Capheaton Hall

Capheaton Hall is a historic country house in the village of Capheaton, in the open countryside of Northumberland near Wallington. The house sits on a 300-acre estate with lawns, gardens, woodland, a lake and a ruined chapel. It is a venue-only wedding setting, which means you bring in your own caterer and suppliers and shape the day as you want it.

Why it suits LGBTQ+ couples

Capheaton works as a blank page. There are no fixed packages, so nothing about the day is set out in advance, and the grounds are yours for the wedding. A small team runs the house and helps with planning and on the day. GLW recommends it to couples who want a private country house wedding that they design themselves.

Ceremonies

Indoor ceremonies take place in the house, using the rooms of the late 17th-century south front and the staterooms, with the Main Hall a popular choice. Indoor ceremonies seat up to 60 guests. The grounds can also host ceremonies for larger groups, and the ruined chapel and gardens make good backdrops for photographs afterwards.

Receptions and food

Receptions for up to 150 guests take place in the grounds. To protect the historic house, a marquee or tipi is needed for dancing, and the team can suggest suppliers. You choose your own caterer, from formal dining to street food, and there is no corkage charge, so you can bring your own drinks.

Staying

The West Wing of the house sleeps the two of you and six guests, and it doubles as a place to get ready. Holiday cottages on the estate offer more rooms for family and friends, so the celebration can run across a weekend.

Getting there and the area

Capheaton lies about 20 miles north-west of Newcastle upon Tyne, off the A696 beyond Ponteland. Newcastle International Airport is on the way out of the city, and Newcastle Central Station has fast links to London and Edinburgh. The surrounding area includes Wallington, Kielder and Hadrian's Wall country.

Good to know

• Fireworks are not allowed because of livestock on the estate.
• Confetti must be biodegradable or natural petals.
• Dogs and other pets can join the celebration.