Weddings & Occasions

This light-filled, blank-canvas space is designed to be transformed into your perfect celebration setting. With floor-to-ceiling windows that flood the room with natural light, it offers a warm and inviting atmosphere. The space is ideal for wedding receptions, birthday parties and anniversary celebrations, and can accommodate up to 150 guests for seated dining. The Pavilion sits alongside the Amey Theatre, providing additional space for entertainment.

The Pavilion opens directly onto our terrace and well-kept lawns, with views across the historic building and grounds. This provides a prestigious backdrop for your photographs and creates a true sense of occasion from the moment your guests arrive.

Located just outside the market town of Abingdon-on-Thames, the Pavilion feels wonderfully secluded while remaining easy to reach. With on-site parking and a selection of nearby hotels, your guests can arrive with ease, allowing you to relax and enjoy every moment.

Please note: While the Pavilion itself is not licensed for wedding ceremonies, there are several excellent nearby options for your vows, including Abingdon Registry Office, as well as local churches such as St Michael and All Angels’ Church and St Helen’s Church.

Celebrate into the evening with our fully staffed in house bar, offering a seamless drinks service throughout your day. Our standard bar menu is available upon request and we’re happy to work with you on bespoke offers. There is the option to add a tab or run a token system for guests.

Our trusted in-house caterers, Sodexo, will work with you from the very beginning of your event planning. You are welcome to attend a tasting, and on the day of your event, their experienced team will be on hand to care for your guests with warmth and professionalism. Sodexo offers carefully curated Silver, Gold and Platinum packages, while also providing the flexibility to tailor every detail to suit your tastes and vision. Menus and packages are available upon request and will be sent to you once you have completed our enquiry form.

Our Chapel may be available to couples for an Anglican marriage service where there is a strong and longstanding connection to Abingdon School. This includes Old Abingdonians, as well as current and former members of staff.

Please note that the use of the Chapel for a wedding service is subject to a special license (as it is not a parish church) and therefore cannot be guaranteed. If being married in the School Chapel would be particularly meaningful to you, we encourage you to contact us at an early stage. We will be happy to discuss your circumstances and advise on the process involved. Please note that the Chapel is not wheelchair accessible.

This information is recorded for customer liaison purposes only and will be held in line with the Abingdon Sports and Leisure Privacy Notice available here: Data Protection Statement and Privacy Notices.

What’s included:

Our standard event timeline is outlined below, but we are happy to work with you on a timeline which suits your celebration best.

• Access for suppliers from 10:00am
• Guest arrival from 1:00pm earliest
• Last orders at the bar at 11:00pm
• All guests departed by 12:00am

Venue hire costs:

Please contact our events team for current pricing, availability, and bespoke options:

Email: [email protected]

Telephone: 01235 933 383

Guest numbers:

We recommend a minimum of 80 guests, with a maximum capacity of 150.

Parking:

On-site parking is available, with options to leave cars overnight by arrangement.

Venue viewing:

Viewings are available by appointment only. You are very welcome to invite family or friends to attend with you.

Supplier visits:

Your chosen suppliers are welcome to visit the venue in advance. We will reach out to your suppliers ahead of your day to provide access information and to touch base.

Payment schedule:

Full details of our payment schedule will be shared with you during the booking process.

Confetti:

Please ensure all confetti is biodegradable. We have some great spots on campus for the perfect confetti shot!

Marquees or Tipis:

Arrangements for marquees and tipis may be possible but is not guaranteed. Please discuss your ideas with our events team in the first instance.

Photography locations:

From our historic buildings to open lawns and the Pavilion terrace, there are countless photo opportunities across the campus.

Food trucks and mobile bars:

While Sodexo are our exclusive caterers for most events, we are happy to chat to you if you have a particular supplier in mind.

Candles:

For safety reasons, real candles are not permitted anywhere on site. We request that you opt for battery powered or LED candles and lighting.

Fireworks:

Unfortunately we do not allow fireworks for your event.

Children and babies:

Baby-changing facilities are available, along with a small number of highchairs and booster seats.

Accessibility:

The Pavilion has level access and is wheelchair accessible. Accessible toilets are also available throughout the entirety of your event.

Site exclusivity: 

The Pavilion will be exclusively yours but we may have other events elsewhere on site. However, there would be no overlap and you will not see or hear any other visitors! This does mean that your guests only have access to certain areas of the site, which we can show you during a site visit or on a map if preferred.