The Historic Dockyard

Chatham, Kent

EXCELLENT

13 Reviews

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The Historic Dockyard

Chatham, Kent

EXCELLENT

13 Reviews

Information For The Historic Dockyard

New for 2026:

Discover one of Kent's newest wedding venues.
Restored, Renewed. Ready for the love stories yet to be told, be among the first couples to host your wedding at this brand new venue.

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is an elegant wedding venue located in Kent. Celebrate your story surrounded by mid-18th-century design, adding a timeless lens to each part of your day. Whether you envision exchanging vows aboard a stately ship, enjoying an opulant dinner in The Orangery, or sharing drinks and canapes in the romantic Commissioner's Garden, The Historic Dockyard offers timeless elegance in spectacular setting.

Facilities and Capacity

The Historic Dockyard Chatham offers a choice ceremony venues and a reception setting, accommodating up to 120 seated guests, and 200 evening guests. The Commissioner's House is an elegant Georgian-style stately home, fresh from an extensive renovation. Every room, hallway and corner has been restored to warmly welcome new love stories to live alongside centuries of history. Why not explore our newest ceremony and reception venue, The Orangery. Set within the Gardens and wrapped in floor to ceiling glass, it’s filled with natural light and designed to let you shape the celebration in your own way. Wedding packages include exclusive use of The Commissioner's house, with the surrounding courtyard and garden provides the perfect setting for drinks and canapés. From period architecture and elegantly designed rooms to the distinctive backdrop of ships, gardens and dockyard, the setting feels timeless and entirely its own.

Food is at the heart of every celebration. The head chef brings creativity and craft to every menu, drawing on the best seasonal produce and taking influences from Britain’s rich culinary traditions. They take pride in supporting local suppliers, adding a true Kentish touch to the dishes offered. From refined canapés to indulgent feasts, your wedding breakfast will be shaped around your tastes and your story. Ahead of the day, you’ll enjoy a menu tasting, ensuring that every detail feels personal, celebratory, and unforgettable.

If you're looking for a truly unforgettable way to say 'I do,' you can embark on a journey aboard the magnificent and romantic Victorian sloop, HMS Gannet. Choose from the Commander's Cabin, the Quarterdeck or the main deck for you and your guests, then enjoy the evening at The Commissioner's House. You'll have access to the extensive historic site, allowing you to choose from a range of distinctive backdrops for your wedding album.

Services Offered

The team at The Historic Dockyard Chatham aims to provide as much support as possible throughout your planning journey. Beginning with an initial consultation and tour, their events team will walk you through their process, listening to your needs and aspirations. They love to create bespoke experiences for each happy couple. Their packages include the following:

A Personalised service and packages shaped around you
Access to the private estate for wedding photography
Guidance from an experienced wedding team
A dedicated Events Manager on the day
Elegant get-ready suites for morning-of preparations
In-House catering and menu tasting included within package price
Support with Medway Registrars
Garden games on the lawn
Tables, chairs, linens, cutlery, crockery and glassware all provided
Thoughtful touches including unlimited cordial for children, a postbox for cards and easel to display your table plan, table numbers or name holder, and a classic silver cake stand and knife.

The Historic Dockyard at a Glance

Price Range

£4850 - £17715

Bedrooms

N/A

Type of Venue

Exclusive Use
Marquee Weddings
Historic
Stately Home
Unique Venue
Same-Sex Weddings
Orangery Weddings

Seated Capacity

Up to 120

Reception Capacity

Up to 200

Unique & Historic Buildings Restored Historic Venue Your own dedicated Wedding Co-Ordinator Exclusive Use Stunning Garden Options for Inside & Outside Ceremonies Pricing Category : ModerateMinimum Price : 4850Reception Capacity ( Indoor / Outdoor ) : 200Seated Dining Capacity ( Indoor or Outdoor ) : 120Bridal Suite : Changing OnlyHistoric View More

Country House Manor HouseNumber of People In Team : 2No of Weddings Hosted : Number of Weddings Hosted - More Than 50Nearest Town : ChathamNearest Airport : GatwickNearest Motorway : M20Nearest Train Station : ChathamChurch Within Walking DistanceLandmarkAlternativeUnique Wedding VenueUnusualCasualClassicFormalIntimateLuxuryConfetti PermittedCeremony LicenceAlcohol LicenseAlcohol ProvisionBartendingIn House CateringIn House Wine ListBuffet StylePre-Wedding ConsultationSeated MealStaff ProvidedTables And Chairs ProvidedTableware ProvidedCeremony and Reception MusiciansCeremony MusicReception MusicPackageOn The Day Wedding CoordinationPublic Liability InsuranceBallroomBridal Changing FacilitiesDisabled AccessExclusive UseGrade Listed BuildingIn House Wedding CoordinatorLandscaped GardensMarquee or Tipi PermittedOnsite ParkingOutdoor SpaceWater ViewGreat ViewsBlank CanvasLovely GroundsRomanticStylishGarden OutdoorMuseum AttractionStately HomeWedding PlannersOrangerySame-Sex View Less

Meet the Manager

Chloe Wilson

Congratulations on your engagement! My name is Chloe and I am the Wedding Coordinator for The Historic Dockyard, dedicated to making your wedding day perfect, and taking away any stress you may have! My job is to make sure your wedding day runs smoothly, from your initial viewing, to making your booking, to the day itself. I am here for both Bride and Groom to answer questions and be a constant support at all times. I look forward to hopefully meeting you soon to show you around our unique venue!

The Historic Dockyard Reviews

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13 Reviews

EXCELLENT

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Natasha and Christopher

Wsomething different

A lovely venue and the staff couldn't be more helpful.
It's something a bit different as you have the option to get married on a ship.

Response from The Historic Dockyard

Good morning,Thank you so much for your kind words! It was a pleasure to host your special day and I wish you all the best with your future. Chloe WilsonVisitor Enterprise Sales Manager

Louise & Rob

A brilliant experience from start to finish!

It really was the best day of our lives. Everything from our initial meeting with Chloe right up until we went back the day after to collect our things was fantastic. The care, the attention to detail, the support and the welcoming and friendly attitude to all of our family and guests was first class. A special mention must go to Lisa who couldn’t do enough for me or for my family, she’s wonderful and a credit to the venue. Thank you for making our day so special.

Catherine & Steven

Our experience was amazing!

Our experience with the Dockyard, when you consider how difficult this year has been was amazing from beginning to end. When we first visited the Dockyard in November 2018 as a potential venue, we were very impressed. Chloe was just so nice and helpful and I think the thought of getting married on a ship won my husband over. When news of the pandemic hit, we had just posted our day invitations and quickly realised we were probably going to have to send out follow up cancellations. Although Chloe had the awful task of informing us that the Dockyard was closing and so our May wedding couldn’t go ahead, she just continued to be helpful in making alternative suggestions and generally being very accommodating. We actually cancelled altogether, intending to have a very small ceremony at the registry office when weddings were allowed again. This didn’t last long, as when weddings were given the green light to go ahead we knew we were in love with the Dockyard so arranged with Olivia to hold it on the 2nd anniversary of our engagement. The build up to that day was pretty tense, as the Government postponed receptions going ahead so we didn’t actually know until about 5 days before the wedding whether we could have any sort of reception. Once again, Olivia was just fantastic and was happy to organise whatever we wanted with whatever notice we could give. Same as the caterers who were prepared to cancel or deliver with 24 hours notice!!!

The day was the best day ever. Apart from the fact I married the love of my life (and him his), the highlight was seeing our families together for what was going to be the last time in a number of months and getting married on the ship. Our guest list went down from about 80 to well under 30 but it just didn’t matter. From the moment I arrived in the morning, Olivia and her team were on hand, making sure everyone had a great (and safe) time. We were really worried that the several previous days of rain would continue, but the sun came out before the ceremony and stayed out for the duration. We’ll be forever grateful to everyone at the Dockyard for making our wedding day happen, and for making it so special too.

Sam & Phil

The most perfect day!

Thank you so much it was the most amazing day. Absolutely perfect! The team and especially Lisa were absolutely fantastic please pass on our thanks to her, she was amazing.

We really can’t thank you and the dockyard enough, it really was just the most perfect day.

Joanne & David

Such an amazing day!

Thank you so much for making our wedding day such an amazing day. Throughout the whole process you have been kind, patient, supportive and above all so professional. Nothing was too much trouble. We wanted a unique day that allowed us to celebrate and bring together a wide range of friends and family. You listened carefully to our needs, make suggestions and helped us to have a day even more amazing than we could have ever hoped for. All your supplier suggestions were so helpful and thank you so much for introducing us to Nicky (Photographer) and Sue (Florist). We hope to see you soon and will always think of you and Commissioner's House for any future events!

Vikki & Lawrence

The most amazing day of our lives!

Thank you so so much for all of your hard work and effort towards our wedding. We had the most brilliant day and it all ran so smoothly thanks to all your help! From the planning to the day itself, nothing was too much trouble, right through to the most perfect day of our lives. We truly cannot thank you enough. The venue is truly stunning and gave us the one-of-a-kind day we were looking for. All of your future couples are very lucky indeed!

Bonnie & Jon

Dreams Come True

Thank you for being so amazing with all of our planning over the last 18 months. You've made our dreams come true and we cannot thank you enough!

Claire & Jim

We had an amazing day!

Thank you so much for all of your help with the planning and running of our special day. Massive thanks to Lisa for making everything run so smoothly - she was a star! We had an amazing day and are so glad that we choose The Dockyard as our wedding venue!

Wendy & John

Thank You!

To Chloe and all the staff at Commissioner's House, Thank you for all the work and effort in helping us on our special day. A special mention to Lisa who could not do enough for us during the day and evening. Everyone had a lovely time at your wonderful venue! Lots of love, Wendy and John

Jenny & Robert

The staff were brilliant!

Hi Chloe I just wanted to let you and your staff know how pleased we were with the way the wedding and celebrations went off on Saturday 12th. Everyone really enjoyed it despite the rain- in fact most people only noticed it was raining once they were on their way out! The staff were brilliant, especially Lisa who was always there , ready to go the extra mile to help, both during the day and while we were preparing things and clearing up afterwards. Thank you all once again, Janet and Dave Sampson

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