The Story of The Old Vicarage: From a Derelict Building into a Beautiful Wedding Venue

Some places just have a certain magic about them, and The Old Vicarage is one of those. But when we first stepped inside, magic was the last thing that came to mind.

The Old Vicarage wasn’t always the intimate, elegant wedding venue it is today. In fact, when we first found it, the building was in terrible condition, having spent years as a care home before being left to deteriorate for almost four years. But despite the peeling wallpaper, outdated interiors, and overwhelming amount of work needed, we saw something special. It had history, charm, and - if you looked past the neglect - endless potential.

With zero budget and a little more than a vision, we took a leap and bought it at auction. That was just the beginning.

The restoration took two long, hard years. With no budget or grand teams of tradesmen or designers, we had to be resourceful. We salvaged where we could, made every detail count, and worked with the space rather than against it. Bit by bit, the building started to come back to life. The fireplaces were uncovered, the rooms stripped, repaired and repainted, and the gardens revived. We wanted The Old Vicarage to feel warm, elegant, and inviting - somewhere that didn’t just look beautiful but truly felt special.

When we finally opened, it was as a boutique hotel and fine dining restaurant. We poured our hearts into it, but the rising costs made it a struggle. Then, one of our guests asked if they could get married here. That single request changed everything and we will be forever grateful.

We hosted that wedding, then another, and suddenly, we realised this was what The Old Vicarage was meant to be. It wasn’t just a beautiful space - it was a place where memories were made. Weddings gave it purpose, and we found ours in creating unforgettable moments for couples.

We have had many renovations since we opened in May 2009 and lots of different interior 'moment's, shall we call them haha, we believe the reason we have managed to stay relevant over the years is that we constantly evolve, how lucky are we.

Since then, The Old Vicarage has grown into a sought-after wedding and events venue, but we’ve always stayed true to what made it special in the first place: intimacy, elegance, and a genuine love for what we do. It’s still very much a family business, with a small but dedicated team who care deeply about every couple who walks through our doors.

Looking back, it’s incredible to see how far we’ve come. From a neglected building to a place where couples start their forever, The Old Vicarage is proof that with a little vision (and a lot of hard work), something truly special can be created.

And the best part? The story is still being written.