Canford School

Wimborne, Dorset View map Visit website

Rating 5.0 out of 5

14 reviews

Starting at £4,000

50 to 130 Guests

1 / 39

About

With origins tracing back to the Domesday book, the Grade I listed Canford School offers an idyllic location for your civil ceremony, while the nearby 14thcentury church provides the perfect option for religious ceremonies. Situated on the bank of the river Stour in the quiet village of Canford Magna, Dorset this is a truly romantic place to say ‘I do’.

For your reception, the baronial Great Hall is the ideal choice for larger scale weddings. With a sweeping staircase and minstrels’ gallery where none other than the Prince of Wales once danced after a shooting party, this setting perfectly matches the magnitude of the occasion.

For more intimate weddings, the smaller scale splendour of the Long Gallery, along with its beautiful carved fireplace and wood paneling, offers a wonderful alternative.

With exclusive use of the grounds for your wedding day, there is the option to hold your reception outdoors by the fountain on the Sunken Lawn with views to the arboretum and parkland beyond. Allow your guests to take in the magnificent views with a glass of bubbly while you take advantage of the stunning backdrop and capture some wedding photographs.

At Canford School every aspect of your wedding will be tailored to you. Our catering is in-house and our Michelin-trained chefs will work with you to create your bespoke menu. Allow the team to guide you or choose your favourite dishes along with a delectable drinks menu to complement your choices.

You are also invited to take advantage of our extensive knowledge and network of local professionals or choose your own suppliers. Our aim is simply to create your perfect day.

If you’re interested in hosting your wedding day at Canford School, get in contact with us directly to find out more and to book an appointment to view it for yourself. We look forward to welcoming you to our magnificent venue.

Grade 1 Listed Manor House with origins tracing back to the Domesday book
A choice of two ceremony and receptions rooms with original features
Our Michelin-trained in house chefs will create a bespoke menu just for you
Extensive knowledge of local suppliers and wedding professionals
Beautiful Dorset village location
Magnificent grounds ideal for drinks receptions and wedding photographs

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Frequently Asked Questions

Venue Type:

Exclusive Use

In the Country

Stately Home

Historic

Civil Ceremony Licence

Dining Options:

Seated Meal Facilities

Alcohol Licence

Buffet Meal Facilities

In House Catering

Evening Entertainment:

Dance Floor

Entertainment Licence

Live Band Facilities

Evening Reception Facilities

DJ Facilities

Overnight Accommodation:

Overnight Accommodation for Wedding Couple

Venue Staff Assistance:

Master of Ceremonies/ Toastmaster

Wedding Coordinator

Other Features:

Disabled Facilities

Car Parking

Confetti Permitted

Do you have any questions?

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Rating

5.0

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Recommended by 100% of couples

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Mr Married on 10/08/2019

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Canford School is an absolutely exquisite venue for any event. It was the dream backdrop for our wedding day. From our very first viewing, we thought we would be in safe hands with our event coordinator Olivia; her organisation and communication throughout was top-notch and she went above and beyond to ensure everything went smoothly. We loved our meal tasting and the food on the day was delicious with excellent service. All our guests were blown away by the venue and we had the perfect day.
Sent on 01/10/2019
Mr Married on 15/12/2018

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We hit the jackpot with Canford School!

When we started looking for our wedding location it became apparent that it wasn't just the venue that we needed to consider, it was important that we liked the planner, after all we were going to be working with him or her for quite some time. We hit the jackpot with Canford School, stunning location and we got Olivia too. She was able to guide a slightly neurotic bride and handled her first groomzilla with ease. The day was amazing, all the rooms we chose to use looked stunning and the magnificent staircase proved the perfect backdrop for some truly memorable pictures. Many guest commented on how watching Olivia managing the day was like watching a conductor directing their orchestra, this made for a calm Mr and Mrs who could relax and enjoy every last second. Thank you Olivia, thank you Canford for your beautiful venue and thank you to the chefs for some delicious food. With love and wonderful memories Mark and Rachel Lambert
Sent on 18/03/2019
Mr Married on 27/10/2018

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The biggest thank you!

I just want to start by saying the biggest thank you. When I look back on my wedding day you're one of the biggest things I am most thankful for. From the minute we met you made me feel like mine was the only wedding in the world and that it was the most important job you had. I sent you emails upon emails with random crazy trains of thought and lists of questions..... but each email was answered with such a upbeat tone and you never made me feel silly for asking anything. The venue is magnificent and I still don’t know how I got so lucky to have my wedding at Canford!! The grounds, the fountain, the library, the entrances... eeeekk it really is the most beautiful, grand setting!! It looks like something out of a fairy-tale and I felt like a princess. You made my vision come to life, from helping me chose the right way for everyone to enter, to helping with my menu, where things should be placed, helping me find the DJ money on the night, advising on details that I had forgotten about and helping me find solutions to them to fit them in my day and just making it feel like you were my best mate and with me all the way. All my guests complimented the venue and the how well the entire event flowed. They all mentioned how fantastic you were Olivia!! You even arranged all up lighting without me being there and it was perfect. The venue is the most picturesque setting for a wedding no matter what time of year but it’s not enough, it’s not a wedding without everything you do. Thank you for helping make the best day of our lives. Big hugs and love!!!
Sent on 18/03/2019

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Mr Married on 25/08/2018

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Want to do it all again

From the day we were shown around Canford School we immediately knew that it was where we wanted to be married – the stunning grounds, the beautiful ceremony room, the grand Great Hall where we ate and danced – it truly was the most perfect setting.

Naturally we were expecting a little stress along the way but it honestly never happened! The whole experience was like a dream! Olivia, the events co-ordinator, was an actual angel! She took the stress out of everything and anything! Nothing was ever too much trouble, whenever we made contact she replied instantly and always with kindness and a sense of humour. We met frequently to discuss all aspects of the day – a particular highlight was the menu tasting! We were blown away by how amazing the food was, it was such a tough decision deciding which options to go for. Still to this day our guests tell us how much they enjoyed the food!

The entire team on the day were just faultless, they were so attentive, professional and friendly – we are so grateful for all that they did for us and all of our guests. We really cannot thank them enough for making our day so special.

My husband even said to me ”Please can we get divorced so that we can do it all again?!” I considered this!!

On a serious note though, we can both say that our wedding day at Canford School was the best day of both of our lives and we cannot speak highly enough of the venue and the entire team of staff who are part of it.
Sent on 09/04/2019
Mr Married on 11/08/2018

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It really looks like something from a period drama

It really looks like something out of a period drama, which I just love! So much more character than a hotel or marque.
Our wedding day was everything we hoped it would be and more (despite the drizzly weather!), and you played a massive part in that which we can't thank you enough for! The day ran like clockwork (it just went too fast!) and the way you had laid everything out and co-ordinated my chosen suppliers was perfect (which is important to an OCD Bride lol). The food was amazing too. So many people were wow'ed and said it was the best wedding they had been to! I would absolutely recommend Canford as a wedding venue
Sent on 18/03/2019
Gerald Married on 29/07/2017

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Magnificent Ground and Buildings

My son, David was married in the parish church at Canford Magna last Saturday, 29th July and their reception was held at the school.

I don’t need to tell you how magnificent the grounds and school buildings are and despite the unseasonal rain it was a lovely place to be.

The arrangements for the reception and the details of the afternoon could not have been faulted, the staff were all smiling, friendly and helpful, the food outstanding and supervising it all Olivia was everywhere not only making sure that everything ran smoothly but lending a hand practically when needed.

The service that she provided to us both before and during the event was exceptional and I wanted to write personally to express our thanks and to say how satisfied we were with all the arrangements.

My wife and I are very grateful to the school and all those involved in giving us such happy lifelong memories.
Sent on 27/09/2017
Mr Married on 22/07/2017

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Perfect

Myself and Hannah just wanted to say a massive thank you for making our wedding day so perfect .
You really did us and our family proud .
Not only from the day we first met you, but throughout the whole wedding preparations.
You worked tirelessly to make sure everything went to plan and it sure did.
We had the best day of our lives, it went so fast though!!
It was magical from start through to the finish and that's all down to your hard work.
Thank you so much.
Sent on 27/09/2017
Rebbecca

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Splendid Day

My Daughters wedding was a wonderful success, the staff worked tirelessly all day to ensure everything went smoothly.The food was an absolute delight,we could not fault anything and would reccommend Canford school to everyone as a premier venue for their BIG DAY.
Sent on 10/11/2008
Kristy

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A wonderful day

Our day was really special,the patience and hard work of the staff made it so.We had so many comments about how beautiful the school is, we could not have wished for anything else.
Sent on 01/11/2008
Mrs

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wonderful

The weather was perfect, the venue exquisite, our guests were very impressed with the school.
The staff made the day flow perfectly, everything went without a hitch.
Sent on 01/11/2008
Lou

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fantastic

Our big day was the best!I would recomend Canford to anyone,the food was great, the staff were really friendly & helpful.
Drinks on the lawn, the great hall, the riverbank photos all superb,even my mother-in-law was impressed!!! absolutely fantastic, couldn`t fault the place, wish we could do it all again.
Sent on 02/05/2008
Nikki

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Nice - very pleasant venue and people

Easy to organise with venue staff. All very helpful with advice and great food and service.

Would recommend to anyone.
Sent on 13/05/2005
A

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Excellent

Everything was fantastic on our big day. The staff and service was excellent. The wedding breakfast was better than any 5* hotel we have visited. The planning was easy with the management team and the small details I asked for before the day but forgot on the day - all happened due to the efficiencey of the staff. I would highly reccommend this venue.
Sent on 12/01/2005
Sonia

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Absolutely stunning venue for our reception - a perfect day

We held our wedding reception at Canford School in May 2001. There is a choice of rooms in which to eat or hold civil wedding ceremonies. The rooms and grounds are beautiful (gardens, fountain, by the river)and you are the only people on site all day. The staff were very helpful, friendly and accomodating from our initial meeting through to after the reception. The venue is very popular and gets very booked up as weddings/receptions can understandably not be held during term time. We could not have wished for a better venue and would thoroughly recommend it.
Sent on 24/06/2002

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Canford School Real Weddings

Claire & Rich
35 photos · 12/09/2020

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Canford Magna BH21 3AD Wimborne (Dorset)

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