Looking for Somewhere Different to hold an Event?

This week I took a drive with my friend to Pallington near Dorchester to visit and explore Sculpture by the Lakes, somewhere I have only recently discovered.

From the moment we drove in it was clear this was going to be a complete haven of beauty with the sighting of some sculptures already in view.

Greeted by friendly faces we were shown where we could find everything and left to wander around til our hearts content…and that is exactly what we did!

With every corner we turned there was always something spectacular to see, from the awe-inspiring sculptures, to the beautiful flowers, the serene lake and the natural beauty of the wildlife.

This piece says it all…

All of the sculptures are created by sculptor Simon Gudgeon who owns Sculpture by the Lakes with his wife, Monica. His vision to create an environment that combines natural landscapes with art has certainly worked. Not only does it let you appreciate the art, it allows you to escape a fast-paced lifestyle, relax and soak up the peace and tranquillity. I am going to let my photographs do the talking about Simons sculptures as nothing I can write will say as much as what my pictures can show…

As much as I would love to show you all of my photos I am going to hold back as I want there to be some surprises for you when you go and see for yourself!

When walking around it is clear to see that between Simon and Monica they have worked extremely hard in creating a place of beauty. You can tell they have lovingly designed the landscape and brought it to life with beautiful flowers, plants and grasses.

On our walk we were joined by many different varieties of insects and wildlife that were attracted to the vast array of wild flowers. We spotted some resting butterflies and dragonflies which were so beautiful to see. If you need to sit down every so often, don’t worry we found plenty of seating areas to sit and enjoy our surroundings whilst listening to the birds…we couldn’t have asked for much more!

As an event co-ordinator I wanted to see the venues that you can hire for your own private use. They have 4 very different styles of venue where you can hold an event, have a celebration or just use as a place to escape the hustle and bustle of life with your family and friends.

We found 3 small venues dotted around the lake. The Pavilion has a private jetty leading you to a floating platform with sofas to relax on and can accommodate 8 people. The River Keepers Hut is smaller, accommodating 4 people where you can have a lovely outdoor picnic on the rivers edge. The Island is a secluded island, so secluded that I couldn’t get a photo of it, which is a great if you are hiring it! It has a privately enclosed pavilion with seating and a wood burning stove accommodating 6 people. Sculpture by the Lakes describe The Island as ‘a perfect hideaway retreat’ which I would most definitely agree with.

If you are looking for a larger venue then The Retreat, which opened in April of this year is perfect for you. The Retreat accommodates 60 people for a lunch or 100 people for a drinks reception. It is over two storeys with a roof terrace overlooking the whole park and sits alongside the River Frome. It is certainly an idyllic venue with a unique setting where you could renew your vows, hold a big birthday party or celebrate an anniversary, the list is endless. I was lucky enough to be able to take a peek at The Retreat whilst the yoga class went to have their lunch, hence why my photo shows the yoga mat set up. If you are into yoga I would definitely sign up for one of their yoga days, we spoke with a lady who was taking part who told us it was worth every single penny. Having seen the surroundings I have to agree it is a perfect place to switch off and be at one with yourself.

If you decide to hold an event at The Retreat, then you may need some extra hands to ensure your day runs smoothly. As an on the day wedding & events co-ordinator I can help by taking all the worry and pressure away from you, letting you relax and enjoy yourself with your friends and family. Surrounded by beautiful settings and views you definitely want to be able to take in every glorious moment and make the most of your special event, without worrying that everyone and everything is in the right place at the right time.

If all of this isn’t enough, you can now exclusively hire Sculpture by the Lakes in its entirety on Mondays and Tuesdays. What more could you ask for when it comes to holding a unique event!?

Or, if you just want a day out then go and spend a day at Sculpture by the Lakes, check it out for yourself. Make a day of it, take a picnic or visit their Gallery Café where they cook the most amazing food with their home-grown produce and serve the most delicious home-made cakes (I can vouch for that!).

Looking at photos is lovely but they can’t make you feel how you really feel when you are actually walking around the grounds seeing everything for yourself. It really is a relaxing experience and one you will want to return too and maybe hold an event at!

For more ideas and inspiration to help with your wedding and events planning, like me on Facebook @tashamaeevents and follow me on Instagram @tasha_mae_events.

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