I’m a wedding videographer who has filmed twice at Callow Hall, the Wildhive country house near Ashbourne in Derbyshire. Two weddings, two very different days, both of them at the top of my list of favourite places to work.
Callow Hall sits in its own ancient woodland on the southern edge of the Peak District. It’s a restored Victorian house rather than a grand estate, which means it feels like somewhere you’re staying rather than somewhere you’ve hired. That difference shows up on camera more than you’d expect.
Sarah & Rupert
Watch Sarah & Rupert’s film in full.
Sarah & Sam
Watch Sarah & Sam’s film in full.
What I’ve Learned Filming at Callow Hall
The woodland is the thing. Most country house venues give you lawns and a facade; Callow Hall gives you trees, and trees give you light that moves. Late afternoon through that canopy is genuinely lovely, and it’s the reason I’d always push for portraits outside if the weather allows even the smallest window.
It’s also a venue that rewards staying out of the way. Because everyone is staying on site, the day has a looseness to it that a strict schedule would ruin, and the best moments tend to happen in the gaps. That suits how I work anyway. I’d rather lurk quietly in a corner and catch something real than direct people into something that photographs well and feels like nothing.
The practical note I’d give any couple marrying there: the house is beautiful but it isn’t enormous, so think about where your ceremony and your drinks reception sit in relation to each other, and give yourselves a few more minutes than you think between the two. That gap is where I get most of the footage that ends up mattering.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Callow Hall like as a wedding venue?
Callow Hall is a restored Victorian country house set in ancient woodland near Ashbourne, on the southern edge of the Peak District. It’s part of the Wildhive Collection, and it has an intimate, informal character rather than a formal stately one. Guests stay on site, which gives the whole weekend a relaxed, gathered-together feeling.
Have you filmed at Callow Hall before?
Twice, and I’d happily go back tomorrow. Both films are on this page. Knowing a venue in advance means I’m not spending the morning working out where the light is or how the day flows, which means more attention on the people.
Do you travel to Derbyshire for weddings?
Yes. I’m based in Dorset and travel within Great Britain is included in my pricing, so there’s no additional travel cost for a Derbyshire wedding. Get in touch and let me know your date.
Will our film be shared online?
Only if you want it to be. I don’t share client footage on social media at all, and anything on my website is there because the couple gave me permission. Both of the films above are published with the couples’ blessing. My aim is always to create films for you and your families, not for strangers on the internet.