Description
Your Dream Wedding at a Historic London Landmark
Imagine celebrating your wedding surrounded by over 300 years of rich history at the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Founded in 1682 by King Charles II and designed by the renowned Sir Christopher Wren, this stunning Grade I and II listed venue sits in the heart of London with breathtaking views of the River Thames. Once a home for army veterans, it now offers a timeless and elegant setting that adds a unique sense of heritage and grandeur to your special day.
Beautiful Spaces Tailored to Your Wedding Vision
Whether you’re planning an intimate ceremony or a grand celebration, the Royal Hospital Chelsea has a variety of versatile spaces to bring your wedding dreams to life:
- The Great Hall: The largest indoor space, perfect for receptions. Designed by Wren, it features stunning oak panelling and historic paintings of British monarchs. It comfortably seats up to 180 guests or 120 if you want a dance floor.
- The State Apartments: Ideal for a more intimate and regal ceremony or reception. These ornately decorated rooms, with views over the Thames, can host up to 60 seated guests and have welcomed royalty for centuries.
- Figure Court: A spectacular 17th-century courtyard surrounded by elegant colonnades and historic buildings. It’s a perfect outdoor space for a stylish drinks reception that your guests will remember.
- Ranelagh Gardens: If you’re dreaming of a garden wedding, this secluded and picturesque spot offers a peaceful oasis for an outdoor ceremony or marquee reception.
Expert Planning and Meaningful Impact
The Royal Hospital Chelsea’s experienced events team is dedicated to making your wedding day flawless. They’ll guide you through every detail and connect you with trusted suppliers to match your style and budget. By choosing this venue, you’re also supporting the Chelsea Pensioners—the iconic British Army veterans who live on site—and helping preserve this important piece of national heritage.
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Experience
Overview of Royal Hospital Chelsea
Wedding Ceremony & Reception
Wedding Venue Details
Wedding Catering
Pricing for Royal Hospital Chelsea
Reviews (8)
- NN/A01/04/2025Burns Night Supper Burns Night SupperDuring the event guests were commenting about how much they were enjoying themselves and as they were leaving at the end of the night what a great time they'd had. The professionalism of the staff throughout the event planning to the actual event on the night. Ellys was a fantastic ambassador for the Royal Hospital Chelsea and deserves recognition for her professionalism as an Event Manager, very well done, and I plan to hold a similar event in 2026 at the Royal Hospital. During the event guests were commenting about how much they were enjoying themselves and as they were leaving at the end of the night what a great time they'd had. The professionalism of the staff throughout the event planning to the actual event on the night. Ellys was a fantastic ambassador for the Royal Hospital Chelsea and deserves recognition for her professionalism as an Event Manager, very well done, and I plan to hold a similar event in 2026 at the Royal Hospital.
- EEvening Event in the Great Hall09/08/2024Special VenueSpecial VenueIt really was such a special event in such a beautiful and historic setting. The stories that were shared should make us all stand up and feel proud. They truly were a generation of heroes. I thought I knew from our meetings, how special the Royal Hospital was but last night took my respect to a whole new level.It really was such a special event in such a beautiful and historic setting. The stories that were shared should make us all stand up and feel proud. They truly were a generation of heroes. I thought I knew from our meetings, how special the Royal Hospital was but last night took my respect to a whole new level.
- HHappy Couple married in September12/06/2024Personal & Friendly ServicePersonal & Friendly ServiceWe just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to you and your team at RHC for your hard work, support and professionalism both at and in the run up to Sophie and Christopher’s wedding. We know RHC hosts a lot of events, many much bigger than our own, yet we never felt just a name or a number, it was always a very personal and friendly service, thank you. We just wanted to say a HUGE thank you to you and your team at RHC for your hard work, support and professionalism both at and in the run up to Sophie and Christopher’s wedding. We know RHC hosts a lot of events, many much bigger than our own, yet we never felt just a name or a number, it was always a very personal and friendly service, thank you.
- JJuly 201912/06/2024Thank youThank youThank you and your team for all you did to make the wedding of our son and his new wife so unbelievably special and memorable. It was such a moving and memorable day in a thousand ways, but certainly having the reception and dinner at such an incredible site was amongst the top two or three best aspects! All of the arrangements were beautifully thought through and so well executed; I know that such a successful outcome does not come without massively hard work. Thank you and your team for all you did to make the wedding of our son and his new wife so unbelievably special and memorable. It was such a moving and memorable day in a thousand ways, but certainly having the reception and dinner at such an incredible site was amongst the top two or three best aspects! All of the arrangements were beautifully thought through and so well executed; I know that such a successful outcome does not come without massively hard work.
- GGorgeous August Wedding!12/06/2024Fabulous eveningFabulous eveningWhat a fabulous evening! Many thanks for all your help to ensure our wedding was such a success.What a fabulous evening! Many thanks for all your help to ensure our wedding was such a success.
- EEmma H.21/05/2024It feels like a heaven away from the hustleIt feels like a heaven away from the hustleThe surroundings are utterly beautiful and it feels like a heaven away from the hustle and bustle of London. There were flowers everywhere and it smelt divine. The surroundings are utterly beautiful and it feels like a heaven away from the hustle and bustle of London. There were flowers everywhere and it smelt divine.
- RRanan R.21/05/2024Absolutely amazing!Absolutely amazing!It is a beautiful and welcoming location. It is a beautiful and welcoming location.
- AA happy couple21/05/2024Fabulous historic venueFabulous historic venueIt was an honour to be able to have our wedding in the wonderful place that is the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Our guests were blown away at how grand it all felt! We had a drinks reception in the beautiful Figure Court and then our wedding breakfast and evening reception in the Great Hall. The grounds and buildings serve as an amazing backdrop for photos and it all felt quite private considering its in the heart of London and home to the Chelsea Pensioners. The team there were extremely professionaIt was an honour to be able to have our wedding in the wonderful place that is the Royal Hospital Chelsea. Our guests were blown away at how grand it all felt! We had a drinks reception in the beautiful Figure Court and then our wedding breakfast and evening reception in the Great Hall. The grounds and buildings serve as an amazing backdrop for photos and it all felt quite private considering its in the heart of London and home to the Chelsea Pensioners. The team there were extremely professiona
Location & Contact Details for Royal Hospital Chelsea
Travel Notes
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Nearest Train Station
Nearest Airport
What is the historical significance of the Royal Hospital Chelsea as a wedding venue?
The Royal Hospital Chelsea, founded in 1682 by King Charles II and designed by Sir Christopher Wren, is a Grade I and II listed historic landmark in London. Once a home for army veterans, it offers a timeless setting that blends over 300 years of rich heritage with elegant architecture, making it a uniquely grand venue for weddings.
Where is the Royal Hospital Chelsea located?
The Royal Hospital Chelsea is located in the heart of London at SW3 4SR, London, Greater London, England, GB, with stunning views overlooking the River Thames.
What wedding spaces are available at the Royal Hospital Chelsea?
The venue offers a variety of stunning spaces tailored to different wedding styles and sizes, including:
- The Great Hall: The largest indoor space, seating up to 180 guests comfortably or 120 with a dance floor.
- The State Apartments: Intimate, ornately decorated rooms overlooking the Thames, suitable for up to 60 guests.
- Figure Court: A beautiful 17th-century courtyard perfect for outdoor drinks receptions.
- Ranelagh Gardens: A secluded garden ideal for outdoor ceremonies or marquee receptions.
Can the Royal Hospital Chelsea accommodate both intimate and large wedding celebrations?
Yes, the venue caters to both intimate ceremonies and grand celebrations with versatile spaces like the intimate State Apartments and the expansive Great Hall, ensuring your wedding vision fits perfectly regardless of size.
Does the Royal Hospital Chelsea offer outdoor wedding options?
Absolutely. The venue features outdoor areas such as Figure Court, a historic courtyard ideal for stylish drinks receptions, and Ranelagh Gardens, a picturesque garden perfect for outdoor ceremonies or marquee receptions.
What makes the Great Hall at the Royal Hospital Chelsea special for wedding receptions?
The Great Hall, designed by Sir Christopher Wren, is the largest indoor wedding space at the venue. It features exquisite oak panelling and historic paintings of British monarchs, combining grandeur with comfort for up to 180 guests or 120 with a dance floor.
How does the Royal Hospital Chelsea support veterans through hosting weddings?
By choosing the Royal Hospital Chelsea for your wedding, you help support the Chelsea Pensioners, the iconic British Army veterans residing at the hospital, contributing to the preservation of this important piece of national heritage.
Is there expert event planning support available at the Royal Hospital Chelsea?
Yes, the experienced events team at the Royal Hospital Chelsea offers comprehensive planning assistance. They guide couples through every detail and connect them with trusted suppliers to ensure a flawless and personalized wedding day that matches their style and budget.
Are there unique historical features that guests can enjoy at a wedding held here?
Guests can enjoy breathtaking views of the River Thames and experience the venue’s rich history, including architecture designed by Sir Christopher Wren, stunning oak panelling, historic paintings in the Great Hall, and the elegant colonnades of Figure Court, all contributing to an unforgettable wedding experience.
How can I contact the Royal Hospital Chelsea to inquire about wedding bookings?
To inquire about wedding bookings at the Royal Hospital Chelsea, visit their official website or contact their events team directly via phone or email. The team is dedicated to providing detailed information and guiding you through the booking process for your perfect wedding day.