Incredible Museum Wedding Venues

Searching for a wedding venue filled with history and character? Well, you should consider a museum wedding venue! Steeped in art and culture, these sophisticated venues cover a variety of different historical subjects and eras. They also come in all shapes and sizes, from historic castles to sleek city buildings, from Cold War bunkers to a bygone-era ship! So, take a look at a few of our favourite museum wedding venues below. 

The British Museum

Image courtesy of The British Museum

Discover two million years of human history and culture at this world-renowned museum in the heart of London. The British Museum was the first national public museum in the world and is unique in bringing together many diverse cultures from across the globe, represented by over 8 million objects, under one roof. The Grade I-listed building is truly an impressive and iconic location for your wedding party. 

One of the most iconic spaces in the British Museum, the famous two-acre square court, is the largest covered public square in Europe. Housed under a spectacular glass and steel roof, this awe-inspiring space can host 1,000 guests for a drinks reception! You can celebrate surrounded by some of the museum’s spectacular collection. The renovated Sir Joseph Hotung Gallery of China and South Asia houses one of the finest collections of Chinese and South Asian art and antiquities in Europe, while the Egyptian sculpture gallery boasts an imposing stone bust of the great pharaoh Ramesses II as well as the world-famous Rosetta Stone. Or, the Museum’s oldest gallery space, the Enlightenment Gallery, showcases highlights from across the Museum’s collection or a reconstruction of the famous Nereid monument forms a beautiful backdrop within the Nereid gallery for an unforgettable museum wedding.

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Cutty Sark

Cutty Sark is a museum wedding venue with a twist! Built in 1869, this historic ship took different cargoes all around the world, from China to Australia! After a long career, in 1954 the ship was towed into Greenwich and restored by the Cutty Sark Society, supported by HRH the Duke of Edinburgh. Now, the historic ship boasts a spectacular riverside setting for your museum wedding, with a sweeping outlook across the Thames to the City beyond. 

The 'Tween Deck is located in the middle of the ship and was used to store precious cargo during the ship’s voyage. Now empty and renovated, this is a gorgeous space for your wedding. Also, the Dry Berth is a stunning location for your reception. The 963-ton ship is suspended three metres above the floor, the geodesic glass canopy flooding the Dry Berth with natural daylight. 

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Secret Bunker Weddings

Looking for a quirky museum wedding venue? Look no further than Hack Green Secret Nuclear Bunker! As a former civil defence bunker, it’s home to the largest public display of nuclear weapons in Europe. It's an underground world of secrets and 35,000 square foot of fallout-free fun! Working in collaboration with Anywhere Weddings and Events, the museum can host your ceremony and reception in one of the most unique settings in the UK.

Historical and unusual, the bunker has plenty of different spaces to fit you. The NAAFI Canteen, where the bunker civil servants had their meals, is a fabulous, open-plan space licensed for civil ceremonies or ideal for your reception. The ceiling is hung with fabulous model planes and Union Jack bunting, ready for your party! Other incredible spaces in this unique museum wedding venue include the War Room or the Briefing Room, perfect for an intimate ceremony. 

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Queen’s House

Nestled in Royal Museums Greenwich’s idyllic grounds, this breathtaking former royal palace was built as a 'House of Delight' with such enduring style that guests still marvel at its elegant design. The striking beauty of this former Royal residence is epitomised in The Great Hall. The Great Hall's stunning views over the River Thames, original black and white marble flooring, and iconic Tulip Stairs provide a spectacular wedding setting. 

Or, the Orangery and South Parlours are the ideal space for intimate wedding ceremonies and receptions. Bathed in southern light and with outstanding views towards the Royal Observatory, this airy space opens up onto the south lawns. You can also enjoy telescope viewings along the Colonnade or retreat to the Undercroft for dancing and drinks. So, the Queen’s House truly is a sophisticated and characterful museum wedding venue.

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Leicester Museum & Art Gallery

In the heart of the tranquil New Walk, Leicester’s original museum is home to exquisite collections of art and the natural world. You can say ‘I do’ in the enchanting Victorian Art Gallery surrounded by Leicester’s fine art collections including works by Hogarth, Turner, Rodin and Degas. Or, for more intimate ceremonies, the Lord Mayor’s Room is available for your ceremony or an elegant reception. 

The picturesque Butterfly Pavement, Victorian (Greek Style) Portico, Museum Square and the stunning tree-lined pedestrianised New Walk, bordered by grand townhouses, also provide stunning settings for your wedding photographs. Finally, there is a fantastic Dinosaur gallery that creates a truly unique space for your museum wedding!

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National Maritime Museum Greenwich

The National Maritime Museum contains over 2.5 million items relating to maritime history, as well as the world's largest maritime library and archive collection. This museum wedding venue also contains some truly breathtaking spaces. Spanned by a soaring glass roof, Neptune Court is a meeting of classical 18th-century grandeur and innovative modern architecture at the heart of the National Maritime Museum and is the ideal location for a truly unique venue for wedding receptions

Guests also can enjoy pre-dinner drinks at ground level in the Square surrounded by maritime exhibits. On warmer evenings, guests can venture out to the colonnades on the South lawn, with sweeping views of Greenwich Royal Park, the River Thames and Canary Wharf. 

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Museum of London Docklands

The Museum of London Docklands traces the 2000 year history of London’s river, port and people, from the arrival of the Romans to the rise of Canary Wharf. Built in 1802 to store rum, sugar and coffee, the listed Georgian warehouse is a stunning venue where contemporary decor complements original Caribbean pine columns and floors. This gorgeous building offers a selection of beautiful and unique settings for your museum wedding. 

The Wilberforce Room is a charming 19th-century warehouse featuring exposed brick walls and lovely views of West India Quay. Or, the newly-launched Riverside Room features original Caribbean pitch pine columns and floors and benefits from its own entrance and private terrace. Finally, with their exposed columns and oakwood floors, the Muscovado Hall and Rum Store offers stunning views of the West India Quay and direct access to the terrace. For the ultimate museum wedding experience, these ceremony rooms can be combined with some of the incredible and immersive galleries to host the drinks reception, wedding breakfast and after-party such as the immersive Sailortown, a full-size reconstruction of a Victorian Street.

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Abbey Pumping Station

Abbey Pumping Station, Leicester’s industrial museum, provides a truly unique setting for your special day. From the moment you and your guests enter this magnificent, 120-year-old monument to fine Victorian engineering, you are transported to a bygone era. Step through the doors beneath the 150-foot chimney and you will discover how Leicester’s Victorians tackled some of the big issues of the day, with exhibits on the history of science, industry, transport and health. The museum also charts the early days of motorised transport with a rare collection of vintage vehicles.

You can hold an intimate wedding ceremony in the Beam Engine House, surrounded by decorative columns with foliate capitals and beautifully finished ornate ironwork. The adjacent Electric Switch Room is also licensed to hold larger weddings or a permanent marquee is available that seats up to 160 guests. Abbey Pumping Station also offers couples the unique experience of riding on the museum’s mini-railway which will transport you and your guests towards the marquee to continue the celebrations at this incredible museum wedding venue!

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Royal Observatory Greenwich and Peter Harrison Planetarium

Set within beautiful Greenwich Royal Park is the historic Flamsteed House at the Royal Observatory Greenwich. Founded in 1675 by Charles II, this iconic museum offers a wealth of intimate wedding spaces. The Octagon Room is one of the last surviving interiors designed by Sir Christopher Wren, with spectacular views across London. Or, the Meridian Courtyard is a superb outdoor space ideal for summer weddings, as guests can enjoy drinks standing on the Prime Meridian of the world! The Time and Longitude galleries housed at the Royal Observatory also make for a unique indoor reception setting.

Also, located within Greenwich Park, the Peter Harrison Planetarium at Royal Museums Greenwich provides an out-of-this-world wedding experience! The Planetarium Foyer, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and star-studded floor, provides a stunning space for dinner and dancing. London's only Planetarium, an astronomer-led planetarium show is included with your wedding, allowing you to see the night sky from anywhere, anytime. So at this fantastic museum wedding venue, you can view the starry sky from a memorable, romantic date for you as a couple! 

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The Holburne Museum

Fancy getting married in the home of Bridgerton’s Lady Danbury? Set at the head of one of England’s most famous roads, Great Pulteney Street, and surrounded by the splendour of Sydney Gardens, The Holburne Museum is a beautiful and unique location for your museum wedding. At the heart of the Holburne Museum is the collection of Sir William Holburne, the fifth baronet of Menstrie, which includes more than 2,000 items from portrait miniatures and porcelain to embroideries and portraits by some of the greatest 18th-century artists.

The Davison Gallery is perfect for more intimate ceremonies, with breath-taking views over Great Pulteney Street. Your vows can be spectacularly lit by a gilded chandelier with a gorgeous balcony creating the perfect platform for memorable wedding photographs. Or, you can tie the knot in the Brownsword Gallery surrounded by the finest examples of British portraiture including works by Gainsborough, Zoffany and Reynolds. Once you have exchanged your vows, you can proceed down to the ground-floor Garden Café and terrace for your evening reception, with the freedom to explore the lovely Gardens. 

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British Motor Museum

The British Motor Museum tells the fascinating story of Britain’s motor industry – the designers, the factories, the workers, the cars, the publicity and the drivers. It is also a dynamic wedding venue with a selection of stunning wedding spaces. Couples can exchange vows in the rooftop Sky Suite with its panoramic views of the Warwickshire countryside and private outdoor balcony. The expansive windows and skylight allow natural light to stream in through the glass roof, transforming the space into an illuminated oasis. 

Or, the spacious Conference Suite is the perfect blank canvas that allows you to create a personalized celebration for your special day. Filled with historically significant artefacts, the museum can be explored by guests during a drinks reception and the beautiful cars can be used as a backdrop for wedding photography. The dedicated team at The British Motor Museum will work closely with you to ensure your museum wedding is truly unforgettable!

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National Museum of the Royal Navy Hartlepool

Steeped in history and grandeur, take in over 200 years of naval history as you celebrate your special day. This unique waterfront wedding venue in Hartlepool is home to the historic Quay and the magnificent HMS Trincomalee, one of the oldest floating warships in Britain. As the centrepiece of the historic quayside, she is an exceptional venue in which to hold your ceremony or reception, as well as acting as an unforgettable backdrop for a drinks reception on dry land.

HMS Trincomalee offers two incredible spaces for both ceremonies and receptions; the Captain's Cabin or the gun deck. Exclusive hire of the ship provides a truly one-of-a-kind museum wedding experience! There is also the Sir William Gray Suite, a grand space with traditional décor and large windows flooding natural light throughout the room. Or, The Baltic Suites offers an intimate space for your wedding ceremony, with tall ceilings, contemporary stone floors and brick walls and views across the stunning waterside.

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Woodhorn Museum

Woodhorn Museum brings to life Northumberland’s proud mining heritage. Once part of the largest pit village in the world, Woodhorn retains the stunning silhouettes of its mining history and is bordered by a nature-rich country park. The romantic, exteriors fusing industrial heritage with cutting edge modern architecture will give your day the wow factor.

Northumberland’s biggest museum, Woodhorn has preserved its mining history and still features its historic pit wheel which provides a gorgeous backdrop for your photos. Woodhorn is licensed to hold civil ceremonies in the stunning Workshop Galleries, which shows off the original features from its historic past. The Workshop Galleries offers space and flexibility for your wedding and can be elegantly dressed to suit all elements of your museum wedding. 

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Reading Museum & Town Hall

Nestled in the heart of the town, Reading Museum & Town Hall is a magnificent Grade II listed building, filled with grand decor, chandeliers and stained glass windows. There are three stunning rooms available for civil ceremonies and receptions of all sizes from intimate gatherings to grand dinners for up to 200 people.

The breathtaking Concert Hall is the most expansive space with magnificent chandeliers, ornate woodwork and the historic and unique Father Willis organ. Or, the Victoria Hall is an elegant Regency room with large windows, high ceilings and exquisite chandeliers. Built in 1786, it is in the oldest part of the present Town Hall and was once the council chamber and assembly rooms. Finally, the Waterhouse Chamber contains some of the Town Hall's most impressive features including an enormous stone fireplace and stunning stained glass windows. Named after architect Alfred Waterhouse, famous for his work on the Natural History Museum, he also designed this part of the Town Hall, including the clock tower and facade. So,  Reading Museum & Town Hall is a magnificent setting for your museum wedding.

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Explosion! Museum of Naval Firepower

Tucked away in Gosport, Explosion! Museum sits on the historic Priddy’s Hard with fantastic views across the Solent and the naval dockyard. The Museum is a former Royal Armaments depot dating from the 1700s, which was used to store explosives and weapons for over 200 years. The original Georgian-era buildings remain, and the stylish brickwork is the ideal blank canvas for you to work on when decorating for your wedding.

For your special day, you can enjoy the entire space. This includes the camber basin for reception drinks and picturesque photographs, the museum galleries for you and your guests to explore, and exclusive hire of the gorgeous, 18th-century Grand Magazine. Originating from 1771, the gunpowder store boasts a magnificent vaulted ceiling and beautiful Georgian wood floors. So, this is a beautiful space for your dream museum wedding. 

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Portsmouth Museum

For an intimate wedding in majestic, elegant surroundings, look no further than Portsmouth Museum and Art Gallery. Here you can take a walk through Portsmouth’s heritage, discover the world of Sherlock Holmes, see fascinating works of art, trace the history of Portsmouth FC and a whole load more besides. 

The Esther Room itself is filled with stunning, historic artefacts from the 1920s and 30s, as well as an ornate 17th-century fireplace. After your ceremony, celebrate with your guests in the Esther Room or the beautiful museum gardens. Portsmouth Museum’s competitive packages include canapes and champagne, and traditional high tea. So, you have everything you need at Portsmouth Museum for a fantastic museum wedding. 

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