Corporate Events
If you have something to say – say it in a beautiful location
If we are being brutally honest ‘Conference Venue’ doesn’t give you a warm and fuzzy feeling! They are (mostly) the Ugly Ducklings of the venue world – poor things. The Mill is set on a 1000 sqm island surrounded on both sides by the Avon River with stunning views across the wild flower water-meadows. This beautiful building still has the stunning original features of the watermill with oak beams and plenty of varied spaces, making it the perfect venue for your event. The wild location is stunning and completely private but it’s just 8 minutes from Bournemouth!
If you really want to impress your clients, show your colleagues you value them or give your staff a bit of love – it’s all about first impressions. And Sopley Mill really does that. Start on the right foot, put a smile on their faces and that energy will help you on the road to a successful event.
Large meeting and conferences
Exclusive, private and flexible, the Mill is a great option for meetings, conferences and Christmas parties for up to 100 people. For more relaxed events such as product launches and summer drinks parties we can fit 150 guests. Being so close to Christchurch, Bournemouth and Poole, with great road and train links means it is easy for your guests to access.
We can organise catering through one of our listed caterers and drinks through Thirsty Willow (who run our pay-bars at Sopley Mill). We don’t charge corkage if you would prefer to do your own drinks and we are flexible with catering options if you have a different catering option you would prefer. Please contact us if you would like to discuss your requirements.
We cannot thank you enough for everything you did for us and our guests on our wedding day – you truly went far above and beyond to ensure our day went without a hitch – it was an amazing day and most of that is down to you.
Venue Details
The Garden
Sopley Mill is set on a 1000 sqm island surrounded by the Avon River. The lawn has gorgeous views across the wild flower water-meadows and is securely fenced from the river. You have plenty of space to bring in any extras you may want. From garden games or team building activities, to BBQs and Crazy Golf – the options are endless. The gardens at the Mill are also the perfect place for a summer’s evening drinks party or an ‘alfresco’ product launch.
We have up-lit the trees and added incredible lighting to the Mill and the river so that in the evening your guests get a whole new look to the venue. As the sun sets over the garden, hundreds of twinkly lights come on to make the garden come alive.
For winter events, these outside lights come on earlier and give the Mill a truly magical glow.
The River Deck
It has always been important to us that on a beautiful sunny day your guests can make the most of the outside space at the Mill. We created our River Deck to extend out over the water so your guests can enjoy the fabulous river views. Perfect for a drink’s reception, casual buffet lunches or somewhere for your guests to have a moment to relax between meetings.
The Ground Floor
The ground floor is made up of three individual, quirky rooms characterised by wooden beams and exposed brick work. The Holt has its own bar which can be used for your drinks or Thirsty Willow Bar Company can run a paybar there at any stage during your event. The next room contains the ground floor fireplace which is a wonderful place for drinks receptions. The bright and airy Boat Room at the end has large double doors heading into the garden. This is the ideal spot for an evening buffet on lovely summers evenings when your guests are sitting outside watching the sun set.
The Granary
The Granary is a great option for drinks receptions, as a meeting or conference room or for parties of up to 120 people. We have created this room to be purposefully light and bright and it has wonderful views from all sides.
For evening parties there is a full-size bar (the Potting Shed) and a dance floor. Thirsty Willow can run a pay-bar from here, should you want it and We Perform (the DJ company we work with at the Mill) can provide DJ’s for your event. We welcome bands at the Mill, subject to certain sound restrictions, and they would also play in the Granary (please ask us for full details). The Granary is also equipped with air conditioning – very important on hot summer’s evenings.
The Riverview Room
The Riverview Room, on the top floor of the Mill, is the ideal place for dining. The vaulted ceiling, beams, exposed brickwork and grain hatches in the floor give the history and character which makes it such a unique venue for your event.
The River View Room can fit 10 round tables of ten people per table. Alternatively you might prefer to have long tables or a buffet. For caterers there is a kitchen on the top floor of the Mill.
The Bars
We want you to be able give your guests the drinks so that is why we don’t charge corkage if you would like to supply your own. Thirsty Willow can organise to serve these for you if you would like.
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. We have three bars at the Mill. We have the outside River Bar, our Potting Shed Bar in the Granary and we also have a wet weather/winter whisky bar on the ground floor in the Holt.
Parking
Nothing is more boring than hunting for a parking spaces or panicking that wardens will get there before you do. Here we have plenty of parking for all your guests. And they are more than welcome to leave their cars overnight.
