Weddings in County Durham - everything you need for your County Durham wedding

County Durham situated in the North-East of England is famous for the city of Durham and its awe-inspiring cathedral.  As a prominent county of historical significance in the north-east, County Durham is peppered with magnificent castles, stately homes and grand houses with a huge variety of backdrops and settings suitable for all sorts of weddings.  There is lavish and sumptuous on every scale from large and opulent to intimate and cosy.

County Durham is a popular location because it is a patchwork of beautiful towns and villages, in fact, data reveals that it is one of the top five most desirable places to live in the UK.  Wherever you are in County Durham, there is a picturesque rural view or coastal beauty spot. 

Brides looking for a town wedding will be spoilt for choice in County Durham.  Choose Chester-le-Street, a pretty town with a history stretching back to Roman times and with easy access from both Sunderland and Newcastle.  Darlington is another of County Durham’s historic market towns lying on the River Skerne and is known as the home of the railways, with the world’s first steam locomotive powered permanent passenger railway, the Stockton and Darlington Railway.  Despite its industrial heritage, Darlington is home to some beautiful spaces such as South Park and Thornton Hall Gardens.  Any brides and grooms with railway affiliations could choose no better than Darlington which is still on the London North Eastern mainline.

For sheer city vibe, Durham, the county town cannot be beaten with a well-known castle, magnificent Normal cathedral and famous University.  This compact city is busy and vibrant with ancient streets, plenty of green areas and a riverside with countless bridges over the winding River Wear.  Durham has a rich cultural heritage and offers something for every wedding with both traditional and contemporary venues plus some unique and niche alternatives for those couples looking for something a little outside the box.

The picturesque and often dramatic countryside of County Durham is peppered with pretty villages and plenty of stylish venues for ceremonies and receptions.  Choose from small, romantic manor houses, grand wooden barns or chic, intimate and rustic destinations with some more unusual venues on offer.

County Durham has a coastline which extends from Hartlepool, a pretty and historic port town built around Hartlepool Abbey, north to the mouth of the River Tyne.  This heritage coast is rugged and dramatic with large cliffs and imposing headlands, recognised internationally for rare plants and wildlife and winning numerous awards.  For a wedding with a dramatic backdrop and a seaside flavour, the coastline of County Durham will deliver in spades…and buckets!

County Durham has always had great rail and road links, a reflection of its historic importance in years gone by.  Situated on the East coast mainline between London and Edinburgh, there are regular train services from King’s Cross.  Road access is from the A1(M) which runs through the east of the county and the M6 is around 130 miles to the west.  Newcastle Airport is within easy reach and offers a mixture of domestic and international flights.