Coombe Lodge Blagdon Wedding Venue Near Bristol

I actually know Coombe Lodge Blagdon rather well as I’ve been playing there with my wedding band for the last 15 or more years, and more recently with photo and video. I can safely say it’s one of my favourite wedding venues and can wholeheartedly recommend it for couples looking for a fantastic venue to host their wedding.

The Bottom Line

Coombe Lodge is one of the best run wedding venues I’ve ever encountered. And they have to be – they often have weddings here on a daily basis during peak season. The staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, and the management know what they’re doing. It’s a well oiled machine.

The Grounds

A large lawn close to the main building makes summer drinks receptions easy to do with guests not having to walk far. There’s plenty of variety for photos and video for couple portraits, with tall trees, walled garden, and steps down to a tree lined avenue and formal hedged garden. There are great views over fields towards Bristol where the sun sets making a beautiful background for photos.

There is a courtyard area which can be used for outdoor ceremonies, set outside the beautiful entrance to the building, and surrounded by a very pretty courtyard garden backed by tall trees. It’s a really nice spot.

Confetti and sparklers are permitted, as are fireworks, and these usually take place on the gravelled area outside next to the main lawn.

Main function rooms

A large and very well lit main hall called ‘the Music Room’ can accommodate 80 or more guests inside and is licensed for civil ceremonies. This is where all the main action happens for larger weddings, including the wedding breakfast and evening party. There’s a cosy fireplace and plenty of space for seated areas as well as a large dancing space with plenty of room for a band.

The library is a large square room that’s great as a getaway for smaller groups, and has comfy chairs and couches. There’s a long entrance hall that wraps around the side of the main hall complete with chairs and tables, a grand piano and couches with another large fireplace. The self contained bar is also off here as well as the main entrance on to the outside courtyard area. Another large room – the billiard room can host smaller weddings and banquets and can seat up to 80.

Wet Weather

There’s plenty of space inside the building on rainy days. The biggest challenge when the rain doesn’t let up, is finding appropriate spaces for photos, as the entrance hallway is quite dark and the main hall is filled with tables. The two entrances, at the side of the entrance hall and at the end, are quite good for positioning small groups so as to be lit by daylight, but as with most wedding venues, it’s more difficult to photograph large groups indoors, although with some forethought, this could be done before the main room is turned around after the ceremony.

The library could make a good room for children’s toys

Accommodation

There are 12 luxuriously appointed bedrooms on the upper floor, all with en suites, and elegantly decorated. Some of the bathrooms are enormous. The main bridal suite is a large square room complete with roll top bath, dual aspect windows and high ceilings. It’s a beautiful place to stay or use for preparations before the wedding.

Catering

The food at Coombe Lodge never disappoints – whether we’re talking about the canapés, main meal or evening food, it’s always incredibly tasty and beautifully prepared. Some of the best food I’ve had at any wedding venue – it’s always on point.

Party Time

Coombe Lodge is a fantastic venue for evening parties. The large main room, tends to keep everyone together, and although there are plenty of places for people to gather to talk, the main room does tend to draw everyone in. The bar is small so people tend to get drinks and rejoin the party rather than staying there all night. The library is good for older guests who might not want to be blasted by a DJ or band. The main ‘Music Room’ has tons of space for dancing and accommodates a band or DJ easily. Parties usually go to 12am.

Conclusion

Coombe Lodge Blagdon is amongst my very favourite wedding venues for these reasons: 

• Beautiful grounds with plenty of space and variety for photo and video
• Incredibly well run – excellent and friendly staff
• Really good food
• Luxurious accommodation on site
• Accommodates most wedding numbers
• Everything you need on site without much walking
• Not far from Bristol and major transport links.