Venue hire

Springhead offers flexible options for sleeping groups of up to 47 people with exclusive use of our extensive lakeside gardens. The space can be hired by the day or for residential events. All residential bookings must include the Mill Building plus at least one of our other four accommodation areas. 

  • The 18th century listed Mill Building is the hub of Springhead’s activities. Two large reception rooms are located on the first floor of the main building and overlook the picturesque lake and gardens. The larger Mill Room can seat up to 60 people. The Lounge Room offers comfortable wicker chairs and sofas and French doors leading onto the gardens. The dining room, kitchen and toilets are downstairs, and in addition to the recreation rooms upstairs, there is one bedroom, which can sleep 2 people.
  • The bunkhouse accommodation (The Cottage, Fruit Store & The Stable) can sleep up to a maximum of 35 people. Most of the bunkhouse bedrooms are basic hostel-style with bunk beds, but there are also some twin and single rooms.
  • Accommodation for up to 10 people is available in Springhead’s Historic House. These rooms can be made up as a super king bed or twin beds. This listed building is made up of a range of thatched cottages dating from the early 18th century. The house has a wealth of period features and has a rustic, vintage feel. There are two reception rooms on the ground floor.

‘You made an anniversary family party an unforgettable experience. The kindness and flexibility of the staff could not have been surpassed.’

People hire Springhead for a wide variety of reasons: some visit the centre for its calm and spiritually uplifting ambience; some for its beautiful setting and unique character; some for its ethos of creative and sustainable living and some for its friendly and helpful staff. Whatever the reason for coming to Springhead, people return again and again to enjoy this special place. By holding your event at Springhead, you are also helping us fund our charitable work, which includes welcoming children and young people from urban and disadvantaged backgrounds to the countryside.

Musical, art and literary events: Rolf and Marabel Gardiner, in whose memory the family set up the Springhead Trust, were advocates of the arts, and for many years, there has been a tradition of festivals, concerts, literary events and theatrical spectacles taking place at Springhead. With its magical lakeside setting, open-air theatre, and flexible accommodation, this is a perfect place for such events.

Environmental events: Rolf Gardiner, a pioneer ecologist, was an organic farmer and forester, a founder member of the Soil Association and, in the face of the growth of industrial farming, a passionate believer in rural sustainability. This tradition of sustainable living continues today through features such as a reed bed sewage system, an array of photo voltaic panels, an organic kitchen garden, and a hydro turbine. Environmental awareness and nature conservation are central to our work and we are keen to welcome environmental and wildlife groups.

Retreats: Being tucked away in a quiet corner of the countryside, Springhead is frequently used as a retreat, far away from the stresses of today’s world, providing the privacy to practise such disciplines as Tai Chi, yoga and meditation. As a non-denominational centre, groups of all faiths stay at Springhead.

Private hire for family and friends: Whether you’re looking for somewhere to celebrate a family birthday or anniversary, or a reunion of friends and family, Springhead provides a very flexible space with plenty of indoor and outdoor space for get-togethers.

Corporate and community hire: With a number of communal rooms and its unique setting, Springhead is an attractive venue for companies, charities and other organisations to hold residential and non-residential events including meetings, courses, workshops, team-building initiatives, away days and conferences.

We are happy to discuss options tailored to your specific requirements, whether for non-residential or residential events.

Terms and Conditions apply.

Contact us for details

Weddings

If you are looking for a picturesque wedding venue in Dorset, Springhead is a truly magical place to hold a civil marriage ceremony.

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Residential accommodation for groups

Groups of between 15 and 37 people can hire our bunkhouse accommodation which includes 8 simple but comfortable and clean bedrooms with single and bunk beds

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Historic house accommodation

In addition to the Mill building, which forms the hub of any stay at Springhead, up to 10 people can be accommodated in Springhead House; the house offers a double en-suite bedroom, three further bedrooms and a private garden.

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Places to visit nearby

Springhead is surrounded by beautiful countryside for walking and cycling, and within easy reach of the famous Jurassic coast as well as numerous other attractions.Read More
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Springhead is a charity
Registration number: 1112083
Company register number: 5370640

The Springhead Trust is a small charity, so any support you give will make a big difference. With your help, we can continue preserving our historic buildings and gardens for the benefit of all, and give more children and groups the opportunity to enjoy the countryside and arts, and learn about sustainable living.

Springhead
Fontmell Magna
Shaftesbury
Dorset SP7 0NU

Phone: 01747 811853
Email: [email protected]

© 2024 The Springhead Trust | All rights reserved