Best Wedding Venues in Derbshire

Being a professional wedding photographer takes me all over the UK (and Europe occasionally) to photograph weddings. But I’m a Derbyshire lad at heart, so I wanted to talk a little bit about some of the great Derbyshire wedding venues available to you. If you’re still looking for that perfect place for your wedding, keep reading.

I’ve been lucky enough to call Derbyshire home for most of my life. You can often find me roaming the hills and countryside in search of the next great vista to point my camera at. It’s a beautiful county to live in and with the Peak District on its doorstep, too! It’s not hard to see why so many people decide to have their wedding here. If you’re looking for wedding photographers in Derbyshire, head over to my contact page and get in touch to tell me a bit about the two of you and what you have planned for the big day!

“There is not a finer county in England than Derbyshire”

Miss Bingley, ‘Pride and Prejudice’.

The West Mill, Darley Abbey

If you’ve spent any time at all looking for Derbyshire wedding venues, chances are you’ll have heard of this fantastic place already. It’s a converted cotton mill which is a part of a much larger complex of beautiful old industrial buildings in the picturesque Darley Abbey area. If you like the look of it, you’d better get in there early as I know some months are quick to book up. I mean, every day. Yup, even Wednesdays!

I first became aware of The West Mill while it was still undergoing it’s magical transformation. Even then, there was a load of excitement building about it. Derbyshire has plenty of wonderful, charming and rustic wedding settings, but this looked like it was going to be something completely different. Custom-built for weddings, and with four floors from which your wedding day can flow, top to bottom. And each floor is breath-taking. It has so much of the original building there, which is wonderful to see. It could’ve so easily been turned into a rather soulless place by plastering over the bricks and hiding the original features, but these guys have made something special. Something very special indeed. (Can you tell that I quite like this place?)

I’ve been photographing weddings at The West Mill for 10 years now (!) and if you fancy a look at lots more photos from all kinds of weddings there over the years, just click the link below. It also has some more info about the venue. And if you fancy having a chat about your West Mill wedding, get in touch.

Venue website: West Mill Wedding Venue
Blog link: West Mill Wedding Photographer

Grangefields, Ashbourne

Grangefields is a relatively new addition to the Cripps & Co family, but it’s already bagged its spot as one of my absolute favourite venues in Derbyshire. From the moment you turn down that long, winding driveway and see the venue nestled at the bottom of the hill, you know you’re somewhere special. It strikes that perfect balance between rustic charm and industrial chic, offering a vibe that feels both incredibly grand and yet totally laid-back. Whether you’re exchanging vows in the atmospheric Oak Room, which has a lovely, moody feel (perfect for a bit of candlelight!), or playing chicken with the great British summer for an outdoor ceremony, the backdrop is consistently stunning.

What really sets Grangefields apart is the flow of the day and the clever use of space. The main reception room is a huge, light-filled barn with a spectacular “show kitchen” at one end, so your guests can watch the chefs at work while they enjoy the views through the floor-to-ceiling windows. When the sun starts to dip, the large courtyard is the place to be; it’s a brilliant spot for everyone to spill out, grab a drink, and take in those rolling Derbyshire countryside views. Then, when it’s time to party, the dedicated dance floor area is sized just right to keep the energy high and the atmosphere electric, no matter your choice of music.

From a photography perspective, Grangefields is a bit of a dream because there are so many hidden corners and textures to play with. I love how the natural light floods into the dining area, but I’m equally fond of those quiet, relaxed moments we can capture in the courtyard or against the rustic brickwork. If you’re currently weighing up your options and want to chat more about how your day might look at Grangefields, or if you’ve already fallen in love with it and are looking for someone to capture all those “I was there” moments in a natural, relaxed way, I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a message and let’s talk about your plans!

Venue website: Grangefields
Blog link: Grangefields Wedding Photographer

Whistle Barns, Amber Valley

Whistle Barns is a fantastic addition to the Derbyshire wedding scene, and honestly, it’s a bit of a gem to have practically on my doorstep. It’s part of the “Best Day Ever” family, which means it’s designed from the ground up to make a wedding day run like a dream. The vibe here is wonderfully secluded and exclusive; you get the entire site to yourselves, from the bright, airy ceremony barn to the private country-pub style bar. It’s the kind of place where everything feels contained yet spacious, so you never feel like you’re losing your guests, but everyone has plenty of room to roam between the lakeside views and the cosy indoor spots.

One of the standout features for me, and something that always looks brilliant in photos, is the double staircase in the ceremony barn. It makes for a seriously dramatic entrance that’s hard to beat! Beyond the ceremony, the venue works so well for a relaxed celebration. They’ve even got some really quirky onsite accommodation in the form of up-cycled shipping containers by the lake. It gives the whole wedding a bit of a weekend-away feel, allowing your closest friends and family to roll straight from the dance floor into a comfy bed without having to worry about the logistics of getting home.

From a photography perspective, the light at Whistle Barns is just lovely, especially with those sunset views over the water. There’s a real ease to the place that helps couples relax and enjoy themselves, which is exactly when I get to capture those genuine, unposed moments. If you’re considering Whistle Barns for your big day and want to talk about how we can capture the story of your wedding in a natural, documentary style, I’d love to have a chat. Feel free to get in touch, and let’s see if I’m the right fit for your Whistle Barns wedding!

Venue website: Whistle Barns
Blog link: Whistle Barns Wedding Photographer

Yeldersley Hall, Ashbourne

Yeldersley Hall is one of those wedding venues that manages to feel incredibly grand while remaining completely relaxed and welcoming. A huge part of that is down to Andrew, the owner, who is one of the most hands-on and genuinely nice people in the business. It’s an exclusive-use venue, meaning you get the run of the place, from the elegant Billiard Room for your ceremony (complete with a massive fireplace that’s perfect for those winter weddings) to the beautiful walled garden for your drinks reception. It’s got that classic Derbyshire country house feel, but without the stuffiness you sometimes find elsewhere.

What I love most about Yeldersley is how much variety it offers. You’ve got a fantastic preparation suite right on-site, meaning no stressful travel on the morning of the wedding, and even a separate lodge at the gates if you both want to get ready at the venue without bumping into each other. For the reception, the walled garden is a dream in the summer, especially when the flowers are in full bloom, but if the weather turns, the Billiard Room, bar area, and permanent marquee give you plenty of indoor options. There’s even a quiet lounge for guests who need a bit of quiet time for a natter or a rest from dancing!

From my perspective, Yeldersley Hall is a playground for natural, documentary photography. Because there are so many different spaces, the gardens, the courtyard, the spiral staircase, and even some resident chickens, your guests have plenty of room to wander and explore, which gives me endless opportunities to capture those candid, “caught-in-the-moment” shots. If you’re looking for a venue that feels like home for the day and want a photographer who will slot right in and capture the fun as it happens, I’d love to chat. Get in touch and tell me all about what you’re planning for your Yeldersley Hall wedding!

Venue website: Yeldersley Hall Wedding Venue
Blog link: Yeldersley Hall Wedding Photographer

Shottle Hall, Shottle

Built for a local family in the mid 19th century, Shottle Hall is now a family-run business that is one of Derbyshire’s most popular wedding venues. I was asked by Beth and Emmet to photograph their wedding, where after a ceremony at Saint Mary’s church in Derby, the happy couple and their wedding guests made their way out to Shottle Hall for the wedding breakfast and evening reception.

Shottle Hall is a gorgeous country estate, with a stunning house set amongst manicured gardens with views over Derbyshire. Sounds pretty spectacular, right? You can certainly see why so many couples choose this as the venue for their wedding.

The grounds make for some fantastic backdrops for your guests to enjoy the summer afternoon or for some natural portraits of you and your beloved. And if you opt for a winter wedding, you have a fantastic country house with the amazing starlit room for your wedding reception. Have a look through the short slideshow below to see a few images from Beth and Emmet’s wedding at Shottle.

Venue website: Shottle Hall
Blog link: Beth and Emmet’s Wedding

Thornbridge Hall, Ashford-in-the-Water

Thornbridge Hall’s slogan states “…never ordinary”, and they’re not wrong! It’s one of the most unique Derbyshire wedding venues, set against hundreds of acres of some of the finest countryside England has to offer with 12 acres of well-tended gardens surrounding the hall. But step inside the stately home and you won’t find lots of stuffy, dark rooms filled with antiques. Far from it, there’s a games room complete with pool table, jukebox and music paraphernalia and then if you cast your eyes to the top of the impressive staircase, you’ll see some quite contemporary pieces of art. It’s a fascinating place, and your wedding guests will certainly not be at a loss for things to look at and places to explore.

Louise and Charles chose this rather special venue for their wedding, and after getting married at St. Alkmund’s church in Duffield, everyone made their way to Thornbridge Hall for the reception. For those guests who weren’t interested in shooting pool, they had the magnificent music room to relax in. With huge windows lining the exterior walls and some classic furniture, it’s a fantastic room, and all that natural light makes it a photographer’s dream!

When the rain stopped, we all got a chance to get out into the gardens around the venue, which gave us chance to admire the hall itself as well as the beautiful Derbyshire scenery that surrounds it. So if you’re looking for a stately home for your wedding, but fancy it with a bit of a twist, then Thornbridge Hall will be right up your street. Watch the slideshow below for a few photos from Lou and Charles’ wedding.

Venue website: Thornbridge Hall
Blog link: Louise and Charles’ Wedding