Why choose a venue with a games room?
A wedding weekend has plenty of time between the big moments: the afternoon before, the gap while photographs are taken, and the long, relaxed morning after. A games room gives guests somewhere to gather and something to do, and it is often where the friendliest rivalries of the weekend are born. It also helps families with older children, who always appreciate a pool table.
We have 11 wedding venues with a games room, including Dreamstone Castle in Swansea, Toft Estate in Leek and Greenwood Estate in Hailsham. Each one is hired by a single couple at a time.
What you might find
Every games room is different. Depending on the house you might find a pool or snooker table, a billiard room, table tennis, darts, board games or a games console. Some sit in a separate wing or outbuilding, which is handy if you want noise away from the main rooms. Each venue page lists what the house has.
Using the games room on the day
Couples use the games room in lots of ways: as a chill-out space during the evening reception, as a place for the children while the speeches run, or as the home of a friendly tournament on Sunday morning. Some turn it into a bar or photo-booth area for the night. Check with our team if you want to move furniture or add decorations.
How many guests can stay?
Our venues with a games room sleep between 16 and 80 people, and eight of them sleep 30 or more. The bedrooms usually go to the wedding party and close family, while other guests stay nearby. Use the Sleeps filter above to see only the venues big enough for your group.
Choosing the right venue
Start with the guest list: how many need a bed, and how many will join for the day. Then think about the setting – a country house with a billiard room, a barn with table tennis, or an estate with a separate games wing away from the bedrooms. Travel matters too, so look for a venue within easy reach of a station or main road. Our team knows each house and can help you shortlist two or three to visit.
Planning your wedding weekend
Most couples book from Friday to Sunday. Friday is for arriving, unpacking and a relaxed welcome dinner or barbecue with everyone who is staying. Saturday is the wedding, with a slow start for getting ready and no one needing to travel. Sunday brings a long breakfast or brunch, a walk and time to relive the day together before everyone heads home.
Having everyone under one roof also makes the practical side simpler: suppliers know where to come, the wedding party is never far away, and there is no rush to leave at the end of the night. Our team can help you plan the timings and point you to suppliers who know the venue.
Getting married at the venue
In England and Wales, a venue needs a wedding licence to host the legal ceremony on site. Venues showing Wedding Licence or Wedding Receptions host weddings today. Where a house is not licensed, many couples hold the legal ceremony at a nearby register office or church and a personal, symbolic ceremony at the venue in front of everyone. In Scotland, an authorised celebrant can marry you at almost any venue.
Costs and when to book
One price covers the whole venue, its bedrooms and its facilities, including the games room. Prices depend on the venue, the season, the day of the week and the number of nights. Summer Saturdays book up first, while spring, autumn and midweek dates are easier to find and usually cost less. Most couples book 12 to 24 months ahead – enter your dates above to see which venues are free.