Colshaw Hall, a Grade II listed 1903 manor house wedding venue in Over Peover, Cheshire

Colshaw Hall Wedding Photographer

If you are planning your wedding at Colshaw Hall, you have chosen one of the most exclusive and beautifully designed wedding venues in Cheshire. Set on a private 300-acre estate in Over Peover, near Knutsford, it gives you a Grade II listed Edwardian hall, a light-filled ceremony barn, landscaped gardens and a lake, all for you and your guests alone.

I’m Philip Antrobus, a Cheshire wedding photographer, and I have had the pleasure of photographing weddings at Colshaw Hall. Knowing the venue well makes a real difference. I understand how the light moves throughout the day, the best locations for relaxed couple portraits, and how to keep everything flowing naturally so you are not pulled away from your guests for long.

Colshaw Hall at a Glance

  • Venue: Colshaw Hall, an exclusive-use country house wedding venue
  • Address: Stocks Lane, Over Peover, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 8TW
  • Setting: Grade II listed hall built in 1903, on a private 300-acre estate
  • Ceremony: The Stables ceremony barn
  • Wedding breakfast: the Peel Suite, for around 160 guests
  • Evening: the Peel Suite dance floor and The Den
  • Gardens: Walled Garden, Magnolia Garden, Japanese Garden, lake and fountain
  • Accommodation: the Hall bedrooms, the Bridal Lodge and courtyard cottages
  • Travel: a few miles from Knutsford, with easy access to the M6, M56 and Manchester Airport

About Colshaw Hall

Colshaw Hall was built in 1903 and designed by the Chester architects Douglas and Minshull. Its red-brick and sandstone frontage, tall chimneys and mullioned windows make it one of the most striking backdrops in Cheshire. The Irlam family turned their former family home into a wedding venue, and it is now a Grade II listed, exclusive-use estate, so on your wedding day the house, gardens and grounds are yours.

Getting Ready at Colshaw Hall

The Makeup Lounge and the bedrooms in the Hall, including the Master David Suite, are ideal for natural, behind-the-scenes moments, with plenty of space and soft window light. The galleried landing, with its oak balustrade and chandelier, is perfect for a first look with your dad before the ceremony.

Grooms and groomsmen usually get ready in The Den, a relaxed, dark-panelled space with leather sofas, a bar and a games table. It makes a great setting for the groomsmen photos before everyone heads over to The Stables.

Wedding Ceremonies in The Stables at Colshaw Hall

Ceremonies take place in The Stables, a bright, character-filled barn with oak beams, marble floors, chandeliers and views across the lake and grounds. The large windows fill the room with soft, even light, which is perfect for capturing genuine reactions and those emotional moments as you walk down the aisle.

Bride and groom signing the register in The Stables at Colshaw Hall

After the ceremony, the covered entrance of The Stables makes a perfect frame for confetti, and the open space in front of the clock tower is ideal for your big group photo.

The Best Wedding Photo Locations at Colshaw Hall

Colshaw Hall is set within a private estate with landscaped gardens, so there is no shortage of beautiful locations. These are the spots I always come back to:

The Lake and Stone Bridge

The little stone bridge over the lake, framed by mature trees and reflected in the water, is one of the most romantic spots on the estate.

Bride and groom on the stone bridge over the lake at Colshaw Hall

The Tree-Lined Drive and Parkland

The avenue of old trees along the drive creates a natural tunnel of green, and the open parkland nearby, complete with a rope swing, gives you relaxed, fun portraits with a real sense of space.

The Walled Garden

The Walled Garden, with its striped lawn, clipped topiary and oak pergola, sits right beside the Hall. It is perfect for elegant bridal portraits, and the pergola frames a dress train beautifully.

The Magnolia and Japanese Gardens

The Magnolia Garden, the Japanese Garden and the fountain give you even more variety, all within a short walk. I always keep this part quick and easy, usually around 15 to 20 minutes, so you can get back to your guests.

The Wedding Breakfast and Evening at Colshaw Hall

Your wedding breakfast is held in the Peel Suite, a spacious, light-filled room surrounded by the gardens, with exposed brick, fairy lights and plenty of room for speeches and candid moments throughout the meal. In the evening it becomes the setting for your first dance and party.

The Den adds a completely different feel to the evening, with a more relaxed and social atmosphere. From a photography point of view, it is great for natural evening moments and guests enjoying themselves, and it gives you another unique setting within the same venue.

My Tips for Your Colshaw Hall Wedding Photos

  • Plan a first look on the landing. The galleried landing inside the Hall is a beautiful, private spot for a moment with your dad before the ceremony.
  • Keep couple portraits to 15–20 minutes. The Walled Garden, lake and drive are close together, so we can get lots of variety without a long walk.
  • Use The Stables entrance for confetti. It gives a lovely frame and keeps everyone together for the group photo straight afterwards.
  • Keep your group list short. Around 8 to 10 family groups keeps things moving so you can enjoy the drinks reception.
  • Ask about golden hour. On a clear evening, a few minutes outside before sunset gives the warmest, most flattering light of the day.
  • Don’t worry about rain. The Stables, the Peel Suite, The Den and the Hall itself give us plenty of beautiful indoor options.

Why Choose Me as Your Colshaw Hall Wedding Photographer?

  • Venue experience: I have photographed weddings at Colshaw Hall and know the venue, its spaces and its team.
  • Relaxed, natural style: I work quietly in the background, capturing genuine moments as they happen rather than staging anything.
  • Exclusive-use advantage: with everything in one place, your day flows smoothly and I can focus on the moments that matter.
  • Clear packages: see my wedding photography packages for what’s included.

If you’re still comparing venues, take a look at my guides to DoubleTree by Hilton Chester, Peckforton Castle, Nunsmere Hall and Highfield Hall.

Colshaw Hall Wedding Photography FAQs

Have you photographed weddings at Colshaw Hall before?

Yes. I have photographed weddings at Colshaw Hall, so I know The Stables, the Peel Suite, The Den and the gardens, and where the best light is at different times of the day.

How long do we need for couple photos at Colshaw Hall?

I usually recommend around 15 to 20 minutes. The Walled Garden, the lake and the tree-lined drive are all close together, so we can get plenty of variety and you are back with your guests quickly.

Where are the best places for wedding photos at Colshaw Hall?

My favourite spots are the galleried landing inside the Hall, the courtyard in front of the Hall, The Stables and its clock tower, the stone bridge over the lake, the tree-lined drive, the rope swing and the oak pergola in the Walled Garden.

Can we have outdoor wedding photos at Colshaw Hall?

Yes. The 300-acre estate is one of the biggest highlights, with the Walled Garden, Magnolia Garden, Japanese Garden, the lake and fountain, and open parkland all on your doorstep.

What happens if it rains on our wedding day at Colshaw Hall?

Colshaw Hall has plenty of indoor options, including The Stables, the Peel Suite, The Den and the staircase and landing inside the Hall. Having photographed weddings here before, I always have a backup plan ready.

Is Colshaw Hall good for evening wedding photography?

Yes. The first dance and evening party create a great atmosphere for relaxed, natural evening shots, and The Den adds a completely different, more social setting for the evening.

Where is Colshaw Hall and how many guests can it hold?

Colshaw Hall is on Stocks Lane in Over Peover, near Knutsford, Cheshire (WA16 8TW), with easy access to the M6 and M56 and Manchester Airport. It is exclusive use and can host around 160 guests for the wedding breakfast and more in the evening, with accommodation on site.

How do I check your availability for my Colshaw Hall wedding?

Send me your date through the contact form and I will come back to you quickly. You can also see my wedding photography packages.

Directions to Colshaw Hall

Colshaw Hall, Stocks Lane, Over Peover, Knutsford, Cheshire WA16 8TW. The venue is a few miles south of Knutsford, with easy access to the M6 and M56, and Manchester Airport is a short drive away. The nearest train stations are Chelford and Wilmslow.

Check My Availability for Your Colshaw Hall Wedding

If you are getting married at Colshaw Hall and are looking for a photographer who knows the venue and can keep things relaxed, I would love to hear about your plans. Send me your date and I’ll get back to you with my availability.