Celebrate Weddings and all those other Special Occasions at The Clifton Arms Hotel, Lytham

By Margaret Brecknell

The four-star Clifton Arms Hotel has a long tradition of providing luxurious hospitality and occupies an enviable location in the heart of Lytham with spectacular views across the seafront.

Led by the hotel’s General Manager, Adam Draper, the whole team at the Clifton Arms is committed to giving guests the best possible experience at the only accredited four-star hotel on the Fylde coast. This makes it the perfect place to celebrate all those special occasions in life.

Dedicated wedding co-ordinators are on hand to help with organising the perfect wedding day at the Clifton Arms. I chatted with the hotel’s Sales & Marketing Manager, Heather Wignall, recently and she advised me that key dates for 2023 and 2024 in the most popular months of July and August are still available.

For a wedding day to remember, the Clifton Arms Hotel has it All Wrapped Up with its recently relaunched All Wrapped Up package, which was personally designed by Heather. She has been involved in running weddings for around twelve years now and is well versed in what it takes to plan the perfect day.

For an all-inclusive cost of £6,500, the package includes all the ingredients required for the perfect wedding for up to 50 day guests and 80 evening guests, but with none of the stress that often comes with planning for the big day. Extra guests may be added upon payment of a supplement.

Complimentary use of all the hotel’s function suites is included in the All Wrapped Up package.

Overlooking Lytham Green and the beautiful Fylde coast, the hotel’s Clifton Suite offers the perfect setting for a civil ceremony and provides the ideal backdrop for those all-important wedding photos. The Clifton Arms is licensed to hold civil ceremonies for up to 95 guests but you can party away with guests up to 150!

Whether it’s before the ceremony or wedding reception, or after the meal is finished, the Talbot Suite comes with its own bar and is the perfect place for guests to gather.

Both the Clifton and Talbot Suites are set to be refurbished early next year, from which weddings booked for 2023 onwards will fully benefit.

The hotel’s light and airy Ballroom offers true versatility, working equally well for an intimate wedding breakfast or a lively evening celebration.

The use of the hotel and gardens for photo opportunities comes with the All Wrapped Up package, allowing couples to take full advantage of this amazing setting. Alternatively, take advantage of all that Lytham has to offer photographers with stunning locations like the famous windmill on Lytham Green or the nearby Lowther Gardens.

When it comes to the wedding reception, the Clifton Arms really has thought of everything in its All Wrapped Up package.

On arrival, guests are offered a choice of prosecco, bottled beers and soft drinks.

The package includes a three-course set menu consisting of one starter, one main course and one sweet followed by freshly ground coffee, speciality teas and chocolates. As well as a selection of around ten different starters and sweets from which to choose, the hotel offers a wide range of meat and fish main course options and plenty of delicious vegetarian and vegan alternatives. Children may have smaller portions of the same menu, or special child-friendly choices are available.

For a supplement of £5 per person, it is also possible for couples to offer their guests a choice of menu from which to select ahead of the big day consisting of three starters, three main courses and three sweets.

Each guest is offered a half bottle of red, white or rosé house wine to accompany their meal. A glass of prosecco is provided for the Toast. A member of the Clifton Arms team is on hand throughout the day to act as a Toastmaster.

Often it’s the little details that make a wedding extra-special, but can also cause plenty of headaches ahead of the big day. Here again, the Clifton Arms has it All Wrapped Up and takes care of all the finishing touches.

The tables are elegantly presented with white table linen, tea light candles, mirror bases and a choice of table centres from which to choose. A garland for the top table is included in the package, as are swags for the

top table and cake table. Chair covers come with a choice of colour coordinating sashes. Bespoke table plan and menu cards are provided, along with place cards.

The wedding cake is given pride of place on its own beautifully decorated table, which comes with cake stand and knife.

The evening reception is also included in the All Wrapped Up package, so enjoy a night to remember at the Clifton Arms Hotel. A DJ is on hand until midnight to provide entertainment and a supper buffet is provided of carved roast honey and mustard gammon rolls with bowls of salads and fine cut chips.

The bride and groom are offered the use of a complimentary bridal suite on the night of the wedding, which overlooks the seafront. Imagine waking up on the first day of your honeymoon and being able to step out on the balcony to enjoy spectacular views of the Fylde coast. A full Lancashire breakfast in the restaurant is included in the price.

Accommodation at discounted rates is also available for any guests who attend the wedding and wish to stay at the hotel overnight.

In addition to its All Wrapped Up package, the Clifton Arms welcomes couples who are looking for a more intimate wedding. With space for up to 16 people, the Library is the perfect location for those who wish to opt for a more intimate occasion and, again, comes with those unrivalled views across the estuary.

When I chatted to Heather, she was keen to emphasise that the hotel also welcomes couples who are, perhaps, looking for something a little different and wish to put together their own fully bespoke wedding packages. She and her experienced team are on hand to offer full support and advice.

The Clifton Arms is not just for weddings. It also provides the perfect setting for any of life’s special events. The hotel occupies a Grade-II listed building with a long history, but it is also continually looking to move with the times and keep up-to-date with modern trends, meaning that anyone planning an event there is offered the best of both worlds.

Whether you are celebrating a big birthday party, hosting a charity event or planning a more intimate gathering, the Clifton Arms can supply the setting and the service to make it a spectacular success. The Clifton Arms has a wide range of packages available, both for party nights and more intimate occasions. Why not enjoy an intimate dining experience in the recently refurbished restaurant, or drinks on the hotel’s recently added terrace looking out to sea. Alternatively, party the night away in the ballroom.

It’s never too early to start thinking about Christmas celebrations and the Clifton Arms is once again on hand to take away the stress of planning for the festive season.

The magic begins with the hotel’s Christmas lights switch-on event on

25th November. Come along for free and indulge in a warming hot chocolate or mulled wine, plus there is plenty of entertainment on offer to keep the children amused.

The Clifton Arms is again hosting its very popular Winter Wonderland Party Nights this year, which offer the perfect opportunity to celebrate the festive season with family, friends or work colleagues. The hotel is now taking bookings for the four available dates of 2nd, 9th, 16th and 23rd December.

For something a little different, why not try the Very Festive Afternoon Tea on 10th December or the Festive Live Jazz Lunch on 18th December? Alternatively, include the children and come along to Brunch with Santa on either 4th or 11th December. This special event gives the little ones a chance to meet the big man himself.

For the ultimate festive treat, book in at the Clifton Arms for Christmas Day Lunch, Boxing Day Lunch, the New Year’s Eve Gala Dinner or New Year’s Day Lunch.

Pre-booking is essential for all of the hotel’s special Christmas events.

Heather Wignall is happy to make an appointment with anyone who is interested in holding a wedding or other special function at the Clifton Arms and show them around the hotel. Full contact details are given below.

Alternatively, come along to one of the regular Wedding Fayres which the Clifton Arms hosts throughout the year. Follow the hotel’s social media accounts (details below) to receive news regarding the dates of future events.

Whatever the event, the hotel promises that “memories are made and details managed” at the Clifton Arms. The following reviews, left by just a few of the hotel’s many satisfied customers, suggest that this promise is being kept:

“Our wedding day was made complete by the most perfect venue… The professionalism and combined experience of their team shone through from day one. We are thrilled to have the Clifton Arms as a part of our memories of an absolutely wonderful wedding day.”

“Had my wedding celebrations there and cannot recommend enough. The attention to detail, listening to your needs and fantastic service cannot be beaten.”

“We had the most perfect wedding day and the team were fantastic! Can’t thank you all enough.”

M CLIFTON ARMS HOTEL

West Beach

Lytham FY8 5QJ

N 01253 739898

E functions@cliftonarmslytham.com

D www.cliftonarmslytham.com

F @CliftonArmsHotelLytham

T @CliftonArms

I cliftonarmshotel_lytham Ê @cliftonarmslytham