About Yew Lodge
Q: Who owns Yew Lodge?
A:
Peter and Pauline Wells bought Yew Lodge from Rentokil Initial in August 2006, who used the property as their in-company training/conference centre. Pauline and Peter now own and manage Yew Lodge together with their son Nicholas. They have lived in the area for over 28 years – firstly in East Grinstead and then Lingfield.
They have many years’ commercial experience; both have used conference/training facilities regularly throughout their careers and know what clients need and expect to run a successful business event.
On the social side, they enjoy entertaining and have hosted many events over the years. Peter has been involved in wedding/social photography and during her career Pauline has been responsible for all customer service recruitment and training for Virgin Atlantic Airways. She has also been an Executive Director with The Tussauds Group Limited which includes Warwick Castle and Alton Towers Theme Park and Hotels in its portfolio.
Q: What does Yew Lodge offer?
A:
Our new and exclusive venue, set in over 8 acres of beautiful gardens, offers a unique and special experience for both business and social events, including:
• Weddings/Civil Ceremonies
• Celebrations for birthdays & special anniversaries
• Christenings/Naming Ceremonies
• Funeral receptions
• Business conferences & meetings
• Training events
Q: Is Yew Lodge a hotel?
A:
No, it is not a hotel. We specialize in hosting tailored business and social events for companies and individuals. We are also delighted to offer a select number of dining/social experiences which are open to the general public on a pre-booked basis, for example Sunday brunch; music recitals and short drama productions. Click here for details of forthcoming events:
Q: What is the history of Yew Lodge
A:
Yew Lodge is steeped in history, with first references dating back to 959ad. The house as it stands now was built sometime around 1891, with substantial enlargements and alternations carried out in 1908 by Sydney Larnach – his initials and date stone are carved above the main entrance. It was adapted to provide bespoke conference/training facilities in 1978 by Rentokil Initial plc, who subsequently sold it to Peter and Pauline Wells in August 2006. It is now an independently owned venue hosting both business and social events. Click here to read the fascinating history of Yew Lodge.
Weddings/Social Events
Q: What are the maximum number of guests for a sit down dinner?
A: The Dining Room and Conservatory combined can accommodate up to 80 for a formal sit down dinner.
Q: What are the maximum number of guests for a fork/finger buffet?
A: The main house (hall, lounge, dining room and conservatory) can accommodate up to 120 guests for a fork/finger buffet.
Q: Do you have a licence to conduct civil ceremonies?
A: Yes we do have a license for civil ceremonies and can seat up to 80 people.
Q: Can evening entertainment be arranged?
A: Yes. We are happy to work with you to put in place any special arrangements. Naturally, this will incur an additional charge to cover the cost of the additional services plus our planning time/administrative support.
Q: Can you organize flowers, table decorations, etc.?
A: Yes, we have preferred suppliers for all these types of services and will be pleased to work with you to agree everything you need.
Q: Can photography be arranged?
A: Yes, we have preferred suppliers for all these types of services and will be pleased to work with you to agree everything you need. Both Yew Lodge house and the gardens provide many wonderful photographic opportunities to enhance the memories of your special day.
Q: How many bedrooms are there?
A: We have 16 comfortable bedrooms; all en suite and equipped with radio, telephone and internet access.
Q: What happens if more bedrooms are needed?
A: Should more bedrooms be required, the local has over 3,000 to offer and we can easily arrange additional accommodation.
Q: Is Yew Lodge a no smoking venue?
A: Smoking is permitted in the gardens but not in the house or conference centre.
Business Events
Q: How many bedrooms are there?
A: We have 16 comfortable bedrooms; all en suite and equipped with radio, telephone and internet access.
Q: What happens if more bedrooms are needed for residential events?
A: Should more bedrooms be required, the local area has over 3,000 to offer and we can easily arrange additional accommodation.
Q: Is there room service for guests in the bedrooms?
A: We don't offer full room service for residential guests. There are tea and coffee making facilities and water is provided. All meals are provided and normally served in the Dining Room (unless the conference organizer makes other specific arrangements with us e.g. requests meals served in the conference/training room or eating outside during the summer).
Q: What are the maximum number of guests for buffet/sit down dinner?
A: The Dining Room and Conservatory combined can accommodate 80 for a formal sit down dinner and around 100 for a fork buffet supper.
Q: How many conference/training rooms do you have?
A: We have four conference/training rooms of varying sizes. We also have the Walnut Room and Dining Room plus Conservatory as main reception rooms.
Q: What are the room sizes/delegate capacities of the various training rooms?
A: The room sizes vary and the capacity is from 6 to 120 people.
Q: For a day event, what is the earliest arrival time/latest departure time?
A: Normally day events run from 09.00-17.00 hours. Conference organizers can arrive earlier if they choose to. However, we are happy to discuss any special arrangements that may be required.
Q: Can the grounds be used for outside events?
A: Certainly! The gardens are a special feature of Yew Lodge and can be used for corporate entertaining, or simply relaxing and eating during or after a conference. They can also be utilized for outdoor training and team building events (subject to suitable insurance which is the responsibility of the client/trainer).
Q: Is Yew Lodge a no smoking venue?
A: Smoking is permitted in the gardens but not in the house or conference centre.
Support Services
Q: What secretarial services are available during an event?
A: We can provide general secretarial services such as sending and receiving faxes, emails, etc. and giving you access to telephones. Some typing services can be provided but if you anticipate a lot of typing during your event you would need to agree this with us in advance so that we can ensure we have the right level of support you require.
Q: What AV/Technical equipment do you have?
A: We provide the following standard equipment in the room hire: flip chart, pens, note pads, stationery kits. We can also offer an LCD & screen in the Sycamore Room (largest training room). With notice, we can arrange the hire of all standard equipment, with prices subject to quotation from the hirer.
Q: Can you organize flowers, table decorations, etc?
A: Yes, we have preferred suppliers for all these types of services and will be pleased to work with you to agree everything you need.
Q: Can photography be arranged?
A: Yes, we have preferred suppliers for all these types of services and will be pleased to work with you to agree everything you need.
Q: What disabled facilities are there (WC, ramps, bedrooms)?
A: All reception and training rooms are on ground floor and easily accessible by wheelchair users (with the aid of ramps in some areas). We also have a toilet for the disabled and will shortly be adapting one of the ground floor bedrooms to accommodate a wheel chair user.
Catering
Q: Who does the catering?
A: Currently, it is a combination of in-house catering and external preferred suppliers. All chefs/caterers can be recommended with confidence.
Q: Can delegates eat outside in good weather? What can be served?
A: We know how important it is to be able to relax during and after their event and drinks can be taken outside on the patio at anytime. Meals can be eaten outside with prior arrangement.
Q: Can I organize my own catering?
A: No. All catering is provided via Yew Lodge so that we can maintain our high standards of quality and service.
Recreation/Entertainment
Q: Can themed events be arranged?
A: Yes. We are happy to work with you to put in place any special arrangements. Naturally, this will incur an additional charge to cover the cost of any outside services plus our planning time/administrative support.
Q: Can evening entertainment be arranged?
A: Yes. We are happy to work with you to put in place any special arrangements. Naturally, this will incur an additional charge to cover the cost of the additional services plus our planning time/administrative support.
Q: Can we have a disco/live band? What time will it need to stop?
A: Yes. We are happy to work with you to put in place any special arrangements. Naturally, this will incur an additional charge to cover the cost of the disco/live band. plus our planning time/administrative support. Music can be played until midnight, any evening.
Q: Is there a games room?
A: We have a snooker table which residential guests are welcome to use.
Q: Are there leisure facilities on-site?
A: Not at present. This is an area we want to develop for the future. In the meantime, we are exploring partnership arrangements with a number of local leisure facilities, including health clubs and golf clubs.
Of course, delegates are welcome to walk in the grounds of Yew Lodge for fresh air and gentle exercise - a brisk walk around the perimeter will take c. 30 minutes!
Q: What leisure activities/places of interest are there locally?
A: There are numerous facilities locally. For more information please click here.
Travel Arrangements
Q: What's the best way to get to Yew Lodge by road?
A: Click here for detailed travel directions by road.
Q: How easy is it to get to Yew Lodge by public transport?
A: Gatwick Airport is 20 minutes by taxi.
East Grinstead Railway Station (2 miles) provides regular, direct services to London Victoria and London Bridge via East Croydon (both 50 minutes).
East Croydon and London Bridge provide connections to Thameslink which has direct services to North London, Luton Airport and Bedford.
Q: Can collection/return to the railway station/airport be arranged?
A: We don't have any specific arrangements in place at present.
Both Gatwick Airport and East Grinstead railway station have taxi ranks.
Q: What parking facilities are there?
A: We have our own private on-site parking for 70+ cars.
Q: Can the car park accommodate coaches?
A: We can accommodate mini buses but not coaches.
Costs/Terms & Conditions
Q: What are the costs for room hire, refreshment costs, etc.?
A: Please click here for details.
Q: Are there discounts for block bookings?
A: We will be pleased to discuss preferential rates for block bookings.
Q: How far in advance do I need to book?
A: This depends on your specific requirements. To use our rooms with standard equipment and facilities will normally only need 48 hours notice (24 hours at a real push!). Subject to availability, of course.
Q: What are the terms and conditions, including cancellation terms?
A: The main terms are as follows:
- Reservations to be confirmed in writing and paid in full, in advance.
- Cancellations within the last 7 days & 48 hours will incur the full day room hire charge.
- Cancellations within the last 48 hours will incur the full charge of the reservation, as booked.
For full terms and conditions, please click here.
Q: What is the minimum/maximum stay?
A: We don't have prescriptive minimum and maximum stays and will be happy to discuss your requirements with you. However, typically rooms are hired for a minimum of one half day and a maximum of 5 days, Monday to Friday. Week-end courses/meetings can also be run - as always, subject to availability (we do host a number of weddings and special celebrations at week-ends).
This information is provided for general guidance only and does not form part of any formal contract. If there are any differences between the details given in this web-site and your individual contract the terms of your contract will prevail.