|
|
 Haldon Belvedere (Lawrence Castle) is an approved premises for Civil Wedding/Partnership Ceremonies and is probably the most popular venue for a civil ceremony in Devon and maybe even in the South West of England. Its uniqueness has made the building a regular feature on TV and in national wedding magazines having hosted a civil ceremony for the 2010 celebrity series of the popular television programme Four Weddings.
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 match. The rural setting offers stunning views across the lovely Devonshire countryside and beyond.
  Arrive in style by vintage car or horse and carriage. Really impress with a helicopter landing or departure. For an unforgettable experience why not treat your guests to a vintage bus ride to transport them to and from the ceremony venue.
|
 The ground floor, Lawrence Room, dominated by Major-General Stringer Lawrence’s statue, resembles a chapel with its period doors, windows and flagstone floor. This room is normally used for guests congregating before taking their positions for a 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.
|
|
 |
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 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. The breathtaking views from the windows will distract even the most attentive of brides! 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. If numbers are proving a problem a further 10 people can be accommodated downstairs in the Lawrence Room while the ceremony is in progress. A video link between the two rooms, available in house at a cost of £30.00, would allow these guests to watch the proceedings as they happen and keep them involved. Disabled or elderly guests, who may have a problem with the spiral staircase may wish to take advantage of a safe chair lift facility provided by the West Country Private Ambulance Service.
   The acoustics in the Ballroom are ideal for such instruments as the harp or a string quartet perhaps. Vocalists excel here or why not have a piper greet your guests from the battlements.
|
Click on the above picture for a virtual tour of the ballroom
|
|
|
|
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. |
 |
A champagne/drinks reception is available at a cost of £2.30 per head (min £50) to cover the services of waitresses and the hire of glasses, tables and linen with you supplying what drinks you wish us to serve to your guests. If canapés, nibbles or a finger buffet to complement the Champagne/Drinks Reception is required, we have dedicated suppliers who have designed a range of menus for 2011 for you to choose from. Click here to request details. Please note, no food other than that provided by our caterers will be allowed on the premises. Contact our wedding co-ordinator for further information on this service. To book a Drinks/Catering reception, simply send an e-mail by clicking here
Your preferred caterer needs to be booked well in advance to ensure their availability. |
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 catered for.
Please see sponsored links above and below. |
HIRE CHARGES (inclusive of VAT are :- |
2011/2012 |
 Saturdays (min 3 hour hire period from May to September (inclusive):- £775 (Extra hours £75.00 per hour)
Fridays (min 3 hour hire period from May to September (inclusive):- £700 (Extra hours £75.00 per hour)
Any other days (min 3 hour hire period):- £625.00 (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/Saturdays between October and March so feel free to discuss your requirements with us. At least an hour within any hire period needs to be allocated for setting up and for guests arriving so please time your ceremony accordingly. We do recommend ceremony times of 11am and 3pm as Registrars have some formalities to attend to immediately before the ceremony which might restrict the available time you have available for photographs and celebration drinks afterwards. 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 charges and our staff will set up he ceremony room and clear away for you.
A non-refundable deposit of £250 inclusive of VAT is required to secure any booking and the balance is payable 6 weeks before the hire date ot the full amount is due at booking stage if the hire date is within six weeks of the booking.
The Registrars’ attendance fees are not included in our charges but can be obtained from the Devon Register Office, Castle Street, Exeter, EX4 3PQ telephone no. 0845 155 1002 and you will need to check the Registrar’s availability once you have decided on the date and timing of your ceremony.
Our AVAILABILITY CHART link shows you which dates and sessions are currently available. |
BOOKING PROCEDURES - click on this link to submit a booking enquiry, make a provisional booking, make a secure online payment or to progress an existing booking.
There is a strict no smoking policy within the building and on the roof 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 Easter and the end of September from 2pm until 5pm (last admission 4.30pm) or by appointment with our Wedding Co-ordinator (see contact details below).
Contacts:
For booking enquiries please submit the appropriate online Booking Form obtained from our Booking Procedures page or contact us on Tel/Fax: 01392 833846 or by Email
All other enquiries please to our Wedding Co-ordinator, Mrs Jo Turner on Tel: 01647 252455 Fax: 01647 253188 or Email: belvedere@nick-turner.com
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. |
|
| |
| |
