Bickleigh Castle

An enchanting Devon wedding venue, Bickleigh Castle presents an 11th century castle with a 6th century chapel, croquet lawn and tennis court within 1,000 acres of green countryside. The River Exe runs through the estate offering you the chance to fish and enjoy the beauty of rural Devon: one of the most exquisite estates in England.

Couples can exchange vows in the magnificent Great Hall or marry outdoors beside the river before celebrating with up to 120 guests. With accommodation for as many as 40 people, dedicated wedding coordination and the option to extend the occasion across an entire weekend, Bickleigh Castle offers a romantic setting where history, hospitality and rural beauty come together.

Bickleigh Castle at a glance

Location: Bickleigh, near Tiverton, Mid Devon
Setting: Historic castle and gardens beside the River Exe
Venue type: Castle, country estate and weekend wedding venue
Exclusive use: Yes
Wedding capacity: Up to 120 guests for the ceremony and wedding breakfast, with additional evening guests
Small and intimate weddings: Yes
Indoor ceremonies: Yes – in the Great Hall
Outdoor ceremonies: Yes – in the gardens beside the River Exe
Licensed for: Civil ceremonies and civil partnerships
Blessings and humanist ceremonies: Available in the sixth-century chapel
Reception spaces: Wedding Breakfast Room, Orangery, Mews Sitting Room, bar and dance floor
Marquee weddings: Available for larger celebrations
Accommodation: 18 bedrooms and suites sleeping up to 40 guests
Wedding suite: Historic Tudor Suite
Catering: Bespoke wedding menus prepared by the venue’s appointed catering team
Bar: Yes
Wedding planning: Dedicated wedding coordinator
Dog-friendly: Yes – dogs should remain on leads
Accessibility: The castle’s ground floor, chapel and gardens are wheelchair accessible
Parking: Onsite guest parking and priority accessible parking
Availability: Weddings throughout the year

Why couples choose Bickleigh Castle

Bickleigh Castle offers couples the rare opportunity to make an authentic Devon castle their own for the wedding.

Medieval architecture, historic interiors and centuries-old features create an atmospheric backdrop, while the riverside gardens soften the grandeur with lawns, mature trees, flowers and the gentle sound of the River Exe.

The choice of ceremony and reception spaces allows celebrations to move naturally through the estate. Couples might marry in the Great Hall, gather for drinks in the gardens, dine in the Wedding Breakfast Room and finish the evening with music and dancing in the Orangery.

Onsite accommodation means loved ones can remain at the castle, while exclusive-use and weekend options allow the wedding to become a relaxed gathering rather than a single-day occasion.

Marry in the Great Hall

The Great Hall is Bickleigh Castle’s principal indoor ceremony space, accommodating up to 120 guests.

Original architectural details, tall windows and a timber-panelled Minstrels’ Gallery fill the room with historic character. During winter weddings, a roaring log fire adds warmth and atmosphere, making the hall equally appealing for celebrations during the colder months.

Its generous proportions give larger ceremonies an appropriate sense of occasion while remaining warm and intimate enough for smaller gatherings.

The Great Hall also provides the wet-weather alternative for outdoor weddings. The team monitors the forecast in advance and can prepare the room should conditions make a riverside ceremony impractical.

Outdoor ceremonies beside the river

During the spring and summer, couples can exchange vows outside in the castle’s gardens with the River Exe flowing nearby.

The riverside setting combines open countryside views with mature trees, lawns and the historic castle as a backdrop. A gazebo provides a focal point for the ceremony, while guests can gather on the lawn to watch the vows.

Following the ceremony, drinks and photographs can take place within the grounds before everyone moves inside for the wedding breakfast.

For celebrations exceeding the castle’s principal indoor capacity, the Chapel Lawn may also accommodate a ceremony and marquee reception.

The ancient chapel

One of Bickleigh Castle’s most distinctive features is its intimate sixth-century chapel, tucked inside a peaceful walled garden.

The chapel is available for blessings, humanist ceremonies, music and moments of reflection. Couples may also use it as a setting for photographs, adding another layer of history and atmosphere to the wedding.

Its small scale creates a striking contrast with the grandeur of the Great Hall and makes it particularly appealing to couples planning a meaningful ceremony with only their closest loved ones.

Celebrate inside the castle

After the ceremony and drinks reception, guests can gather in the Wedding Breakfast Room for dining, speeches and celebrations.

The castle’s collection of interconnected rooms allows the character of the wedding to change as the day unfolds. Historic spaces provide the setting for the ceremony and wedding breakfast, while the Orangery, Mews Sitting Room and bar create a more relaxed atmosphere for the evening reception.

There is space for live entertainment, a professional DJ and dancing, allowing guests to celebrate at the castle until midnight.

For larger weddings, couples can hire a marquee within the grounds and make the most of the estate’s outdoor setting while retaining access to the castle and its facilities.

Food and drink

Wedding menus can be tailored to the couple’s tastes, chosen format and dietary requirements.

The appointed catering team works with couples to devise their wedding breakfast, whether they envision an elegant seated meal, relaxed seasonal dining or a menu drawing on the flavours and produce of the South West.

Packages may also include welcome drinks, wine with the meal and sparkling wine for the speeches and toast. The castle’s bar remains at the centre of the evening celebrations, while canapés and additional food can be incorporated as required.

Stay at the castle

Bickleigh Castle has 18 bedrooms and suites accommodating up to 40 guests across the estate.

Much of the accommodation is found within traditional thatched cottages overlooking the castle and courtyard. Rooms combine historic character with en-suite facilities and modern comforts, allowing guests to remain within walking distance of every part of the celebration.

The Tudor Suite is reserved for the wedding couple within selected packages. Located inside the castle, it features an elaborately carved four-poster bed and provides a suitably atmospheric place to spend the wedding night.

Breakfast can be enjoyed together the following morning, giving couples and their guests more time to reflect on the celebrations before leaving the estate.

Make a weekend of it

Bickleigh Castle’s weekend wedding option allows couples to extend their celebrations from Friday until Sunday.

Guests can arrive on the eve of the wedding and gather for an informal pre-wedding event before waking at the castle on the morning of the ceremony. With the accommodation, ceremony spaces, reception rooms and grounds all in one location, there is no need for the principal wedding party to travel between different venues.

The celebrations can continue through the wedding day before everyone meets again for breakfast the following morning.

This extended format is particularly well suited to couples whose families and friends are travelling to Devon, providing more opportunities to spend time together away from the formal schedule of the wedding itself.

Explore the grounds

The River Exe passes through the estate, creating a peaceful setting for outdoor ceremonies, drinks receptions and photographs.

Couples can explore the courtyard, stone archways, ancient walls, riverside lawns and walled garden, each offering a different backdrop across the day. The croquet lawn and hard tennis court add to the atmosphere of a relaxed country-house stay.

Seasonal planting and mature trees bring colour and texture to the grounds, while the castle’s historic architecture provides a dramatic focal point throughout the year.

Bickleigh Castle is located between Tiverton and Crediton, around 20 minutes from the M5. It is also within reach of Tiverton Parkway and Exeter St Davids railway stations and Exeter Airport, making the rural estate accessible for guests travelling from beyond Devon.

Planning and coordination

A dedicated wedding coordinator supports couples throughout the planning process and helps to bring the different elements of the celebration together.

Depending on the chosen package, support may include planning meetings, supplier coordination, room setup, management of the wedding-day schedule and toastmaster services.

Packages can include practical details such as place settings, floral arrangements, drinks and professional entertainment, while the venue’s experienced team oversees the day itself.

The result is a celebration that combines the grandeur of a historic castle with the warmth and personal service of an intimate country-house wedding.

Blending ancient architecture, riverside gardens, flexible celebration spaces and accommodation for 40 guests, Bickleigh Castle is an enchanting choice for couples dreaming of an exclusive castle wedding in Devon.

Perfect for…

Castle weddings • Historic weddings • Exclusive-use weddings • Outdoor ceremonies • Riverside weddings • Small and intimate weddings • Weddings for up to 120 guests • Weekend weddings • Weddings with accommodation • Winter weddings • Dog-friendly weddings • Marquee weddings • Weddings near Tiverton • Mid Devon weddings.

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We are still on cloud nine following the most wonderful, magical and fantastic weekend for our wedding with you at Bickleigh. The whole event went perfectly.
Duncan & Hannah
 
The wedding ceremony in the castle's guard room, and blessing in the chapel were simply stunning. The chapel is quite magical, crossing the moat back for a champagne reception on the lawn could not have been more perfect.
Jess
 
We wanted a dream wedding and thanks to the staff at Bickleigh we got it! Thanks to Sarah & John and everyone at the castle who make such a marvellous location even better.
Anne & Peter

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