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A few months back I set out on a mission to find the best alternative & unique wedding venues venues in the East Midlands. Its often too difficult to find those alternative, quirky and unusual gems which offer something a little bit different.
When you’re hunting for venues all the ‘usual’ ones come up but, most likely the best ‘unique’ venues are hidden beneath the surface. Usually this is because they aren’t primarily a wedding venue. They could be a museum, a university or a cinema! It takes a bit of digging. My journey took me into central Nottingham, Leicester & Loughborough to find the very best wedding venues to share!
So, here is my guide to the very best alternative & unique wedding venues in the East Midlands. Tighten your seat belts! Here we go!
Opening in Spring 2026, let us welcome newcomer Nuroosa to the Derbyshire weddings scene.
This sustainable, eco wedding venue is truly one of a kind (for a start it is on stilts!) and offers wedding hire for ceremonies, one day hire and weekend hire for up to one hundred guests. They offer indoor and outdoor wedding ceremonies (under the famous ceremony tree!), as well as formal and relaxed dining options. Our favourite is the outdoor fire cooking which we were able to experience recently and it tasted amazing.
We love that this venue lives and breathes the environment including partnerships with eco-conscious suppliers, renewable heating and power, and a wildflower roof. Every detail has been thought through carefully with sustainability first and foremost. You can find out more about this unique wedding venue here.
We are super pleased to be working with Nuroosa to deliver their wedding days, so we hope to bump into you there!
You may not know that I am a big fan of the National Space Centre in Leicester.
Where else can you get married underneath a rocket tower, in a planetarium with a 360 degree starlit sky, or, under a real Soyuz space capsule?
It truly is one of a kind. Voted best town wedding venue in the East Midlands at the Wedding Industry Awards, this Leicester wedding venue offers a stunning, quirky backdrop with its wide range of flexible spaces. It can hold small intimate receptions as well as larger celebrations of up to 300 guests.
To sum it up they also offer space cocktails! I don’t know about you but I’m in!
You’ve got to love a city centre wedding, so the Malt Cross in Nottingham is really ticking the boxes for us. Especially as its right on the doorstep of Nottingham Council House which with its grand facade, is one of Nottingham top civil ceremony venues. Also close to public transport. Tick Tick Tick!
The Malt Cross was previously a Victorian Music Hall, and this Grade II listed building still has all the vibes with its high ceiling, glass windows, and original architecture. It holds wedding receptions up to 120 guests depending on the type of dining (sit down or relaxed!).
Your wedding will also support the YMCA’s charitable programmes. The venue is a not-for-profit venue. Add on wandering into Nottingham City Centre to capture your couple photos! Even more reasons to say YES!
Onto another of my choices for one of the best alternative wedding venues in Nottingham. The National Justice Museum is hidden away in the Lace Market, Nottingham. A central location close to hotels and nightlife. The museum is housed in what used to be a Victorian Courtroom, prison and police station. It’s the perfect City Centre, Nottingham wedding venue.
You can hire individual rooms or the entire venue. From the 19th century jury room (which holds up to 80 people for a sit down wedding breakfast), or, the Shire Hall which offers a majestic backdrop for welcome drinks. In addition, there’s the perfect dramatic setting for speeches or photos in the Victorian Civil Court Room. After that, you can venture down into the prison for some truly quirky wedding photos including one at the Hangmans noose!
Check out more about weddings at the National Justice Museum in our Gothic wedding inspired blog here. I checked in November 2025 and whilst the National Justice Museum is no longer advertising weddings, you can still hire out their spaces for weddings, parties and events.
If you had on over to our blog on the Best Outdoor Wedding Venues in the East Midlands, you will also find this gem which we couldn’t resist also including here.
With its mixture of outdoor and indoor spaces, we’re in love with its laid back, rural vibe that is perfect for getting the party started! It also has onsite accommodation and glamping options so your guests don’t have any excuses to leave the party early!
How about having your wedding reception on a vintage train as it travels through the countryside? Perhaps your a trainspotter or just love all things vintage? Then the Great Central Railway in Loughborough, Leicestershire is the one for you.
It’s a truly unique Leicester wedding venue. We love how it’s been featured in loads of movies including Harry Potter! The perfect vintage wedding backdrop or for those who just love the countryside.
Want to see more about what the Great Central Railway has to offer? Head over to our vintage wedding inspired blog here (as featured on Unconventional Wedding).
There are very few industrial wedding venues in the East Midlands. Until you visit the Nottingham Contemporary Museum in the heart of Nottingham City Centre.
I was so excited when I visited this wedding venue. Yes it is a huge, blank concrete canvas – but that is its beauty. It is striking, breath taking and versatile. Can you hear my imagination going into overload?
There are two main spaces for weddings – both of which are on the lower ground floor. The largest of which is called ‘The Space’ and it is literally that! It has has its own digital projection facilities and a full audio/visual mixing suite on the balcony. The perfect space for creating breathtaking effects and projections on the concrete walls. The cafe bar can be hired out with its floor to ceiling windows overlooking the outdoor terrace. Think EPIC modern, industrial wedding!
At the last time of checking, Nottingham Contemporary will only take wedding bookings at short notice due to demands on their space. If you are looking to book your wedding venue in a short time frame – this could be the one for you! Pick up the phone now
Our last unique wedding venue takes us to the Savoy Cinema, Nottingham. If you’re both huge movie fans then getting married in a cinema will tick all the boxes.
Steeped in heritage, the Savoy Cinema is the only surviving pre World War 2 cinema remaining in Nottingham. Just outside of the city centre in Lenton, you can get married at this Nottingham wedding venue in front of the big screen in front of up to 300 guests. They’ll even let you decorate with your own favourite movie posters right next to the popcorn machines! In addition, you can use the projector for your favourite film for wedding entertainment. At the time of writing it was available for wedding ceremonies from 10am to 6pm.
All details correct at the time of writing – please confirm details with venues at the time of enquiry. In conclusion, we LOVE all alternative quirky and unusual wedding venues.
