A refined and relaxed boutique hotel and wedding venue at the heart of the North Wessex Downs, The Retreat is where quirky British sensibility meets elegant, authentic luxury. We blend the old with the new, the refined with the comfortable, and the local with the worldly. Since opening in June 2022, The Retreat has become a destination of choice for guests from all over the world and was recently named Britain's Best Hotel by The Times and the Sunday Times, topping their list of the Top 100 Places to Stay in the UK. The perfect venue for your dream wedding. Facilities and Capacity Inside The Retreat, you can choose from 6 beautiful spaces to hold your Civil Ceremony. With our largest room accommodating up to 80 Guests for your Ceremony and our smallest accommodating up to 6 guests, there are lots of options for you both to think about! During the warmer months, we offer outdoor Ceremonies - what could be more beautiful than exchanging vows with views of the Wessex Downs as your backdrop! We also offer Exclusive Hire of The Retreat. Once you've tied the knot, you and your guests will enjoy a delicious Wedding Breakfast and Toast as the new couple. A fun after party will then unfold whilst you mingle, sip wine and dance while the sun sets over the Wessex Downs. Located on sixteen acres of gorgeous grounds, with a sweeping staircase and a grand fireplace, there are many beautiful backdrops for photos! As well as 55 individually styled bedrooms and suites, two stunning restaurants and an indulgent spa, there’s also a heated outdoor pool, a charming courtyard with a Hair & Nail Salon, perfect for the bridal party’s finishing touches. Services Offered The Retreat offers 4 comprehensive Wedding Packages for you to choose from, and our Weddings Manager will be on hand to make sure your planning and your Day runs smoothly. Should you be looking for a more intimate Wedding, then our team would be delighted to put together a bespoke package for you.
Gallery
Styles & facilities
Historic
In the country
Unique weddings
Small hotel
Stately home
Outdoor license
Civil ceremony licence
Pet-friendly
Confetti permitted
Entertainment licence
Hairdresser
Wedding coordinator
Accessible facilities
Corkage option
DJ facilities
Swimming pool
Live band facilities
Overnight accommodation for wedding couple
Exclusive use
Evening reception facilities
Beautician
Alcohol licence
In-house catering
Fitness centre
Car parking
Seated meal facilities
Orangery on site
Health suite
Overnight accommodation for guests
Reviews
4.9(38)4.9/5 from 38 couple reviews
5/5 review
HeatherJuly 2026
5.0
The Retreat was the first venue we went to see and we fell in love, cancelled all further viewings elsewhere and booked the next day. It’s absolutely stunning, from the bedrooms to the grounds. Ella was amazing throughout the planning process, always helpful and kept us updated. We were very excited to hear of the Secret Garden opening earlier this year so made the decision to move our day here, and it was the best decision ever! Everything went so well. We had our ceremony with 50 guests on the lower lawn, and then our breakfast and reception in the marquee with an additional 50 guests joining us for the party. We were so well looked after by all of the staff and Ella ensured everything went perfectly on the day. The feedback from our guests was amazing and many said it was the best food they had ever eaten at a wedding (we agree!!). We would recommend
5/5 review
BrazellJuly 2026
5.0
We are so pleased we chose The Retreat at Elcot Park for our wedding - the location is absolutely stunning. Ella was amazing from the first show round the hotel, various planning meetings and on the day itself. We didn't have exclusive hire on the day although it felt as though we did, Ella and the whole team were attentive to all of our needs and made sure that everything ran smoothly everyone was catered for and no one had an empty glass. The food was exceptional, all of our guests commented on this and amazing location. We were blessed with lovely weather and had use of the Orangery and
5/5 review
JessicaJuly 2026
5.0
Our experience with Elcot Park, working particularly with Ella, was fantastic. Ella is amazing at what she does and made us feel supported and relaxed from the outset. Her communication was faultless and she really helped us create a day that was truly personal and special. As a venue, Elcot park is naturally beautiful, understated and we had so much positive feedback from our guests on their experience shd stay. Thank you
5/5 review
SuzanneJune 2026
5.0
We had our wedding at The Retreat at Elcot a few weeks ago, and it was everything we could have hoped for and more. It truly was the most amazing and special day. After visiting several other venues and feeling disappointed, we arrived at The Retreat at Elcot and immediately knew it was different. We were warmly welcomed by Samantha, who showed us around with such enthusiasm and professionalism. She shared lots of ideas about how our wedding could look, and her genuine passion for weddings at the venue really shone through. From the moment we booked, the communication was excellent. Samantha and Ella made the whole planning process feel easy and stress-free. Once Ella took over our planning, she was incredibly organised, with regular meetings, easy-to-use planning spreadsheets, and attention to every detail. Thanks to Ella and her fantastic team, our wedding day ran seamlessly, allowing us to relax and enjoy every moment. The venue itself is absolutely stunning, with beautiful surroundings that created the perfect romantic setting. The bedrooms are equally beautiful—stylishly decorated, spacious, and incredibly comfortable. Having such gorgeous rooms for us and our guests made the whole experience even more special, and it was wonderful to be able to continue celebrating together without having to leave the venue. The food was delicious throughout the day, and the service was exceptional. Every guest received their meal choice without any issues, and the team ensured everything was delivered flawlessly. Our guests have not stopped talking about how beautiful the venue was, how lovely the rooms were, and how outstanding the food and service were. Weeks later, they’re still commenting on what an incredible day it was. We are so grateful that we found The Retreat at Elcot and couldn’t recommend it more highly to anyone looking for a beautiful wedding venue with an exceptional team. Ella and every member of the wedding team went above and beyond to make our day truly special and unforgettable. We will cherish the memories forever. Thank you to everyone
5/5 review
CaitlinMay 2026
5.0
We got married at The Retreat at Elcot Park and honestly had the best weekend. The whole place has such a lovely atmosphere, relaxed but still really special, and every single member of staff was brilliant from start to finish. Ella, our wedding manager, was incredible. I used to work as a wedding planner myself so I know how much can happen behind the scenes, and somehow she made the entire thing feel completely effortless. Everything ran exactly how it should have, no stress, no chasing, no problems to solve on the day, which is very rare in weddings. She was calm, organised and just genuinely lovely to have around. What really stood out to us was how well we were looked after the whole time. Everyone was so attentive and warm without ever feeling formal or forced. We honestly felt so spoiled during our stay. The venue itself is beautiful, bu
5/5 review
AmyMay 2026
5.0
If you dream of a relaxed, luxurious countryside wedding venue, then you must view The Retreat at Elcot Park. From the winding driveway, rolling countryside views, great service, delicious food and the most amazing and organised Wedding Manager (Ella!) you will without doubt, have the most incredible wedding day like us! From the viewing all the way to our special day and beyond, the team at T
5/5 review
MartinaApril 2026
5.0
We honestly couldn’t have asked for a better wedding experience — it was truly 10/10 from start to finish. From the moment we started planning, the whole team made everything feel so easy and seamless. A special mention to Ella, who went above and beyond for us every step of the way. She was always so positive, reassuring, and on top of every single detail, making sure everything ran perfectly. Knowing we were in such good hands meant we could completely relax and enjoy the day. The wedding itself was everything we dreamed of and more. Every part of the day flowed effortlessly — from the reception to the wedding breakfast, the speeches, and the after party. Everything was so well organised that we didn’t have to worry about a thing. The food deserves a huge mention — it was beyond anything we (or our guests) expected. So many people told us it was the best wedding food they’ve ever had, and they’re still talking about it! It was a real highlight of the day. The venue, the views, and the overall atmosphere were just incredible — everything came together perfectly and made the whole experience feel so special. A massive thank you to all the staff for their professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail throughout the entire weekend. You truly made our wedding unforg
5/5 review
BeckyJanuary 2026
5.0
Thank you to everyone at Elcot Park for making our wedding day so wonderful. From the beautiful setting, to the delicious food and drink, it was everything we had hoped for. In particular, thank you to Ella, who was on hand for the entire planning process and on the day, to ensure everything went to plan. Nothing was too much trouble. Her kindness and professionalism was so appreciated and she was even on hand to calm our nerves right before the ceremony! Everything ran smoothly, and every detail was thought
4.8/5 review
MarianaNovember 2025
4.8
We had an intimate wedding at The Retreat Hotel and couldn’t be more pleased. Their small- wedding package offered great value, and the venue itself is beautiful, so thoughtfully decorated that we hardly needed to add anything else, which helped keep costs down. Ella, who supported us through the planning, was fantastic. Her attention to detail and responsiveness made the whole experience smooth, and she was incredibly helpful on the day itself. The food was excellent, and our vegetarian and vegan guests were very well catered for. Our only wish was to have chicken options amongst the canapés, which wasn’t possible, but everything e
5/5 review
SarahNovember 2025
5.0
We recently held our wedding at The Retreat, Elcot Park, and it was nothing short of perfect. We chose the venue partly because it’s local to us, but also because we’d been on a date there before and instantly fell in love with the atmosphere. The interiors are exactly our vibe, fun, stylish, classic yet cool. It’s the kind of place that just feels right the moment you walk in. Honestly, I wish it was my house! Beautiful design, gorgeous colour pops, plants everywhere, stunning glass features - We love it! One of the biggest selling points for us was that you don’t have to hire out the entire hotel. You can choose individual rooms, which means you can achieve an incredibly high-end, “spenny-looking” wedding without the huge price tag. For what you get, it felt incredibly reasonably priced. Our guests absolutely loved it. So many people have come back to us saying how beautiful the hotel was, how lovely the staff were, and that it was the best wedding food they’ve ever had. We had about 76 guests, and yes I might have been crazy enough to let everyone choose their own meals off the set menu! I hated my life at the time of filling in 76 peoples food orders on a spreadsheet but absolutely worth it when we heard the feedback. Every plate looked amazing, and the food tasted even better. The beef wellington had great reviews! The Orangery...I love that room...we had the lights down low and lots of candles everywhere, all of the glass lets you see outside, gorgeous views, glass, greenery, and that perfect blend of classic English charm with modern, colourful touches. It created such a special atmosphere. A huge part of why the day felt so seamless was down to Ella Hickman, our wedding manager. She was brilliant from start to finish: cool, calm, collected, and incredibly organised. I honestly feel like we’re friends now. She took everything in her stride and made me feel completely confident that she had it all under control. Because of her, I actually relaxed and enjoyed the day which is the biggest gift you can give a bride! Everything ran exactly on time, service was impeccable, and glasses were constantly topped up. Even when a few naughty guests decided to keep the party going at the end, the team handled it politely and professionally. We felt so well looked after at every moment. Just great, great, great, great! Big Well done to everyone! We couldn’t recommen
5/5 review
ClaireOctober 2025
5.0
We were so happy with our whole experience with The Retreat. Ella was amazing, and always on hand to answer any queries - nothing was too much trouble! We had a small wedding in the Orangery (28 guests), the food was faultless and our stay at the hotel was equally lovely. The venue was perfect, e
5/5 review
LucySeptember 2025
5.0
We got married at Elcot Park earlier this month and couldn't have had a better experience. Throughout the planning Ella was so accommodating and always responsive to the many questions we had. The day went perfectly thanks to all of the hard work of the team - we felt so looked after and were able to just enjoy the day. All of our guests commented on how beautiful the venue was, and of course how good the food was! Ho
5/5 review
EmilySeptember 2025
5.0
Very professional helpful service from Samantha and Ella. Very clear and helpful in the lead up, useful check ins and very helpful on the day. Food was incredible, all the guests were extremely well fed. Venue staff went above and beyond the whole weekend we were staying there to make sure we were well looked after. Bride and Groom had food allergies which were very thoughtfully catered for! Guests staying at the hotel enjoyed the spa the day after which was a lovely bonus. It rained all day we were
5/5 review
RosieSeptember 2025
5.0
From start to finish, our wedding at The Retreat was absolutely perfect. The planning process was seamless the team were responsive, supportive, and always provided us with helpful options. The night before the wedding, the bride to be stayed on site, enjoyed a delicious dinner, and relaxed by the pool with family, which set the tone beautifully for the celebrations ahead. On the morning of the wedding, I had breakfast in the Sutton Room with my bridesmaids. Nothing was too much trouble, the team quickly provided extra mirrors and more drinks when we asked, making us feel completely at ease. I hadn’t seen the ceremony room beforehand, so I was nervous leaving my ideas with Ella and her team. But as I walked down the aisle, it was everything I had dreamed of, and even more. The attention to detail was incredible. The wedding breakfast was not only speedy and delicious, but the team also catered perfectly to the extras we had requested for particular guests. Later in the evening, the bar staff were fantastic, no glass was ever empty, and they blended in seamlessly while ensuring the turnover from the wedding breakfast to the evening party was smooth. I would love to relive the whole day all over again. It was everything I could have wish
5/5 review
CamilaSeptember 2025
5.0
We couldn’t be happier! We had the best wedding day ever at The Retreat at Elcot Park. We had a small and intimate wedding which felt just like a dream. The service, the atmosphere and the team were exceptional. Always very friendly and helpful. It is alone a beautiful venue, but the staff makes it even more special. Cannot recommend enough! Our photographer who also works at the hotel and knows it very well, managed to capture all our special moments at the right places of the venue. Thank you to Laura (photographer), Ella (event manager) and all the team that made our wedding day the best day of our lives. Thank you for looking after us and all our guests.
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