Wedding suppliers in County Durham

Planning a wedding in County Durham

At the centre of County Durham is its cathedral city, where the cathedral and castle stand together on a wooded peninsula above the River Wear and form a World Heritage Site. It is a striking place for photographs, and the historic streets around it hold restaurants, inns and smaller venues that suit intimate celebrations.

Away from the city, the county opens out in different directions. To the west lie Weardale and Teesdale, part of the North Pennines, with stone villages, moorland and waterfalls such as High Force. Barnard Castle is a handsome market town on the edge of the dales, and Bishop Auckland has its own historic attractions. To the east, the Durham Heritage Coast runs past towns such as Seaham, known for sea glass on its beaches. Darlington, Chester-le-Street, Consett and Newton Aycliffe add hotels and function venues for bigger groups.

Venue styles

Country house hotels, converted farm buildings, castles and halls, rural pubs and marquee sites are all part of the mix. Upland venues have beautiful views but can be exposed to wind and changeable weather, so a solid indoor plan matters.

Travel

Durham and Darlington are both on the East Coast Main Line, giving direct trains from London, Yorkshire and Scotland. The A1(M) runs north to south through the county, and Newcastle and Teesside airports are within reach. Roads in the dales are narrow and can be slow in winter.

Planning notes

• Durham hotels can be busy around university events, including graduation weeks.
• Prices vary with the season and the day of the week.
• For a civil ceremony, give notice at your local register office and check that your venue is approved premises.

Use the listings above to compare suppliers who cover County Durham.