Sunday 6 September 2026
September Wedding Fayre
Our autumn wedding fayre at Dovecliff Hall — meet the wedding team and explore the venue.
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Dovecliff Hall Hotel in Staffordshire
Dovecliff Hall – A Country House for Weddings, Dining, Events & Stays
A historic Georgian country house in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, offering memorable weddings, exceptional dining and relaxing hotel stays. Set in seven acres of gardens beside the River Dove, the Hall is a private wedding venue licensed for civil ceremonies, home to The Charrington restaurant and fifteen individually styled bedrooms — just ten minutes from the A38 and the National Forest.
Welcome to Dovecliff
An independent Georgian manor house on the edge of Burton-on-Trent.
Dovecliff Hall Hotel and The Charrington Restaurant — two offerings from one independent country house. British heritage and modern hospitality, surrounded by Staffordshire gardens and the quiet of the River Dove. Visit The Charrington Restaurant website →
Our History
A Staffordshire Country House Since 1790
Dovecliff Hall is a Grade II listed Georgian manor house, built in 1790 for the Thornewill family of ironmasters and set in seven acres of gardens overlooking the River Dove, in the heart of the National Forest near Burton-on-Trent.
For more than two centuries the Hall has stood above the Dove, passing from the Thornewills to the Bass and Charrington brewing dynasties, and to Colonel Sharpe, before becoming the hotel it is today. The same warmth runs through every stay, meal and celebration — the house has always been a place for people to gather.
- 1790Thomas Thornewill, a Stretton forge-owner, builds the Georgian manor on the banks of the River Dove.
- 1843Thomas dies; the house and the family ironworks pass to his son Edward Thornewill.
- 1869Edward's daughter Harriet Georgina marries Michael Arthur Bass, becoming Lord and Lady Burton.
- 1881The estate is sold to William Joseph Smith of Derby, who also buys the Stretton ironworks.
- 1897Hugh Spencer Charrington, a Burton brewer, buys the Hall as the Bass and Charrington breweries merge.
- 1928The house opens as a hotel for the first time.
- 1936Colonel Sydney Raymond Sharp buys the Hall back as a private house — his portrait hangs in reception today.
- 1987Reopened and renamed as the Dovecliff Hall Hotel.
- TodayFifteen bedrooms, tailor-made weddings and The Charrington Restaurant — over two centuries of stories.
Weddings
Weddings at Dovecliff Hall
Exchange vows in the Hall or, new for 2026, in the open-air Pavilion, then gather for drinks on the lawn.
- — Ceremonies in the Hall or Pavilion
- — Seven acres of gardens for drinks & photographs
- — Fifteen bedrooms for you and your guests
The Charrington Restaurant
Dining at Dovecliff Hall
The Charrington is the restaurant of Dovecliff Hall — modern British cooking in a Georgian country house, open to everyone, not only to hotel guests. Seasonal menus, Sunday lunch and afternoon tea, served with warmth and intent beneath the boughs of our ancient cedar.
- — Open to non-residents
- — Seasonal à la carte & tasting menus
- — Sunday lunch & afternoon tea
- — Wine tastings & private dining
Rooms & Stay
Stay at Dovecliff Hall
Individually furnished bedrooms with morning light through tall Georgian windows — ideal for wedding guests or a countryside break. Book direct for our best rate.
- — Best rate when booking direct
- — Breakfast in the restaurant
- — Near Burton on Trent in the National Forest
Heritage
Explore Dovecliff Hall
Dovecliff Hall was built in 1790, in the golden age of the Georgian country house — the same era that shaped Burton-on-Trent's rise as the brewing capital of England. The town's great brewing families, among them Lord Burton — Michael Arthur Bass, first Baron Burton — transformed the Staffordshire market town into a place of industry and ambition, with country houses like this one as their rural retreats. Two centuries on, the Hall remains a private, independent house: its Georgian proportions, cedar tree and gardens overlooking the River Dove still standing as a quiet counterpoint to the town's industrious past.
- — Grade II listed Georgian manor, 1790
- — The 400-year-old cedar tree on the lawn
- — Gardens overlooking the River Dove
- — Born of Burton's brewing heritage
Grounds & Setting
Gardens, Lawns and the Quiet of the River Dove
Mature trees, gravel paths and sweeping lawns give Dovecliff its sense of calm — a setting for confetti, a glass of something cold in the sunshine, or a walk before dinner beside the River Dove.
What's On
Dining Events & Seasonal Occasions
Friday 11 September 2026
Lewis Goddard as Elvis
An evening with Lewis Goddard as Elvis at Dovecliff Hall.
Book This EventFriday 9 October 2026
Peril on the Palatine Express
A themed evening at Dovecliff Hall.
Book This EventReviews
In Our Guests' Words
“Dovecliff Hall is the perfect wedding venue! The venue itself is beautiful, and so are the grounds. The staff are all welcoming and truly went above and beyond for us. We can't fault the day in any way — it was perfect.”
“We had the best magical day. The staff made the day — nothing was a problem. Full use of the rooms downstairs and the lovely orangery for the ceremony. The food — everyone commented it was the best they had ever had at a wedding.”
“We are so happy we chose Dovecliff Hall for our wedding. The venue was pure perfection, from its stunning grounds to the delicious food. The confetti walk is just picturesque! We were able to enjoy every second with our friends and family.”
Gallery
Inside Dovecliff Hall
The drawing room, Sunday lunch and afternoon tea — a first glimpse of the house.
Gallery
Around the Grounds
A wander through the gardens, the Georgian facade and the quiet of the River Dove — a pool of images from around the house and grounds.
The Local Area
Visit Dovecliff Hall in Burton upon Trent
Dovecliff Hall sits in the Staffordshire countryside at Stretton, near Burton on Trent — within easy reach of Derby, Nottingham, Birmingham and Leicester, and a gateway to the Peak District and the National Forest.
- Burton on Trent3 miles
- The National Forest2 miles
- Derby12 miles
- Nottingham22 miles
- Birmingham28 miles
- Leicester32 miles
- Peak District25 miles
Plan Your Visit
Begin Your Dovecliff Enquiry
Tell us a little about what you have in mind — a wedding, a celebration, a stay or a table at The Charrington — and our team will come back to you personally.
Come and See Dovecliff for Yourself
Whether you are planning a wedding, booking a table or looking for a countryside escape near Burton-on-Trent, we would love to welcome you.