History of the Priory
Wymondley Priory was founded in 1203 by Richard Argentein, honoured knight and cupbearer
to the King. Its place in history began as a house of Augustinian priors who followed the Rule of
St Augustine for three hundred years. After the suppression in 1534 Henry VIII granted a lease
on the property to his Carpenter and Surveyor of Works, James Needham, a notable craftsman
of his time and acclaimed Master of the Company of Carpenters during the 1530s. It was this
royal carpenter who built a substantial family home over the remains of the Priory church and
alongside it the magnificent tithe barn, hailed as possibly the finest timber barn in England.
The Priory was created as a wedding venue in 1992 by John and Ann Hope, themselves happily married
for many years. The couple fell in love with the idea of sharing this beautiful location and have since
hosted more than 2,000 weddings and civil ceremonies. Set at its heart is the historic tithe barn, built by
James Needham in 1541 and still retaining its traditional appearance with a regal sense of space.
The Priory is John and Ann’s home, which opens its doors to couples looking for that uniquely special
place – somewhere welcoming and perfectly private with a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere for their
wedding day. As one of the UK’s very first barn venues, families gather here from far and wide, trusting
John and Ann’s meticulous attention to detail that has proven to be the hallmark of its success.
A Modern Day Love Story
Described as a beautiful canvas on which to create your wedding with landscaped grounds as its
picture-perfect backdrop, the fully-licenced barn transforms from an exquisite daytime venue to a
magical setting for evening events. With space for everyone to enjoy live music, a DJ, or your own
style of entertainment, this prestigious barn is hugely diverse so adding personal-touch decor
works for both smaller or larger groups. The Priory will comfortably accommodate up to 150
guests during the day for dining and can be extended to 180 to share your evening event.
From Perfect Day to Magical Night
We pride ourselves on providing exclusive weddings for every
couple. The Priory holds a licence for all civil marriages, which can
be held in the atmospheric tithe barn or as an open-air ceremony
in the grounds at the summerhouse. We advise that couples
planning to hold their ceremony here check availability with the
local registrar before confirming a booking. If you wish to have
your reception at The Priory following your wedding ceremony
which has been hosted elsewhere, we would suggest that you chat
with us about timings beforehand.
Ceremonies and Receptions
The traditional barn provides a perfect place for vintage-style weddings with vast layout
combinations and contemporary decoration choices. Its relaxed, soft around the edges feeling
blends the elegance of service that John and Ann have perfected over many years with on-trend
elements, such as lime-washed Chiavari chairs, vintage pieces and classic design details.
The Priory’s wedding co-ordinator, who knows exactly how to structure a perfect day,
works with an experienced team to ensure that your wedding runs seamlessly.
Vintage Weddings
The Priory is easy to reach, no matter how you are travelling. We are located two minutes from
Junction 8 of the A1(M) and 20 minutes from Junction 22 of the M25. The nearest railway stations are
Stevenage and Hitchin, with fast, frequent train connections from London Kings Cross and taxi services
available at both stations. London Luton Airport is 20 minutes away and London Stansted Airport just
under an hour. For information about our trusted partners, hotels and guest accommodation, visit
thepriory.net/weddings/suppliers. Call The Priory today on 01438 748647 or visit thepriory.net
How to Find Us
Stevenage
LetchworthGarden City
Hitchin
Baldock
St Ippolyts
Graveley
Weston
B655
A602
B656
B197
B656A505
A507
Clothall
Holwell
IcklefordPirton
GreatWymondley
LittleWymondley
A1(M)
A507
A505
A505
B656
A602
To London(30 miles)
To Luton(9 miles)
To Royston(8 miles)
To Bedford(16 miles)
A1(M)
GreatWymondley
LittleWymondley
Ashbrook
Graveley
Titmore Green
A602
A602
B197
HighStreet
GraveleyRoad
GraveleyRoad
HitchinRoad
GraveleyLane
PrioryLane
StevenageRoad
ArchRoad
To Stevenage
To Letchworth Garden City
To Hitchin
A1(M)
A1(M)
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