From the moment you and your guests arrive and walk along the River Loddon, through the meadow to the great barn and beyond to the mansion ruins and gardens, your future meets with the past. Every step of the way your wedding celebrations become part of the rich tale of Basing House creating memories you will cherish forever. The romantic ruins, charming Jacobean Knot Garden, Tudor Great Barn and nearby river walk offer the perfect backdrop to create the most stunning memorable wedding and plenty of opportunities for photographs.
We have two spectacular wedding settings - the Tudor Great Barn, meadow and cart shed or the museum and knot garden, both licensed for marriage and civil partnership ceremonies. Offering wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions or both, Basing House offers flexibility and exclusivity for all couples and is available for hire from early morning till 10pm every day. With only fourteen late night wedding receptions a year and only one wedding per weekend you are guaranteed our full attention and excellent one to one service.
A nationally important heritage site the story of Basing House dates back to 1100 when the de Port family built a Norman Castle on the site. Developing and involving over the years under the loving care of the Paulet family the site became the largest private residence in Tudor England. Always a romantic destination the grand Tudor mansion was the honeymoon location for Queen Mary I and Philip II of Spain. With the family remaining ever loyal to the crown the grand mansion was dramatically sieged by Oliver Cromwell during the English Civil War and was left to become the battled scared ruin we see today.
You will never find a more romantic and tranquil venue for your special day surrounded by stories of stately grandeur, royal romance, heroic deeds and infamous battles.
Personal Message from the Manager
Name of Wedding Contact: Kirstie Price
Basing House is a stunning heritage site set on the edge of a sleepy picture-perfect postcard village in Hampshire. We are proud to offer this beautiful historic site full of charming and original features that you can style and make your own for your wedding. We love hosting weddings at Basing House and we cannot wait to start working with you to plan your dream day.
My husband and I got married here before this became my day job so I'm able to give you first hand experience and advice.
Basing House is the perfect place to have a unique civil wedding ceremony, civil partnership ceremony or reception set in beautiful peaceful grounds surrounded by history. We have two charming wedding locations, which will be exclusively yours on the day of your wedding, whilst the remainder of the site will remain open between 11am and 4pm.
Hire charges cover use from 10am till 4pm for set up the day before, early morning till 10.00pm on your wedding day (with contractors leaving by 11pm) and from 10am the day after for take down and collection.
You are very welcome to use our tables and chairs included in the hire fee or hire your own to create your perfect look.
Describe the best wedding that happened at Basing House?
My own! My husband and I married at Basing House (before it became my day job) because it suited our personalities and we were able to tailor our suppliers to suit our budget. We enjoyed a casual picnic style wedding breakfast complete with garden games and sack race competitions, and then a posh bbq in the evening with a disco and sparklers. Just perfect!
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Book your registrars early to ensure you get your ideal date and time.
What’s your favourite personal touch you’ve seen at a wedding?
When couples have their pets come along to be included in the wedding fun.
Describe Basing House in 5 adjectives
Peaceful
Historic
Spacious
Charming
Picturesque
Where’s the best photo spot at Basing House?
There are many beautiful spots but the Knot Garden is simply stunning.
What’s your favourite canapé?
Mini cream tea scone for sweet or little yorkshire puddings with a beef slice and blob of gravy!
What’s your favourite midnight treat?
Bacon sandwiches.
What is Basing House most unique feature?
Our Tudor Great Barn was built in 1535 and proudly shows off battle scars from the English Civil War.
What part of your business are you most proud of?
Being completely flexible with caterers and industry suppliers and allowing couples to have an entire homemade or DIY wedding if they wish.