£2280 - £3840 for Venue Hire
Up to 42
3 Bedrooms
Exclusive Use
Wedding Licence
shortlisted
46
COVID-19 Update
We are open for limited in person show rounds on Sundays and some weekdays from January 2021, please get in touch to discuss availability and options.
We look forward to welcoming you to The Lost Village of Dode.
Unique with no other venue offering the seclusion, history or atmosphere in an original medieval Norman Church and approached by a winding lane overhung with trees and lit by candles and braziers.
Pricing & Costs
Features & Capacity
Overview
Venue Type
Unique
Dining Capacity
42
Reception Capacity
39
No. of Bedrooms
3
Sleeps No. of People
6
Bridal Suite
Standard Room
Usual Access Time
11:00AM
Usual Finish Time
10:00PM
Food and Drink
External Catering Permitted
In-house Catering
No Corkage Charge for Own Alcohol
Ceremony & Reception
Sound System Available
Confetti Permitted
Wedding Licence
Venue
Landscaped Gardens
Exclusive Use
Pet-Friendly
Disabled Access
On-Site Parking
Outdoor Reception Space
In-House Wedding Coordinator
Bridal Changing Facilities
Cultural Specialists
Other
Full Description
As voted in the Independent as being one of the country’s 50 best Wedding venues, the Lost Village of Dode Is undoubtedly one of the most exclusive and sought after Wedding venues in Kent.
Far, far away, in a magical place, where time has stood still, in an almost forgotten valley between Luddesdown and Holly Hill, nestled in the North Kent Downs in the South East of England, there stands a beautiful, charming, enchanting, privately owned, romantic, former Norman church – the only trace of the now ‘lost’ village of Dode.
The Lost Village of Dode is perfect for couples who want to begin their tale of love, romance and desire, either inside or outside. You can choose from an intimate indoor Civil Ceremony, Partnership or Renewal of Vows. For an outdoor Blessing or Pagan Handfasting Ceremony, you can hold your event within the ancient Stone Circle followed by a Wedding Reception with dancing, and then stay overnight on-site, in one of the two superb award-winning cottages.
We offer bespoke weddings tailored to each couple or package weddings, so you can have your perfect day exactly the way you want it. After your ceremony guests can spend time in the stunning grounds, enabling you to have your group photos and enjoy a glass of bubbles and perhaps a selection of canapés. For your evening reception, we work alongside a number of fantastic professional caterers who can provide a Medieval Style Banquet Wedding Breakfast Reception with all the trimmings. Your Wedding Breakfast can include a hog roast or a roast lamb (catering for various dietary requirements) or an afternoon tea. We also offer a number of unique additions to your day including an Owl to deliver your rings, or bubbles as you leave the church.
No hidden charges and no corkage charge either!
Personal Message from the Manager
Name of Wedding Contact: Becky Bosman
We look forward to your email or call to make an appointment to come and visit us - you will not be disappointed.
Experience
Year Business Was Established
1999
No. of Weddings Hosted
More than 50
Public Liability Insurance
true
No. of People In Team
3
Reviews
(33)
Katy & Rob Amat
Married in September 2020
October 2020
Dode will always hold a special place in our heart
We could not recommend The Lost Village of Dode more! From the moment we were shown around by Doug, to returning the night after our wedding to stay at the cottage together, we fall in love with it more and more every time. Stepping into the church with hay strewn across the floor and candles glowing you can’t help but get a feeling of warmth, love and belonging. Every one of our guests were taken aback by the beauty of Dode and spent a lot of time just taking in the stunning surroundings. We booked our wedding with Becky and despite the ever changing rules and regulations around COVID, she made sure we were kept updated every step of the way and could plan our big day while adhering to the guidelines. Our day was run so smoothly by Graham who introduced himself to us in the morning, made sure we were put at ease and everything was in place for our guests. He has a great character and clicked very quickly with us all, being around when you need him but making it feel like we had the place all to ourselves to celebrate with our loved ones. Even going so far as to help collect all of our belongings strewn about and lock up the cottage following the last minute madness before the ceremony! We will always hold a very special place in our hearts for Dode. We cannot wait to return for future events with our family and have the opportunity to remember our magical wedding day together. Doug, Becky and Graham, we can’t thank you enough. The new, Mr and Mrs Amat xx Photo taken by Kate Hennessy Photography.
Cheryl & Edward
Married in September 2020
October 2020
It is an amazing place
We have just got married at Dode it is an amazing place, they was very helpful and accommodating altogether made it a day to remember and we would highly recommend this venue to everyone Cheryl & Eddy
Katherine & Guy
Married in September 2020
October 2020
The perfect choice for us...
The Lost Village Of Dode was the perfect choice for us. As soon as we saw it online we knew it would be ideal for our special intimate day. When we visited Dode it had a lovely magical spiritual feel along with the beautiful countryside and rural setting.
I would also like to thank Graham. He was there to meet us and check all the details so that our special day would run smoothly he was on hand throughout the day, and would like to thank him again for being a witness.
Colin & Susan
Married in December 2019
December 2019
Everything was perfect
Just a small thank you please to yourself, Graham and Doug for all your help and hard work in making our Wedding the special day it was. Everything was perfect and we cant thank you enough for all you did.
A heartfelt thank you to you all , Love Sue & Colin
Rachel & Andrew
Married in September 2019
September 2019
Best time ever...
Becky we had the best time ever! So happy we chose dode it was truly magical
Flying pig were fantastic flowers from no were just perfect and the cottages just topped it off.
Ray and Graham were brilliant too. So helpful and really friendly made it run smoothly x
Mr & Mrs Gibbons
Married in September 2019
September 2019
Everything was better than perfect...
We just wanted to thank you for what was the most truly incredible day. Everything was better than perfect, the ceremonies, the food, the venue itself, just magical. The whole wedding party said it was the most amazing wedding they'd been to. We can't express our gratitude enough.
Thank you again, from the bottom of our hearts.
Mr and Mrs Gibbons
Location & Contact Details
Address
The Lost Village Of Dode, Luddesdown, Kent, DA13 0XF, England
Travel Notes
Turn off the A228 at Cuxton and proceed along Bush Road. At the junction take the left fork, signposted Luddesdown.
Follow this lane and watch out for the signpost indicating Great Buckland.
Before reaching Great Buckland there is a ‘no through road’ sign to the left. This is the lane leading to Dode, which is on the right after half a mile or so.
Nearest Town
Maidstone kent
Nearest Motorway & Junction
M2
Nearest Train Station
Sole Street
Nearest Airport
Gatwick, London
Press & Awards
(4)
Press & Awards (4)
FAQ
(7)
Describe the best wedding that happened at your venue?
Too many to pick one out.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Just stay relaxed and enjoy your day, if things go wrong your guests don't know so don't panic.
What’s your favourite personal touch you’ve seen at a wedding?
A tattoo on the foot of one of our couples.
Describe your venue in 5 adjectives.
Romantic, unique, Intimate, historic
Where’s the best photo spot at your venue?
So many, it's hard to choose....one of my favourites has to be the back wall of the building, the old stone and greenery climbing up really add a stunning backdrop to any photo.
Have you had any celebrity guest or wedding at your venue?
N/A
What is your venue's most unique feature?
Our stones in the grounds where we hold spiritual ceremonies and handfastings.