be moulded to your precise expectations, creating a memorable wedding day experience that perfectly captures your own unique style.

Beyond the ceremony, hosting your reception at Rose Castle gives you ample flexibility to find the perfect space for the number of guests you’re expecting, the type of entertainment you’d like to provide, and even the views you'd like guests to enjoy as you set the tone for your wedding festivities.

The castle grounds hold endless opportunities for you to wow your guests. From a grand, on-trend wedding weekend to an intimate gathering with afternoon tea, we'll take your wedding day fantasy and bring it to life, no-holds-barred.

Enjoy a firework or drone display while sipping on a glass of bubbles in the State Drawing Room, host an outdoor cinema on the lawn with midnight snacks after dinner, or get experimental with a multitude of entertainers across the castle grounds, such as fire dancers, live painters, magicians and mixologists.

Rose Castle lets you revel in the possibilities, not the practicalities. However you want to celebrate, the castle is all yours to use as you wish, and our team delights in the challenge of making your dreams come true.

Credit: Emma Stoszkowski Photography

A royal retreat

At the end of the night, it’s time to retreat to your private, lovingly restored bridal suite overlooking the historic gatehouse. This spacious, beautifully romantic room features a luxurious super king-size bed, stone fireplace, and windows overlooking your castle's grounds. The en-suite bathroom features a roll-top bath, a walk-in shower, and twin basins.

The castle also features 12 more double en-suite bedrooms and two single rooms, each with private bathrooms, providing enough space for up to 26 of your most treasured guests to stay the night.

Want to extend your stay? Another unique feature of Rose Castle is that the grounds can be yours for you and your closest friends and family to exclusively enjoy from Friday to Sunday or Saturday to Monday, turning your wedding into a weekend getaway of cherished moments!

The day before your wedding, enjoy a game of cricket on the large open space below the mantle wall, share in a yoga class with a professional teacher, or indulge in a massage for ultimate relaxation. We can even hire a hot tub for you to enjoy during your stay!

When the evening rolls around, we can arrange a dinner in the State Dining Room or a barbecue on the grounds for you and your loved ones to spend quality time together ahead of the big day.

Dogs are also welcome at Rose Castle, which has three dog-friendly bedrooms. This is your space, your time, and if you want your fur children to be part of your big day, we won't stop you!

Credit: Emma Stoszkowski Photography

Happily ever after begins at Rose Castle

The same Rose Castle team working to bring your dream to life will be there on the big day to ensure everything runs like clockwork. Our bespoke online system will gather information from your suppliers and guests, like dietary requirements and arrival times, which you can also access to track progress and send notes to our team. We take complete care of all those finer details, allowing you to relax knowing everything is in hand, from your first planning session to your last dance on the night!

You deserve to host the wedding day of your dreams, and Rose Castle is the perfect place to bring your vision to life. We are uniquely poised to make the extraordinary a reality for you, your beloved, and all of your loved ones. We pride ourselves on creating truly one-of-a-kind experiences where memories are made that last a lifetime.

Begin your ‘happily ever after’ at Rose Castle and book your venue visit today!