A magical place for unique celebrations and soulful escapes
Romantic and secluded, Askham Hall is a rural retreat in the Lake District National Park, bursting with character and charm. Our Grade II listed family residence, dating back to the 13th century, is an exclusive destination venue and was recently named ‘Cumbria Tourism’s Wedding Venue of the Year 2022’.
Surrounded by majestic parklands that give way to northern fell-scapes, Askham Hall is a place where English eccentricity and traditional design combine, blankets sit by open fires, and al fresco drinks in the gardens await. Celebrating raw romance and natural beauty, this is the ultimate destination for couples and up to 150 of your guests.
The Ceremony
The bespoke nature of weddings at Askham Hall will see your guests meandering through your favourite pockets of the estate to the ceremony location of your choice and then to confetti, drinks and celebrations that follow thereafter.
There are several stunning locations to hold your wedding ceremony, the most popular being the front lawn and the timeless beauty of St Peter’s, our local church, which overlooks the River Lowther. Winter and wet weather options are some of the warmest and most stylish spaces – ask us about Bank Barn and the Medieval Hall as backup options for your peace of mind.
Rebecca Goddard Photography
Bridgette Ibbotson Photography
Your Reception
Picturesque, private and bespoke, you have the freedom to plan a wedding like no other at Askham Hall.
Our reception space, Bank Barn, offers a grand, romantically rustic space with neutral colours and natural textures – the perfect backdrop for any floral and styling theme you choose for your wedding.
Here, your celebrations flow seamlessly from one unforgettable moment to the next while our team of detail-devoted professionals will ensure your plans come to life without a hitch.
There is ample space to seat 150, a festoon-lit terrace, and enough room for a spacious dance floor – the perfect setting for the night of your life!
”Cannot fault anything about the venue or staff, the whole weekend was perfect from start to finish. Food was amazing with a great choice for gluten free husband, and drinks were constantly flowing. The option of the bbq the night before was a perfect start to the rest of the weekend, and we were admittedly so lucky that the sun shone for us the whole time! Jenny was a star and was always available to help my queries on the lead up, and on the weekend was constantly popping up with reassurance and updates. I had no reason to stress as the whole flow of the day was flawless. Can’t wait to come back on our anniversary, and would recommend the venue to anybody. Loads of nearby accommodation for our guests and perfect venue for having our nearest and dearest with us.
Emily + Scott
Food & Wine
We create custom seasonal menus for all our events using ingredients grown, reared and foraged from our land. What can’t be gathered on-site is sourced from local producers that use sustainable and organic practices where possible. Our chefs use these incredible ingredients to create delicious farm-to-table menus that incorporate the flavours of the season and the very best the region has to offer.
Our cellar and wine list is legendary and has won multiple awards, so you can be assured that our wine list will complement your wedding season perfectly with speciality refreshments and cocktails crafted for the occasion.
Hannah Jones Weddings
Ailsa Reeve Photography
Accommodation
On arrival, our charming property slowly reveals itself, from the magic of the gardens to the historic interiors and 19 luxury bedrooms that can accommodate up to 38 of your guests, plus dogs and children. Lonsdale is the recommended choice for your honeymoon suite, but as always at Askham Hall, the decision is entirely yours. Once the preferred choice of Queen Elizabeth II, a long-time family friend of the Lowther family, Lonsdale is a beautifully positioned room overlooking the front lawn and beautifully planted terraces.
With its eclectic, homely style, our Lake District retreat is a perfect blend of rustic charm and laid-back luxury, complete with original stone and brick walls, tastefully curated antique furniture and art adorning almost every wall.
The Setting
Spread across several acres, our historic estate, surrounded by stunning gardens, farmland, rivers and fells, is the perfect place to celebrate your love story, revel in nature, and experience the wonders of the Lake District. Askham Hall is where relaxation, revelry and adventure meet luxury accommodation, unparalleled service and award-winning food and wine.
The estate, lived in by the Lowther family for 300 years spanning many generations, is a wonderful source of celebration, food, recreation, nature and peace. The gardens are a riot of colour and heady with scent throughout spring and summer, open fires warm the Hall in the depths of winter, and on a clear night, you can even see The Milky Way.
Bridgette Ibbotson Photography
”As soon as we saw Askham Hall, we fell in love with it. The house, barn and gardens are stunning and they provide a unique wedding experience. The staff are so helpful and supportive. The food is one of the showstoppers - it’s fantastic. From the bbq the night before the wedding with our guests who were staying, to breakfast, canapés, wedding breakfast and late night pizzas - you couldn’t fault any of it. Guests commented it’s the best food they've ever had at a wedding. We loved every second of being at Askham Hall and wish we could do it all again just to re-live it!
Sarah + Ciaran
The Night Before
From intimate gatherings and luxurious BBQ feasts to extravagant cocktail parties, we can cater to your every need. Askham Hall is perfect for those passionate about fabulous food and wine, providing the ultimate wedding experience for all, from the moment you arrive to the moment we wave goodbye. Whatever you choose for your night before gathering, it will feature the very best of our home-grown, hand-reared produce, and a warm welcome is guaranteed.
The stunning surroundings only add to the home-from-home experience and will have you and your guests feeling relaxed, indulged and pampered, with no need to go anywhere else for the duration of your stay. This is the ultimate multi-day wedding retreat.
Meet the Team
From initial enquiry to the moment you walk down the aisle and beyond, together with our Wedding and Event Manager Jenny, our friendly team of dedicated wedding coordinators are ready and waiting to help plan your day, covering every detail and creating an experience that is seamless and memorable. Weddings at Askham Hall are relaxed, luxurious, heartfelt and anchored by the estate’s extraordinary story and location.
Jenny
Weddings & Events Manager
Weddings & Events Manager
Becca
Wedding co-ordinator
Lucie
Wedding co-ordinator
Rebecca Goddard Photography
Our Pricing
We thrive on hosting bespoke events and understand that no two weddings are the same, which is why we create a tailored estimate for each and every couple. These costs depend on the day of the week you choose, the time of year, your guest number and your food and drink preferences.
For example, exclusive hire of Bank Barn, the Hall and gardens, plus the minimum hire of 15 guest bedrooms for two nights, ranges from £7,340 to £10,680, but please note that food and drink are additional.
We would be delighted to show you around the venue so that you can fully appreciate everything we have to offer. This is the perfect opportunity to discuss all the possible options for your big day and a chance for our team to create a bespoke estimate based on your specific requirements and wishes.
