As UK searches for "wedding venues" skyrocketed by 110%* over the past months, the wedding experts at Aura Print scoured social media for the most popular autumn/winter wedding venues nationwide, and tallied Instagram hashtag numbers to reveal which venue stands out as the most memorable for weddings this season.
Top 15 most Instagrammed wedding venues for autumn/winter 2023
Rank | Wedding Venue | County | Instagram Hashtag Count |
1 | Blenheim Palace | Oxfordshire | 196,000 |
2 | Hampton Court Palace | Surrey | 181,000 |
3 | Leeds Castle | Kent | 117,000 |
4 | Barbican Centre | London | 106,000 |
5 | Peckforton Castle | Cheshire | 31,600 |
6 | Cliveden House | Berkshire | 28,600 |
7 | Hedsor House | Buckinghamshire | 26,100 |
8 | Cripps Barn | Gloucestershire | 25,200 |
9 | Lusty Glaze | Cornwall | 24,800 |
10 | Elmore Court | Gloucestershire | 24,100 |
11 | Holkham Hall | Norfolk | 21,500 |
12 | Iscoyd Park | Shropshire | 20,200 |
13 | Newton Hall | Northumberland | 18,600 |
13 | Gosfield Hall | Essex | 18,600 |
15 | South Farm | Cambridgeshire | 17,300 |
*Instagram hashtag numbers are collected on 26th September 2023.
Topping the list with an eye-opening 196,000 Instagram hashtags is the 18th-century Baroque masterpiece, Blenheim Palace. Set in the idyllic Cotswolds countryside, the picture-perfect palace is a sight to behold in any season. Its award-winning Formal Gardens and iconic Great Lake provide a perfect canvas for wedding photoshoots as the trees turn golden. Dubbed 'England's finest view', the palace is a dream venue for film lovers to get hitched, having graced the background of renowned productions, from the more recent hit Netflix series,
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, to the Harry Potter and James Bond movies.
Hampton Court Palace in Surrey takes second place, boasting a staggering 181,000 Instagram hashtags. From its rose-red Tudor brick, glorious stone archways, cobbled courtyards to sweeping gardens, the 500-year-old treasure has played host to lavish royal parties, being a top choice for kings and queens. Whether you dream of a grand and majestic wedding amid the golden hues of autumn or snow-covered grounds, this regal property on the banks of the Thames is sure to tick all your boxes as you transform into royalty for your wedding day!
In third place is Leeds Castle in Kent, accumulating an impressive 117,000 hashtags on Instagram. Having undergone an extensive refurbishment by leading European designers in the 1920s and 30s, the castle's interior is enticing and exudes a timeless allure. Imagine a winter wedding in the fairytale surrounds of a castle, or tying the knot against a beautiful backdrop of autumnal rustic charm, Leeds Castle is where romance and history come together effortlessly.
London's iconic Barbican Centre comes fourth, garnering a remarkable 106,000 Instagram hashtags to date. The conservatory venue will transport you and your guests away from the cold and soggy British weather to a 24/7 tropical paradise, for an exotic rainforest wedding even during the chilly, frosty months. Searching for a modern yet unconventional wedding? The Barbican Conservatory is sure to wow your guests. Rounding off the top five most Instagrammed autumn/winter wedding venues is Peckforton Castle (31,600 Instagram hashtags) in Cheshire. The Grade I listed Medieval-style castle is packed with heaps of character year-round, whether adorned with the rich hues of autumn or lightly sprinkled with white snow. The 19th-century estate even got the nod from Hollywood couple, American singer Ciara and NFL star Russell William, who were rumoured to have hosted a star-studded guest list including Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, and more.