Highcliffe Castle named fifth most popular for weddings

Highcliffe Castle has been named in the top five most popular to get married in.

The study by photo wall art creator StoryBoards analysed user-generated review data from popular wedding planning site Hitched.co.uk, which put the venue in fifth place on 93 five-star reviews,

The castle was built in the 1830s by Lord Stuart de Rothesay and was at one time the home of Harry Selfridge, heir to the famous London department store.

It is now owned by BCP Council.

As reported in the A&T, in 2022 the castle won Wedding Venue of the Year at the Dorset Tourism Awards.

It also won a 2021 TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award for providing “amazing experiences despite unprecedented circumstances” during the pandemic.

In first place was Hedingham Castle in Essex, which has more than 370 five-star ratings.

A spokesperson for StoryBoards said: “Choosing the right services and venues for your wedding is crucial to make your special day unique and memorable for both you and your partner. It's important to research and find highly rated venues in your preferred wedding destination.

“Recently engaged couples will be looking to investigate the great venues available in the nation. Some may be hoping to find their dream castle, picturesque barn, or romantic woodland to fulfill their fantasies – therefore, knowing where to look is very important, and this research provides a valuable guide for couples.”

The top 10

1.Hedingham Castle, Essex

2.Cooling Castle Barn, Kent

3.Hever Castle, Kent

4.Leeds Castle, Kent

5.Highcliffe Castle, Dorset

6.Clearwell Castle, Cardiff

7.Chiddingstone Castle, Kent

8.Eastnor Castle, Herefordshire

9.Warwick Castle, Warwickshire

10.Rowton Castle, Cheshire