One of the most stylish, boho & eco wedding venues in the UK. Every last detail has been designed and carefully created...new for 2024 is our TREEHOUSE..
The Wilderness is a gorgeous green 600 acre valley with a lake, ancient woodland & water meadows with huge open skies, and incredible views over the farmland and beyond.
We have two separate licensed areas on site for legally binding Civil Ceremonies and Partnerships on the lake, the architecturally designed Boat House with Chapel Tent, and a beautiful naked tipi by the waters edge. You can choose to legally marry either in the enchanting & rustic Boat House, or under the naked tipi, surrounded by nature and wild flowers.
We even have the best bathrooms you will ever see at an events venue! Craftspeople have designed and built the quirky tin tabernacle chapel which is the coolest place to take a tinkle and and powder you nose!
The Wilderness is set on a nature reserve full of wild birds, butterflies, foxgloves, magical oak trees & meadow flowers.
Receptions take place in THREE magnificent interconnected 'Kata' (big hat) tipis, set up for the wedding breakfast and evening celebration. Guests are seated at hand crafted long wooden tables with benches, and can feast on all manner locally sourced and foraged 'feasting' menus. Our caterers are all highly creative and willing to take on any challenge.
Re-Wilding and Sustainability of The Water Meadows: The Wilderness is, at its heart, a family run farm with a long-term vision to restore nature and a commitment to the sustainability of the landscape and land. We are an ecologically minded team.
We also have our own purpose built, up-cycled Champagne shack bar, serving woodland inspired cocktails & locally grown Kentish wines from our favourite suppliers Chapel Down, Simpsons Wine Estate and the new exclusive 'Chartham Vineyard.'
Our staff are on hand to create the most magical day for you.
Personal Message from the Manager
Name of Wedding Contact: Anna
Hello and a very warm welcome to The Wilderness, which is one of the most stylish Eco venues in the UK. Think, boho, rustic & festival. The long sunsets are soul souring.
Re-Wilding and Sustainability of The Water Meadows: The Wilderness is, at its heart, a family run farm with a long-term vision to restore nature and a commitment to the sustainability of the landscape and land. Parts of the venue are off - grid & In the winter and early spring nesting birds come to The Wilderness to breed.
Experience
Year Business Was Established
2008
No. of Weddings Hosted
Between 10 and 30
Public Liability Insurance
Yes
No. of People In Team
10
Overview of Wilderness Wedding Venue
Venue Type
Woodland Tipi Venue
Dining Capacity
120
Reception Capacity
150
No. of Bedrooms
10
Sleeps No. of People
31
Bridal Suite
Honeymoon Suite
Usual Access Time
09:00 AM
Usual Finish Time
12:00 PM
Ceremony & Reception
Church Within Walking Distance
Wedding Licence
Outdoor Ceremony Available
Confetti Permitted
Dancefloor Available
We have a large Fire Pit with seating, outdoor DJ Booth, & glamping accommodation.
Venue
Water View
Exclusive Use
Marquee Permitted
Bridal Changing Facilities
Pet Friendly
On-Site Parking
Outdoor Reception Space
Open Flame Permitted
Disabled Access
In-House Wedding Coordinator
Food and Drink
External Catering Permitted
In-House Wine List
Alcohol Licence
Asian Catering
Halal Catering
Corkage Charge for Own Alcohol
We work with nine external accredited caterers. Open fire cooking is one of our favourites.
Kosher Catering
Cultural Specialists
Other
Pricing for Wilderness Wedding Venue
Venue Hire Only
Prices Start At
£7,500
Maximum Price
£13,150
This price includes exclusive hire of the entire venue;
- Choice of two different lakeside ceremony locations; The magnificent Boat House, the 'Naked' Tipi OR the TREE HOUSE.
- All the furniture for the wedding ceremony.
- Tree House stage
- 2 dedicated Wedding Coordinators to run the day. All of the staffing to serve all of your drinks and run the day.
- Up to 3 planning meetings are included.
- Hire of the wonderful giant tepee tents, along with all of the flooring, festoon lighting, bespoke wooden tables and wooden benches.
- Raised stage area for DJ/ Band.
- Cake Table.
- Drinks table.
- Hire of the Champagne Shack Bar with swing seat.
- Hire of the luxury Tin Chapel Bathrooms, with Cowshed products. Disabled access and Brides Powder room.
- Use of giant outdoor fire pit, with oversize log sofas.
- Use of Shepherds Hut for the day time.
- Hire of the catering tent for the caterers.
- Power & water
- Heating
- Easel for table plan.
What is included in this pricing:
Exclusive use
Non consumables (e.g. linen, lights etc.)
Day before set up available
Furniture included
Choice of preferred caterers
Wedding coordinator available on the day
In-house Catering
(price per head)
Prices Start At
£45
Maximum Price
£120
We work with some incredible local professional caterers - their food really is exceptional. We offer vegan & vegetarian options as well as caterers who specialise in open fire cooking.
We are just just 56 mins from London on the train from London St Pancras to Canterbury West, then 15 mins in a taxi from Canterbury. Or use google maps to find us and we are about 1 hour 20 mins drive from Gatwick airport - please come and see us! The luxurious Pig Hotel is near to us where you can have delicious food, spa treatments and sleep in the amazing house or beautiful Hop Pickers Huts. Or go surfing or paddle boarding in Broadstairs or kite surfing in Margate.
Nearest Town
Canterbury
Nearest Motorway & Junction
M2
Nearest Train Station
Canterbury West
Nearest Airport
Gatwick
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FAQs
Find out a bit more from our FAQs
Describe the best wedding that happened at Wilderness Wedding Venue?
Every Wedding is truley unique and amazing - there are too many to choose one.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Look at at least 5 venues in person to work out what you really want as it might not be what you first imagine it is.
What’s your favourite personal touch you’ve seen at a wedding?
The Grooms surprised his new wife with a black and white cocker spaniel puppy.
Describe Wilderness Wedding Venue in 5 adjectives
Stylish, Sustainable, Boho, Dreamy & Festival.
Where’s the best photo spot at Wilderness Wedding Venue?
There are too many places to take photos but the sunsets here are incredible.
Have you had any celebrity guest or wedding at Wilderness Wedding Venue?
Yes quite a few. Jesse Ware, Mumford & Sons.
What’s your favourite canapé?
Mini scotch eggs or arancini balls.
What’s your favourite midnight treat?
Crepes with chocolate or honey and lemon.
What is Wilderness Wedding Venue most unique feature?
The landscape and the setting and views are truly breath taking. Boat house, woodlands, giant tipi tents, DJ Booth in a Tree House, fire pit, luxury glamping.
We also have designed our own digital planning tool specific to Preston Court. When you book you will be given your own personalised planning documents which will act as a guide to planning every aspect of your day. As they are online they can be accessed from anywhere and it means that all of your 'wed-min' is in one safe place.
What part of your business are you most proud of?
The venue and the staff and the sustainability. The Wilderness is, at its heart, a family run farm with a long-term vision to restore nature and a commitment to the sustainability of the landscape and land.
Press & Awards
All our awards & press mentions
Bridebook Benefits
Bridebook Gift2024 Summer July Saturdays Available
Bridebook Special OfferWE HAVE SOME LAST MINUTE SUMMER 2024 WEEKEND DATES AVAILABLE.