Gretna Green tourist information

Gretna Green's reputation as the wedding capital of the UK began in the mid-18th century. In 1754 a law was passed in England preventing anyone below 21 marrying without parental consent. This had the perhaps predictable result of encouraging couples to elope to Scotland where there were no such rules, and Grenta was the first coaching stop over the border.

While laws have relaxed a little in England since, Gretna Green remains an extremely popular place to marry, with over 4,000 weddings performed here annually. Couples are drawn to the romantic history of the village, and often wish the ceremony to be performed at the famous Blacksmiths shop, over the anvil where the smiths married runaway brides and grooms in the 18th century.

For those choosing Grenta as a wedding venue, there are now a wide range of other licensed places to marry. These include the registry office, the Old Parish Church, Anvil Hall and local hotels and restaurants. The town today is largely driven by the industry, and there are a large range of shops and businesses here dealing in everything wedding-related.

The village also makes an interesting day trip for those not intending to tie the knot. You can hear about the history of elopements at the Gretna Green Story Exhibition, and visit the shops and restaurants here and at the Gretna Gateway Outlet Village.

Grenta village proper is just a short distance away from Grenta Green. It was built as a planned community in the First World War for workers in His Majesty's munitions factory, one of the largest factories ever built. Today there is a museum in nearby Eastrigg known as the 'devil's porridge' exhibition in homage to the nickname given to the explosive cordite once produced there.

On a practical note, Gretna is also an excellent stopping-off point from the M6 / M74 popular with those travelling further north to the rest of Scotland.