Bridge End Gardens

Bridge End Gardens is a Victorian garden in the centre of Saffron Walden, Essex. It is run by the town, and the walled kitchen garden can be hired for wedding receptions. It suits couples who would rather celebrate outdoors in a historic setting than in a hotel ballroom.

Why it suits LGBTQ+ couples

Bridge End Gardens is a strong fit for couples who want a blank, open setting they can style themselves. The hire is for the space, with marquee, tipi and open-air layouts all possible, so the celebration reflects you rather than a house style. The council can also help you find suppliers, which is useful if you are planning from scratch.

Ceremonies

The published wedding information presents the garden as a reception venue and does not offer ceremonies in the grounds. Civil ceremonies are held at the Town Hall in the town, which has three rooms. Many couples marry there and then walk or travel to the garden for the celebration. Check with the bookings team before you plan the order of the day.

Receptions and food

The Victorian kitchen garden is the hire space. You can set it up with a marquee, a tipi or an open-air arrangement. The venue does not provide catering in the way a hotel does, so expect to arrange food and drink through your own suppliers. The council booking team can point you towards local options.

The wider garden covers around six and a half acres. It has a rose garden, a sunken Dutch garden with clipped hedging and a fountain, and a hedge maze with a viewing platform. These make strong backdrops for photographs.

Getting there and the area

The garden lies behind Castle Street and can be entered from Castle Street, Bridge Street or the cricket field. Saffron Walden is a market town in north Essex, within reach of Cambridge and Stansted Airport. The garden has disabled access and toilets.

Because the hire is for the space only, it helps to speak to the booking team early. Ask about the number of guests the garden can take, power, lighting, toilets, finishing times and parking for suppliers. The garden is open to the public for most of the year, so also ask how wedding days are managed around visitors. Once those points are settled, the garden is a flexible canvas for a celebration of almost any size.

Good to know

• Spring and summer are the seasons the hire is aimed at.
• Ceremonies take place at the Town Hall, not in the garden.
• Dogs are not allowed in the public garden, apart from guide dogs. Ask the bookings team about wedding days.