Nestled in the rolling Worcestershire countryside near the Malvern Hills, Birtsmorton Court is a Grade I listed, medieval moated manor boasting parts dating back to the 13th century and foundations from 1241. It’s family‑owned by the Dawes for over 60 years, offering an exclusive‑use wedding experience steeped in history and charm (birtsmortoncourt.com).
I’ve filmed and photographed a number of weddings at Birtsmorton and I can easily say it’s one of my favourite venues to work at. The staff are wonderful here – so friendly and attentive. The grounds are large but nothing is too far away. It contains multiple outdoor ceremony areas or you can choose to get married in the on-site church, or the great hall in the Manor House. The Linney is the reception area with its own lawns and outdoor area, which contains a small caravan decked out as a photo booth, as well as a log cabin and outdoor fire pit. Birtsomorton have good links with caterers that can provide your evening food – Mario’s pizza stall being my personal favourite. Can’t beat fresh pizza!
Here’s a short video I shot of Birtsmorton Court recently…
The grounds offer a huge amount of variety of scene. There’s a courtyard in front of the house which can be used for ceremonies, as well as large lawn areas surrounding the moat and lake, a formal garden hedged with sculpted topiary and old red brick walls, and of course the aforementioned Linney area. The whole site borders onto fields with the Malvern hills as the backdrop which makes for a great photography location.
Read on for more information, but here’s a few pics from previous weddings at Birtsmorton Court.
🏰 Key Features & Venues
- Historic Architecture & Setting
Perched on its own island within a double moat (a rarity in Britain), the manor showcases timbered courtyards, a Great Hall with 17th‑century William & Mary ceiling, and moated vistas—ideal for dramatic photography . - Ceremony Spaces
- St Thomas of Canterbury Church (14th-century, seats ~115): on-site church requiring six Banns services (birtsmortoncourt.com).
- Great Hall (indoors, up to 80 guests): atmospheric, with fireplace and timber walls (birtsmortoncourt.com).
- The Linney (light, versatile oak-framed room, up to 150): flows to terrace and gardens (birtsmortoncourt.com).
- Barn (oak‑beamed, fairy‑lit): ideal for winter ceremonies, holds ~120 (birtsmortoncourt.com).
- Outdoor settings: formal gardens (Italian, White Garden), wildflower meadows, lakeside lawns—all with Malvern Hills backdrop (birtsmortoncourt.com).
- Reception & Festivities
– Drinks reception on terrace, courtyard, or lawns with panoramic views (cocoweddingvenues.co.uk).
– Wedding breakfast in The Linney, styled to your taste, seating up to 160 (cocoweddingvenues.co.uk).
– Evening reception in the barn—equipped with dancefloor, disco ball, photobooth, firepit (birtsmortoncourt.com).
🌿 Accommodation
On-site lodging for up to 44 guests, across:
- Georgian Wing Bridal Suite – luxurious riverside suite in the manor (birtsmortoncourt.com).
- Garden House Cottage – sleeps 10, spacious and convenient (birtsmortoncourt.com).
- Shepherd’s huts: Malvern Chase (with private hot‑tub), Sugarloaf, Midsummer – cosy, scenic (birtsmortoncourt.com).
- Cottages: Hideaway (10‑sleep night-before retreat), Berrow Lodge (6), Swinyard Lodge (8) in close proximity (birtsmortoncourt.com).
💷 Prices & Packages
- Exclusive use starts from £3,500–£9,500, varying by date (birtsmortoncourt.com).
- Wedding breakfast from £72/adult; drinks packages ~£25.50, corkage ~£15.50 (birtsmortoncourt.com).
- Accommodation and catering extras apply separately.
🌟 Why Choose Birtsmorton?
- Timeless heritage meets flexible modern layout.
- Extremely photo-friendly settings—moats, halls, gardens, countryside.
- On-site church option, rare for Cotswold venues (cocoweddingvenues.co.uk, birtsmortoncourt.com, birtsmortoncourt.com).
- Family‑led, welcoming hands‑on team, inclusive of dogs (birtsmortoncourt.com).
- All-in-one experience from ceremony to overnight stay—with little need to travel between venues.
📝 Final Verdict
Birtsmorton Court offers an immersive, exclusive-use wedding experience for up to ~160 day guests and 270 guests in the evening. It blends medieval grandeur with modern comforts—church, barns, lakeside venues—plus accommodation nestled within the estate. Ideal for couples seeking historic elegance, scenic beauty, and logistical ease all in one place.