Sopley Mill

(129)
£1,495 - £6,975 for Venue Hire
Up to 100
Bedrooms
Exclusive Use
Wedding Licence
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Description

Sopley Mill still has the stunning original features of the watermill with its oak beams, incredible views over the Avon water meadows and flanked on both sides by the river Avon. The wild location is stunning and completely private without a house in view – and just minutes from Bournemouth and Christchurch! There are 3 main floors to the building linked by a lift. The top floor (3rd floor) has seating space for 100 and a kitchen. The 2nd floor has a dance floor and ceremony room on it and the ground floor is a chill out/drinks area. We have two rooms which are licensed for weddings. There is also a bridal suite for your use on the day. In the summer months, the huge terrace is the ideal reception spot but in case it rains there is plenty of room on the ground floor for 100 people to have drinks inside. And in the winter months two log fires, plenty of candles and twinkly lights make the Mill warm, cosy and very romantic. Although the Mill fits 100 for a sit-down wedding breakfast it can fit 140 for a more informal style wedding or if you want more evening guests. Whether your wedding is small and intimate or a larger affair, the Mill is the perfect venue. We offer two different options for couples wanting to use this incredible building for their wedding. Option 1 is just hiring the building and creating your own fantastic day. This is for couples who want to design their own wedding and make sure it is completely unique. Option 2 is for those who want a bit more help and guidance and would like the Sopley Mill team to organise your day with you. For anyone wanting to organise their own day we have a list of well-known local suppliers who can make planning your big day a breeze. But that is up to you, you may prefer to do it yourself.

Personal Message from the Manager

Name of Wedding Contact: David & Lucy
Sopley Mill has been part of our family since 1870. We look forward to sharing it with you.

Experience

Year Business Was Established
2013
No. of Weddings Hosted
More than 50
Public Liability Insurance
Yes
No. of People In Team
5

Overview of Sopley Mill

Venue Type
Barn
Dining Capacity
100
Reception Capacity
140
Usual Access Time
09:00 AM
Usual Finish Time
12:00 AM

Ceremony & Reception

Church Within Walking Distance
Sound System Available
Dancefloor Available
Outdoor Ceremony Available
Wedding Licence

Venue

Exclusive Use
Water View
Marquee Permitted
Bridal Changing Facilities
Pet Friendly
Disabled Access
Grade I/II Listed Building
On-Site Parking
Outdoor Reception Space
In-House Wedding Coordinator
Riverside setting

Food and Drink

External Catering Permitted
No Corkage Charge for Own Alcohol
Alcohol Licence
Choose from 9 varied caterers to create your perfect day!

Pricing for Sopley Mill

Venue Hire Only

Prices Start At
£1,495
Maximum Price
£6,975
What’s included... ▪ Exclusive use of Sopley Mill and it’s garden until 12 pm (Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays) & 11 pm (Weekdays) ▪ Choice of 2 rooms locations licensed for Registrar weddings (Registrar’s fee not included) ▪ Round tables to seat up to 100 people, 5 long trestle tables ▪ 100 chairs for the Granary & 100 chairs for the River View dining room
What is included in this pricing:
Furniture included
Exclusive use
Choice of preferred caterers

In-house catering
(price per head)

Prices Start At
£23
Maximum Price
£7,495
To safe guard and protect the Mill from damage all events at Sopley Mill need to select a caterer from our extensive list of suppliers. These are caterers who have worked at the Mill successfully in the past. They all know the building, how it works, and what equipment we have and therefore what they need to bring with them. Most importantly they have the answers to your questions. There are plenty of options to choose from including a number of local award winning wedding caterers to mid-range but passionately run smaller caterers and quirky options such as hog roasts, paella and even a jalopy with a wood burning pizza oven in it! Please send us a message for more details on these.
What is included in this pricing:
No corkage fee
Bespoke menu available
Multiple course wedding breakfast

Packages
(total price)

Prices Start At
£4,790
Maximum Price
£7,790
Number of Guests Included
40
We are now offering off peak package weddings. This option is for those who want a bit more help and guidance and would like the Sopley Mill team to organise your day with you. This option runs only Sunday-Wednesdays, our off-peak days. This includes your venue, food, drink, DJ and wedding coordinator. Our minimum guest number for this is 40 adults. Whats Included? ▪Exclusive Hire of Sopley Mill & its beautiful lit grounds until (11pm weekdays, 12am weekends) ▪Choice of two rooms for registrar wedding (registrar's fee not included) ▪10 Round tables, 5 long trestle tables ▪Chairs for the wedding breakfast and ceremony ▪Free parking for you and your guests (up to 80 car spaces) ▪Easels available for your table plan and order of the day ▪An on the day wedding coordinator - with two meetings prior to your wedding day ▪A brilliant drinks package provided by Tom's Bars. This includes a glass of Prosecco for the drinks reception, half a bottle of premium chilean sauvignon blanc or merlot for the wedding breakfast and a Prosecco for the toast per guest ▪Childrens squash included ▪Full service of drinks and food ▪Glassware, linen, crockery Included ▪We Perform DJ service from 7:30pm - close ▪Full clearance package (Toms Bars will clear and carefully package away any decorations ready for collection the following morning)
What is included in this pricing:
Exclusive use
Canapés included
Furniture included
Wedding coordinator available on the day
Multiple course wedding breakfast
Non consumables (e.g. linen, lights etc.)
Wine / soft drinks allowance per guest

Reviews for Sopley Mill
(129)

Katy and Gareth
Happy couple married in August
September 2024
The most perfect day at the most perfect venue
If you are looking for an intimate and rustic venue ,then look no further than Sopley Mill. It was exactly what we had pictured . A beautiful building set on the River . It is simply stunning . The low beams , exposed brickwork and beautiful natural lighting. It really is a dream. So much space yet not too spaced out that you lose everyone . You pretty much have a blank canvas you can do exactly what you want with . Kelly the venue manager is simply amazing. From start to finish she walked us through the process. Going above and beyond when linen hadn't been laid. She is a perfectionist and wants nothing but the best. She is calm , pro active and knows exactly what is going on ! Please do go and have a look !
Jo & Ryan
Happy couple married in August
August 2024
Such an amazing day and so many compliments!
Everything ran so smoothly, Jo and I had such an amazing day and we've received so many compliments from guests about the venue. We can't really think of any aspects of the venue that we'd change. As was always said by you, it's a blank canvas for us to make our own and I think that worked perfectly for us to put our own (very colourful and floral) stamp on it! Thanks again to everyone at Sopley Mill! It will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Sophie & Liam
Happy couple married in July
August 2024
Our dream outdoor wedding in the sunshine.
We loved Sopley Mill from our first visit and it got better every time we went (even in the cold and rain!). The venue is so beautiful that it hardly needs decoration and the flexibility of the venue meant we were able to make our wedding our own. The outdoor space makes for a perfect summer wedding with games and cocktails and our ceremony on the river was perfect. The staff always responded promptly to any questions and were very helpful on the day.
Response from the venue
Dear Sophie & Liam, thank you so much for your kind words and for using the Mill for your wedding. We agree with you and also love the fact that the Mill looks stunning even without any decorations. It is great to hear the British summer weather held up enough for you to use our beautiful riverside ceremony area - you were lucky this year! Wishing you both the best for the future.
Venue responded
Summer and Hayden
Happy couple married in July
August 2024
The most magical venue
We feel in love with Sopley Mill the minute we saw it and as it all came together on the day we couldn't have asked for such a perfect venue for us to tie the knot! The whole venue is calm, serene and a stunning back drop for photos. We were incredibly lucky to have received the support of all the team, especially Kelly, throughout the planning process and on the day. We really couldn't have done any of this without their expertise, advice and guidance on multiple aspects of the wedding planning. Our friends and family still cannot stop saying how beautiful and amazing Sopley Mill is.
Response from the venue
Congratulations Summer & Hayden, what a truly wonderful day you planned! Thank you for choosing Sopley Mill to be your venue and every happiness to you both for the future!
Venue responded
Ann & Peter
Happy couple married in July
August 2024
The best day of my life!
Quoted the bride and the groom was relieved! All made possible by Sopley Mill! It was a fabulous flawless day helped by Kelly who was amazing from the initial concept to the best days of our lives! The Mill was stunning and the ceremony had the added touch of 8 cignets and two swans in the river background! We couldn’t ask for anything more! Thank you Sopley Mill
Response from the venue
What a beautiful wedding day you arranged and full of lovely homegrown and creative touches. Wishing you both lots more love and laughter, thank you for choosing The Mill to say "I do"!
Venue responded
Peter & Ann
Happy couple married in July
August 2024
A really great success!
We would like to thank you ever so much for all your hard efforts in making our day a really great success! We may have been around rather a lot before the big day but it was really worth it, as the day went without a hitch (apart from the marriage ceremony which needed the hitch 😇). The building and grounds were perfect and the weather did put the cream on it! The guests had only great comments and Ann said that it was the best day of her life! Thank you for making it such a great day!
Nicole
Happy couple married in May
June 2024
Truly looked after ❤
We were blown away with the level of care that Sopley Mill gave us on our day and in advance of it. They were super adaptable and accommodating and made the day that much more special!
Response from the venue
Wishing you both every happiness for the future together. Thank you for picking Sopley Mill to showcase your special day!
Venue responded
Nicola
Happy couple married in May
June 2024
Mr and Mrs Walker
We got married at Sopley Mill in May 2024 and it was the most special day. The team (in particular Kelly) were so responsive in the planning stages and then on the day, Kelly was there in the morning to make sure everything ran smoothly. She was so professional and a lovely calm presence. Sopley Mill is a beautiful venue and we couldn't recommend it enough.
Response from the venue
Wishing you both a very happy future together! It was our pleasure to answer your questions in your planning stages and ensure that all went smoothly with the registrar meetings and see that you were calm and on time for your wedding ceremony. Thank you for choosing Sopley Mill to be your venue.
Venue responded
Mr & Mrs Bourne
Happy couple married in April
May 2024
Incredible venue
We are so pleased we chose Sopley Mill as our wedding venue. We knew from the moment we first saw it. All of our guests commented on what a beautiful place it was. The staff were so kind and lovely, always responsive to emails, and let us set up around them as suited us. David was there on the day to get the bride and bridesmaids lined up and prompted us when to go. So professional and really lovely. Cannot recommend enough.
Response from the venue
Dear Izzy & Ewan, Delighted to hear that your wedding at Sopley was everything you had hoped for.We wish you all the happiness for the future together.
Venue responded
Beth & Bruno
Happy couple married in April
May 2024
Pure perfection!
We could not have asked for more of Sopley Mill. The venue was absolutely stunning and well maintained, everyone commented on how it was the most beautiful venue they’d ever seen. They were adaptable to the weather, opening the outside cocktail bar for us despite the possibility of rain. But a special word to Kelly, the venue coordinator. We managed to set up the venue in just TWO HOURS!! And it was thanks to this amazing lady getting stuck in and helping, making sure everything ran smoothly. We owe our perfect day to everyone at Sopley Mill, Thankyou!!
Response from the venue
Dear Beth & Bruno, It was our absolute pleasure to coordinate your package wedding here at The Mill. Thank you for choosing us to assist you in your magical day, it was very lovely to work with team bride setting up on the day and prepare your vision. You were all so well organised, it was indeed as you said a very quick set up, with plenty of time to relax ahead of the ceremony and enjoy getting ready, perfect. Wishing you both every happiness for the future from all of us at The Mill.
Venue responded

Location & Contact Details for Sopley Mill

Address

Mill Lane, Nr Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 7AU, England, United Kingdom

Nearest Town

Christchurch

Nearest Motorway & Junction

M27

Nearest Train Station

Christchurch

Nearest Airport

Bournemouth
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Sopley Mill Open Viewing Day

20th October 2024
Thank you for showing interest in Sopley Mill for your Wedding Day! We are hosting a Wedding Open Viewing Day Sunday 20th October from 10am – 3pm Book this free event now on Eventbrite.
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FAQs
Find out a bit more from our FAQs

Describe the best wedding that happened at Sopley Mill?

There are so many wonderful weddings to choose from, we just couldn't choose one! I am sure our team can fill you in during your private viewing of The Mill.

What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?

Make the planning fun!

What’s your favourite personal touch you’ve seen at a wedding?

We have a very unique venue being a blank canvas we see so many different ways our couples add their own personal touch. It is really special.

Describe Sopley Mill in 5 adjectives

Exclusive, Unique, Magical, Romantic, Picturesque.

Where’s the best photo spot at Sopley Mill?

This beautiful building still has the stunning original features of the watermill with oak beams, exposed brick work and incredible views over the Avon water meadows. So everywhere is a great photo opportunity! The gardens and lawn are flanked on both sides by the Avon Millstream. The wild location is picturesque and completely private without another house in view – you would never know we are just 8 minutes from the centre of Bournemouth. We have a very popular photo spot at The Mill where the couple can get a photo before the ceremony without seeing each other which is extremely special and not something you can do in many places! Send us a message if you would like to see the photo.

Have you had any celebrity guest or wedding at Sopley Mill?

We once had Fleur East sing the first dance for a couple. She was their friend & bridesmaid!

What’s your favourite canapé?

Oh, this is a tricky one. Give us them all!

What’s your favourite midnight treat?

Pizza!!

What is Sopley Mill most unique feature?

The downstairs holt bar still features all the original mill workings. We also have a wonderful viewing window to watch the river run by whilst feeling cosy inside.

What part of your business are you most proud of?

Our fantastic team
Press & Awards
All our awards & press mentions