The Lost Village of Dode - Gravesend

Katherine L.

I had the pleasure of being the celebrant at a wedding at The Lost Village of Dode and it really is a very special place. The grounds are beautiful and the chapel itself is incredibly atmospheric, with bunches of dried herbs hanging on the walls, straw on the stone floor and flaming torches burning above. It lends itself to intimate ceremonies. It may be a historic venue, but it has the modern conveniences needed, and there is accomodation on site (with a hot tub!). Stunning.

Bernard D. G.

What a magical place in the middle of the countryside, yet so close to London. A great venue for weddings but also for all other events happening throughout the year! You can visit the Lost Village of Dode for free on one of their open days. Keep an eye on their website event calendar!

Lisa J.

A fantastic, rustic and intimate venue. Our handfasting ceremony was beautiful and made everyones day. Our friends and family were blown away by the ambience and lovely setting. The Dode staff are wonderful. We will definitely go back to renew our vows. Highly recommend. Thank you Dode. One of the happiest days of our lives.

Jack B.

We knew immediately on the day we visited Dode that it would be the perfect place for our wedding venue. There's something special about Dode that we instantly fell in love with.

Communications with Becky (our Ceremony Coordinator) were timely and informative and the list she provided of 'prefered' suppliers from our Photographer (Matt James), Florist (Moody Blooms), Drinks Van (Double Bubble), Musicians (Sandra & Paul) and the most amazing grazing platter (Prinsa's Celebrations) all proved to be top tier! and being able to organise all of this amongst these 'friends of Dode' made the whole process hassle free!

We wanted a small and intimate celebration (16 guests) and we couldn't have wished for a more beautiful day, Paul & Matt were our hosts and they did an outstanding job, really making us and our guests feel relaxed and welcomed.

We'll be returning to Dode (in 1 year & 1 days time) to renew our handfasting vows, and I'm sure that it'll feel like visiting an old friend.

Dode will always have a special place in our hearts and we can't thank everyone involved enough for the magic they brought to our day!

Lucy & Jack

Lexie R.

Dode is a peaceful, atmospheric and intimate venue away from the hustle and bustle of modern life. There is something very special about it which is not easily put into words. We had a wonderful wedding day here and the team were so supportive from start to finish answering all of our questions and helping sort things so the day went smoothly. Despite being a nearly 1000 year old venue they were able to assist family members that had access needs enter and exit the venue as needed. All of our wedding guests had a lovely time and kept commenting on how ‘amazing’ and ‘unique’ the venue was.

Lucy P.

The Lost Village of Dode provided the most magical setting for our wedding celebration. This unique, lovingly restored deconsecrated church exceeded all our expectations as an exclusive-use venue.

Becky and Charlotte were incredibly attentive throughout the day, ensuring our guests felt relaxed and welcome in this stunning location. Their professionalism and dedication to making our day perfect were truly outstanding.

The venue itself is breathtaking, with its Norman architecture and picturesque grounds creating an intimate and romantic atmosphere. Our guests were in awe of the beauty and history of the Lost Village of Dode, and many commented on how wonderful they found the location and service.

We couldn't have asked for a more perfect setting to exchange our vows and celebrate our love. The Lost Village of Dode will forever hold a special place in our hearts, and we highly recommend it to any couple seeking a truly unique and unforgettable wedding experience.

Thank you to all the team at Dode for having us, and we look forward to visiting again in the future.

Photos by Matt James Photography

Charlie J.

We just wanted to say a massive thank you to the whole team at The Lost Village of Dode for making our whole wedding experience so incredibly special and authentic as we had hoped. From start to finish, everything was perfect, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the love and care you all put into our celebration.
A special mention must go to Paul, who was absolutely amazing. He performed our handfasting ceremony, which was so meaningful to both of us and something we will treasure forever. His warmth and energy made the moment even more magical.
We were also blown away by Matt, who went above and beyond in ways we could never have expected. He wasn’t just our photographer, but also our go-to person throughout the whole day. From the moment we arrived, Matt was there, calm and reassuring, especially before the ceremony. His support helped ease any nerves we had, and he ensured that everything ran smoothly from start to finish. Plus, his friendly, approachable manner made him a real joy to have around—our guests loved him, and we’ve already seen some incredible photos!
And of course, we can’t thank Becky enough for all of her hard work and guidance throughout the entire year. From the moment we met her in January, she was a constant support, helping us navigate all the planning and making sure every detail was covered. She was the calm and steady hand we needed throughout the planning process and on the day itself. We truly felt that with Becky and the whole team, we were in the best possible hands.
We’re so happy to have celebrated our wedding at The Dode, and we know it will always hold a special place in our hearts. We look forward to returning over the years as we grow older together.
Best wishes,
Charlie & Mike Strawson x

Kate A. K.

The Lost Village Of Dode is a truly special place. Set in a secluded valley on the edge ofvthe North Kent Downs, it is a really magical setting either for a beautiful wedding or a celebration of life or interment of ashes. It is so peaceful and idyllic with a little (demonstrated) church, a stone circle and two hidden little cottages for stay-overs.
If you want a truly unique wedding setting, look no further. And, if you want a beautiful and serene final resting place for you loved-one's ashes, this is the spot. There's also a little pet cemetery where you can scatter your little departed animal pal. We can't wait to go again, it really is a one off! 🥰