Wedding Photography at Clearwell Castle.
A Castle Wedding Venue in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire

Chloe and Josh’s wedding at Clearwell Castle was an absolute joy to photograph. A crisp autumn day with golden leaves, a short burst of rain and then a rainbow appearing over the castle at just the right moment.

Clearwell Castle: A Gloucestershire Wedding Venue

Clearwell Castle is an 18th century Gothic Revival masterpiece located in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire. Built in the 1720s on the site of an earlier medieval manor, it was designed to impress with its grand stone facades, towers and expansive grounds. Over the centuries, the castle has been a family home, a private estate and a retreat for generations of owners. Its architecture and interiors reflect a mix of elegance and grandeur, with light filled rooms, vaulted ceilings and beautiful detailing throughout.

Today, Clearwell Castle is one of the UK’s most sought after wedding venues. It combines history and luxury seamlessly, offering dramatic backdrops inside and out, landscaped gardens and woodland surroundings that change with every season. Its character and scale make it a stunning and unforgettable place to celebrate a wedding.

Why I Bring a Second Photographer

I had my second photographer with me, so we were able to capture every angle and detail throughout the day. Having a second photographer at Clearwell Castle makes a huge difference. With so many stunning angles, light filled rooms and dramatic outdoor spaces, it means no moment is missed. While one photographer focuses on the couple, the second can capture reactions, candid family moments or sweeping shots of the castle and grounds. It allows for a fuller, more dynamic coverage of the day, ensuring every detail and emotion is documented.

Portraits with Archie

During the couple shoot, Chloe and Josh were joined by their son Archie. The three of them had so much fun together, laughing and playing in the field behind the castle. The light was perfect and the castle made a beautiful backdrop.

An Evening of Sparklers and Dancing

The evening was full of energy. Sparkler fun outside, an epic cake cut in the main entrance hall and a packed dance floor. By the time I left, Josh was twirling Chloe in the middle of it all while everyone danced around them.

Chloe and Josh planned a wedding that was joyful, full of life and completely their own. Watching them with Archie was a highlight of the day. It was a pleasure to photograph their wedding at Clearwell Castle and I wish them all the best for the future. If you are planning an autumn wedding at Clearwell Castle or anywhere else in Gloucestershire, I would love to hear from you. Get in touch and let’s start planning your day.

As a Wedding Photographer, This Is Why You Should Choose Clearwell Castle

Clearwell Castle makes me smile every time I drive through the Forest of Dean towards it. The castle appears through the trees like something from a fairy tale and then you realise how much space there is around it. The grounds are extensive, with landscaped gardens, woodland, a cocktail terrace and a croquet lawn and the surroundings change with every season. There are so many beautiful areas for photographs that you never feel you have run out of places to go.

Marry inside the Ballroom, where a long aisle, a raised dais and leaded windows make your walk feel truly special, or choose the bandstand in the gardens and have the castle behind you as you say your vows. The entrance hall is a spot I love and the light filled rooms give you lovely options indoors if the weather turns, though a rainbow over the castle is always possible.

The party moves easily too. The Cellar Bar has its own dance floor and disco lighting for the evening and the main entrance hall has a grandeur that makes a cake cut feel like an event. Your wedding party can stay close with castle bedrooms and The Wyndham just a short stroll away.

You have exclusive use of the castle with a personal wedding manager at your side and the in house chefs look after your guests. It feels grand without ever feeling stiff, which is exactly what makes it special.

Why Choose Megan Maxwell as Your Wedding Photographer

People should choose me as their Clearwell Castle wedding photographer because I know how to tell a story. After fifteen years as a television director and writer at the BBC, I bring a documentary approach to wedding photography, with an eye for the moments, relationships and little details that make your day yours. Chloe and Josh’s crisp autumn day brought golden leaves, a short burst of rain and a rainbow over the castle.

I work in a documentary style for most of the day, quietly in the background, capturing the hugs, the happy tears, the questionable dance moves and all the brilliant, unexpected things going on around you. Somewhere like the Ballroom, the terrace and the forest setting gives me endless moments to watch for. I want you to spend your day with your favourite people, not worrying about where I am or what you should be doing.

I know how much it matters to have photographs of the two of you looking incredible. We will usually take around twenty minutes for a wander together at the castle gardens and the terrace, with a little gentle direction when it helps. You do not have to know how to pose or feel at ease in front of a camera. That is what I am there for.

I want my photographs to be as beautiful as they are meaningful. Images full of life, personality and rich colour that show not just what your wedding looked like but how it felt to be there.

In the end I want you to have a collection that tells the whole story. The big moments, the little moments, the people you love and everything you might otherwise have missed. Photographs you will love now and treasure for years to come.

Every collection includes full day coverage with no set hours, travel is included and your previews arrive within 48 hours.

Are you getting married at Clearwell Castle? Take a look at my portfolio, read more about me or get in touch. You can also message me on WhatsApp.

You Might Also Like

Pembroke Lodge, Richmond Park  |  Solberge Hall, Northallerton