Venue hire

Venue hire at Kirkstall Abbey

Kirkstall Abbey is available to hire throughout the year for events, wedding blessings, film opportunities and more.

Wedding Blessings and Vow Renewals

Offering a spectacular backdrop and romantic setting, Kirkstall Abbey is a beautiful venue for a wedding blessing or vow renewal in Leeds. Within the abbey’s Visitor Centre, the Colonel North Room can be hired for drinks and canapés. Hire for half a day or a full day depending on your needs.

The Gatehouse at Abbey House Museum provides a majestic setting for a wedding reception with its grand Cistercian arches and gothic style windows. The Gatehouse can seat up to 60 seated dinner guests and up to 175 for canapé and drink receptions. The two spacious patios boast spectacular views of the Kirkstall Abbey ruins and are surrounded by lush green lawns, perfect for a refreshing break during your evening reception.

Please note that the abbey is not a licensed venue and cannot currently host wedding ceremonies. Due to the protected status of the abbey grounds, wedding vehicles are not permitted to drive through or park on the grounds.

Baby Naming Ceremonies

Create your own special ceremony to welcome your new arrival by hiring the Colonel North Room in the Visitor Centre and/or the church of the abbey ruin and create your own unique occasion.

Please note that the abbey is not a licensed venue and naming ceremonies have no legal status. You can lead the ceremony yourself or hire a celebrant to help you to prepare the ceremony and lead it on the day. Organisations such as The British Humanist Association (BHA) can arrange a special ceremony to welcome your child or you can contact Leeds City Council’s Register Office.

Film, Photography and Events

With its dramatic ruins and beautiful surrounding parkland, Kirkstall Abbey is a popular location for film and photography shoots.

From large scale TV dramas to intimate theatre shows, musical performances and outdoor cinema experiences, the abbey is a fantastic setting for a wide range of events.

Previous recordings include Frankenstein’s Wedding (broadcast live on BBC3), Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell (BBC), Gunpowder (BBC), Love, Lies and Records (BBC), Don’t Tell the Bride (Ch4), and Emmerdale (ITV).

Make a venue hire enquiry

Make an enquiry by filling in the below form and a member of our team will be in touch shortly.