Heritage Park Weddings

Heritage Park Weddings is the wedding service for a group of historic parks and gardens in the city of Bath. Its best-known settings are the Temple of Minerva, a small classical temple in the Botanical Gardens of Royal Victoria Park, and Parade Gardens, the riverside garden in the centre of the city with views of Pulteney Bridge. Both give you a green, open-air setting without leaving the city.

Why it suits LGBTQ+ couples

GLW likes the flexibility here. The venues are hired on an exclusive basis, there is no corkage charge, and you are free to choose your own suppliers, so the day can look and feel exactly as the two of you want. The parks suit everything from a quiet elopement to a relaxed garden party with friends, and dogs are welcome too.

Ceremonies

The Temple of Minerva is licensed for marriages and civil partnerships. It seats around 35 guests inside, and with the doors open and seating placed outside, more guests can join you on the lawn. In Parade Gardens, ceremonies take place at the bandstand for up to around 70 guests, with the colonnades and riverside walks close by. You book your registrar or celebrant separately, and the wedding team can guide you through that step.

Receptions and food

The lawn beside the Temple of Minerva works well for drinks, confetti and lawn games, and there is room for a marquee for a larger reception. Parade Gardens can host seated receptions for up to around 120 guests and drinks receptions for up to around 150. Because you choose your own caterers and bring your own drinks without a corkage fee, you have full control of the menu and the bar.

Getting there and the area

Both venues are in central Bath. Parade Gardens sits beside the River Avon, a short walk from Bath Abbey, the Roman Baths and Bath Spa railway station. Royal Victoria Park is on the western side of the centre, near the Royal Crescent. The city has a wide choice of hotels, guest houses and restaurants for guests who want to stay the night.

Good to know

• The Temple of Minerva has disabled access.
• You can use your own suppliers and drinks with no corkage fee.
• The venues are dog friendly.