Our history
The Bull Hotel
A wedding venue alongside an inn
Over time, The Bull Hotel has evolved from a traditional coaching inn into something more exclusive, intimate and unique.
Today, it’s not so much a wedding venue in a hotel, it’s a unique wedding venue with a charming, boutique inn alongside it.
The best of both worlds: a spectacular setting for your celebration, with boutique bedrooms just a few steps away.
The history of
The Bull Hotel
A historic coaching inn and wedding venue in Wrotham, Kent
A bright red bull insignia hangs above the white façade of The Bull Hotel, a historic coaching inn dating back to 1385.
Located in the heart of Wrotham village, this charming building has been welcoming guests for over 600 years, once serving as a restful stopover for pilgrims travelling from Winchester to Canterbury.
Just off the M26, The Bull has long been a place of rest, fortification, and good company, offering travellers and locals alike a peaceful escape from the demands of the road and the world beyond.
Its rich heritage, architectural character, and tranquil setting make it a unique choice for couples seeking a wedding venue with history and charm.
A modern tradition
Continuing the centuries-old tradition of hospitality, current owner Martin Deadman has lovingly restored The Bull Hotel. The renovation preserves original features while adding fresh character and comfort, resulting in a boutique hotel in Kent with a rich past and a stylish present.
Today, The Bull boasts:
- 10 cosy, recently refurbished en-suite bedrooms
- A welcoming bar with a curated selection of craft ales, fine wines and artisan spirits
- An acclaimed restaurant featuring classic British cuisine and an inspired smokehouse menu
- A connected, exclusive-use wedding venue: The Buttery & Glasshouse
At the heart of everything is an unwavering commitment to flavour, quality, and friendly service, whether you're stopping in for a drink, staying the weekend, or celebrating your wedding.
Where it all began,
The Buttery
Our dedicated wedding space, The Buttery, has its own unique history. Built in the 16th century using traditional materials like timber, stone and brick, it originally served as a pantry and storage space for food, wine, and ale. Today, it’s a beautiful barn-style ceremony and reception room, full of character and rustic elegance.
With its oak-beamed ceilings, clean lines and original features, The Buttery is an effortlessly charming setting that delights every couple.
A truly unique venue for your wedding day.
Love stories span generations
The Bull Hotel has been the backdrop to decades of weddings. Just recently, a couple told us they had their wedding here 24 years ago, and another shared that her parents celebrated their reception at The Bull 36 years ago.
The enduring charm of our historic inn in Wrotham makes it a natural choice for couples looking to begin their next chapter somewhere meaningful.
Even before we received our first licence to hold civil ceremonies in 2015, owner Martin Deadman was already hosting wedding breakfasts and receptions in the restaurant. Back then, The Buttery was yet to be redecorated and transformed into the barn-style ceremony room, but the joy of celebration was already in full swing.
Licensed since 2015
Since receiving our civil ceremony licence in 2015, our journey as a Kent wedding venue has flourished. Hosting weddings is not just about providing a beautiful space, it’s about creating magical, personal experiences.
Each celebration has been an honour, and with every joyful “I do,” more couples have been drawn to The Bull for their special day.
Our commitment to exceeding expectations, offering warm service, and making every wedding feel personal has been at the heart of our success.
Something old, something new - something new is launched
Your ‘something old, something new’ brought to life in one unforgettable setting
In 2022, we made the exciting decision to expand our wedding offering, not just to welcome more guests, but to create a truly unique venue that could adapt to the seasons, the weather, and your vision.
With this goal in mind, we transformed the courtyard behind The Bull Hotel into a stunning, weather-proof space, seamlessly blending the historic character of the 14th-century coaching inn with a bold new architectural addition: The Glasshouse.
Where heritage meets innovation
The renovation allowed us to increase our capacity to 100 day guests, making The Bull one of the few exclusive-use wedding venues in Kent that combines a rustic barn, a contemporary glasshouse, and a picturesque veranda all in one location.
Each of the three spaces, The Buttery, The Glasshouse, and The Veranda, brings its own personality. Together, they create a wedding day journey rich in contrast, texture and emotion.
The timber and stone of the 16th-century barn meet the clean lines and glass structure of the modern pavilion, allowing couples to experience the best of both worlds, a barn wedding and a glasshouse wedding rolled into one.
A blank canvas with a wow factor
With an abundance of natural light, flexible layouts, and full exclusive use of the entire courtyard, this renovation turned The Bull into one of the most versatile wedding venues in Kent.
It offers blank canvas flexibility while retaining soul and character, the perfect setting for couples who want to bring their unique style and theme to life.
It’s a space that feels both timeless and fresh, and it was built for weddings from the very start.
Food & Drink - our passion
Exceptional food Crafted from Local Kentish Produce
At The Bull, everything in the kitchen is prepared from scratch using the finest seasonal ingredients sourced from renowned local Kentish producers—farms, cheesemakers, breweries, vineyards, and charcutiers.
Our in-house chefs passionately create wedding menus bursting with flavour, featuring wholesome, carefully crafted dishes. Premium cuts of meat are aged, rubbed, marinated, and smoked to perfection using our Texas-imported Ole Hickory Pit smoker.
A Freehouse with an Adventurous Drinks Selection
As a freehouse, The Bull offers a dynamic and diverse range of drinks—from craft beers and ales to artisan bourbons and an extensive wine list featuring over 100 grape varieties from both classic and innovative winemakers.
The Signature Smokehouse Feast
Pioneers of Kent’s smokehouse trend for over eight years, The Bull’s menu showcases expertly smoked prime English meats, free-range chicken, and fresh fish, all cooked slowly over English oak. This unique smokehouse experience delights guests with tender, flavoursome dishes that have become true classics.
Delicious Canapés and Reception Food
From crafted canapés and artisan stone-baked pizzas to grazing tables, cheese and charcuterie spreads, wholesome desserts, and festival-style food stalls, all our reception foods are prepared with local, family-run, and artisan suppliers. Our pizzas, a popular evening choice, feature simple yet exciting topping combinations with prime ingredients.
Award-Winning Culinary Expertise
With over ten years as an AA Rosette restaurant, The Bull’s chefs ensure each wedding breakfast is memorable, wholesome, and full of flavour. Our commitment to organic, locally sourced produce supports local businesses and guarantees the best wedding food experience in Kent.
The Bull Hotel in Kent
The home of The Buttery & Glasshouse
The Buttery & Glasshouse, set within the splendid 14th-century Grade II-listed inn - The Bull Hotel - near Sevenoaks and Maidstone, is a one-stop venue offering couples everything they need for their big day.
- Spectacular Glasshouse
- Oak beamed barn
- Historic Kentish inn
- Sun terrace
- Craft beers and cocktails
- Award winning in-house catering
- Accommodation for guests
- Honeymoon suite
- 40min from London Victoria
A quintessential English hospitality in the heart of Kent
There’s something about getting married in a quintessentially English inn that oozes indulgence.
Venue Gallery
Every mood, every moment, every state of mind. What you feel should have an expression in what you wear. Follow your heart and be true to your soul. Everything else will fall into place.