Quick answer: Ten of the best wedding venues in North Yorkshire that I've photographed are Danby Castle Barn, Hackness Grange, Grand Villa Heights, Sneaton Castle, Crathorne Hall, Middleton Lodge, Thirsk Lodge Barns, Crab Manor, Sandburn Hall and Thicket Priory. Between them they cover the North York Moors, the coast, the A1 and A19 corridor and the countryside around York.
I'm Aaron, a calm, friendly wedding photographer for relaxed, adventurous couples who'd rather wander through a field with their dog than stand posing for the camera. I'm based in Guisborough, on the edge of the North York Moors, and every venue in this guide is one I've photographed a wedding at. So rather than a list pulled from a directory, this is what each place is actually like on the day.
How I picked these North Yorkshire wedding venues
North Yorkshire has more than 200 licensed wedding venues, according to North Yorkshire Council. I've only included the ones I know first-hand, so you get a real photographer's view rather than a brochure. Capacities and review counts come from each venue's own website or Bridebook listing, checked in October 2026, and I say which.
North Yorkshire wedding venues at a glance
| Venue | Area | Style | Seated capacity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Danby Castle Barn | Danby, North York Moors | Moorland barn | 180 (Bridebook) |
| Hackness Grange | Hackness, near Scarborough | Country house hotel | 120 (venue site) |
| Grand Villa Heights | Ravenscar | Cliff-top hotel | 100 (Bridebook) |
| Sneaton Castle | Whitby | Castle and chapel | 180 (Visit North Yorkshire) |
| Crathorne Hall | Crathorne, near Yarm | Edwardian country house | 120 (venue site) |
| Middleton Lodge | Middleton Tyas, near Richmond | Georgian house and estate | 160 in the marquee (venue site) |
| Thirsk Lodge Barns | Thirsk | Barns | 140 (venue site) |
| Crab Manor | Asenby, near Thirsk | Boutique hotel | 110 (venue site) |
| Sandburn Hall | Flaxton, near York | Hotel and estate | 150 (Bridebook) |
| Thicket Priory | Thorganby, near York | Exclusive-use house | 160 (venue site) |
1. Danby Castle Barn, Danby
Danby Castle Barn sits beside Danby Castle, built in the 14th century, in the North York Moors. Bridebook lists a seated capacity of 180 and 154 five-star reviews. You can find more on Danby Castle's website.
The photos
Danby is the venue I know best. I've photographed more weddings there than I can count, including the Daleview Barn, and I got married in the barn myself. The castle walls, the moorland behind and the long views down the valley give you very different backdrops within a few minutes' walk, and it's perfect if you'd rather wander than pose.
Good to know
I'm a recommended supplier at Danby Castle, and it's part of the Gilchrist Collection. My Danby Castle wedding guide covers the barn and planning in detail.
2. Hackness Grange, near Scarborough
Hackness Grange is a country house hotel in a quiet valley a few miles inland from Scarborough. It won a Hitched Wedding Award in 2026, as reported by the Scarborough News. Its website says it takes up to 120 day guests and 170 evening guests, and Bridebook lists 27 bedrooms.
The photos
The house sits in its own grounds, so there's room for a wander and a few quiet portraits without leaving the venue, and your guests can carry on with their drinks while we're gone.
Good to know
Hackness Grange is also part of the Gilchrist Collection. It suits couples who want a country house close to the coast. My Hackness Grange guide has more.
3. Grand Villa Heights, Ravenscar
Grand Villa Heights is the cliff-top hotel at Ravenscar, between Whitby and Scarborough. Bridebook lists 81 five-star reviews, a seated capacity of 100 and 62 bedrooms. The venue describes itself as 600 feet above Robin Hood's Bay, in 90 acres of grounds.
The photos
I photographed weddings here for years before the name changed. The sea views are why most couples choose it. On a windy day I'll keep an eye on the sky and grab you for ten minutes whenever the weather gives us a break.
Good to know
My Grand Villa Heights guide covers the venue in detail.
4. Sneaton Castle, Whitby
Sneaton Castle is on the edge of Whitby, with a licensed chapel for ceremonies and a function suite for the reception. Visit North Yorkshire lists capacity for up to 200, with 180 for a banquet, and 17 bedrooms on site.
The photos
The chapel is a lovely, light space for a ceremony, and the grounds give you room to step outside for a breather between the speeches and the party.
Good to know
Being so close to Whitby, it's an easy one for guests who want to make a weekend of it on the coast.
5. Crathorne Hall, near Yarm
Crathorne Hall is an Edwardian country house in 15 acres of grounds, looking over the Leven Valley. Its website lists up to 120 guests for the ceremony and meal and 200 for the evening, with outdoor ceremonies and exclusive use available. It has 37 bedrooms.
The photos
I've photographed weddings at Crathorne Hall. The lawns and the valley views are made for a slow wander after the ceremony, and the wood-panelled rooms are lovely when the light drops in the evening.
Good to know
It's just off the A19, so it's easy for guests coming from Teesside and further south.
6. Middleton Lodge, near Richmond
Middleton Lodge is a Georgian estate at Middleton Tyas, near Richmond. Its website lists ceremonies for up to 75 seated in the main house, a wedding breakfast for 160 in the garden marquee and up to 200 evening guests.
The photos
I've photographed weddings in the main house at Middleton Lodge. The gardens and estate give you plenty of space to wander, so it suits couples who want relaxed portraits rather than a set list of poses.
Good to know
It's a few minutes from the A1(M) at Scotch Corner, which helps guests coming from both north and south.
7. Thirsk Lodge Barns, Thirsk
Thirsk Lodge Barns is a barn venue near Thirsk and a 2026 Hitched Wedding Award winner. Its website says it takes 140 guests for the ceremony and meal, plus 60 more in the evening.
The photos
I've photographed weddings at Thirsk Lodge Barns. It's one of the best barn wedding venues in North Yorkshire away from the moors, with open lawns that are great for the kids to run around on while the grown-ups chat.
Good to know
My Thirsk Lodge Barns guide has more on the venue.
8. Crab Manor, Asenby, near Thirsk
Crab Manor and the Crab & Lobster restaurant are in Asenby, near Thirsk. The venue's website says the Pavilion and restaurant together seat up to 110 for the wedding breakfast, with 20 individually themed bedrooms. Its 2024-25 wedding brochure says weddings run on any day except Saturdays, so it's a good fit for a midweek, Friday or Sunday wedding.
The photos
I've photographed weddings at Crab Manor. The gardens and the quirky, well-travelled interiors give you something different in every corner.
Good to know
Dogs are welcome in the bar and on the outside terrace, according to the venue's FAQs, though no longer in the bedrooms. Worth asking the team if you'd like yours there for the photos.
9. Sandburn Hall, Flaxton, near York
Sandburn Hall is 8 miles north-east of York, just off the A64. Its website describes a 1,000-acre estate with lakes and woodland, a Grand Hall for ceremonies and receptions, and hotel rooms and forest lodges. Bridebook lists a seated capacity of 150, and it won a Hitched Wedding Award in 2026.
The photos
I've photographed weddings at Sandburn Hall. With lakes and woodland across the estate, there's plenty of choice for a walk and some portraits without going far.
Good to know
My Sandburn Hall wedding guide goes into more detail.
10. Thicket Priory, Thorganby, near York
Thicket Priory is an exclusive-use country house south of York and a 2026 Hitched Wedding Award winner. Its website lists 18 acres of grounds, a private lake and boathouse, a private chapel, 35 en-suite bedrooms for up to 72 guests and a ballroom seating up to 160.
The photos
I've photographed two weddings at Thicket Priory. The lake and boathouse give you a quiet spot away from the house, and because your guests can all stay over, the whole day feels like a house party with friends.
Good to know
My Thicket Priory guide has more.
Choosing your North Yorkshire wedding venue by area
The moors and coast. Danby Castle Barn, Hackness Grange, Grand Villa Heights and Sneaton Castle give you moorland or sea views. Expect wind on the coast, and plan a covered spot for drinks.
The A19 and A1. Crathorne Hall, Middleton Lodge, Thirsk Lodge Barns and Crab Manor are easy for guests driving up or down the county.
Around York. Sandburn Hall and Thicket Priory are within easy reach of York, which helps if guests are coming by train.
Small and barn weddings. For small wedding venues in North Yorkshire, Crab Manor's Pavilion seats up to 55 on its own, according to the venue. For barns, look at Danby Castle Barn and Thirsk Lodge Barns.
Also worth a look: The Normans near York, where I've also photographed weddings. Teesside venues such as Gisborough Hall, Rushpool Hall and Howard Court have their own guide: top 10 Teesside wedding venues.
How I photograph a North Yorkshire wedding
I document your day like a friend who's always one step ahead. I'll carry the flowers, pin the buttonholes, and know when you've had enough of the camera.
Your wedding shouldn't feel like a photoshoot. You get to spend the day with your friends and family, and I'll catch the little moments you'd otherwise miss, like your mum and dad dancing, the kids playing, or the dog looking down the lens.
North Yorkshire wedding venue FAQs
What's the best wedding venue in North Yorkshire? It depends on the day you want. For a moorland barn, Danby Castle Barn has 154 five-star Bridebook reviews. For sea views, Grand Villa Heights sits above Robin Hood's Bay. For a country house near York, Thicket Priory is exclusive use.
How many wedding venues are there in North Yorkshire? North Yorkshire Council says there are more than 200 licensed venues in the county, and Bridebook lists 246.
How much does a wedding venue cost in North Yorkshire? Bridebook puts the average North Yorkshire venue hire at around £5,355, with the average wedding costing about £20,147. Midweek and winter dates are usually cheaper.
Are there small wedding venues in North Yorkshire? Yes. Crab Manor's Pavilion seats up to 55 and Middleton Lodge's main house seats 75 for a ceremony, according to the venues.
Which North Yorkshire wedding venues have accommodation? Most venues in this guide do. Grand Villa Heights has 62 bedrooms (Bridebook), Crathorne Hall has 37, and Thicket Priory sleeps up to 72 guests, according to their own websites.
Can you get married on the coast in North Yorkshire? Yes. Grand Villa Heights at Ravenscar and Sneaton Castle in Whitby are both on the coast, and Hackness Grange is a few miles inland from Scarborough.
Are there dog-friendly wedding venues in North Yorkshire? Some are. Crab Manor welcomes dogs in its bar and on the terrace, according to its FAQs. Always check with the venue first, and if your dog is coming, I'll make sure they get in the photos.
Do you charge travel to North Yorkshire venues? Travel is free within 70 miles of Guisborough, which covers most of North Yorkshire. For anywhere further, just ask.
My wedding photography prices
My collections, from the top:
- Willow: £2,295, which includes a film
- Oak: £1,695
- Digital: £1,295 (half day)
- Small weddings: from £895
A £100 booking fee holds your date, and it's non-refundable from the day you book. You can see everything that's in each collection on my prices page.
What happens next
Send me your date and venue, and I'll come back to you with my availability. If it feels right, we can have a chat, and the £100 booking fee holds your date. Tell me your date and venue.
About the author
I'm Aaron Jeffels, a documentary wedding photographer based in Guisborough. I was named North East Wedding Photographer of the Year 2022, my work has been published in Vogue, and I have 85+ Google reviews from couples. Travel is free within 70 miles.