FAQs



What does the venue hire include?

The hire fee for The Conservatory includes the exclusive use of the venue and surrounding walled garden, as well as a stage, dance floor, PA and disco system. Also included are banqueting chairs and tables for up to 320 guests, cloak rails, reception furniture, garden furniture, an on-site electrician, car parker and your very own venue manager.

Can we use any caterer, photographer, florist etc within the venue?

Touch of Taste and Payal are our only preferred caterers here at Painshill. Other caterers may work at The Conservatory by individual application, however if you wish to use a non-preferred caterer a charge of £1,500+VAT will be applied. With regards to other suppliers i.e. photographers, florists etc you are not restricted in any way, and may choose one to suit you as long as they comply with our health and safety regulations. Please also refer to the fireworks section of this page.

Can we smoke within the venue?

Due to new Government legislation from the 1st July 2007 smoking will no longer be permitted within the marquee. Guests may smoke outside on the decking area or in the garden.

Can I hire the venue for half a day?

The Conservatory hire is based on a full day from 10am until midnight, and for exclusive use. Therefore whether you choose to utilise the venue for a couple of hours or a full day, you will still incur the same venue hire fees. We may be flexible on this, if the date is off-peak.

What is the booking procedure?

Provisional bookings can be made without any obligation. To confirm your chosen date a signed contract must be returned to us along with a deposit of £1000+VAT, plus a £500 refundable damage deposit. The balance payment is due 28 days prior to the event.

Can our guests use the main Painshill Park car park?

For all late afternoon, or evening events the main Painshill Park car park cannot be used as the gates are locked by 5pm. We do however have a separate events car park (The Meadow), which is located through our deliveries entrance just off the A3 roundabout, opposite the Notre Dame School on Portsmouth Road.

Can cars be left overnight?

Cars can be left in the Meadow area overnight however they MUST be collected the next day by 10am at the latest. Cars are left at the owner's own risk.

When can our caterers and suppliers access The Conservatory?

Our standard access time for all suppliers is 10am on the morning of each event. Access is through our events entrance on Portsmouth Road. Early access to the venue can be arranged but is chargeable. For any deliveries outside of the above times, approval must firstly be granted by Painshill Events.

Can we leave things in the marquee overnight?

All items brought into the marquee by the client and their suppliers must be fully cleared from the venue directly following the event. Items cannot be left in the marquee overnight.

Can my event go later on than midnight?

Our premises licence currently expires at midnight and unfortunately cannot be extended.

Can we provide our own beverages?

Yes, if you use our preferred caterer, we as a venue will not charge you corkage, however our caterers may charge a small fee for serving your drinks for you, so please check with them individually.

Can guests have access to the grounds of Painshill Park before or during the event?

Admission to the park for the bride, groom and 1 photographer is complimentary. If you do wish for any of your guests to enter the park, concessionary rates can be arranged. Please ask for more information.

Can photos be taken within the park?

Photos may be taken within the park as long as they are used for your personal use only and not for publication.

Are we able to have confetti?

Confetti is not permitted within the park but we do allow biodegradable confetti within the boundaries of the walled garden.

Are there any extra rooms that we can use as changing rooms or storage?

Whilst there are no separate rooms within the marquee you are able to hire a private room nearby. The room is a very short walk from The Conservatory and is charged at £250+VAT for the whole day.

Are bands permitted?

Live music is permitted within The Conservatory, however must be finished by 11pm. The band must be co-operative with the venues noise regulations and all bands must supply their own equipment including amps and speakers.

Can we use candles?

Candles and small flames such as those used in a Hindu ceremony are permitted within the marquee. Any other kind of flame must be approved first by the venue

Can we have fireworks?

Fireworks are permitted within the Meadow area only, subject to individual approval, and must be conducted by one of Painshill’s official display companies. All displays must be finished by 10.45pm

Can we hire a starlight ceiling?

Due to popular demand we now have had a permanent ivory starlight ceiling installed into the whole of the dining area. The hire charge for this feature is £300+VAT.

Can we have a BBQ in the Walled Garden?

BBQ's and Hog Roasts can be arranged in the garden area, however your caterer must adhere to and demonstrate appropriate health and safety regulations to ensure the wellbeing of both chefs and guests. Damage to the garden is chargeable.

Is security provided?

Door supervisors are not included as standard within the venue hire however can be arranged if required.

Do you have directions to the venue that we can give to our guests?

On booking, we provide all clients with 100 business card size directional maps that you can distribute to your guests. The map and directions clearly show which entrance to use on the day.

Can we arrange coaches to come to the venue?

Coaches are allowed access to the Park. Access would be through the events entrance, and the on-site parking marshal will provide information to the driver about parking arrangements on the day. Please ensure that we are notified in advance about the arrival of coaches.

Who should cheques be made payable to?

All cheques should be made payable to Painshill Events.

Is The Conservatory licensed for Civil Ceremonies?

Unfortunately we are not licensed for civil ceremonies, however we do host a large number of blessings, humanist and religious ceremonies.

Can we make The Conservatory any bigger?

The Conservatory is a permanent marquee situated within the grounds of Painshill Park's Walled Garden. Due to the surrounding 18th century walls we cannot make the venue any bigger.

Can we hire any other area for an event?

The Conservatory is Painshill Park's main event space, and no other parts of the grounds can be hired for marquee events.