Froyle Park

A great wedding venue, but the heating wasn't working, so it was freezing in that weather. There were little fan heaters in every room, but they didn't do much at all.

The wedding itself was lovely and I had a great time, but staying at Froyle Park was a letdown and poor value for the price. Parking was very limited, which made things stressful straight away. I was in an apartment with two rooms and a larger room with a kitchen. Since someone else was staying in that larger room, I couldn't get in to make tea or use basic facilities. There was no complimentary water or snacks, and breakfast was just a small takeaway-style croissant. I couldn't access the kitchen then either. The room felt stuffy. It had several large windows, but only one opened, and only about four inches. The TV remote was damaged and didn't work properly. There was a lot of dust, though the towels and bedding were clean. That was the one clear positive about the room, which otherwise didn't feel worth the money. The bar prices were extreme: more than £8 for one Jack Daniels and Coke, £3 for a small Coke clearly poured from a multipack bottle, nearly £7 for a pint, and £30 for a basic bottle of red wine. For a venue of this standard, I expected fairer prices, better service and more thought for guests.

Froyle Park is a beautiful venue, and I've been to a couple of weddings there. On my latest visit I saw a parking problem that I hope management will address. Day guests don't have dedicated parking and are directed to leave their cars along the road on the way out, mostly on the soft verge to the right, though a few were on the left. It had been raining, and the ground was too soft for me and another driver to get our cars out. We tried the usual tricks without success. We went to reception. A man came out but couldn't help and left, saying he had other duties. I called RAC, who said they might take three or four hours. Fortunately, when a second car got stuck, the women went back to reception and found someone who came over and helped move both cars. I'm grateful to him. He knew what he was doing and was willing to help, but it took two and a half hours to get assistance. Rain is normal in the UK. If Froyle Park keeps using that area for parking, it should consider paving it or having knowledgeable staff available to help in situations like this. Otherwise guests could be put off.

I've photographed several weddings at Foyle Park, and the place always has a warm, personal feel. The team are welcoming and professional, and they make couples and suppliers feel valued. That helps the day run smoothly and keeps the atmosphere relaxed. Every wedding I've shot there has had its own personality. The venue's layout works beautifully, from the ceremony through to the reception, with plenty of creative photo opportunities indoors and out. The grounds are well looked after, and the outdoor areas are charming backdrops for those special moments. For couples looking for an elegant place with charm and a friendly team, I recommend Foyle Park. It's a special place for a wedding.