HALDON BELVEDERE (LAWRENCE CASTLE) - Devon wedding Venue
Civil Ceremonies and partnerships
Haldon Belvedere (Lawrence Castle) is an approved premises for Civil Wedding/Partnership Ceremonies and is probably the most popular approved premises for civil ceremonies in Devon. Its uniqueness has made the building a regular feature on TV and in national wedding magazines and was voted as one of the top three wedding venues in Devon at the 2008 Westcountry Wedding Awards. Its magical, fairy-tale presence makes it the number one choice for the smaller, more intimate ceremony and the location gives you that exclusivity that few other outside venues can offer. The rural setting offers stunning
views across the lovely Devonshire countryside and beyond.
On the ground floor, the Lawrence Room, dominated by Major-General Stringer Lawrence’s statue, resembles a chapel with its period doors and windows and flagstone floor. Ceremonies can take place here if numbers exceed what the fire regulations allow above ground floor level or if there are guests who may find the spiral staircase to the ballroom on the first floor difficult to negotiate. If your preference is the Ballroom on the first floor for the ceremony why not consider a video link to involve those unable to access the upper floor. The capacity in the Lawrence Room is 65 but the majority of people will require to stand during any ceremony here. The Lawrence Room is normally used for guests assembling before taking their positions for the ceremony upstairs and is also used where a champagne/drinks reception is required. It has access directly out onto the lawn at the back of the castle and has disabled access from the drive.
HIRE CHARGES (inclusive of VAT) are :-
Saturdays (min 3 hour period) from May to September (inclusive):- £675 for dates in 2008 and £750 for dates in 2009. (Extra hours £75 per hour)
Fridays (min 3 hour period) from May to September (inclusive):- £625 for dates in 2008 and £675 for dates in 2009. (Extra hours £75 per hour)
Any other days (min 3 hour period):- £550 for dates in 2008 and £575 for dates in 2009. (Extra hours £75 per hour)
Two sessions are available running from 10am until 1pm and from 2pm until 5pm. We can be a bit more flexible with hire times on weekdays, and Fridays and Saturdays between October and March so feel free to discuss your requirements with us. At least an hour within the hire period will be allocated for setting up and for guests arriving so please time your ceremony accordingly. Access for florists needs to be arranged within the hire period or by arrangement please.
Use of our tables and chairs is included in our prices and our staff will set up the ceremony room for you.
A non-refundable deposit of £200.00 inclusive of VAT is required to secure any booking.
The Registrars’ attendance fees are not included in our charges but can be obtained from Newton Abbot Register Office telephone no. 01626 206340 or fax. 01626 206346.
For your preferred choice of hire day and session consult the Civil Ceremony Availability Chart.
To check that your selected date and session is still available submit the online Provisional Booking Request form. Confirmation of availability will sent back to you by email and once you have advised us of your wish to proceed, you then have 10 days in which to forward the deposit to secure the booking. On expiry of this timescale the provisional booking will automatically lapse unless your deposit is received.
You can pay the deposit online or by forwarding your cheque payable to Devon Historic Buildings Trust, address: PO Box 483, Exeter, Devon EX1 9BJ along with a completed online Civil Ceremonies Booking form. Please allow sufficient time for possible postal delays when posting your cheque to our PO Box no.
The balance of the hire charge will be due 2 weeks before the ceremony and you can pay the balance online or by cheque as above.
A CHAMPAGNE/DRINKS RECEPTION is available at a cost of £1.95 per head (min £40) to cover the services of waitresses and the hire of glasses, tables and linen with you supplying what refreshments you wish served. If canapés, nibbles or a finger buffet to complement the Champagne Reception is required, we have dedicated suppliers who have designed a range of menus for you to choose from. Contact JoCo Wedding Services for further information on this service. To book a Drinks/Catering reception, complete and submit the online Drinks and Catering Order form. Your preferred caterers need to be booked well in advance to ensure their availability.
There is a strict no smoking policy within the building and lit candles are not allowed.
Car parking is in our designated on site car park whilst limited parking for the disabled and wedding cars is available along the edges of the upper drive.
Viewings please on our Public Open Days which are Sundays and Bank Holidays between February and October from 1.30pm until 5.30pm or by appointment with the contact below.
Contact : Ian Turner on Tel/Fax 01392 833668 or
Post Code: EX6 7QY
Ordnance Survey ref: SX875 861
We are pleased to be one of the recommended Devon Wedding Venues on www.gettingmarriedindevon.com the one stop web-site for your wedding in Devon.
Lawrence Room
by Terry Squires
Arrive in style by horse drawn carriage, vintage car or really impress with a helicopter landing or departure. For an unforgettable experience why not treat your guests to a vintage bus ride or lay on a coach to transport them to and from the ceremony venue.
by Evanda Hill
Up the spiral staircase to the first floor we come to the Ballroom
(where King George III was once entertained). This must be one
of the most sought after ceremony rooms in Devon if not in
England. It is bright and airy with a high ceiling, a chandelier,
large gothic windows all around the room and baroque plaster-work. The beautiful original Indian mahogany panelled flooring is a fine example of the precision workmanship of classical 18th century
carpentry. This is, by far, the favourite choice for most marrying couples, but fire regulations restrict the number of people we can have in this room which can seat quite comfortably up to 50 guests. With Bride and Groom, Registrars, photographer, musicians etc. the maximum people must not exceed 55. The views from the windows are enough to distract even the most attentive of brides!
The acoustics here are ideal for such instruments as the harp, violin and flute and vocalists excel here also. You can even have a piper greet your guests from the battlements.
After the ceremony, champagne and canapés can be served in the Lawrence Room while your photographer takes full advantage of the many photo opportunities offered by the building and its surroundings. Guests are welcome to wander the grounds or may be happy just to chat on the lawn adjacent to the Belvedere with its outstanding 360º vista out to Exeter, Dartmoor and the Exe estuary. Ofcourse, the best views are to be had from the roof terrace, access to which is included in the hire charge.
Regrettably, we are unable to host receptions at the belvedere but there are some excellent reception venues, most with accommodation within the locality where you and your guests will be well cared for. Please see sponsored links below.
Ballroom
by PK Photography
by PK Photography
by World of Interiors
by PK Photography
by Quay Studios
by Evanda Hill
by PK Photography