Our #VenueoftheWeek is Notley Abbey—a beautiful country house wedding venue on the border of Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire. Over the centuries it has played host to royalty such as Henry IV and Henry the V and celebrities like Marilyn Monroe, and it’s also the former home of icons Sir Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh. Founded in the 12th century, it was an Augustinian abbey that fell into neglect until Bijou Wedding Venues restored it into the magnificent, award-winning historic wedding venue that it is today.
Being a listed building and registered national monument, Notley Abbey is a stunning historic wedding venue that was carefully restored and refurbished by Bijou Wedding Venues in 2006. A hidden gem tucked away in beautiful English countryside, it’s a licensed, exclusive-use wedding venue that guarantees complete privacy and makes for magnificent civil wedding ceremonies and receptions both indoors and outdoors.
Notley Abbey boasts a selection of romantic function rooms (which are all licensed for civil wedding ceremonies) to suit weddings big or small. It also features a choice of gorgeous backdrops for wedding photos such as a striking tree-lined driveway, landscaped grounds and gardens, and incredible architecture that includes medieval walls and a turret.
The Monks’ Refectory is a one-of-a-kind romantic setting for couples looking for a barn wedding venue. It boasts exposed beams and white stone walls, glass windows and hanging crystal chandeliers. It’s perfect for larger wedding ceremonies and dining, being able to seat up to 190 guests for a medieval banquet wedding breakfast. You may even decide to open it up to the rest of the house to enjoy a relaxed house-party atmosphere.
The stylish Abbot’s Hall is especially suited to smaller wedding parties and, with its impressive medieval fireplace, is great for evening dining. And for a charming outdoor wedding venue, Notley Abbey is home to a lovely Walled Garden.
To make your wedding even more special, Notley Abbey also offers a team of experienced in-house chefs who will be able to create your perfect banquet and wedding breakfast as well as a specialist Wedding Planning Team that will guide you through Bijou’s clever “proprietary online wedding planner” (which is designed to keep all of your plans and ideas in one place and give you more control over the choices you make on your day).
For on-site accommodation, Notley Abbey offers a luxurious double-aspect Bridal Suite with beautiful views through the windows and eight stylish suites (each named after famous visitors of the house) for your overnight guests.
Notley Abbey truly is a unique and elegant wedding venue in Buckinghamshire that makes a stunning country house and garden wedding. Get in touch with the Notley Abbey team today to find out more about hosting your wedding in this gorgeous country house wedding venue.