The perfect venue for your special day
Historic Wedding Venue
Discover a Venue Steeped in History
A stunning 15th-century
royal banqueting hall
The Old Palace is a remarkable medieval building dating back to the late 15th century. Originally built by the Bishop of Ely in 1485, it is one of the finest surviving examples of brickwork from the period.
King Henry VIII acquired the palace in 1538, and it became Elizabeth I’s childhood home. Thought to have been in the grounds of Hatfield when she learned she had become Queen of England, Elizabeth held her first Council of State in the grand banqueting hall.
Photograph by @fairytaleweddingphotos

Timeless Elegance
Celebrate your wedding against the backdrop of stunning gardens, parkland and the grandeur of a 17th-century country house. We have a variety of spaces to suit your vision.

Tradition Meets Modernity
The grand banqueting hall, with its high timbered ceilings and beautiful brickwork, creates a dramatic and romantic setting. Our event team works with each couple to help plan and personalise this beautiful space, and can advise you on achieving the best use of this historic venue.
Scenic Setting
A wedding at Hatfield Park and the Old Palace combines rich history, beautiful surroundings, and expert event support, making it a memorable place for your special day.
Testimonials
“Our wedding at Hatfield Park was truly magical. The venue’s stunning setting, with its beautiful grounds, provided a breathtaking backdrop for our ceremony and reception.”
Gallery
Explore our gallery for inspiration on how your wedding day could look at our historic wedding venue.

Bespoke Celebrations
Hatfield Park has a long history of hosting weddings, which means we don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach. We work closely with every couple to help create unique and memorable celebrations.

A Dedicated Wedding Team
We want your wedding to be as perfect as you imagine. Our expert team provides outstanding service and support at every stage of the process.
Imagine…
For couples who would like the feel of a stately home wedding venue, but don’t want to be restricted by set packages, Hatfield Park is the ideal location for a unique wedding celebration. We can offer:
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The expert help of a seasoned wedding team
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A dedicated account manager who can guide you through the process
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A charming, historical setting in central Hertfordshire
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Access to trusted wedding suppliers and vendors
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Additional activities and experiences to entertain your guests
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Flexible wedding venues to fit any size of celebration you choose
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Access to beautiful outdoor spaces
The Wedding Edit
Explore trends, advice and inspiration at The Wedding Edit, guiding you through the intricate art of planning an occasion so special that it remains in the hearts of your guests long after the event itself.
Discover
Discover a little more about having your wedding day at Hatfield Park, Hertfordshire.
What to know more?
Our experienced team are looking forward to helping you plan your wedding day. You can email us here – please provide as much information as you have at this stage, along with your contact telephone number and we will be in touch very soon.
Get in touch
Our experienced team are looking forward to helping you plan your own unique, bespoke event. You can email us here – please provide as much information as you have at this stage, along with your contact telephone number and we will be in touch very soon.
Historic Wedding Venue FAQs
We have the perfect space for your celebration, from grand banquets to intimate gatherings. Depending on your chosen layout, the Old Palace can seat up to 280 guests, or 300 guests standing/theatre style. The Riding School is ideal for up to 100 seated guests and 150 standing/theatre style. The Motor House offers a more intimate setting for up to 30 guests.
We’re committed to making every guest feel welcome – and our friendly team is always on hand to assist.
All wedding spaces can be equipped with ramps for guests with mobility needs, and accessible restrooms are available 50m from the Old Palace.
Disabled parking is located in the main Visitor Car Park, accessed via George’s Gate.
Standard venue hire runs from 10am until midnight.
If you’d like an earlier start or a later finish, we can arrange this for an additional fee – please talk to our friendly team to discuss your requirements.
Yes – we’re happy to hold a provisional date for one week while you confirm your plans and pay the deposit.
Absolutely. Weddings include exclusive access to The Old Palace, Knot Garden and Raised Lawn for the duration of your celebration.
Please note that there is public access in front of Palace Green from the visitor car park to the Stable Yard and shops.
Yes, our spaces are available on a dry hire basis if you prefer to bring your own suppliers.
Assistance dogs are welcome throughout the estate.
Well-behaved pets can join your day too – just let our events team know in advance so we can help make them feel at home.
Drones aren’t permitted for weddings to protect the privacy and safety of our guests and wildlife.
Sadly not due to the nature of our historic buildings, Parkland and wildlife.
But if you’re after a big finish, we can suggest spectacular alternatives – contact our team for ideas.
Yes – we invite couples to walk through real petal confetti on the green outside The Old Palace.
Any events running past 11:59pm incur a late-night fee.
From Monday to Saturday, extended celebrations require a pre-approved licence to continue after this time and must wind down by 2am (1am on Sundays).
Absolutely – we’d love to show you around.
A guided visit with our wedding team will allow you to explore the spaces and feel the atmosphere. Please contact us to discuss your plans.
Hertfordshire offers rolling countryside and easy access to London – the best of both worlds.
In Old Hatfield and the surrounding area, you’ll find history, charm and modern comforts in one beautiful location.
Yes – our indoor and outdoor spaces mean you can say your vows and celebrate in one unforgettable location.
Yes – The Old Palace and Riding School are licensed for civil ceremonies, blending heritage settings with modern amenities.
We welcome a variety of ceremonies, from civil ceremonies to blessings, across all cultures.
Yes – our gardens and lawns make beautiful ceremony backdrops (weather permitting).
We can recommend trusted florists, photographers, caterers and entertainers, but you’re also welcome to bring in your own.
Our experienced team will work seamlessly with them to bring your vision to life.
Yes, our approved catering partner can offer menus to suit various tastes and dietary requirements, including vegan and halal options.
Prefer to bring your own caterer? That’s fine too – we can recommend excellent local options.
Yes – our dedicated events team will be on hand throughout the day to make sure everything runs smoothly.
For weddings catered by our in-house team, we provide crockery, cutlery, tablecloths and napkins.
For dry hire events, you’ll need to arrange your own.
While we don’t have rooms on-site, we partner with nearby hotels to offer preferential rates – including the DoubleTree Elstree.
We can also assist in coordinating bookings and securing special rates for your wedding parties.
Yes – we can offer a calm, private space for pre-ceremony preparation.
Yes – we’re just a five-minute walk from Hatfield train station, under 30 minutes from King’s Cross by train and just five minutes by car from the A1.
Yes – wedding guests park for free.
Yes – disabled parking is available in the main Visitor Car Park, accessed via George’s Gate.
Yes – coach parking is available close to The Old Palace and The Stable Yard.
Yes – both The Riding School and The Old Palace have in-house sound systems.
Yes – we can supply screens, microphones and speakers on request.
Yes – in the Knot Garden, appropriate outdoor music is permitted until sundown.
We don’t have a built-in dance floor, but if you’d like one, we can recommend suppliers who can arrange installation.