Gloucester Blackfriars

04/06/2026

A Fond Farewell from Blackfriars Priory 🤍

After an extraordinary journey, the time has come for Blackfriars Priory to close its doors.

What began as a vision to breathe new life into a remarkable heritage space has grown into something far beyond what we ever imagined. Over the years, we have been honoured to host and create moments that will live on, in memories, in photographs and in the hearts of all who walked through our doors.

Together, we have celebrated over 200 weddings, each one unique and filled with love. We have proudly welcomed 18 Gloucester History Festivals, bringing stories of the past vividly to life within these ancient walls. Along the way, we have been humbled to receive recognition as winners and finalists in multiple awards, including achieving Gold and two Silver awards in the prestigious South West Tourism Excellence Awards for Wedding Venue of the Year.

But more than the accolades, it is the creativity, community, and joy that defined Blackfriars.

We have delivered an eclectic and vibrant programme of events, including:

✨Dickensian theatre and garden performances
✨Audiences with King Henry VIII
✨Immersive yoga retreats
✨Children’s shows and HAF workshops
✨Ghost walks, comedy nights, and live music
✨The creation of our Scriptorium and a Medieval Cocktail Emporium during the pandemic, offering something truly unique during uncertain times.

We are especially proud to have led the way in sustainability within a heritage building, and to have hosted Gloucestershire’s first ever eco wedding festival, championing a more conscious approach to celebrations. 🍃

Blackfriars has not only been a venue, but a catalyst, supporting the local economy through accommodation bookings and partnerships with local restaurants and bars, and becoming a hub for collaboration, culture and community.

None of this would have been possible without you.

To every couple, visitor, performer, partner, supplier, supporter and friend, thank you. Thank you for trusting us with your most important moments, for bringing creativity into this space, and for being part of our story.

As we close this chapter, we do so with immense pride in what has been achieved, and deep gratitude for everyone who helped make it happen.

With heartfelt thanks and warmest wishes for the future,

Holly, H**e, Sue and Matt

Wedding Photo

23/01/2026

An update for everyone who loves Blackfriars Priory.

As we look ahead to 30th May 2026, we would like to share that Gloucester City Council will be stepping away from the day-to-day running of Blackfriars Priory. This means that our Sunday open days, along with venue bookings, will come to an end at the close of May. While this marks the end of an important chapter in the Priory’s story, the deep affection for this remarkable place, shared by visitors, couples and staff alike, remains constant.

At present, the future of Blackfriars Priory beyond May 2026 is unknown. In the months ahead, we will continue to open the Priory on Sundays and are taking bookings up until the end of May. We would be honoured to welcome as many people as possible during this time. Thank you to everyone who has supported, celebrated and cherished Blackfriars Priory over the years. Whatever lies ahead, its history, beauty and the memories made here will always endure.

Thank you all so much, from the whole Blackfriars Team.

02/12/2025

Hi everyone. The Council is proposing some changes to Blackfriars next year. We’ve got an update on their proposals here: gloucesterblackfriars.co.uk/blog/change2026

We'll be updating you with more information over the next few weeks, and will be in direct contact with our lovely clients, suppliers and customers should their bookings be affected.

Thank you all for your support.

Blackfriars Priory has been part of Gloucester’s story for centuries, and for the past 13 years, it’s been at the heart of ours too. It is an English Heritage property, but for over a decade has been operated by the Gloucester City Council culture team as a venue for weddings, events, and commun...