
Best Wedding Venues in and Around Jesmond
From an Arts and Crafts mansion beside Jesmond Dene to a converted church with a 2am licence, here are the best wedding venues in and around Jesmond.
Jesmond and the surrounding area offer a genuinely varied range of wedding venues. Whether you want a luxury boutique hotel with a secret garden, a quirky converted church, an intimate countryside courtyard, or a grand civic ceremony room, there is something within easy reach to suit every couple and every budget.
Here are some of the best options close to Jesmond.
Jesmond Dene House
Jesmond Dene House is a Grade II listed Arts and Crafts mansion set at the entrance to Jesmond Dene. Independently owned and widely regarded as one of the finest boutique hotels in the North East, it is the obvious starting point for any Jesmond wedding.
The Great Hall accommodates up to 114 guests for a ceremony and 130 for an evening reception. Couples can also marry outdoors in The Secret Garden, which is licensed for up to 100 guests. Smaller private rooms suit more intimate gatherings of four to 30. The hotel has 40 individually styled bedrooms, and the option to book the entire house exclusively. The food, from the award-winning Fern restaurant team, is a major draw.
Best for: Jesmond's finest wedding venue -- outdoor ceremonies in The Secret Garden, 40 luxury bedrooms, and award-winning food from the Fern restaurant kitchen.
Zarabanda Bing Bing
Zarabanda Bing Bing, formerly known as As You Like It, occupies a converted church on Archbold Terrace in the heart of Jesmond. Spread over three sprawling floors, it offers a distinctive, design-led setting that is quite different from a traditional hotel wedding.
The venue is licensed for wedding ceremonies and can host formal dinners for up to 120 guests or more relaxed celebrations for up to 200. It has its own cocktail lounge, a Mediterranean-inspired garden terrace with fire pits, and a rare 2am licence in Jesmond, meaning the party can continue well into the night. The food spans Mediterranean and Asian-inspired menus, with cocktail bars on multiple floors.
Best for: A converted church in the heart of Jesmond with ceremony space for up to 200, cocktail bars, a garden terrace, and a 2am licence.
The Parlour at Blagdon
The Parlour at Blagdon is a smaller, more intimate venue tucked into the Northumbrian countryside, about a 15-minute drive north of Jesmond. It offers exclusive use for wedding couples, so the day is entirely yours.
Ceremonies can take place in The Smithy, a recently restored Grade II listed room with exposed beams and a cast iron stove, or outdoors in the charming courtyard with festoon lighting. The Willow Room seats up to 90 for the wedding breakfast, and there is a newly refurbished Stables Bar for pre-dinner drinks. The food leans Mediterranean, and the atmosphere is warm, homely, and welcoming. It suits couples who want a relaxed, personal celebration away from the city.
Best for: An intimate countryside venue with exclusive use, a Grade II listed ceremony room, courtyard festoon lights, and seating for up to 90 guests.
Kirkley Hall
Kirkley Hall is a 17th-century Grade II listed building set in 190 acres on the banks of the River Blyth, just outside Ponteland and about seven miles west of Jesmond. The hall offers exclusive use for wedding couples, with five function rooms that can be used individually or combined to accommodate up to 150 guests.
The surrounding grounds and Italianate patio provide a tranquil setting for photographs, and the venue is well-connected -- only eight miles from Newcastle city centre and four miles from Newcastle International Airport, which is useful for guests travelling from further afield.
Best for: A 17th-century hall on 190 acres with exclusive use, flexible function rooms for up to 150 guests, and easy access from Jesmond and the airport.
Newcastle Civic Centre
For couples who want a ceremony venue rather than a full reception, Newcastle Civic Centre offers some of Newcastle's most impressive civic spaces. The Banqueting Suite is a magnificent baronial-style hall with hand-carved walls and a timbered ceiling, accommodating up to 500 guests for a seated dinner.
The Collingwood Suite, with its silk wall coverings and carved walnut, suits smaller celebrations of up to 80 guests. The Register Office itself is available for intimate ceremonies of just four people -- the couple and two witnesses. The Civic Centre is about a 10-minute drive from Jesmond and suits couples who plan to hold their reception elsewhere.
Best for: From an intimate Register Office ceremony for four to a grand baronial banqueting hall for 500 -- Newcastle's civic wedding venue is just 10 minutes from Jesmond.
Planning Your Day
When choosing a wedding venue near Jesmond, consider:
- Guest numbers -- venues range from four at the Civic Centre Register Office to 500 in the Banqueting Suite, with most sitting between 90 and 200
- Style -- Jesmond Dene House offers refined boutique elegance; Zarabanda Bing Bing is quirky and contemporary; The Parlour and Kirkley Hall provide countryside charm
- Accommodation -- Jesmond Dene House has 40 bedrooms, and Jesmond itself has several hotels and guest houses for overflow
- Exclusivity -- The Parlour, Kirkley Hall, and Jesmond Dene House all offer exclusive use
- Budget -- the Civic Centre is the most affordable option for a ceremony, while The Parlour offers strong value for a full reception
Jesmond's central location is a real advantage -- close to Newcastle city centre, well-served by the Metro, and with the Northumberland countryside just minutes to the north. Whatever style of wedding you are planning, there is a strong venue within easy reach.
Planning a wedding? Get in touch if we've missed a great venue.
Mentioned in this article
Jesmond Dene House
Jesmond Dene Road, Jesmond, NE2 2EY
Zarabanda Bing Bing
Archbold Terrace, Jesmond, NE2 1DB
The Parlour at Blagdon
Blagdon, Seaton Burn, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE13 6BZ
Kirkley Hall
Ponteland, Northumberland, NE20 0AQ
Newcastle Civic Centre
Barras Bridge, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QH