Description
Your Dream Wedding at a Historic Manor House in Swanage
If you’re looking for a wedding venue that combines timeless charm with stunning surroundings, Purbeck House Hotel in Swanage, Dorset, is a perfect choice. This family-run Victorian Manor House, built in 1875, offers an elegant and intimate setting for your big day. Nestled within three acres of beautifully maintained Victorian gardens, the venue is just minutes from the breathtaking Swanage Bay and the iconic Swanage Steam Railway—ideal for memorable wedding photos.
Beautiful Spaces for Your Ceremony and Celebration
Purbeck House Hotel is fully licensed for civil ceremonies, so you can enjoy your entire wedding day in one gorgeous location. The venue features unique spaces designed to make every moment special:
- The Purbeck Room: Once a convent chapel, this romantic ceremony space boasts handcrafted wooden walls, an arched ceiling, and a classic chapel backdrop. It comfortably seats up to 100 guests and includes a Grand Piano to add a musical touch to your vows.
- The Garden Conservatory: Bathed in natural light with views over the lush gardens, this space is perfect for your wedding breakfast, accommodating up to 100 guests. For your evening reception, the conservatory transforms with a private bar and dance floor, welcoming up to 120 guests. Large double doors open onto a terrace, letting your celebration flow into the beautiful grounds.
Tailored Catering and Comfortable Accommodation
Purbeck House Hotel works with local caterers to create a menu that reflects your tastes and style. Whether you prefer a classic three-course meal, a relaxed buffet, or an evening hog roast in the garden, the focus is on fresh, locally sourced Dorset ingredients. After the festivities, you and your guests can unwind in one of the 38 en-suite bedrooms spread across the charming main house and the modern Louisa Lodge. Many rooms offer lovely sea views, blending country charm with modern comfort.
Venue Highlights at a Glance
- Location: Swanage, Dorset – countryside charm close to the coast
- Capacity: Ceremonies up to 100 guests; wedding breakfasts for 100; evening receptions up to 120
- Accommodation: 38 en-suite bedrooms for you and your guests
- Features: Exclusive use options, dedicated wedding coordinator, accessible facilities, and a dance floor
- Setting: Historic Victorian manor house set in three acres of private gardens
Message from the team
Experience
Overview of Purbeck House Hotel
Reviews (2)
- SSamantha Turner14/04/2023Went here for a wedding receptionWent here for a wedding receptionWent here for a wedding reception. It was lovely, the food was great as I have to have gluten free and the staff were very accommodating and friendly, they served us quickly. Lovely grounds and views would highly recommend.Went here for a wedding reception. It was lovely, the food was great as I have to have gluten free and the staff were very accommodating and friendly, they served us quickly. Lovely grounds and views would highly recommend.
- KKane and Saffron28/09/2022The PERFECT Wedding Venue The PERFECT Wedding VenueWe found the Purbeck House on a bridal site when looking for venues. My husband and I love old, quaint little places with a lot of history, so we were keen to view this venue. As soon as we entered the grounds, we had a feeling it was going to be the one. The Purbeck Room is stunning and looks very much like a chapel. The woodwork is stunning, and the room is very bright. The Garden Conservatory overlooks the gardens and is an ideal size. We communicated with Emilie from start to finish, and she was amazing. We couldn’t have asked for more. I liked to be in control and know how everything was going to look, Emilie understood this and was always open and honest. She catered to our needs, was honest and helped in every way possible. On each occasion we visited the venue prior to the big day, we would bump into staff – from the manager to the breakfast staff. Everyone is incredibly friendly, and they have a wealth of knowledge about the history of the hotel. There wasn’t anything they wouldn’t do to make us feel welcome which added to the real homely feel that the Purbeck House has. The day before the wedding, Emilie and Alex helped to set up the rooms for us and get everything ready. The day of the wedding, Emilie was there early to help ease my nerves and help everything run smoothly, which it did. She dressed the part and was confident. The process of the day was explained prior, and she even ensured I stopped before walking down the aisle so she could adjust the train of my dress – it was little touches like this that made all the difference and helped everything to be so perfect for us. Alex ran the bar for the night, and I cannot thank him enough, he was so busy! It didn’t help that the card reader went down which was a tad frustrating for some guests, but I’m pretty sure they still almost drank the bar dry! Everyone commented on how affordable the bar was and how great the bar staff were. The rooms in the main hotel are lovely. As the bride, I stayed in the Superior Deluxe room which overlooked the grounds, it was beautiful and perfectly spacious for getting ready. The bed was comfy, and the room was clean. The rooms in the Louisa Lodge were also spacious and clean, the beds were comfortable. There was no different in the standard of the rooms to those in the main house. The breakfast was good! Food was tasty, heated well, and there were cereal alternatives and juices readily available. If you’re looking for a wedding venue that is fantastically cheap, with character, a comfortable stay for you and your guests, and staff who will do absolutely anything they can to ensure your special day is perfect, I would recommend Purbeck House Hotel. We look forward to bringing the children back once a year, maybe to stay or maybe just to visit the grounds as they grow up so we can reminisce about our perfect wedding day. The only feedback we did receive, was only that people wish they could have paid for a one-night stay, but we explained that Swanage is a holiday destination, which is why it's two-nights only. People understood so it wasn't a problem. To Emilie and the Team, thank you. We really cannot thank you enough, there are no words that will ever comprehend how grateful we are for everything you did for us over the two years of planning and on the day! We found the Purbeck House on a bridal site when looking for venues. My husband and I love old, quaint little places with a lot of history, so we were keen to view this venue. As soon as we entered the grounds, we had a feeling it was going to be the one. The Purbeck Room is stunning and looks very much like a chapel. The woodwork is stunning, and the room is very bright. The Garden Conservatory overlooks the gardens and is an ideal size. We communicated with Emilie from start to finish, and she was amazing. We couldn’t have asked for more. I liked to be in control and know how everything was going to look, Emilie understood this and was always open and honest. She catered to our needs, was honest and helped in every way possible. On each occasion we visited the venue prior to the big day, we would bump into staff – from the manager to the breakfast staff. Everyone is incredibly friendly, and they have a wealth of knowledge about the history of the hotel. There wasn’t anything they wouldn’t do to make us feel welcome which added to the real homely feel that the Purbeck House has. The day before the wedding, Emilie and Alex helped to set up the rooms for us and get everything ready. The day of the wedding, Emilie was there early to help ease my nerves and help everything run smoothly, which it did. She dressed the part and was confident. The process of the day was explained prior, and she even ensured I stopped before walking down the aisle so she could adjust the train of my dress – it was little touches like this that made all the difference and helped everything to be so perfect for us. Alex ran the bar for the night, and I cannot thank him enough, he was so busy! It didn’t help that the card reader went down which was a tad frustrating for some guests, but I’m pretty sure they still almost drank the bar dry! Everyone commented on how affordable the bar was and how great the bar staff were. The rooms in the main hotel are lovely. As the bride, I stayed in the Superior Deluxe room which overlooked the grounds, it was beautiful and perfectly spacious for getting ready. The bed was comfy, and the room was clean. The rooms in the Louisa Lodge were also spacious and clean, the beds were comfortable. There was no different in the standard of the rooms to those in the main house. The breakfast was good! Food was tasty, heated well, and there were cereal alternatives and juices readily available. If you’re looking for a wedding venue that is fantastically cheap, with character, a comfortable stay for you and your guests, and staff who will do absolutely anything they can to ensure your special day is perfect, I would recommend Purbeck House Hotel. We look forward to bringing the children back once a year, maybe to stay or maybe just to visit the grounds as they grow up so we can reminisce about our perfect wedding day. The only feedback we did receive, was only that people wish they could have paid for a one-night stay, but we explained that Swanage is a holiday destination, which is why it's two-nights only. People understood so it wasn't a problem. To Emilie and the Team, thank you. We really cannot thank you enough, there are no words that will ever comprehend how grateful we are for everything you did for us over the two years of planning and on the day!
Location & Contact Details for Purbeck House Hotel
What makes Purbeck House Hotel a unique wedding venue in Swanage?
Purbeck House Hotel is a historic Victorian Manor House built in 1875, situated within three acres of beautifully maintained gardens. Its unique charm combines timeless elegance with stunning countryside and coastal surroundings, making it an ideal venue for intimate and memorable weddings in Swanage, Dorset.
Can Purbeck House Hotel accommodate both the ceremony and reception on-site?
Yes, Purbeck House Hotel is fully licensed for civil ceremonies and offers beautiful spaces such as The Purbeck Room for your ceremony, and The Garden Conservatory for your wedding breakfast and evening reception, allowing you to enjoy your entire wedding day in one elegant location.
What is the guest capacity for weddings at Purbeck House Hotel?
The venue can comfortably accommodate up to 100 guests for ceremonies and wedding breakfasts, and up to 120 guests for evening receptions in the Garden Conservatory with its private bar and dance floor.
What style of catering does Purbeck House Hotel provide for weddings?
Purbeck House Hotel partners with local caterers to tailor your wedding menu based on your preferences. Options include classic three-course meals, relaxed buffets, or even an evening hog roast in the garden, all using fresh, locally sourced Dorset ingredients.
Are there accommodation options available for wedding guests at Purbeck House Hotel?
Yes, the venue offers 38 en-suite bedrooms spread between the charming main house and the modern Louisa Lodge. Many rooms feature lovely sea views and provide a blend of country charm with modern comfort, perfect for you and your guests to relax after the festivities.
Is there a dedicated wedding coordinator to assist with planning at Purbeck House Hotel?
Purbeck House Hotel provides a dedicated wedding coordinator who will guide you through every step of planning your dream wedding and ensure that your special day runs smoothly from start to finish.
What special features does the ceremony space, The Purbeck Room, offer?
The Purbeck Room, formerly a convent chapel, features handcrafted wooden walls, an arched ceiling, and a classic chapel backdrop. It comfortably seats up to 100 guests and includes a Grand Piano to enhance your ceremony with live music.
Can the wedding reception at Purbeck House Hotel extend outdoors?
Yes, large double doors in The Garden Conservatory open onto a terrace overlooking the private gardens, allowing your celebration to flow seamlessly from indoor to outdoor spaces.
Is Purbeck House Hotel accessible for guests with mobility needs?
Yes, the venue offers accessible facilities to accommodate guests with mobility requirements, ensuring everyone can comfortably enjoy the wedding celebration.
Where is Purbeck House Hotel located and what local attractions are nearby?
Purbeck House Hotel is located in Swanage, Dorset, at postcode BH19 2LZ. It is just minutes from the stunning Swanage Bay and the iconic Swanage Steam Railway, which offer picturesque backdrops and memorable photo opportunities for your wedding day.
