Skip to main content
Notley Abbey, wedding venue in Buckinghamshire, UK
Wedding Venue
Wedding Venue
4.9(147)

Notley Abbey

Aylesbury Rd, Haddenham,, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP17 8XS, Buckinghamshire, UK

Guest capacity
40 to 250 guests
Per person from
Menus from £110

About Notley Abbey

Welcome to Notley Abbey - The honey-hued hideaway near Oxford where every stone tells a story. Notley Abbey is a n exclusive-use h istoric wedding venue on the Buckinghamshire-Oxfordshire Border. Drive up the tree-lined driveway and the Buckinghamshire countryside unfolds around you until Notley Abbey appears - a 13th-century abbey with secluded riverside grounds and centuries of history in its walls. Once the romantic home of Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh, where everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Noël Coward came to celebrate, it's a place where grandeur meets intimacy, and glamour feels effortless. Whether you're planning an intimate gathering or a celebration for 250, Notley is the perfect stage for your extr aordinary celebration. The Setting At Notley Abbey, the entire house and grounds are exclusively yours for the day and night of your wedding. Nestled within secluded riverside grounds adorned with lavender, the Abbey captures your heart from the moment you arrive. With licensed ceremony spaces both inside and out, you choose the setting that feels right for you . The Ceremony The Abbott's Hall is steeped in history — once Sir Laurence Olivier's drawing room, it features a hidden staircase leading to a 15th-century turret. Intimate and romantic, it's perfect for ceremonies of up to 110. For larger celebrations, the Monks' Refectory accommodates up to 164 for your ceremony or wedding breakfast, and up to 250 for your evening reception. With its barn-like architecture, floor-to-ceiling glass flooding the space with natural light, and glittering chandeliers adding a touch of glamour, it blends centuries of history with modern elegance. I f you've always imagined saying your vows outdoors, the Walled Garden offers a picture-perfect English setting – historic stone walls, lush greenery, and romance at every turn. Capacity & Accommodation Notley Abbey welcomes up to 164 guests for your ceremony and wedding breakfast, and up to 250 for your evening celebration. After the last dance, retire to the Notley Suite – complete with a romantic four-poster bed just steps from the festivities – while your nearest and dearest retreat to one of nine beautifully appointed bedrooms, each named after the famous faces who've partied here over the years (Marilyn Monroe included). The following morning, gather for a relaxed breakfast together – the perfect chance to relive the highlights before everyone heads home. Harper Kitchens Exceptional food is at the heart of celebrations at Notley Abbey. Harper Kitchens is led by Executive Chef Lionel Jouanet , who previously worked at The Dorchester, creating menus with a focus on flavour and seasonality. We work with trusted suppliers who share our focus on quality and provenance – local family butchers, artisan smokehouses, seasonal produce – to create generous, flavourful dishes that people remember long after the day. Your wedding includes the Harper Tasting Experience: a chef's selection of starters, mains and desserts, alongside a range of drinks, so you can make the perfect choices for your day. Your Day, Your Way We believe your wedding should feel wonderfully personal – so we give you the tools and support to make it truly yours . You'll have your own online wedding planner, where you can manage details, track decisions, and keep everything in one place. You'll also have dedicated support from our in-house planning team, with meetings included throughout your journey from booking to the big day. And when it comes to the finishing touches , our carefully curated collection of Harper Partners – photographers, florists, entertainment and more – know Notley Abbey inside out and can help bring your Pinterest board to life. The Harper Weddings Collection Notley Abbey is part of Harper Weddings, a family-owned company that also runs Botleys Mansion in Surrey and Cain Manor on the Surrey-Hampshire border. After more than 25 years of hosting weddings, we know how to create celebrations that reflect who you are as a couple - and that's what we'd love to help you create. Visit Notley Abbey Download our brochure and pricing from our website, or — better still — come and see Notley Abbey for yourself. Book a visit on our website or get in touch.

Gallery

Notley Abbey photo 1Notley Abbey photo 2Notley Abbey photo 3Notley Abbey photo 4Notley Abbey photo 5Notley Abbey photo 6Notley Abbey photo 7Notley Abbey photo 8Notley Abbey photo 9Notley Abbey photo 10Notley Abbey photo 11Notley Abbey photo 12

Styles & facilities

Historic
Asian wedding
In the country
Barn
Unique weddings
Stately home
Outdoor license
Civil ceremony licence
Confetti permitted
Entertainment licence
Outdoor fireworks permitted
Wedding coordinator
Accessible facilities
DJ facilities
Live band facilities
Overnight accommodation for wedding couple
Helipad
Master of ceremonies/toastmaster
Changing room for wedding guests
Exclusive use
Evening reception facilities
Alcohol licence
In-house catering
Car parking
Seated meal facilities
Dance floor
Private catering allowed
Overnight accommodation for guests
Pet-friendly

Reviews

4.9(147)4.9/5 from 147 couple reviews

5/5 review

HannahAugust 2026

5.0

If I could do my wedding all over again, I’d choose Notley Abbey every time. Not only is it absolutely stunning, but every detail made the day so special and memorable. Maisie was available whenever we needed during the planning process and nothing was too much trouble. I felt relaxed and in safe hands. She had everything under control. We had a lot of guests with dietary needs and others who are fussy eaters. None of this was a problem and each request was executed perfectly and without fuss. On the day, staff remembered those with dietary restrictions and made sure they were offered plenty of canapés and other food that was suitable without them asking. We’ve had nothing but great feedback from all our guests about how well taken care of they were! We had our dog with us for the day and he was treated like royalty by the team and like a member of the family. He even got a little gift hamper which was such a nice touch! The team at Notley Abbey really let us have our day our way and all the little personal touches they helped us include made the day p

5/5 review

GiorgiaJuly 2026

5.0

We honestly couldn’t have chosen a more perfect venue than Notley Abbey for our wedding. From the moment we booked, the entire team went above and beyond to make sure everything was exactly as we had envisioned. A special thank you to Maisie, who was absolutely amazing throughout the planning process. She answered every email and question so quickly and always put our minds at ease, no matter how big or small the query was. Nothing ever felt like too much trouble. On the day, Philippa was incredible. She was so attentive, calm, and organised, and genuinely couldn’t do enough for us or our guests. Knowing she was there meant we could completely relax and enjoy every moment of our day. The grounds are absolutely stunning, and the service throughout was impeccable. Every single one of our guests was completely wowed by the venue, and we’ve had so many compliments about how beautiful everything was. We were lucky enough to get married on the hottest day of the year, with temperatures reaching 35°C, so the only thing we would suggest is having some portable air conditioning units or large fans in the wedding breakfast room, as it became very warm in there. However, this certainly didn’t take away from what was the most incredible day. Every vision we had for our wedding was brought to life, and Notley Abbey gave us the best day of our lives. We will forever be grateful to the en

5/5 review

HannahJune 2026

5.0

Wow! From the second we walked up the beautiful driveway of Notley Abbey, we knew it was the venue for us. The beautiful grounds and stunning building captivated us from day 1. What made this venue even more special was how amazing and incredible the staff were. Throughout the planning process, Maisie was absolutely incredible. She listened to everything and was always there to answer any questions that we had. On the day, the team were absolutely amazing. We had planned for an outdoor June wedding, and it rained all day! But it didn't matter in the slightest. With such a beautiful venue outdoors and inside too, a team that worked so hard to make the day seamless, our wedding day was everything that we had dreamed of. Everyone was so kind, friendly and professional. They made us feel at ease before the ceremony, were organised, and took time to look after us, ensuring that we were well-fed, hydrated and looked after throughout the day. All of these little touches made the

4.8/5 review

HollyJune 2026

4.8

We were supported throughout planning by Maisie, and on the day by Philippa, who were incredible in making our day perfect for us. The online planner really helped to keep our day organised. The food was amazing, the service even better. Our guests loved the food and the set up of the bars throughout the day. We had silver package canapés and bottomless drinks which were wonderful. The grounds were spectacular, helped by the weather on our day but absolutely would have worked with the rain to move inside and accommodate our 140 guests. This venue just says yes, and makes it work. We had

5/5 review

AlvinJune 2026

5.0

Words cannot express how magical our Wedding day was at Notley Abbey. From our first visit to the incredible venue, we were blown away with its charm, character, history and its beautiful grounds. It was the last of 9 wedding venues that we visited, and there was no contest. We knew almost immediately from driving down the beautiful tree-lined driveway, and the greeting from the staff that it is where we wanted to get married. Our experience of Notley Abbey and Harper Wedding’s was second to none. Maisie in particular was amazing, from the very start and throughout the process. No question went unanswered, and we are so thankful we were assigned Maisie to guide us through the planning and make our wedding day as special as it was. Maisie and Philippa on the day itself, were incredible - we felt like ours was the first and only wedding ever held at the venue. They, and the whole team, could not have done any more for us. And that made it even more special. They were at our disposal at every point of the day, helping us stick to schedule as much as possible, and more importantly, always ensuring that we had a topped up drink in our hands! Our guests have all been so complementary of the whole wedding day experience. From the grounds, to the team serving dinner - it was so professional. One guest, who is a chef, was particularly complimentary on the quality of food, and the serving staff, who served dinner for each table at the same time, in perfect synchronisation. All of our guests couldn’t believe the quality of the food (we had Chicken Curry!), and even that was a slight variation on the menu that the chef cooked especially for us on our tasting evening, which was delivered expertly on the day. All in all, we wish we could get married at Notley Abbey every weekend! It was the most amazing day of our lives, that was made even more special by the care, attention and passion of Maisie, Philippa and the whole team. They are all a credit to a venue as beautiful as it is

5/5 review

SamanthaMay 2026

5.0

We got married at Notley Abbey on 9th April 2026 and we had the most wonderful day! We first fell in love with Notley in May 2019 while we attended a wedding, from then we said Notley was the only place we wanted our wedding! Fast forward a few years, a pandemic and 2 children later we finally visited Notley last March to book our day. Maura was the first person we dealt with (on a few visits) and she was fabulous! So kind, friendly and was brilliant with the kids, nothing was too much trouble! We then had Maisie who was managing the planning and she was brilliant! She kept us on our toes with the planner but was never pushy, we never felt like she was on our case even though we definitely needed it at times! She reminded us when things needed to be done and made it so easy for us! On the day.. well we could not have been more over the moon with how the whole day ran, ALL of the staff from the managers to the waiters/bar staff were just phenomenal. Philippa and Ellie were the house managers on the day. They were just so lovely, they were brilliant with the kids when they had their meltdowns, they made sure everything was running on time and made sure that we were never bothered throughout the day. The food was wonderful, from the canapés to the 3 course wedding breakfast everyone loved it! Even the breakfast the morning after was just what we needed! We had the most unforgettable day, all our guests were so complimentary of the venue, the staff and the food. We cannot thank everyone at Notley enough for giving us and our guests a day t

5/5 review

AliceMay 2026

5.0

We cannot begin to describe how amazing Notley is as a venue. From the first day of viewing, right up until the wedding day, they made us feel special and that as the bride and groom we would "float" through the day. The venue speaks for itself, steeped in character and history whilst also having a beautiful blend of modern cosiness and British charm. Everything from the food, the bottomless Aperol, the staff, the cocktails, the

5/5 review

LaurenMarch 2026

5.0

What a day! From the very first time we contacted Notley Abbey the staff were so lovely and attentive. Even when we had to navigate postponing our whole wedding they were wonderful to deal with. Especially Maisie who assisted with the finer details and worked with us closely to plan the day. I was treated like royalty on the wedding day, Rachel and Ellie were so brilliant and I couldn’t thank them, and all of the staff enough for their hard work, it really allowed me to enjoy the day without a second to worry or plan. The venue speaks for itself, it’s so beautiful (in all seasons) and I would choose it every time. All of the guests commented how fabulous the venue was

5/5 review

TeganMarch 2026

5.0

Notley Abbey and their staff went above and beyond to help make our dream wedding a reality, it was truly an unforgettable day that created memories we will cherish for a lifetime. From the beginning, the wedding planning system was easy to use, and if I ever had any questions, Maisie and the team were always so quick to respond and ever so helpful throughout the entire process. In the lead-up to the wedding, every meeting felt highly productive, and I consistently felt confident that everything was being carefully managed and taken care of. It was easy to keep a track of our budgets, as it's all laid out clearly via the planner and adding extras was very straight forward. The list of preferred supplies was also extremely helpful, and whilst we chose to utilize many of these options, there was never any pressure to do so. The food was absolutely delicious and after enjoying the Tasting Experience immensely, we went into the wedding confident knowing that the breakfast would be enjoyed by everyone (and it was!). Everyone's food arrived promptly and the tables were laid out beautifully including the gifts, wedding favours, decorations, and table names / guest names. Allergies and specific guest needs were also catered to very thoughtfully. We've had so many compliments on the venue, Notley Abbey is a beautiful location which speaks for itself the moment you set your eyes on it. What really stood out to us though was the attentive staff, who really made us and our guests feel cared for on the day. From the moment we arrived on our wedding day, everything was perfectly taken care of. We were greeted by staff who helped us to our rooms, all of our items were taken care of, and we were able to enjoy our time prior to the ceremony. Communication throughout the day was perfect, and we knew exactly where we needed to be and when at all times. Following the ceremony, and whilst photos were being taken, we were so grateful that the staff ensured we still had the chance to enjoy the food available - and even left some to the side for us to enjoy! Additionally, a few of our younger guests felt overwhelmed in the busier areas throughout the day, and the staff kindly took them to quieter spaces and made sure they were happy and settled throughout the day. I was so pleased to learn that every one of our guests were being taken care of so kindly and thoughtfully. We are so grateful to the team for helping to make our dream wedding day a reality. I would absolutely recommend Notley

5/5 review

SarahDecember 2025

5.0

We had our wedding at Notley in November and it truly was the best day of our lives. The venue is stunning and speaks for itself but the staff at Notley are what make the difference. They went above and beyond to make our day run as smoothly as possible, all while making us feel special and cared for. They communicated well and let us know exactly what they n

5/5 review

Kale-FlameNovember 2025

5.0

14 months before our wedding we went and viewed Notley Abbey as soon as we drove down the impressive drive way we knew this was were we wanted to get married! Through planning I knew I could call at any time and ask questions and they helped make my anxiety less for the big day! Massive thank you to Maisie! She was amazing! Nothing was to much. From the moment we arrived we were looked after! The day was seamless I have never felt such a relaxed atmosphere! The team were attentive and made sure we didn’t need anything because it was already there! If we did need anything it

5/5 review

EmilyOctober 2025

5.0

Our wedding day was beyond what we had dreamed of. The venue was stunning. The staff, especially Ellie and Moira, were incredibly helpful and really did minimize our stress. They were incredibly attentive and took good care of each of us, our families and the rest of guests. The service throughout the day and night was impeccable. To top it all off, the food was tasty. The Notley Abbey preferred suppliers that we used combined with the beauty of Notley Abbey and the attentiveness of the Notley Abbey staff made our day truly special. Many of our guests told us this was the best wedding they have ever been to! We are also incredibly thankful to Ellie who found a guest's missing item and a couple of items we forgot to pack and shipped them to us. We are also thankful that Maisie ke

5/5 review

DavidSeptember 2025

5.0

We had our wedding at Notley Abbey and honestly, words can’t fully capture how perfect the experience was. From the moment we arrived until the very last guest left, the staff made sure everything ran beyond smoothly. We truly felt taken care of, supported, and stress-free throughout the entire day. A special shoutout to Natalie and Ellie, who were absolutely wonderful—calm, kind, and so on top of every detail, as well as Maisie who helped us in the lead up to it. But it wasn’t just them; from the waiters to the managers, every single person we encountered went above and beyond. So many of our guests have since commented on how lovely and attentive the staff were, which speaks volumes. The venue itself is simply stunning. We chose to have our ceremony outdoors, and it turned out to be the most beautiful, romantic setting imaginable—something that left everyone happily surprised at just how magical the space is in person. And then, the food! The canapés, the drinks, the main meal, and the evening food were all absolutely delicious. We lost count of how many people complimented the dishes. One of the highlights for us was being able to create a menu that reflected both British and Venezuelan influences, and we were incredibly lucky that one of the chefs, Lee, is Venezuelan himself. He worked with us to curate a personalised menu that couldn’t have been more perfect—it was everything we had dreamed of. Notley Abbey gave us not just a wedding venue, but the wedding we had imagined, brought to life in the most seamle

5/5 review

VictoriaSeptember 2025

5.0

I cannot thank the team enough at Notley Abbey for their help with the wedding. Everything was easy from the planning and the day itself. The care and dedication they show to putting on the best day possible for you and your family is incredible. We had the most perfect day and felt so looked after and cared for - to the point we felt like guests at our own day! The biggest thank you to all the team and a special

4.8/5 review

HannahJune 2025

4.8

Notley Abbey was the very first and only wedding venue we visited – and we fell in love with it instantly. The charm of the historic buildings, the stunning countryside setting, and the beautifully maintained grounds completely blew us away. It was everything we had dreamed of and more. We had always envisioned an outdoor wedding, and the walled garden area brought this dream to life. The setting is magical, surrounded by vibrant flowers and lush greenery – it felt like something out of a fairytale. One of the other biggest advantages for us was having on-site accommodation with a bridal suite and rooms for immediate family. It meant we and the rest of our guests with small children could put our children to bed for the night and still enjoy the rest of the celebration without worrying. The exclusivity of having the entire venue to ourselves for 24 hours made the whole experience feel even more special and intimate. Then onto the Planning, this was done via an online planner – a really helpful tool that streamlined the process. That said, you do need to stay on top of everything, as you’re in charge of inputting all the details from start to finish, but any questions you can contact the team very easily and they get back to you very quickly. The food tasting evening was also such a great idea a few months prior to your wedding day, we sampled so many tasty options of food and wine and were able to choose our menu instantly after the tasting. One point to consider is that you are not able to access the venue until 11am on the wedding day, this meant we had to start the process of getting ready at home, we were completely aware of this and made prior arrangements to make it work, but it’s just something to think about with regards to timings to allow for the extra touch-ups after transitioning. On the wedding day, the team at Notley Abbey made everything run like clockwork. Their attention to detail was second to none. On arrival the staff greet you warmly, help you unload and carry items from your cars, and set up all the extra personal touches. The food was a standout – absolutely delicious! Our guests are still raving about the main course - the ‘coffee-rubbed beef’. The way that the waiting staff all placed the plates down at exactly the same time for each course was a perfect synchronisation. The venue transitions were seamless – one moment everything was beautifully set up, and the next it was magically cleared and reset for the next part of the day. No flowers were wasted or ignored , they just kept reappearing into the next part of the day. The rooms, particularly the bridal suite, are full of character and history – a truly romantic setting to get ready in and spend your first night as a married couple and the breakfast the next morning, both cooked and continental, was a lovely way to round off the experience. Overall Notley Abbey was the perfect venue for a perfect Wedding day.

Frequently asked questions

Enquire with Notley Abbey

Send your date and details. There is no fee and no obligation.

Similar venues nearby

Stowe House, wedding venue in Buckinghamshire, UK
Venue
Wedding Venue

Buckinghamshire, UK

Stowe House is a wedding venue located in Buckinghamshire, England. This setting is an 18th Century Ducal Palace and is unique in its grandeur and style...

Capacity
40 to 180 guests
Per person
On request
Buckinghamshire Railway Centre, wedding venue in Buckinghamshire, UK
Venue
Wedding Venue

Buckinghamshire, UK

Boasting a distinctly British charm, Buckinghamshire Railway Centre is a unique country wedding venue nestled in the little village of Quainton just outside Aylesbury, in the heart...

Capacity
4 to 150 guests
Per person
On request
Hedsor House, wedding venue in Buckinghamshire, UK
Venue
Wedding Venue

Hedsor House

5.0(132)

Buckinghamshire, UK

Welcome to Hedsor House A Timeless Setting for Unforgettable Celebrations Set within 100 acres of picturesque parkland and just 40 minutes from London, Hedsor House is a breathtaki...

Capacity
2 to 150 guests
Per person
On request
Bisham Abbey, wedding venue in Buckinghamshire, UK
Venue
Wedding Venue

Buckinghamshire, UK

Formerly the home of Henry VIII, Bisham Abbey is a stunning and majestic 13th-century abbey and wedding venue located in Marlow, Buckinghamshire...

Capacity
60 to 120 guests
Per person
Menus from £125