FAQ’S
Our chefs would be pleased to prepare home cooked meals for you and your guests, please ask for further details. Alternatively, Cartshed Lodge, Southwood House and Butlers all have fully fitted kitchens so you are welcome to self-cater.
We pride ourselves on accommodating guests with special dietary requirements and have received acclaim for the standards achieved. Please make the needs of your guests known to us when setting your menu and we will suggest the most seamless way to incorporate their requirements. If any guest has a serious medical allergy, we do ask that the whole menu is allergen free.
We do not allow self-catering or catering from alternative suppliers at events (with the exception of a traditional wedding cake that does not require specialist storage) as the quality of the food offered reflects directly on Southwood Hall and our reputation.
Likewise all guests attending an event must be catered for as otherwise it appears to unwitting guests that our portions are small or that insufficient catering was provided through no fault of our own which again damages our reputation.
If your cake is homemade, we do require a declaration for food safety to be completed in advance with full allergen disclosure.
Everything we believe you will need to host your wedding is included in the hire fee including a choice of white or ivory linens and two alternative crockery options.
We have an extensive list of items that can be made available for you on a complimentary basis such as a cake stand, cake knife, gift and card box, table numbers and glass tea light holders as well as tall oak easels and an oak backboard.
We can seat up to 150 guests for a wedding ceremony and formal dining. We can accommodate up to 300 guests to a reception or party where seating for 80 guests is retained in the barn with an additional 100 seats on the terrace and lawns.
Most typically we host 80-120 guests by day and 120 – 250 guests by night however there are no minimum guest restrictions.
Our full address is Coronation Barn, Southwood Hall, Southwood, Norwich, NR13 3LR.
From the West
Follow the A47 from Norwich towards Great Yarmouth.
The dual carriageway will briefly reduce to single carriageway and then re-open to dual. As it widens keep in the right-hand lane and prepare to turn right across the oncoming dual carriageway, sign-posted B1140 Beighton Cantley.
Take the first left turn onto Cox Hill Road and follow the road through the village of Beighton.
As the houses cease take the left-hand turn onto Southwood Road, there is a sign saying ‘Southwood Hall’ pointing towards the correct direction.
Continue along Southwood Road until you reach a set of crossroads where you must give way.
Proceed straight over the junction. The car park at Coronation Barn will be on your right-hand side after the farm and private house entrance.
From the East
Follow the A47 from Great Yarmouth towards Norwich.
After 5 miles, just after you enter a 50mph area, turn left (opposite the Restaurant) towards Halvergate. Follow this very bumpy road as it winds its way through the village of Halvergate. As you leave the village, be sure to keep on the road which bears right at a sharp bend onto Freethorpe Road.
At the T junction as you reach Freethorpe turn right onto Reedham Road before taking the first left onto Porters Road.
At the crossroads turn left. Pass the farm and the private residence at Southwood Hall before turning right into the car park at Coronation Barn.
From the South
You can use either of the above routes via Norwich or Great Yarmouth or there is a third crossing of the River Yare at Reedham via a pull ferry.
Whilst this is lovely for the wedding couple the ferry can only accommodate two vehicles per crossing and a round-trip takes 10 minutes so please ask your guests to avoid forming a long queue as their arrival to us will be significantly delayed.
The barn has a sound limiter installed, as do most modern venues, which is a pre-requisite of our Entertainment License. It is set to 110 decibels (most venues in built up areas are set to 90dB) and operates a traffic light system with a light on one of the main beams indicating to performers their sound level. Green means they are performing safely within their limit. Amber warns them that they are very close to the limit. Red indicates that they have three seconds to reduce their sound level before it will cut their power supply.
When choosing your suppliers please bear in mind that performing at a wedding or private event is unlike a gig as many guests like to mingle and catch up with one another. If sound limits are too high it presents a dangerous environment for our staff and actually deters guests from joining in the atmosphere inside the barn preferring to remain on the terrace or to leave earlier than they may have planned.
We advise all performers to get in touch with us prior the date of the event and welcome them for a sound-check to ensure they can manage their levels accordingly.
Our bar prices are similar to those charged at our local gastro-pubs and although more than at Wetherspoons are far more reasonable than you would expect at an upmarket restaurant, hotel or similar venue. Current charges include a pint of beer £6, bottled lagers from £3.50, a large glass of wine £5.50, standard spirit and mixer £5 and carbonated soft drink £3.
Local pre-booked services
Our Hire
If you are staying locally, we can highly recommend Our Hire as a reliable, friendly, efficient and reasonably priced taxi service. They are located just 2 miles from Southwood Hall and have a large fleet including cars, mini buses, small coaches and full 55 seat coaches. Please mention Southwood Hall if you make an enquiry to ensure you receive their most competitive quote.
We would recommend that you book with them in advance as they do not always respond to late calls. Tel: 01493 752 223.
Tom Fuller Private Hire
Based between Southwood and Norwich this local firm are reliable offering great service Tel: 01603 712879
Silverline Limousines & Executive Hire
Our good friends at Silverline offer a fleet of executive cars, executive minibuses, limousines and party buses. A great option is to pre-book a minibus for the end of the night to make sure everyone gets home safely. www.silverlinelimousines.com Tel: 01603 713769
24-hour services
Albies Taxis (best for east Norfolk service) Tel: 01493 331111
Goldstar (Norwich) Tel: 01603 700700
Beeline (Norwich) Tel: 01603 789330
We can secure a high-class DJ that is well versed at operating in the barn and cover our licensed hours for a fixed £350 fee without additional post-midnight charges. We have a pool to call from and are happy to set up in the morning if need-be, also without additional charge. If you would like us to book a DJ on your behalf please email events@southwoodhall.com
Please don’t be shy about asking for contacts, recommendations or honest advice. We are surrounded by wedding professionals almost daily! We constantly gather feedback from our customers and take note of people offering exceptional service to ensure that we can help you to achieve the best day possible.
Many of our recommended suppliers will not be seen advertising or at local wedding shows as they are simply so good at what they do that their services are very quickly snapped up by word of mouth. The list here is not exhaustive and if you are looking for a specific service or for more recommendations then please just ask.
Sadly, some other providers do not live up to expectations. We are happy to give an independent review of any local suppliers to give you peace of mind before you book.
Photographers
| Daniel Lightening | www.lighteningphotography.co.uk |
| Gina Manning | www.ginamanning.co.uk |
| James Rouse | www.jamesrouse.com |
| Mark Nortcliffe | www.marknortcliffephotography.co.uk |
| Matt Brasnett | www.ido-photography.co.uk |
| Matt Dartford | www.mattdartfordphoto.com |
| Sam Gee Photography | www.samgeephotography.co.uk |
Film makers
| Browns Films | www.brownsfilms.com |
| Kelly Southby | www.kellysouthby.co.uk |
| Mike Savory Wedding Films | www.mikesavory.co.uk |
| VT Films | www.VTfilms.co.uk |
Florists
| KWF | www.kwfwedding.co.uk |
| Sadie’s Florist | www.sadiesflorist.co.uk |
| Fox & Fern | www.foxandfernflorist.com |
| Charlotte Staff Flowers | www.charlottestaffflowers.co.uk |
| Timeless Florals (artificial) | www.timelessflorals.co.uk |
Styling & finishing touches
| KWF | www.kwfwedding.co.uk |
| Holly Honeywell | www.hollyhoneywell.com |
| Norfolk Event Decor | www.norfolkeventsdecor.com |
| Prestige | www.prestigeeventsandweddings.co.uk |
| I do Wedding Designs | www.i-do-weddingdesigns.co.uk |
Disco & DJ
| Southwood Hall House DJ | events@southwoodhall.com |
Musicians
| Harpist For All Occasions | www.harpistforalloccasions.com |
| East Anglian Event Pianist | www.encoremusicians.com/Richard-Bennett-Eastanglianpianist |
| Kavolini String Quartet | www.kavolini.com |
| Beat Banditos Mariachi Band | www.beatbanditos.co.uk |
| Caribbean Steel Drum Band | www.caribbeansteeldrumbandsforparties.com |
Solo singers
| Barny Holmes | www.barnyholmes.co.uk |
| Bill Downs | www.facebook.com/BillDownsMusic/ |
| Lee Vann | www.leevann.com |
| Charlie Sadd | www.charliesadd.co.uk |
| Joe Holden | www.facebook.com/Joeholdenmusic/ |
| Laurence Brooks | www.laurencelive.co.uk |
| Gemma B | www.gemmabvocalist.co.uk |
Bands, musicians, singers and discos
| The Joe Ringer Band | www.thejrb.co.uk |
| Ignite | www.igniteband.co.uk |
| TestostaTones | www.testostatones.co.uk |
| The Rovers – Wandering Trio | www.facebook.com/theroverstrio |
| The Swanlock Duo | www.theswanlockduo.com |
| Joe Ringer Jazz | www.thejrb.co.uk |
| Singing Waiters (Resort Entertainments) | www.resortentertainments.co.uk |
Entertainment
| Bouncy castle & Obstacle Course | events@southwoodhall.com |
| KWF (Arcade style dance machine) | www.kwfwedding.co.uk |
| Simply Magic | www.simplymagic.co.uk |
| Capture Lounge (photobooth) | www.capturelounge.co.uk |
| Barkers Photo Fun | www.barkersphotofun.co.uk |
| 4 Aces Fun Casino | www.4acesfuncasino.co.uk |
Pet sitters
| Pet Pixie (Olwen) | petpixiebookings@gmail.com |
Transport
| Saxonair Charter | www.saxonair.com |
| Pegasus Carriage Masters | www.pegasuscarriagemasters.com |
| Silverline Limousine & Executive Car Hire | www.silverlinelimousines.co.uk |
| Vintage Occasions | www.vintageoccasions.co.uk |
Cake makers
| Claire’s Custom Cakes | www.clairescustomcakes.co.uk |
| Ellese Bakes | www.ellesecakes.com |
| Love Wedding Cakes | www.loveweddingcakes.co.uk |
| Sassas Cakes | www.sassascakes.co.uk |
Hair & Beauty (combined services)
| Laura Howard Hair & Beauty | www.laura-howard.co.uk |
| Amanda Steed Hair & Makeup | www.amandasteedmakeup.co.uk |
| Rosie Kefford | www.rosiekeffordmua.com |
Make Up Artists
| Love Moi Makeup | www.lovemoimakeup.com |
| Melissa Abel | www.melissaabel.co.uk |
| Kerrie Moralee | www.kerriemoraleemua.com |
Hair stylists
| Gemma Holiday | www.gemmaholiday.com |
| Hair by Laura Hughes | www.facebook.com/laurahugheshair/ |
| Hair For Your Occasion | www.facebook.com/hairforyouroccasion/ |
Wedding outfitters
| Adella Bridal | www.adellabridal.co.uk |
| Dreams Bridal | www.dreamsbridal.co.uk |
| Pure Brides | www.purebrides.co.uk |
| Slaters Menswear and Formal Hire | www.slaters.co.uk |