Wedding Brochure
Welcome What could be a more memorable location for your special day than your very own theatre, set in 40 acres of picturesque woodland in the heart of Crawley. With a team of theatre experts on hand to turn your dreams into reality, The Hawth offers a wow factor you won't find anywhere else.
The venue boasts two theatres, a restaurant, two bars and an impressive outdoor amphitheatre and garden marquee. With eight flexible function spaces and extensive resources to hand, we can tailor this striking venue to suit your individual requirements and budget. Whether you're hosting a wedding ceremony in one of our licensed rooms, a reception or party, our friendly and accommodating staff will ensure the effective planning and co-ordination of your day. Our in-house catering service offers a wide range of options to complement your plans. A member of our team will be happy to give you a guided tour around the venue while discussing your bespoke requirements in detail.
If it has always been your dream to get married on the set of your favourite musical, or to say 'I do' in a fairytale woodland setting then we can make it happen at The Hawth. With our experience and passion we hold a reputation for being one of the most professional and diverse wedding and event venues in the South East. Our first-class service and impressive facilities guarantee your wedding will exceed expectations and be a day you and your guests will remember forever.
The Hawth - Our History Taking its name from a local version of the word 'heath' referring specifically to the 40 acres of woodland in which the theatre is situated, The Hawth opened its doors for the first time in 1988 to an enthusiastic audience.
Since then The Hawth has hosted an impressive variety of prestigious and memorable events including visits by The Royal Shakespeare Company, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, West End musicals Cats, Chicago and Grease and renowned artists and performers from all corners of the world. The Hawth has also played host to a Royal Gala, when Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales attended a performance of London City Ballet's Romeo & Juliet in 1992. From its creation The Hawth has consistently been a reflection of the community's artistic spirit, hosting an eclectic mix of artists, musicians, dancers and performers from around the globe, presenting new performances, theatre, music, dance, comedy and film. The Hawth is operated by Parkwood Theatres on behalf of Crawley Borough Council. Parkwood is committed to a culture of continuous improvement, ensuring the facilities and service standards of The Hawth remain amongst the most respected in the industry.
Outdoor Amphitheatre and Marquee The outdoor amphitheatre is situated in the area of woodland that gives the theatre its name. The amphitheatre is a fantastic place to hold wedding services, enjoy music and outdoor entertainment. With a raised stage area and dedicated power supply, dance floor space and seating for up to 300, the amphitheatre is adaptable for many magical outdoor events. You really will be part of a fairytale as you both sip on a glass of chilled champagne and enjoy your special day in these unique natural surroundings. The Marquee, with a capacity of up to 150, is perfect for a summer wedding celebration and is sited at the front of the theatre with easy access to mobile bars and catering points.
The Auditorium The Auditorium is the ultimate wedding venue for those looking to impress. Whether you choose to say your vows on stage in front of your guests, marry during the interval of your favourite show or create a breathtaking and imposing reception venue, this large and versatile space offers everything you need. With state of the art sound and lighting equipment, easy access to seven, fully-equipped dressing rooms for the bridal party and the ability to create any number of stunning settings through the magic of theatre, the Auditorium can accommodate 855 seated guests in a theatre style or up to 300 when set for a spectacular reception. When dressed by our design team the amphitheatre, marquee and auditorium provide exceptional and memorable venues for your special day.
The Spotlight Suite Situated on the ground floor of the Hawth and adjacent to CafĂŠ Vita, The Spotlight suite is able to accommodate 90 people at a formal function and is widely used for ceremonies, welcome drinks and refreshment areas for weddings. The Spotlight boasts panoramic views of the surrounding woodland that allows natural daylight to pour in. The setting, teamed with a neutral decor enables The Spotlight to be decorated to suit the needs of individual clients. The suite can be used in its entirety or divided into two or three separate spaces, providing a
Auditorium
The Spotlight Suite
multi-purpose functional area, ideal for a creative
Entrance
bride or groom wanting to amaze their guests with the wow factor.
Layout and Capacities Entire Room
The Hawth offers several other smaller suites
Seated
80
which can provide storage space for wedding
Standing
100
gifts, private bride and/or groom area or even a separate children's room, which can hold a
The spotlight can be extended to increase the
variety of activities to keep children of all age
capacity to 100 seated guests or 120 standing
groups occupied and engaged.
and a dance floor can be added for evening events. Standard 8.75m x 13.25m Extended 8.75m x 19.50m
The Studio The Studio offers the perfect setting for a wedding reception and evening entertainment. The suite is capable of accommodating up to 80 guests within a formal dining setting or can be used as a dedicated party and entertainment suite. It is ideal for live music and dancing as the Studio can offer a central dance floor or staged area to suit your individual requirements. The Studio offers a comprehensive range of sound and lighting equipment suitable for all musical entertainment and additional lighting rigs are available to add ambiance and energy to the evening. The adjacent Limelight Room can be used for serving a buffet or drinks, offering a quiet
Auditorium
space for guests. Layout and Capacities Theatre
146
Function
80
Standing
150
13m x 13m
The Studio
Entrance
Limelight
Dining and Entertainment Paramount to any wedding celebration is the quality and presentation of the catering. The Hawth offers a variety of flexible dining options to suit the needs of all guests and has a reputation for high quality food and excellent customer service. With a dedicated and professional team on hand to make your wedding day special, there is a range of food and beverage packages available for any number of guest and their individual tastes. At The Hawth we are delighted to offer high quality a la carte dining options to cater for all expectations. We also offer hot and cold finger buffets, which can be added to any wedding package for evening guests. The quality catering facilities and skilled staff mean that The Hawth is able to cater for a wide range of dietary requirements including Halal, lactose free, nut and gluten free, as well as vegetarian and vegan meals.
As a fully licensed venue there is always the option to arrange a private bar facility to be incorporated into your special day. This can either be provided within your suite or in one of our dedicated catering areas. Whatever your preference the Hawth team can accommodate your request. Our contacts within the theatre industry make us uniquely placed to source top quality evening entertainment, that your guests won't have seen before, from DJs to dance groups and magicians to tumblers, we can help your evening go with a bang.
Tailored for you At The Hawth we recognise that the requirements of each individual bridal party will be exclusive to their wedding. It is therefore important to acknowledge that this uniqueness must be reflected at all stages of your special day. On the day itself, and throughout the planning process, the management team will endeavour to surpass expectations with the highest quality service, outstanding facilities and exceptional customer satisfaction. With our versatile range of function suites available for wedding receptions or evening events and the uniqueness of our outdoor amphitheatre and marquee we are able to offer you an incomparable level of service that will be tailor made to meet your requirements in a cost effective manner.
Dedicated private car and coach parking within the grounds State of the art surround sound speaker systems to add real impact to your entertainment A vast range of audio visual equipment to add variety to your event including radio microphones, video cameras, overhead digital projectors and DVD player Room dressings tailored to meet your bespoke requirements Free wireless internet connection across the venue for all guests Eight suites and two dedicated theatre venues
We offer: Outdoor fairy tale amphitheatre set in stunning woodland surroundings for wedding services and evening events Marquee set within the grounds of The Hawth Dedicated events staff to support you and your wedding arrangements Dedicated dressing rooms with showers, toilets and large, well lit mirrors for bridal parties to get ready on site A wide range of hot and cold refreshments Additional on site bars and catering areas Discounted local accommodation, negotiated on your behalf Coordination of guest transport from all major airports and railway stations
Contacts with trusted suppliers that we can share with you
If there is something you need and we haven't mentioned it here, just ask and we'll do our best to fulfil your requirements.
How to get here The Hawth is conveniently located midway between London and Brighton and is easily accessible by road, rail, air and public transport.
By Rail
Parking is easy and plentiful at The Hawth with free car parking on site for 250 cars and dedicated coach parking for large groups.
Three Bridges and Crawley train stations are both approximately a 15 minute walk away. For further information about rail services, visit www.thetrainline.com. Both stations have taxi ranks immediately outside, however the Hawth management team are also able to arrange private hire for you and your guests.
By Road
By Air
The Hawth theatre is minutes away from junction 10 of the M23 motorway which links to the M25. The Hawth is well signposted on all major routes into Crawley.
Crawley is just four miles from Gatwick Airport, making it a perfect location for European or International guests. If you have people attending on either domestic or international flights they can arrive at The Hawth is less than 20 minutes.
Parking
From the South Exit the M23 at junction 11, approach the roundabout and take the exit sign posted Crawley (A23). At the roundabout with Broadfield Football Stadium on the left, turn right onto Southgate Avenue. When approaching the third set of traffic lights take the right hand lane and turn into Hawth Avenue. Follow the road and you'll find us on the left hand side.
The Hawth Hawth Avenue Crawley RH10 6YZ Telephone: 01293 859949 Email: hawthhire@parkwoodtheatres.co.uk
From the North Exit the M23 at junction 10 and follow signs to Crawley. At the roundabout take the first exit, then, at the set of lights turn right. Continue along the A2220 until you come to a large 'square' roundabout with a Holiday Inn Express hotel on it. Drive past the flats on the left hand side and take the next left which takes you over a railway bridge. The Hawth is right at the next roundabout.
10
A23 A2011 A2011
A2004
Crawley
From the East Approaching Crawley along the A264, take the second exit at the Copthorne Hotel roundabout (Copthorne Way A264) which will bring you to the roundabout at Junction 10 of the M23. Take the second exit (marked Crawley) and continue as above.
M23
A23
A2220
B2036
A2220 A2219
A2004 10a
M23 B2036 A23 A264
M23
The Hawth, Hawth Avenue, Crawley, RH10 6YZ www.hawth.co.uk email: hawthhire@parkwoodtheatres.co.uk telephone: 01293 859949
Parkwood Theatres Working in partnership