Clearwell Castle, situated in Gloucestershire’s enchanting Forest of Dean near Coleford, is a Gothic Revival castle‑style venue dating back to 1727, crowned Grade II* listed (en.wikipedia.org). It offers an authentic fairy‑tale setting on 20 acres, surrounded by mature woodland, manicured lawns, a croquet lawn, cocktail terrace, bandstand and picturesque photo spots like the lake and lime walk (amazingspaceweddings.co.uk).
Yup, there’s nothing quite like having your wedding in a castle. Working here was super fun (until I got my drone stuck in a tree, but then it found its way back down, so happy endings!)
There are certainly some epic backdrops here, from the gatehouse, to the amazing facade with its steps. The gardens are also lovely and there’s plenty of room for spreading out on the terrace, playing games on the lawns, or strolling amongst the trees.
Getting ready rooms are spacious, and downstairs is also impressively roomy. The main ceremony room also doubles as a banquet room, and is a long room that is pretty and elegant.
When it comes time to party, you head to the basement! Down there on the ground floor of the castle, there’s a dedicated party room and adjacent rooms for setting up evening food.
Here’s some pics from a previous wedding…
Ceremony & Reception
- Ballroom: Licensed civil ceremony space with dramatic 75‑ft golden aisle, leaded glass lancet windows, raised dais—seating up to 150 guests (gloucestershireregistrationservice.co.uk).
- Outdoor options: A charming bandstand terrace for garden vows, plus other scenic spots outdoors (gloucestershireregistrationservice.co.uk).
- Wedding breakfast: Ballroom transforms into an elegant dining space for up to 150 guests; daytime exclusivity with all reception rooms (southwestweddingvenues.co.uk).
- Evening party: Vaulted Cellar Bar with disco‑style lighting and dance floor accommodates up to 250 evening guests (amazingspaceweddings.co.uk).
Accommodation
- On‑site: 15 luxurious castle bedrooms (hosting approx. 34), plus three estate cottages (southwestweddingvenues.co.uk).
- Nearby: 24 rooms at The Wyndham hotel just a short walk away; the recently added Clear Well property offers up to 20 more rooms for a combined total of roughly 79 overnight guests (cocoweddingvenues.co.uk).
Services & Facilities
- In‑house caterers provide tailored, high‑quality menus—from canapés and three‑course meals to evening buffets and bespoke options (confetti.co.uk).
- Bar facilities: Includes a Cocktail & Champagne Bar and the Cellar Bar, staffed for the full event (amazingspaceweddings.co.uk).
- Event support: Exclusive‑use hire, in‑house wedding coordinator, dedicated banquet manager, plus trusted suppliers for styling extras like prosecco stands, ice‑cream tricycles and more (hitched.co.uk).
Awards & Highlights
- Winner of multiple awards: Wedding Ideas Magazine’s “Best Wedding Venue” (2010, 2012), British Wedding Awards’ “Best Castle Wedding Venue” (2020), among others (gloucestershireregistrationservice.co.uk).
- Held legendary status due to its past as a recording site for bands like Led Zeppelin, Queen and Black Sabbath in the 1970s .
- Highly praised by couples: “food was the best mass‑catered food I have ever had” and staff support was “above and beyond” (reddit.com).
Location & Accessibility
- Situated just 20 minutes from the Severn Crossing and within 45 minutes of Bristol, Gloucester, and Cheltenham—easy for guests to reach (gloucestershireregistrationservice.co.uk).
- Facilities include disabled access, on‑site parking, Wi‑Fi, late‑night licensing, and the venue is exclusive‑use for wedding days (gloucestershireregistrationservice.co.uk).
Typical Package & Pricing
- Weekend wedding packages from around £6,500 (weekday) and about £7,995–£8,995 for classical/winter bookings (2025/26); includes venue hire, catering, drinks, DJ, decorations, full venue access, and accommodation management .
- Bespoke packages and options for intimate celebrations or two-day events available upon enquiry .
Why Choose Clearwell Castle?
Clearwell Castle offers an all‑encompassing, fairy‑tale experience—from its dramatic architecture and lush woodland estate to its high‑quality catering and extensive accommodation. Perfect for couples seeking a grand, historic setting with modern comforts, privacy, character and legendary charm.