Parkwood Estate

Parkwood is a historic grand estate and National Historic Site, now operated as a museum.

About the venue

The gardens and grounds cover 11 acres, with several separate garden ceremony locations. The indoor Sunroom & Loggia is three steps down from the partially wheelchair-accessible main floor. On-site parking is limited and restricted to designated areas. Drones are not permitted because the estate is near the Oshawa Airport. Caterers and vendors are arranged through the estate’s referral list.

On EventPlans.ca it is listed as a estate and museum or gallery in Oshawa, at 270 Simcoe Street North, Oshawa, ON L1G 4T5.

Event spaces

The venue lists these spaces. Capacities are the venue’s own figures and change with the layout you choose.

• Sunken Garden / Japanese Pagoda: 125
• Formal Garden: 100
• South Lawn or Tennis Court: 150
• Sunroom & Loggia (indoor)
• Heritage Garden
• Italian Gardens
• Japanese Garden in the Greenhouse

Capacity

The venue publishes a maximum of 125 seated, 125 standing reception. Those are top figures for an empty room. A dance floor, a stage, a buffet or a photo booth each take space, so plan on fewer guests than the maximum once your layout is drawn.

A useful rule: a seated dinner at rounds of ten needs about 1 to 1.2 square metres per guest, a standing reception about 0.7, and theatre seating about 0.6, before you add a stage or dance floor. The venue capacity calculator does the arithmetic for your room.

Events it hosts

According to its own event pages, the venue hosts weddings, corporate events and private social events.

For timelines, budgets and checklists, start with the wedding planning hub, corporate holiday party hub.

Questions to ask on your site visit

Bring these to your walk-through. Get the answers in writing before you sign.

• Which rooms and grounds are included, and which are off limits?
• Are there rules on décor, candles, confetti or heels on lawns and floors?
• Is the estate run by a heritage body with its own vendor rules?
• What is the rain plan for outdoor portions?
• How many guests can be seated inside if the weather fails?
• Where do vendors load in, and is there a time limit?

Planning entertainment here

Heritage estates often have strict rules about rigging and open flame. Strolling performers, string trios and close-up magic suit the rooms well.

Send every performer’s technical needs to the venue before you book: floor space, ceiling height, power, sound and changing room.

Getting there

Check the venue website for directions, parking rates and accessible entrances, and send the details to guests with the invitation.

Official website: parkwoodestate.com/weddings