Tournerbury Woods
The Tournerbury Woods estate on Hayling Island really is something special as a wedding venue. This wonderful, tucked-away corner of the island transports you to another world – one where you are surrounded by nature and feel like you could be a million miles from anywhere. If a relaxed, outdoors vibe is your thing then Tournerbury might just be the perfect venue for you. Think firepits, garden games, bluebell woods to explore and views across Chichester Harbour to the Witterings and beyond.
Anything seems possible here – the only limit is your imagination. There aren’t many venues where I’ve captured the bride and groom rowing themselves there by boat! Why not bring some tents to pitch and celebrate festival-style?
All the space means you can invite a huge number of guests to your day, but equally having this private patch of Hayling Island to yourselves can work beautifully for a smaller and more intimate occasion.
OVERVIEW:
The Tournerbury Woods Estate wedding venue on Hayling Island is an absolute hidden gem. Fifty acres of privately-owned woodland surrounded by coastline, and with views all the way across Christchurch harbour to the beautiful sands of the Witterings. In the centre sits a big clearing; on one side a massive marquee, and across the lawn and past the decking area four bedroom Woods Cottage which can be used for accommodation and getting ready. Beyond this space – the heart of the estate really – lie expansive woods teaming with wildlife if you head inland, and little rivulets, lakes and copses or trees heading down to the waterfront. Licensed for weddings on-site in the purpose-build decking area, Tournerbury really is your all-in-one wedding venue, especially for lovers of the great outdoors.
PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES:
Tournerbury Woods is all about the outside space, and there are an astonishing variety of locations and backdrops from deep, dense woodland, to lakes rivers and streams, and wide views across the harbour with yachts and dinghies bobbing in the background. At the most easterly point of the estate you’ll find a wide green which is popular for large group photos and for drinks receptions.
The rooms of the cottage, if you’re using that for prep, are very quaint and complement the atmosphere of Tournerbury Woods as a whole. Various other little features reveal themselves as you look around. The best thing to do is just get out there and explore!
PRACTICALITIES:
It’s easy to find when you know what you’re looking for. Follow directions all the way to Tournerbury golf course (the Hayling Island one, not the Scottish one!) and then drive past the course entrance and through the farm. At the far end you’ll see the gravel lane sweep round to the right; this is the road which will take you into the heart of the estate.
Hayling Island is famously a popular holiday destination so accommodation options about; various hotels and guest houses of every shape and size up and down the Island. If you’re marrying in the height of Summer allow some extra time for traffic getting on and off the island and warn your guests to do likewise. It’s usually okay, but a snarl up somewhere can have knock-on affects as the routes from one end of the Island to the other are limited, and the number of bridges on and off even more so as there’s just one.
OTHER OBSERVATIONS:
A fantastic option for larger weddings; the marquee is enormous and could comfortably seat a couple of hundred. There’s loads to do through the surrounding area if guests are making a weekend of it. The beaches along the Island are pretty pebbly when the tide is in, but – top tip! – head to the south west corner as the water starts to recede for huge expanses of perfect sand and views across to the Isle of Wight.
Bring in external caterers or, if you are feeling adventurous, you can even cater it yourself. There are many suppliers working within the wedding industry across Hayling Island and back across the water on the neighbouring mainland. With Havant, Chichester and Portsmouth just a stone’s throw away you won’t be short of options.