When couples first discover Halton Grove, the questions come quickly. What makes this place different? How did it come to be? What does it actually feel like to celebrate here? We sat down with founder and owner Simon Glover to answer the questions we hear most often, and a few that get to the heart of what Halton Grove is really all about.
Simon, tell us a little about yourself and how Halton Grove came to life.
I was a piano teacher for nearly 20 years and then fell into commercial property (more offices, workshops and warehouses). I had always been passionate about creating a wedding venue, therefore didn’t want to purchase something already operational.
Halton Grove was born through Covid, where, once restrictions were lifted, I had time to explore Northumberland for a property that could become the newest (and best) wedding venue in the county! At the heart of everything we do is enable couples to feel at home and comfortable throughout their time with us, so buying a family home was a vital part of this.
I chanced upon Halton Grove in May 2020 and, after gaining planning permission in July 2021, our first wedding took place in May 2023.
Halton Grove launched in 2023, still relatively recently. What has surprised you most about the response from couples so far?
How quickly they fall in love with the venue! Halton Grove is a naturally beautiful venue that celebrates Northumberland and people who want to marry in the north east are usually exceptionally proud to have a connection to this part of the country. I have been genuinely staggered by how connected couples feel to Halton Grove within a matter of minutes. It is an incredibly special place.
The exclusive-use model is central to everything at Halton Grove. Why was that a non-negotiable for you from the beginning?
A marriage is about bringing more than two people together, it’s about gathering family and friends for the most special of occasions, so why rush it and share it with people you don’t know?
To me it seems odd to want to host a wedding somewhere where another event or activity is taking place, where others are wandering in the background. Exclusive use at Halton Grove is genuine – there is never any compromise with this. From the moment you arrive to the time you depart, it is only ever you, your guests, your suppliers and our team on site.
The three-day, two-night format sets Halton Grove apart from most wedding venues in Northumberland. What does that extended time actually give couples that a single-day event cannot?
This follows on from the previous question. You are unlikely to have everybody you love in one space ever again, so, I didn’t want anybody to feel they were part of a conveyor belt of weddings, where everything is chaotic and it’s over before you’ve had a moment to enjoy anything.
The feedback we have from couples, following their wedding, is that nothing felt rushed. Everyone moved a little slower, everything happened with ease and there was time to breathe. The early arrival the day before the wedding and the civilised departure the day makes this possible and means those days become part of your wedding, rather than a swift beginning and end.
Food and drink clearly plays a significant role in the Halton Grove experience. How would you describe what couples and their guests can expect?
You can have the most beautiful venue, but if you’re unable to deliver excellent food and drink, you won’t have a venue that is talked about for years to come (in my opinion!).
Our head chef, and one of the loveliest people you’ll meet, Emily, has been looking after weddings and events for 20 years. We receive repeated comments about the food being the best people have experienced at a wedding. I am never surprised by this as Emily and her team are simply fantastic!
Our menus are created with couples and their guests in mind, but we are always happy to work with each person to make changes wherever required. Whether a guest has a dietary restriction or an allergy, everybody is treated to the most wonderful fayre.
For couples who are early in their search and perhaps comparing several North East wedding venues, what do you wish they knew before they walked through the door?
That we offer incredible value for money. Put simply, we are not a cheap venue, but for the time you spend here and the quality of everything we offer, it is worth stretching your budget, if possible.
We know that finances are challenging for many at the moment, so we are very honest and transparent with pricing which allows couples to make a clear and straightforward decision.
We have had so many couples say that they paid a little more than a different venue, but they are so thankful that they did.
What accommodation do you have at Halton Grove and why do so many couples and guests comment on this being so special?
We have a total of 17 rooms at Halton Grove. We can look after a minimum of 34 guests up to just over 50. The accommodation is located across our Victorian Farmhouse, Bridesmaid’s Cottage, Honeymoon Suite and new Huts at Halton Grove.
I think couples and their guests love the accommodation as it epitomises everything about Halton Grove and is an extension of what makes us so special – naturally beautiful, exceptionally welcoming and unbelievably relaxed and comfortable.
What kind of couples tend to fall in love with Halton Grove, and is there a moment during a tour when you can tell this is the right place for them?
Interestingly, many couples tell me that they felt something special the moment they turned up the drive! It is usually impossible to know when that exact moment happens as everybody is so different in how they express their love. I can show a couple Halton Grove who say next to nothing and then send the most beautiful email the following day sharing how speechless they were.
From experience, we tend to attract those that love the outdoors, those who appreciate natural beauty with design and structure mixed in and particularly those who wish for time with their loved ones and friends in a place that feels like home.
Finally, what does the future look like for Halton Grove? Are there things still to come that couples planning their 2026, 2027 or 2028 weddings should know about?
I am not the greatest at standing still, so there is usually something around the corner.
The future looks bright! I know that what we offer is a premium experience and that seems to resonate with our couples and their families. It can so easily be said that ‘it’s only one day’, but the memories last a lifetime and those memories can only be positive if you book a venue that gives you time and cares about you every step of the way.
The Grounds Say More Than We Ever Could
Reading about Halton Grove only goes so far. The best way to understand what Simon and the team have created, and to feel what exclusive use in the Northumberland countryside actually means, is to come and see it yourself.
We offer private tours of the estate, the accommodation and all event spaces, and we would love to show you around. If what you have read here resonates, book your private tour today and take the first step toward a wedding weekend that is entirely, unhurriedly yours.
Explore everything the estate has to offer, or read the words of the couples who know Halton Grove best.