Bilsington Priory

About the venue

Medieval priory founded in 1253, looking out over Romney Marsh near Ashford. Exclusive-use weddings with ceremonies for 100, receptions for 140 and evening parties of 200, in-house catering and DJ, a tree marquee and a micro-wedding package for 11 to 30.

Soldiers of the Durham Light Infantry were stationed at Bilsington Priory in 1940. Their signatures are still etched into the walls and roof timbers.

The priory was founded in 1253 by Sir John Mansell, Lord Chief Justice and Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports under Henry III. Mary I once owned it. It was built from local ragstone and looks out over Romney Marsh.

Weddings take over the whole priory, gardens and grounds. Ceremonies hold up to 100 guests, either under a chequerboard gazebo in the grounds or inside the Priory Room. Receptions take 140, and evening parties up to 200.

Getting ready happens in the Tack Room, a restored space in the old stables. Drinks, lawn games and the wedding breakfast follow in the tree marquee, which has its own adjoining bar.

In-house chefs cook the food, and an in-house DJ with disco lighting is part of most packages. An experienced coordinator and an online planning portal guide each couple, and an evening manager stays on hand at night.

Packages start at £8,650, based on 50 day guests and up to 200 in the evening. The Classic package covers a daytime ceremony, a three-course wedding breakfast, wine and an evening buffet. Twilight weddings run between October and April, with a dusk ceremony in the priory and a buffet.

A dry-hire package lets couples bring cuisine from approved external caterers, with spaces for prayer on site. Micro weddings for 11 to 30 guests run Monday to Wednesday, from £4,500.

The estate car park sits beside an Edwardian clock tower and the equestrian stables. Ashford International station is the nearest railhead.

Medieval priory founded in 1253

Views over Romney Marsh

Ceremonies for 100, evening for 200

Exclusive use with in-house catering

Tree marquee with its own bar

Classic, twilight and dry-hire packages

Micro weddings for 11 to 30 from £4,500

Near Ashford International