In a quiet corner of the Kent countryside, where the breeze rustles through wild grasses and the birdsong is older than memory, lies a place that has always felt touched by the sacred. The Lost Village of Dode—cradled by the North Downs and wrapped in legend—is a haven for those seeking something ancient, something meaningful, and above all, something beautifully real.

And now, Dode offers something entirely unique: Holly Henge, a solemn and sacred circle of ancient stones nestled in the grounds, is believed to be the only stone circle in England and Wales where a legally binding civil wedding can take place.

While Stonehenge, Avebury, and other mighty stone circles draw the awe of thousands, they cannot legally host a civil ceremony. English law requires that such rites be held on licensed premises. And though Scotland allows marriages anywhere with an authorised celebrant, here in England and Wales, the law remains rooted in regulation. That’s what makes Holly Henge so remarkable—it marries the mystical with the legal, offering couples a once-in-a-lifetime chance to say “I do” amidst ancient stones, under the watchful sky.

A Circle Steeped in Spirit

Holly Henge is not prehistoric by construction—but the stones themselves are old, each one a keeper of time and silence. The circle was carefully created to honour the spirit of ancient Britain, aligning with the energy of the land, and forming a space that invites contemplation, reverence, and joy.

Whether couples choose to marry within Dode’s lovingly restored 11th-century Norman church or in the open air of Holly Henge, each ceremony is steeped in atmosphere and authenticity. Since receiving our civil marriage licence in 1999, Dode has become a sanctuary for those drawn to the quieter, deeper ways of love.

Now, with updated laws allowing legal ceremonies to be held outdoors within licensed grounds, Holly Henge has become a beacon for those who wish to join hands and hearts in the open air—among stones that have stood longer than most buildings, in a setting that stirs the soul.

A Rare and Sacred Offering

We are honoured to offer something that no other venue in England or Wales can: the chance to be legally married in a stone circle. It is a gift not just of setting, but of spirit—a space where time softens, and the eternal nature of love is made visible in stone, sky, and vow.

At Dode, we do not simply host weddings—we welcome pilgrimages of the heart. We walk with you as you make your promises, we hold space for your story, and we celebrate your union not just with ceremony, but with timelessness.

If you are seeking a wedding that feels more like a sacred rite… if you long to marry not only your beloved but the land itself… then perhaps you have heard the call of Holly Henge.

Come. Stand among the stones. Speak your truth. Begin your forever.

To learn more about weddings at The Lost Village of Dode or to arrange a private visit, please contact Becky (Guardian & Ceremony Coordinator) at becky@dodevillage.com or explore our website at www.dodevillage.com.