Armathwaite Hall Hotel
Wedding Photographer

Are you looking for Wedding Photographer at Armathwaite Hall Hotel?

I’m Andy Wade, an award winning photographer, and Armathwaite Hall has one of the grandest settings in the Lake District: a stately home on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake with Skiddaw rising behind it. I’ve photographed two weddings here and it’s a venue that makes every frame feel cinematic.

My approach is all about storytelling in a relaxed documentary style, focusing on the real emotions, and creative yet natural portraits. The weddings you see across Andy Wade Photography are all real days I’ve documented, so what you see here is exactly how I’d photograph yours.

A stately home on the lake with Skiddaw behind it. Let’s create something beautiful together at Armathwaite Hall.

Wedding Photography at Armathwaite Hall Hotel

Wedding Stories from the Lake District

A gorgeous place in the world

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Armathwaite Hall Hotel Weddings

SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE

Armathwaite Hall Hotel Wedding Venue

Inside Armathwaite Hall

Armathwaite Hall has one of the grandest settings in the Lake District: a stately home on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake with Skiddaw rising behind it. I've photographed 2 weddings here and it's a venue that makes an impression the moment you sweep up the drive.

Inside, the panelled hall and grand rooms give the ceremony and wedding breakfast real ceremony of their own. There's space for celebrations of different sizes across the hall's rooms, the spa is a lovely bonus for the day after, and the bedrooms mean your favourite people can make a full weekend of it. Whatever the weather decides to do, your photos are sorted, because the interiors here are as good as the views.

Bassenthwaite views and Skiddaw skies

The hall sits in 400 acres of deer park and woodland rolling down to the lakeshore. Manicured gardens near the house give way to parkland with red deer grazing, and then the lake itself, with the Skiddaw massif filling the skyline. For portraits, you could not ask for more variety: formal gardens, ancient trees, open parkland and that shoreline, all within a few minutes' walk.

The flow of the day works beautifully. Drinks on the terraces overlooking the lake, a wander to the shore for portraits as the light drops, then back into the warmth of the hall for the evening. On a clear evening, the sunset over Bassenthwaite is unforgettable.

Silhouetted figures, scenic countryside view through window.
  • Couple walking in front of large historic building.
  • Historic estate with a garden gazebo and guests
Outdoor wedding ceremony under wooden gazebo with guests seated.
  • Bride and groom in scenic landscape with sky view.
  • Couple kissing in garden wedding setting

The History of Armathwaite Hall Hotel

Centuries on the lakeshore

There has been a hall at Armathwaite since at least the 15th century, when the Lawson family, descendants of the de Bassenthwaites, owned the estate. It passed to the Highmore family around 1540 and through several hands over the following centuries, each leaving something behind.

The building was largely rebuilt and extended in the Victorian era into the baronial-style hall you see today, complete with its tower and oak-panelled interiors. It's that Victorian confidence you feel when you arrive: a proper Lakeland country house built to make a statement.

The baronial hall by the lake

Set in its 400-acre estate on Bassenthwaite Lake, Armathwaite is now a four-star hotel and spa and one of the Lake District's most prestigious wedding venues. It combines the grandeur of a stately home with the comfort of a modern country hotel, and the setting, between lake and mountain, is about as romantic as England gets.

How To Get To Armathwaite Hall Hotel

Armathwaite Hall is on the shores of Bassenthwaite Lake near Keswick, postcode CA12 4RE. Leave the M6 at junction 40 (Penrith), take the A66 to the Crosthwaite roundabout at Keswick, then the A591 signposted to Carlisle. After about 8 miles, at the Castle Inn junction, turn left and the hall is 300 yards further on.

Penrith station, on the West Coast Main Line, is about 25 minutes away by taxi, and there's plenty of parking on the estate.

My Style of Photography

I’m known for my documentary approach in wedding photography, capturing authentic, natural, and heartfelt moments. I aim to narrate each couple’s unique story through genuine, candid captures that resonate with real emotion. Having received numerous awards both in the UK and globally, my commitment and expertise in my field are well recognised. Offering my services throughout the UK and overseas, I cater to couples looking for a photographer who can document their day as it unfolds, ensuring a true representation of their special moments.

Why book Andy Wade Photography?

You’ve found your venue, and now you want the day photographed as it actually happens, not staged around the camera. My style is natural and documentary: genuine moments, real emotion, and the laughter, tears and everything in between, documented quietly while you get on with enjoying it.

As your Armathwaite Hall Hotel wedding photographer, I’m committed to creating a collection that reflects the true emotion of your day, ensuring you have memories to cherish forever. Let’s tell your unique story together.

I couldn’t be more excited to join you on your wedding day at Armathwaite Hall Hotel, document your day, and capture all the little moments that make it truly yours.

MORE ABOUT ME
Smiling man holding a camera in monochrome photo.

What my couples say

LOVELY WORDS FROM LOVELY PEOPLE

I am super grateful for the amazing reviews my previous Lake District couples have left on my Google and Facebook profiles.

My Features & Awards

I’m an internationally recognised photographer, and I measure and challenge myself against the best in the world.

  • A badge with a black background shaped like a stylized "R." It reads "TOP 10 Photographers UK 2022" in white and silver text. Perfect for a wedding photographer, the bottom of the badge features the "This is Reportage" logo in white. Image by Andy Wade Photography.
  • A black and white badge with the text "2022 TOP 30 PHOTOGRAPHERS IN THE WORLD" in bold white letters. Shaped like a stylized 'R,' the badge features "This is Reportage" at the bottom in smaller letters, celebrating excellence in Documentary Wedding Photography. Image by Andy Wade Photography.
  • Text in the image reads "Top 2 Wedding Photographer UK & IE 2023 - MASTERS of Wedding Photography" in black and gold text on a white background. Image by Andy Wade Photography.
  • Green text inside a rectangular frame reads "Fearless Award" with the words divided across three lines. A small, stylized ampersand connects the second and third lines. The frame and text are drawn in a simple, clean style. Image by Andy Wade Photography.
  • A circular logo with a red center featuring a stylized white "M" and the text "MASTERS OF WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY" encircling the red center against a white background, followed by the words "AWARD WINNER" at the bottom. Image by Andy Wade Photography.
  • WPS Inspirational Wedding Photographers logo. The text features 'WPS' in bold black letters, with the 'S' in red, followed by 'INSPIRATIONAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS' in black. Below, it reads 'ABOUT ME: WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY SELECT' in smaller black font. Image by Andy Wade Photography.
  • A logo featuring the text "ISPWP - International Society of Professional Wedding Photographers" on the left, and a mosaic pattern with the word "MEMBER" on the right, perfect for your About Me page. Image by Andy Wade Photography.
  • A circular badge with a dotted border reads "Fearless Photographers." Inside, the text says "2023 World Top 50" with "Andy Wade" and "UK" beneath. Learn more about me and my journey in capturing moments that matter. Image by Andy Wade Photography.
  • Regional Wedding Industry Awards logos
  • Top 10 Keeping It Real 2025 Awards badge
  • 2026 Wedding Industry Awards Regional Winner Logo
MY AWARDS

From the blog

My Lake District Wedding posts

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Your questions, answered

ABOUT ANDY WADE PHOTOGRAPHY

No. 90% of any day I shoot is completely candid. I can photograph all day without a single ‘posed’ photo. The portraits of you both, if you’d like some, are kept simple and as natural as possible; nothing cheesy and nothing awkward. Usually the portraits of you are created during a relaxing wander together for 20 minutes or so with me capturing shots as we go along – so not really posing. We may stop in a certain spot but most of that time you’ll forget I’m there and the portraits will feel and look perfectly natural. Just think of this as a bit of ‘you time’! There is the option to create a specific photo with flashes which I set up – but only if you want that. Even if I do it will be set up before we do it so that you can spend the maximum time with your guests. Otherwise I’ll just photograph the day as it happens.

Firstly I have to be available on your day but after that just say “Let’s do It!”. Just fill out the email form on my contact page or just send me a text, a message on Instagram or just give me a call. A small deposit then secures the day. That deposit is refundable up to one month after the agreement to go ahead. In the meantime, I will send you some paperwork and that will include a contract which has the terms and conditions, which we both sign when you’re 100% happy. You’ll also receive a summary of what is in your package.

Your photos will be delivered in a beautiful gallery that will work on any device. You can control the sharing of your photos from your gallery for family and friends or to social media. You can download your photos in full, high resolution or in a smaller version should you wish to share them. There are no watermarks on your photos and are free for your personal use. There is also the option to buy prints and wall art and you can create and order albums from the ‘Shop’ area of your gallery. If you have a slideshow made then it can be viewed from your gallery as well.

For a 9 hour wedding you get an edit of about 500+ photos. If it is a 12 hour day then around 700+. I work on your photos intensely after the wedding, lovingly crafting them so that they are perfectly colour balanced with a bright, fresh look. There’s probably a ratio of a third black and white and two thirds colour.

Yes, the lake shore is only a few minutes’ walk from the house, and with Skiddaw filling the skyline it makes a properly cinematic backdrop. On a clear evening the sunset over Bassenthwaite is unforgettable, and I always try to get you down there for it.

Yes. I think it’s good to meet as you can ask all the questions you need to. I’ll be around you for almost all of your wedding day so meeting up before the day is a great way of getting to know each other. I’m a nice chap and very comfortable with people I’ve just met, so it’s not a problem if we don’t. A video call is a really good way of talking things through if we can’t arrange a meeting.

Yes. Most people like a few photos of mum, dad and their close family as well as the bridesmaids and groomsmen. I get that it is important and can be good fun, too. It takes about 10 minutes to organise a photo of everyone, for example, and then about 2-3 minutes for each one after that providing everyone is available. You decide what those photos are if you want them – I don’t have a ‘list’ of my own. If there is 1.5 – 2 hours between your ceremony and wedding breakfast then I’d suggest to have something like 20 mins with you portraits and then 20 mins of group photos dotted about, so between 6-10 group shots max. This way you spend more time just being with your guests, which I will capture naturally. I hear many stories of people who have been to weddings and were really bored and made to stand around for hours while the photographer goes through a repertoire of their own group photos. That’s not me!

Yes. There is an amazing choice of albums and wall art that will be available from your gallery and that I can send you information on. There is so much choice that I do not put albums in my packages unless on specific request. I do have three album packages that broadly cover the options so if you would like to include one I would be happy to chat and look at putting an album in your package.

Yes, but you can have another photographer if you wish – called a ‘2nd shooter’. If, for instance, you’d like the groomsmen preparation photos covered fully as well and they are over 15 mins away, I can employ a second photographer to cover that for £350/day and they will stay until the speeches – so about 6 hours. A second photographer is great to cover a specific span of time but does not necessarily mean a ‘better’ set of photos. I can be in and amongst a whole wedding party quite easily and capture the essence of the day without a 2nd shooter but it does enable us to do more portraits together – if that is what you’d like – and we can have more angles covered in the ceremony. If you would like a 2nd shooter then we’d book them about 3 months before the day. They are always 1st class, professional photographers like me and shoot in my style.

The hall sits in 400 acres of deer park and woodland, with red deer grazing in the parkland between the manicured gardens and the lakeshore. It gives us formal gardens, ancient trees and open parkland all within a short walk, so there is real variety to work with.

It is, the panelled hall and grand rooms give the ceremony and wedding breakfast a proper sense of occasion. Whatever the Lake District weather decides to do, the interiors here are as good as the views, so your photos are covered either way.

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Looking for other venues in the Lake District?

FIND YOUR PERFECT VENUE

I’ve shot all over the Lake District in Bowness, Windermere, Keswick and Ambleside. There are so many gorgeous venues alongside Armathwaite Hall Hotel! Check out my full list of stunning locations in the Lake District;

Abbey House, Askham Hall, Augill Castle, Briery Wood Country House Hotel, Broadoaks Country House, Burnside Hotel, Castle Inn Hotel, Cragwood Hotel, Daffodil Hotel and Spa, Fallbarrow Hall, Gilpin Lake House, Heather Glen Country House, Inn on the Lake, Lakeside Hotel & Spa, Langdale Hotel and Spa, Lindeth Howe Hotel, Lodore Falls Hotel, Low Wood Bay, Melmerby Hall Weddings, Merewood Country House Hotel, Muncaster Castle Weddings, Rookin House Weddings, Storrs Hall Hotel, The Borrowdale Institute, The Forest Side, The Netherwood, The Villa, The Wild Boar Inn, Yew Tree Farm
  • Historic mansion surrounded by lush gardens and trees.
  • A bride in a white gown and veil walks beside a groom in a dark suit along a gravel path at Storrs Hall. They are in front of an elegant white mansion with a manicured lawn. Guests are gathered outside, while trees and the partly cloudy Lancashire sky frame the scene. Image by Andy Wade Photography.
  • Bride and groom embrace at castle wedding
  • A bride and groom stand on a narrow stone pathway in front of an old stone building at Storrs Hall on the water at sunset. The bride holds a bouquet, and they share a tender moment, with hills and a tranquil lake in the background under a partly clouded sky. Image by Andy Wade Photography.
  • Couple by historic castle with UK flag waving.
  • Outdoor wedding ceremony in a picturesque countryside setting.
  • Couple embraces on pier by scenic lake view.
  • Wedding guests gathering in scenic garden landscape.
  • A group of people dressed in formal attire poses on the stone steps and terrace of a large, historic building. The setting includes lush gardens and distant trees with a blue sky and scattered clouds. It appears to be late afternoon or early evening. Image by Andy Wade Photography.
  • Historic mansion with lush green garden and gathering.
  • Wedding couple outside castle with scenic landscape
  • Formal gathering in ornate, portrait-adorned dining room.
  • Sunny garden with mountains and flowers

Say hello

I’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU

If you’re looking for a Armathwaite Hall Hotel Wedding Photographer, it would be great to talk!

Whatever stage you’re at in your wedding planning, I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a message to see if we’re a good fit or to check my calendar and we can go from there. I’d love to hear from you!

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