Newstead Abbey

Newstead Abbey is a historic house near Ravenshead, a few miles north of Nottingham, built around the remains of a medieval priory and best known as the ancestral home of Lord Byron. It sits in landscaped formal gardens, and its weddings are run by a dedicated coordinator.

Why it suits LGBTQ+ couples

Few venues in the county offer this much history and this much choice of setting. You can pick from several ceremony spaces, move outside for drinks in a walled garden and finish in a marquee on the lawn, so the day can be as quiet or as large as you like. A single coordinator guides you through the planning and can put you in touch with trusted caterers and photographers.

Ceremonies

The Cloisters, the Chapel and the Orangery are all available for ceremonies. The Orangery has original features and looks out over the Spanish Garden, which makes a calm, light-filled space for vows. The Chapel and Cloisters bring the medieval history of the house right into the room.

Receptions and food

After the ceremony, guests can gather in the Garden Room for drinks and canapés, with direct access to the secluded Spanish Garden. The West Front Suite works for drinks, the wedding breakfast and the celebrations that follow, and has good acoustics for speeches and live music. For a larger guest list, a marquee or tipi can go up on Byron's Lawn in the Formal Gardens for the meal and evening party. Food is provided by caterers, and the coordinator can recommend ones who know the house.

Getting there and the area

The abbey stands just off the A60 between Nottingham and Mansfield. Guests must use the A60 gate, and the sat nav postcode is NG15 9HJ. Newstead village has a station on the Robin Hood Line. Sherwood Forest country is all around, and Nottingham and Mansfield both offer plenty of hotels.

Good to know

• Enter via the A60 gate only.
• A coordinator can arrange visits to see the spaces.
• A list of recommended photographers who know the venue is available.