About Sopley Mill

Not your run of the mill venue

This beautiful Dorset wedding venue is as gorgeous on the inside as it is on the outside. Making it perfect for both summer and winter weddings (or those rainy days we sometimes get in the summer!)

360 TOUR

The Mill

Located next to the village church, the original Mill was first built in 1066. Since then it has been renovated, rebuilt and reborn numerous times. The current Mill was built around 1780. It finished its life as a working Mill in the mid 50’s after which it had numerous uses before being rented out as a restaurant for 25 years.

This beautiful building still has the stunning original features of the watermill with oak beams, exposed brick work and incredible views. The gardens and lawn are flanked on both sides by the Avon Millstream river. The wild location is picturesque and completely private without another house in view – you would never know we are just 10 minutes from the centre of Bournemouth!

Inside the Mill

Full of character, history and warmth

3rd floor

The Riverview Room

The Riverview room (3rd floor) has a gorgeous vaulted ceiling, original wooden floor and stunning views across the gardens and meadows. Seating for up to 100 people on 10 tables.

2nd floor

The Granary

This beautiful room is light, bright and our favourite place to get married. The sun streams in through the windows, reflecting off the river below and streaking the ceiling with dancing sun beams. This stunning space can seat 100 guests. It also contains the hidden Potting Shed bar and the dance floor for your evening party.

1st floor

The Avon Suite

Your sanctuary for the day. The place for your Wedding Party to enjoy getting ready together (with a glass or two of champagne!)

GROUND FLOOR

The Boat Room

On the ground floor is also licensed for more intimate ceremonies of up to 30 guests. In the evening the ground floor Holt Bar, Snug and Boat room are ideal for buffets, photobooths, casinos or anything else you have in mind.

About David & Lucy

Three children, Two labs (who love cake!), 1 lurcher, 2 guinea pigs and a herd of horses!

This wonderful building has been part of our family since 1870. We took it back in hand when it closed as a restaurant in 2012. Sadly, the poor thing wasn’t in the best state and looked a bit like the inside of a very dated 1970s social club! The upside was its beautiful, quiet and secluded location and that was about it. I thought it would make a gorgeous wedding venue – Lucy felt less confident! However, we spent the next 18 months of blood, sweat and tears converting this amazing building into the venue it is today. We are still blown away by how gorgeous it looks on summer’s day and we can’t believe how lucky we are to have it. And now we rope the whole family into the running of the Mill – Tarka, our youngest, mows the lawn, whilst Inca and Bea clear up after weddings, help with our social media and even do the odd show around.

The Garden

The grounds at the Mill are definitely one of its highlights. Flanked on both sides by the Avon river and surrounded by beautiful views, it is the most stunning location for your reception. Relax on the deck sipping cocktails from the River Bar, play garden games on the lawn, watch the sun set over the meadows before hundreds of twinkling lights turn on to make the gardens come alive at night.

The Bars

No corkage – now that sounds like a refreshing idea!

We want you to be able give your guests the drinks you would like without costing the earth; that is why we don’t charge corkage if you would like to supply your own. Alternatively, if you would like to leave all your drinks in the hands of the professionals, Thirsty Willow Bar Company run the pay bars at the Mill and offer great value drinks options. During the day they create delicious cocktails from the outside River Bar and in the evening work their magic from the Potting Shed Bar in the Granary. We also have a wet weather/winter bar on the ground floor in the Holt.

The River Deck

Cocktails anyone? Add a dash of something delicious, a splash of balmy summer’s eve and mix thoroughly with breathtaking views to get the perfect way to spoil your guests. In the summer months the River Bar opens in time for thirsty early guests and runs through to evening cocktails.

Accommodation

We are very fortunate to have a huge array of local accommodation available for your friends and family. With Christchurch only a 5-minute drive away your guests can choose from Air B&B’s, guest houses, cheap and cheerful Premier Inns or, if they would like to make more of their stay we have some wonderful hotels nearby.

For stays within walking distance we are 10 minutes from the Fisherman’s Haunt Pub and for couples wanting to be almost onsite we have some stunning Air B&B’s next to the Mill. This includes the gorgeous Sopley Retreat, Sopley Cottages (great for your families), Happy Hut, The Northern Byre and the Potting shed. Giving you the chance to be based a 1-minute walk from your wedding venue and to be practically onsite for easy access on the morning of your wedding, from 9am.

Parking

Nothing is more boring than hunting for a parking space or waking up the next morning in a panic that wardens will get there before you do; here we have plenty of parking for all your guests. Even better, they are more than welcome to leave their cars overnight.