Events, Parties & Celebrations at Merley House - Private Function Venue in Dorset
Set overlooking the town of Wimborne Minster in Dorset, Merley House is an enchanting Georgian Manor House offering the perfect venue for your private function, celebration or party.
Private Event & Function Venue
With a choice of five state rooms to suit any occasion, Merley House is a perfect venue for dinner dances, balls, luncheons, parties, anniversaries, christenings, naming ceremonies and wakes.
Merley House can be booked exclusively for you and your guests to enjoy and we can tailor your event to meet your requirements. We are proud to work with a fantastic selection of local caterers who can provide high quality food and professional service for your event, if catering is required.
We understand the importance of your event and we will do all we can to ensure everything is perfect for you and your guests. With excellent facilities and a wealth of experienced and friendly staff, Merley House has a lot of offer, enabling you to host your private event in comfort and style, with beautiful surroundings.
Rooms To Suit Any Occasion

The Old Library
This is the largest of the rooms for hire. It is decorated in grey and features plasterwork clouds and sunbursts within an arabesque and garlanded border. It can accommodate a ball or party with dancing and live music. The spacious classical entrance hall makes for a grand impression and leads to a magnificent staircase. Capacity: 100 People.
The Drawing Room
Decorated predominantly in green with white cornicing and detailed in gold, this room boasts an impressive chimney piece in white and green marble. The ceiling has a large central oval depicting ‘The Judgement of Paris’. The Drawing Room is perfect for smaller events, drinks receptions or buffets. Capacity: 40 People.
The Dining Parlour
Situated in the north-west corner of the building, this room is decorated in blue tones. Features an impressive fireplace and a captivating ceiling that incorporates a depiction of Bacchus receiving a cup of wine from Ceres. The Dining Parlour is perfect for smaller events, drinks receptions or buffets. Capacity: 40 People.
The Nursery
Located on the first floor of Merley House (stair only access) this room is perfectly suited to smaller, more intimate events or for the safe storage of your guests’ belongings when using other rooms. It features three full-length windows, providing panoramic views of the nearby town of Wimborne Minster.
*Please note – The Nursery is only available for use at weekends
Back Lawn
Leading out through the Old Library’s French doors is the back lawn. This area is not owned by Merley house Events and cannot be hired out. However, it is a communal area that be used by guests to complement their events and has many uses. It provides a small playpark, as well as a great area for a caterer to host a BBQ, Garden games, Picnic area or Bouncy Castle.
*Please note – Permission to use this land for these activities is required from the owner before these can go ahead. Behind the house is an access road which must be kept clear. Parents are required to supervise their children at all times in this area.
Venue Hire Rates
*Please note – We are currently updating our rates, please get in touch with any queries
Catering Options
Download our list of External Caterers
Recommended suppliers
See our list of recommended suppliers here
Terms & Conditions
Download our Terms and Conditions.
Testimonials

“We had a wonderful day yesterday and couldn’t have found a better place to celebrate the event, This was our third visit to Merley House. it will always be top of the list when we look to celebrate. Thank you and your colleagues for all the care and trouble you took for our booking”
“Thanks to you and the team at Merley House. It was a wonderful day and our guests were greeted and served with professionalism throughout.”
”
Thank you so much for making my birthday party such a success. Everyone enjoyed it and commented on how lovely the room was. You and your staff were really helpful and obliging, and on the ball. I had absolute confidence in you and everyone so that I could just enjoy my day.”
“Thank you so much for making our party yesterday a great success, you were so helpful and always happy to make suggestions about things I hadn’t thought about!, especially the caterers. The setting at Merley House, of course, couldn’t be more perfect”
“Can’t thank you enough for helping us celebrate our son Ross’s 40th Birthday on Saturday. We had the most wonderful evening. The bar staff and security were absolutely brilliant. That was the second function we’ve had at Merley and we would recommend it to everyone. The party guests who’ve never been before were blown away by how lovely it is.”
“Perfect! Just perfect in every way! Both Grahame and myself were thrilled with the success of our Golden Wedding event! Guests spoke of their delight at gathering in such an interesting building and made positive comment about the lawns and fountain display with pathways and floral trimmings too! We thank the whole Merley House team for being so helpful and warm hearted during the planning process (over a couple of years!) and on the actual day.”
“I just wanted to thank you and your team for looking after us so well last Friday. The venue and service were really excellent and everyone had a great time.”
“I would certainly recommend you to anyone looking for an elegant, friendly and efficient venue.”
Planning a Party, Function or Celebration?
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