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About

On Hitched.co.uk since 2025

Last update: December 2025

About The Shire

The Shire is a wedding venue set within 150 acres of lakes, parkland and carefully restored farm buildings on the Buckinghamshire–Northamptonshire border, close to Milton Keynes, Northampton and only an hour from London.

Family-owned and gradually rewilded over the past 30 years, this secluded estate offers a serene backdrop where nature and understated elegance combine to create a truly memorable setting for your wedding day. The estate can be a blank canvas for your perfect day, whether you want to add fireworks, weave in wellness activities, or even have a weekend long wedding.

Facilities and Capacity

The Shire's restored farmhouse and beautiful walled garden offer a versatile space for wedding receptions. The indoor event space accommodates up to 120 seated guests or 200 standing, while the gardens and terraces provide outdoor options with fire pit, outdoor seating and lake views. Couples enjoy exclusive use of the venue across the weekend, ensuring time for set-up and pack down.

The estate also features a wild swimming lake, sauna and cold plunge, tennis court and 150 acres of meadows and woodlands, which you can weave into your weekend.

Wedding Bookings

The Shire hosts a limited number of weddings each year, with each one personally tailored to each couple's vision. Through their trusted partners, you can organise catering, florals and décor, to live music, photography, and marquee hire. The family team behind The Shire is your dedicated point of contact from first enquiry through to the special day, ensuring that every detail is thoughtfully looked after.

The Shire Retreats and Events is a stunning wedding venue nestled in Towcester, Northamptonshire.

Frequently asked questions

Venue type:

In the country
Unusual weddings
Historic
Marquees and tents
Woodland and festival
Barn
Unique weddings

Ceremony options:

Chapel or temple on-site

Dining options:

Seated meal facilities
Corkage option
Private catering allowed
Buffet meal facilities

Evening entertainment:

Marquee available
Dance floor
Live band facilities
Evening reception facilities
DJ facilities
Outdoor fireworks permitted

Overnight accommodation:

Overnight accommodation for wedding couple
Overnight accommodation for guests

Venue staff assistance:

Wedding coordinator

Venue leisure facilities:

Swimming pool
Health suite

Other features:

Exclusive use
Accessible facilities
Car parking
Changing room for wedding guests
Pet-friendly
Horse baraat permitted
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Do you have any questions?

Reviews for The Shire Retreats and Events

L
Lucy Sent on 14/10/2025
5 out of 5 rating

The most beautiful setting and unique setup !

We had our wedding at The Shire and couldn’t have been happier with the venue. The marquee overlooking the lake created a stunning backdrop, and having exclusive use of the space meant we could really make the day our own. The flexibility to bring in our own style and ideas was a huge plus and everything flowed really smoothly thanks to a great set of recommended suppliers. The church just down the road made the logistics simple and it all came together perfectly. Would definitely recommend to anyone looking for a beautiful, private setting with plenty of scope to personalise.
J
Jessica Sent on 03/10/2025
5 out of 5 rating

A truly exceptional venue for any large event

We were incredibly lucky to be the first ever event hosted at this breathtaking venue since it was transformed into an event space, and what an honour it was. From the moment you turn off the main road and begin the drive up to the venue, it’s clear you’re heading somewhere truly special. The approach winds through stunning countryside that sets the tone for what lies ahead.

The building itself is absolutely magnificent, beautifully restored with impeccable attention to detail. The indoor space is elegant, warm, and full of character, while the walled garden is simply magical. Whether you’re blessed with sunshine or not, the layout lends itself perfectly to any weather, with the garden and interiors offering equally spectacular settings.

George, who runs the venue, was nothing short of fantastic, thoughtful, helpful, and completely accommodating throughout the whole process. He made everything feel seamless and was instrumental in helping us create the celebration we dreamed of.

While you do need to bring in a few external contractors to put on a full-scale party, with a little planning it absolutely comes together, and in our case, it came together into the best party we could have ever imagined. Every single guest was blown away by the atmosphere, the setting, and the flow of the event.

They have a real gift for creating beautiful spaces that feel both grand and deeply personal. We couldn’t have asked for a better place to celebrate our wedding, and would recommend this venue in a heartbeat for anyone planning a wedding, big celebration, or any kind of large event. It was, truly, the most magical weekend of our lives and we can’t thank George and the team enough!
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Meet the team

George
George
Co-Founder

Hi, I’m George, one of the co-founders of The Shire. My family has spent decades re-wilding this land, planting trees, creating lakes, and bringing wildlife back to the old farm.

I’ll be your main point of contact from your first enquiry through to your wedding day, keeping everything straightforward, calm and bespoke. We host a limited number of weddings each year, so you’ll always have a relaxed, personal experience without any rush.

If you’re looking for a beautiful countryside space cared for by a family who truly love it, I’d be delighted to show you around.

Map

Pury Hill Farm, Alderton Road NN12 7LS Towcester (Northamptonshire)
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