The Garden Pavilion at Thursford Reviews
Reviews
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to make your big decisions easier.
5.0 out of 5 rating
![Hitched Wedding Awards 2024 Winner]()
5.0 out of 5 rating
36 reviews
100% recommend it
Badges
-
![John]()
John P. Sent on 31/10/2024Absolute perfection!
Not sure if our review can do this place justice….. but just WOW!!!!
If you are searching for a top-class wedding venue that is unique, elegant, exclusive, fun and FULL of surprises - then we urge you to look no further! These were all the very reasons why we chose this Thursford Garden Pavilion as our wedding venue. They say that the venue makes a wedding – and boy did this place deliver on every front!
From our first viewing with Melissa and Emma we just knew that this was the venue for us. The incredible Events team at Thursford are the ultimate professionals and they REALLY know their stuff, taking the stress out of planning the most important day of your life. They held our hand all the way through the planning process and gave us the confidence to fully enjoy our day, leaving us in the knowledge that EVERY little detail was taken care of – and we cannot thank them enough.
The big draw to Thursford for us, was that the venue itself offers a great deal of flexibility and the opportunity to customise every element of the day with a variety of unique spaces to use. This along with having exclusive use, made us feel very special and we took full advantage of EVERY single bit – from the rustic Old Farm Barn, the cute ice-cream parlour, the magical museum & fairground rides, the stunning pavilion, the immaculate outside grounds and of course the gorgeous Secret Garden for our wedding ceremony. So many of our guests commented that this was simply the best wedding venue they've ever been to. Your guests will certainly not be bored here!
Another deciding factors for us, was that Thursford do not run back-to-back weddings which allowed us and our suppliers time to set up everything the day before so that we could well and truly relax with friends and family the evening before. And if you needed convincing even more… we took advantage of the late licence option until 1am to continue the celebrations into the early hours - this is something that very few wedding venues in the UK offer. It has a massive dance floor space and an insane lighting system which is all included in the wedding hire package.
Keeping it all together, there was the wonderful Melissa who was with us all day and evening, managing all of our suppliers and ensuring that everything flowed seamlessly from one element to the next.
Our family took advantage of the Wedding accommodation package and stayed the whole weekend in the stunning boutique accommodation right next to the venue which was incredible – we just didn’t want to leave! The Holly Lodge team were so attentive and looked after us all weekend. A big thanks to Natalie & Codi for looking after us so well and keeping us refuelled with the most delicious breakfasts each morning and walking our dogs during the wedding day itself!
If that’s not enough, we feel that Thursford Garden Pavilion is excellent value for money, with everything clearly priced and no hidden charges. We whole-heartedly recommend this gem of a wedding venue to anyone and everyone who will listen to us. BOOK A VISIT NOW!
And to all the Thursford team - from the bottom of our hearts, thank you.
John & Daniel xxx -
-
![Natalie]()
Natalie M. Sent on 30/10/2024Our Perfect Day - Natalie & Gary - 23.08.24
Wow! Wow! Wow is the best way to describe Thursford Garden Pavilion, Holly Lodge and every single member of staff there!! We stayed the night before the wedding at Holly Lodge and it was the best decision we could of made. It was absolutely beautiful, the staff were exceptional and went above and beyond with everything. They were so kind and caring and made us feel so welcome. They have thought of everything you could possibly want or need at Holly Lodge. The bikes were awesome and having a Birthday to celebrate the night before, the beautiful garden was a perfect spot to do so!
We got married in the secret garden (thanks to Melissa making it happen due to the unpredictable weather) and had our reception in the Garden Pavilion. The rides/museum were absolutely amazing and definitely recommend having the icecream too! It made our day that our two dogs could be with us throughout the whole experience. Our guests still say now, how unique, beautiful and fun the wedding was. The venue was beyond beautiful, the food was stunning but the wedding wouldn’t of been what it was without the amazing people who work there and make it all happen. Melissa and Emma helped organise everything up to the day and Melissa was there on the day to bring it all together and make it the most amazing day of our lives. Such a beautiful lady inside and out and we couldn’t of done it without her. A big big thank you to everyone at Thursford, you’re truely the best! Xx -
-
![Sara]()
Sara C. Sent on 07/10/2024The Mast Magical Experience
From the minute we arrived to look round Thursford I was smitten, the whole atmosphere felt calm and serene and welcoming. We had the lovely Charlie show us around and his enthusiasm was so infectious, we were excited already! We were also completely bowled over by how involved and enthusiastic all the staff we met were. We left and didn’t think twice we were hooked!
The whole experience with Melissa and Emma was so smooth, nothing was too much and they were genuinely excited by ideas no matter how bonkers they sounded. Inflatable helter-skelter, no problem, filling the room with antique furniture and “Knick knack”, sounds great, changing up the wine offering to have Rose Lemonade, consider it done. We felt completely safe and reassured that we did not need to worry about anything, suppliers, timings, logistics all taken care of.
The day before Melissa could not have been more accommodating, even though we ran a little over time she helped finish everything off and even finished parts the next morning. If there were issues or problems we never knew about it. I woke up in Holly Lodge and felt completely spoilt, as did our family. Being able to calmly sit and laugh with the lovely housekeepers whilst I waited for Melissa to get me just set the tone for the day. A day that just blew our minds, it felt seamless and all we had to do was have a fantastic day. Which we did!
We completely recommend hiring the rides, the best money we ever spent! Seeing the faces of our guests when they saw the museum was priceless but when they realised the rides were included…magic! So many lovely photos and videos of everyone just enjoying themselves. Adults and kids alike loved the day and we were able to set up our garden games on the lawn for after the dinner for everyone to enjoy. So many parents told us how they could relax as the setting felt so safe for the children and they could easily run about outside without worrying about them escaping or breaking anything.
Finally I cannot even begin to describe all the little things that just helped enormously. Melissa just being there with little hints and tips, grabbing us a water, telling us to take 5 minutes, advising the best method for things.
The only sad thing is we can’t do it over and over again. So all we can say from the bottom of our hearts is thank you to Melissa, Emma, Charlie and the whole team for making this truly the best day of our lives.
-
-
George M. Sent on 06/10/2024
A day to remember
My husband Joe and I got married in May at Thursford Garden Pavilion, and it was everything we had hoped for—and more! The venue looked just as stunning in person as it did in the photos, we were really lucky, and it was a lovely dry and sunny day.
The night before, we checked into Holly Lodge which is an amazing place to stay and on the morning of our wedding the staff there were on hand to make breakfast for us and even iron our shirts last minute!
We got married inside the museum itself, which is such a one-of-a-kind setting. The space created a warm, intimate atmosphere that our guests loved. Many of them commented on how unique the venue was and how it truly made our day one to remember.
After we got married we were able to incorporate some of the museum rides which was such a fun and unique experience for us and our guests. In addition, we were fortunate to have Robert Wolfe play the Wurlitzer before our ceremony, which added such a special and personal touch to the day.
One of the highlights for us was how accommodating the staff were, especially Melissa and Emma, who were both incredibly helpful throughout the entire planning process. Melissa and her staff were on hand throughout our big day, making sure everything ran smoothly, which took a lot of stress off us.
The gardens were beautiful and so made the perfect space for photos and in the evening the lights came on creating an even more magical atmosphere.
We took advantage of using the 'Secret Garden' to have some photos of us both, such a beautifully kept gardens created some special photos.
We opted for the catering package provided and we were so impressed. The food was exceptional, and we felt the package overall offered great value for money.
Having visited Thursford for years for their Christmas shows and Gala days, it felt so special to celebrate our wedding at a venue that holds so many memories for us—and one we’ll continue to visit in the future. We would absolutely recommend Thursford Garden Pavilion to other couples looking for a wedding venue. The combination of the stunning setting, unique museum space, and excellent staff made it the perfect choice for our day.
-
-
![Becca]()
Becca S. Sent on 25/09/2024Stunning venue, incredible staff!
Thursford was the last of 7 venues we visited around Norfolk, and it's so true when people say you just know. Melissa greeted us on arrival and her love for the venue really showed, she was so enthusiastic and was able to answer all of the questions we had. We booked for August 2024, and throughout the year Emma and Melissa would keep in touch asking how planning was going, recommending suppliers and helping me organise things.
Due to the amazing support and communication from the team I felt completely at ease when the day came around, we booked the Holly Lodge accommodation package for two nights so we were able to spend the day and night before with our closest family and friends which just made it so special. Holly lodge was stunning, the attention to detail was second to none, and Teresa and her team went above and beyond to make sure the morning of the wedding was perfect.
Charlie and Emma managed our day, and were absolutely amazing! Emma met with us the day before to note down all the details of music, things that we wanted setting out on the day etc. It meant that we didn't have to worry about one thing on the day - they literally took care of everything. I had my heart set on an outdoor ceremony in the secret garden and the team really went the extra mile to make it happen, leaving it until the last minute to set up the chairs when the sun came out after a rainy morning. It was the most special moment and one I'll never forget.
The pavillion itself is stunning with ivory drapes and chandeliers, the perfect aesthetic for our dream wedding. The dancefloor is also amazing with a black and white checked floor - so many people said how amazing it looked.
The bar staff were all so friendly and really helped make the night so amazing, we opted for the additional traditional ice cream parlour which was such a hit with our guests during cocktail hour.
All in all I can't praise the venue enough, they truly have some of the best staff I've ever come across in hospitality and they truly care about making sure you have the best day. I would 100% recommend this venue to anybody!
Thank you so much for the most magical day of our lives.
-
-
![Wendy]()
Wendy B. Sent on 18/09/2024We chose Thursford
From our very first meeting with Melissa and Emma at a wedding show at the Norfolk show ground we found Thursford Garden pavilion to be a unique choice! It wasn’t until we met with Emma and Melissa again at Thursford that we realised the most beautiful and utterly magical venue which ticked all the boxes for us both. From that very first moment we found our perfect venue!
Not only did Emma and Melissa help with making our day so very magical but any problem I encountered and which seemed so big to me was a walk in the park for this duo!
We had planned to marry in the beautiful Barn but realised that we had more guests than was allowed! But this was no problem for the Thursford team, they gave us some different options and invited us to come back and have a second, third and even forth visit! We decided to move our ceremony to the actual museum just in front of the Gallopers and oh my what a beautiful place to tie the knot!
Not only beautiful but unique! It’s not everyday you get married. So only the best would do!
We stayed at the wonderful Holly Lodge which in itself is an experience! Not only did Teresa make our stay a whole new experience in itself, but the whole place is absolutely fantastic in decor with a suit of amour in the entrance as you walk through the door to the pictures hung on the walls of doggy portraits looking all sophisticated! The breakfast I could smell wafting up to our rooms was so delicious. The rooms were all clean and tidy every effort is made to make your stay there incredible, which it truly was thanks to Teresa and her team.
On the day of the wedding Melissa ran the whole show effortlessly, all I had to do was get dressed and relax and enjoy the whole experience, which I did in style! We both had the most magical day, with every guest saying how amazing and pretty Thursford is, everyone loved riding on the Gondola and the Gallopers which made the most unique wedding a dream come true! We’ve had so many comments from guests of “it was the best wedding they had ever been too”. I can truly say I felt like a beautiful princess in a magical kingdom marrying her Prince Charming.
We can’t praise and Thank Thursford Garden Pavilion and Team enough for our unique wedding experience. We both hope to come back very soon.
Wendy & Anthony Groom -
-
Shelley L. Sent on 11/07/2024
A Unique and Magical Wedding day at Thursford
We celebrated our wedding day at Thursford Garden Pavilion and had the most amazing day.
From the moment we were greeted by Melissa for the viewing, we knew instantly we had to book, it was everything we had dreamt of and more.
In the run up to the wedding, Melissa and Emma were both on hand to answer any questions we had and they both went above and beyond to ensure our day was exactly how we envisioned it. The whole team at Thursford are a pleasure to work with.
After our church ceremony , we had canapes and prosecco in the secret garden, this is a hidden gem, with beautifully manicured lawns and the most picturesque fountain. We then moved into the barn for our wedding breakfast, before enjoying the wonderful, vintage fairground rides in the museum. It was lovely to see children’s (and adults!) faces light up whilst enjoying the rides. We carried on our evening celebrations in the pavilion which offers so much space and is versatile to suit any kind of wedding. It was lovely to be able to decorate it exactly how we wanted it and have the team on hand the day before to assist in setting up. Melissa absolutely excels at wedding planning and was on hand throughout the day to ensure everything ran smoothly.
We stayed at Holly Lodge the night of the wedding, what a gorgeous place to stay, lovely staff, delicious breakfast and the rooms are so comfortable, clean and stylish. It made a lovely end to an unforgettable day.
It was an absolute privilege to have celebrated our wedding day at Thursford and are extremely thankful to all the staff involved who helped make our day one we will remember for the rest of our lives. -
-
![Becky]()
Becky Sent on 03/05/2024A wedding to be magically remembered by all!
What an absolute privilege to have celebrated our wedding at Thursford Garden Pavilion!
We chose to stay for the two nights at Holly Lodge B&B across the road which certainly was the icing on the cake and made our day that much more special and stress-free. The breakfast included on both mornings were delicious, the rooms were stunning and no ask was too much from the lovely staff, they even had sewing kits and did our ironing! It also gave us a great base to return to and could easily access the venue.
The whole process of preparing and planning our special day was made easy thanks to the fantastic team at Thursford, they were all extremely helpful providing suggestions, ensuring everything was put together and relieving the not so fun tidying away afterwards! Melissa did everything she could to ensure our day ran smoothly and was accessible throughout the whole lead up, setting up day and wedding day to be a helping hand and answer any questions and queries we had!
We felt very honored to have been able to get married in the beautiful barn, and have access to the fairground rides & museum which was a huge hit with our guests, but also nice to have been able to put our own touch on it when we came to the reception decorating the room but with all the hard work eliminated with the dance floor, tables & chairs and bar already in place! We also loved how we were given optional extras to add to our day such as the LOVE dance floor letters and blossom trees to suit our budget and being in-house made it so easy.
We had such fantastic feedback from our guests, how good the venue was and how helpful the staff were, we agree that this day simply couldn’t have gone any better and we are so grateful to everyone involved at Thursford Garden Pavilion.
Our most perfect wedding day, beautifully captured by the lovely and very talented Dan Sunderland who we also highly recommend. -
-
Cassie B. Sent on 21/04/2024
Spring wedding 2024
Before the wedding itself, Emma was fantastic with communication and Melissa helped us when we had an issue with a supplier (not linked to Thursford), this was extremely reassuring and helped massively. We really enjoyed preparing the venue the day before (with lots of help, advice and support from Melissa). We felt so reassured with the knowledge and experience the events team at Thursford have and didn't have to worry about anything.
I was able to wake up at the stunning Holly Lodge where my bridal party all enjoyed the amazing breakfast. The Holly Lodge staff team were all so welcoming, friendly and went above and beyond to make the wedding morning perfect - even offering sausages for our dog for his breakfast which he loved and was so kind of them.
We both felt calm and relaxed as we knew we had the Thursford team around to help with anything throughout the day. Melissa and the team helped to keep timings on track (we didn't have to think about this at all!) and everything went so smoothly and was just as we had planned (even our very specific music timings)!
Our wedding day really was magical and we are so pleased we decided to go with Thursford. Thank you to all of the staff team for everything!
Cassie & Ryan -
-
Kai Sent on 30/10/2023
Perfect! A magical wedding day.
From the beginning stages of planning to leaving (after having an amazing stay at Holly Lodge ) the day after the wedding everything was perfect. The staff are friendly , calm and efficient, and we couldn’t have asked for more from them. The venue is beautiful and so unique.
The venue is outstanding and just magical a“one-of-a-kind venue”, as many guests said.
It has a great mix of different areas for you to get married , have drinks and then have your wedding breakfast. The venue boasts lots of character both inside and out.
We chose to have use of the ice-cream parlour, carousel and gondola which made it even more special, especially as we’ve attended , (and will continue to attend) the amazing Thursford Christmas spectacular!
That’s another lovely thing about this venue… you can come back and visit!
We could also have Barney (our dog) involved in the day too!
The venue is beautiful by day and night, by day there are the lovely gardens and by night it’s lit up with fairy lights to add that special touch.
Melissa and all the team were superb! We couldn’t recommend Thursford (and Holly Lodge) enough. -
Did the reviews win you over?
Did the reviews win you over?