Copdock Hall in Suffolk
If you turn into a venue’s driveway and it takes your breath away, you know that you have found a great wedding venue. You know that every couple will feel that same feeling and will be able to imagine their guests’ reactions on their wedding day.
So, what makes Copdock Hall so special?
The initial impact comes from the strikingly attractive flint-covered end of the Church of St Peter’s in an imposing position on the edge of the estate. To your left, standing in the centre of the estate, is the majestic Elizabethan barn, the largest in Suffolk, built from russet red bricks with such an impressive gable end that the logo is based on the design. It has a courtyard to one side, offering a sheltered outdoor space for guests to enjoy, and an open fronted Harvest Barn behind. It’s easy to see the appeal of the main Elizabethan barn; there are very few buildings that look so impressive and have space for up to 350 evening guests, designed in a way that will still work well for more intimate events for 50 or less. However it was the simple Harvest Barn behind that got us even more excited, as we know how may couples would like to find authentic industrial-chic in fabulous settings.
“Copdock Hall is a really special venue; the Elizabethan barn is stunning, and benefits from a courtyard on one side and sweeping lawns and the vineyard on the other, giving it year-round appeal.”
The lawn falls away below the church and barns, towards vineyards in a gentle valley. You can see Ipswich in the distance beyond the vineyard, but yours eyes are drawn straight back to the vineyard, church and barn, and clever landscaping will help accentuate these assets further.
From Farmhouse to Wedding Venue
Ian and Diane Evans, bought Copdock Hall as part of Hall Farm in 2012, specifically to create a wedding venue. They made some great decisions and everything they created remains today, for Xenia Venues to develop further. The concept was inspired by vineyard wedding venues they’d visited in South Africa, and while it’s hard to fully replicate the Cape wineland in rural Suffolk, the vineyard has been a success in its own right and produces an award-winning rose that wedding guests can enjoy. While the vineyard established roots, they added a commercial kitchen and installed underfloor heating throughout the barn, fuelled by a sustainable biomass boiler to ensure year-round comfort. The venue quickly grew in popularity for local weddings, Christmas parties and corporate summer events, but it’s growth outside the local area was restricted by the lack of onsite accommodation, with Ian, Diane and their children still living in the house at Copdock Hall. As the children grew up and Ian and Diane were ready for new opportunities - and cash in their pockets to make them possible - it was time to sell.
“Copdock Hall is a special place with lots of different aspects – a 16th century listed barn, vineyard, grounds, corporate kitchen, stables and a beautiful house. We spent 12 years investing heart, soul and not to mention capital, to building a stunning and fairly unique venue for couples to spend their big day.”
Commercial Director of Xenia Venues, Alison Hargreaves, added, “Copdock Hall is a really special venue; the Elizabethan barn is stunning, and benefits from a courtyard on one side and sweeping lawns and the vineyard on the other, giving it year-round appeal. It's already popular with local couples, and the addition of onsite accommodation will open it up to couples from London and further afield.
Ian and Diane had stopped taking bookings while the venue was on the market, which unfortunately reduced the venue’s value. However, as soon as the sale was agreed we all worked together to rebuild the pipeline of future wedding bookings, prior to the purchase completing. It ensured everyone had the outcome they were looking for. “
Future development will focus on the addition of a showcase bar in the Elizabethan barn, a bar area in the Evening Courtyard, enhancements and landscaping to the gardens and a ceremony area within the vineyard.
The Vendors’ Perspective
As ever, we like to leave the last word with the vendors, who have been kind enough to help us to share their story.
This is what Ian had to say. “Copdock Hall is a special place with lots of different aspects – a 16th century listed barn, vineyard, grounds, corporate kitchen, stables and a beautiful house. We spent 12 years investing heart, soul and not to mention capital, to building a stunning and fairly unique venue for couples to spend their big day.
With that in mind, it was important for us to find a serious and innovative buyer to take the business and property onto the next level. We looked at it as passing on the baton to the next owners. We want to see it continue to succeed and flourish.
We feel we made the right choice with Xenia. During the sale process, both James and Alison were highly professional and approachable and bursting with enthusiasm and ideas to take Copdock Hall to the next stage in its history. We will glance from afar with a lot of pride knowing the barn is in safe hands.”
Fact file:
Venue: Copdock Hall
Location: Suffolk
Distance from London: 1 hour by train to Ipswich
Ceremony and reception capacity: 220 seated
Onsite accommodation: 17 guests
Wedding ceremonies: Civil ceremonies and Partnerships, Hindu Fire Ceremonies, Celebrants. Vineyard wedding ceremonies. Licenced for indoor and outdoor weddings. Church weddings in St Peter’s Church, adjacent to the venue.
Reception spaces: Elizabethan Barn, Harvest Barn, Evening Courtyard
What couples also love: Impressive barn and Evening Courtyard where guests can all celebrate in one space. Vineyard ceremonies. Rustic Harvest Barn. Fabulous photo opportunities
Photo Credits: Our thanks to Adam Prescott, Charlotte Wotton, Bushfire Photography, EPS Photography, Sam Rundle Photography