A spacious ballroom with arched wooden beams, tall arched windows, and polished wood floors at Charlton Down Village Hall.

Wedding offer

The Ballroom at Charlton Down Village Hall

Ballroom in a Hall

Private space

About this space

This magnificent Victorian Ballroom was originally designed by the architect G. T. Hine, and was built in 1894/5 for the community at the former Herrison Hospital. It has been recently restored to its former glory thanks to tireless campaigning by local residents after the threat of demolition during the redevelopment of the hospital site.

The ballroom has an impressive hammer-beam ceiling, a resilient wooden floor, and stained glass upper windows. The south aspect enjoys beautiful countryside views. A large extended stage, excellent sightlines, and first-class acoustics make the ballroom a popular venue for musical events. The ballroom has played host to world-class musicians, choirs, shows, conferences, wedding receptions, parties, and clubs, its versatility is endless!

Event offers and packages

Whether it is a Civil Wedding, Reception, or both, your special day can be celebrated in our beautiful ballroom. With 300 square meters of space in the ballroom, there is ample room for your family and guests and room for dancing.

Civil Marriage or Civil Partnership Ceremonies

£250 total

We are licensed to hold civil ceremonies every day of the week with or without a reception to follow. Ceremonies without a reception afterward have the use of the Ballroom, Toad Hall, and the kitchen for a period of 3 hours.
If you decide to have a civil ceremony, you should first contact the Superintendent Registrar in Dorchester. The Registrar will take a provisional booking up to twelve months in advance, although a confirmation must be made three months prior to your date.

The Wedding Reception Package

£1000 total

Includes:
- All rooms at Charlton Down Village Hall all day on Saturday (or main event day) from 8.00 am – 12.00 midnight. Guests are required to leave by 11 pm at the latest (out of consideration for our neighbours). The last hour is to allow time for suppliers to pack up.
- Use of Toad Hall for deliveries on the afternoon of the day before the event, and for storage of items to be collected on the morning of the first working day after the event.
- Three hours on Sunday morning to finish clearing up and restoring the premises to the original state.
- Facilities such as the sound system which includes microphones for the speeches and equipment for playing music during the reception is included.
- Client making a charge for alcoholic beverages will need to have a licence to sell alcoholic beverages. Charlton Down Village Hall has its own licence for the sale of alcohol and this is included.
- Stage lighting for a band (discotheques normally bring their own) is included.
- A Damage Deposit of £150 will be charged and this will be banked and returned to the client in full if there is no damage. Clients should note that damage includes not returning the premises to the clean and tidy state in which they were handed over.
All Weddings and Wedding Receptions are charged on a package basis and no discounts are available on these.

Prices

Monday

8:00 – 0:00

from £18 hire fee per hour

Per hour

8:00 – 0:00

from £18

Note: Alcohol licence until 0:00. All prices include VAT.

Tuesday

8:00 – 0:00

from £18 hire fee per hour

Per hour

8:00 – 0:00

from £18

Note: Alcohol licence until 0:00. All prices include VAT.

Wednesday

8:00 – 0:00

from £18 hire fee per hour

Per hour

8:00 – 0:00

from £18

Note: Alcohol licence until 0:00. All prices include VAT.

Thursday

8:00 – 0:00

from £18 hire fee per hour

Per hour

8:00 – 0:00

from £18

Note: Alcohol licence until 0:00. All prices include VAT.

Friday

8:00 – 0:00

from £18 hire fee per hour

Per hour

8:00 – 0:00

from £18

Note: Alcohol licence until 0:00. All prices include VAT.

Saturday

8:00 – 0:00

from £24 hire fee per hour

Per hour

8:00 – 0:00

from £24

Note: Alcohol licence until 0:00. All prices include VAT.

Sunday

8:00 – 0:00

from £21 hire fee per hour

Per hour

8:00 – 0:00

from £21

Note: Alcohol licence until 0:00. All prices include VAT.

Wedding Packages are available from £1,000

Booked time must include sufficient time to set up and clear away after the booking.

No charge is made for the kitchen when used for preparing teas & coffees. The £10 charge is levied when heavy use, such as using the oven is required. Clients can book the use of the kitchen for the preparation of light refreshments. This use does not constitute “Exclusive” use of the kitchen, except where the wedding package is being taken, as we only have one kitchen and other clients may wish to use it as well.

If the hirer intends to make a charge for alcoholic beverages, the hirer may be covered by the Hall’s own license at a cost of £20.

- Deposits:
For large events including parties, a £150 damage deposit may be applied. The deposit will be returned to the client once the premises have been inspected post-hire. This includes checking the hired rooms have been left clean and tidy and all rubbish has been removed.

- Discounts:
Residents of Charlton Down, Charminster and Forston booking for a Private Function (except weddings and wedding receptions) may attract a 40% discount on their room hire charges.

Not for Profit events that benefit the community of Charlton Down, Charminster and Forston and that are run as “not for profit” by volunteers will receive a discount of 33% and will be covered by our Public Liability Insurance.

- Prices for audiovisual equipment and lighting:

Large Projector & screen Panasonic 4,500 lumens for Ballroom.
Commercial/Private £30
Residents/Community £10
Wedding £30

Sound System
Commercial £30
Community/Private £20
Residents £10
Wedding £30 (Where not included in wedding package)

Stage Lighting
Commercial £30
Private /Community £20
Residents £10
Wedding £30 (Where not included in wedding package)

We have plenty of rectangular and square tables and chairs that are in included in the package but should you wish to use round tables, these will need to be hired in. You will also need to hire your own crockery. This can be delivered to the hall the day before your event and collected on the first working day after your event.

Capacity

Dining

up to 200

Theatre

up to 250

Catering and drinks

Alcohol licence until 0:00

Facilities

Free parking is available on-site

Free on-street parking

Screen Panasonic 4,500 lumens

Stage Lighting

Piano

Air conditioner

Accommodation is available on-site

Music & sound equipment

Accessibility

Rules of the space

Allowed events

Host rules

- No smoking in the building
- Outside catering is allowed
- We ask that all Ballroom doors are closed by 10 pm to prevent noise traveling around the village. Music must stop by 10.45 pm

Cancellation policy: Custom

Show cancellation details

About Charlton Down Village Hall

The Village Hall complex is a blend of old and new architecture, updated in 2003 the complex caters to a wide range of events with accommodation to suit all activities and functions.

Charlton Down Village Hall is an ideal venue for wedding receptions and ceremonies, conferences, and meetings. Situated four miles from the County town of Dorchester, two rooms are available together or separately.

Charlton Down Village Hall is a Tagvenue Partner. This business has registered with Tagvenue and agreed to our venue partner standards.