Why The Hurt Arms Is a Great Wedding Venue in Derbyshire

The Hurt Arms, Belper, Derbyshire

If you're looking for a wedding venue that combines historic character, beautiful surroundings and a modern celebration space, The Hurt Arms in Ambergate, Derbyshire, is certainly worth putting on your wedding venue shortlist.

Nestled beside the River Amber and surrounded by the beautiful Derbyshire countryside, this historic 19th-century inn has been refurbished and extended to create a wedding venue that successfully blends its traditional heritage with contemporary facilities.

With space for 70 to 120 guests, The Hurt Arms is particularly well suited to couples looking for a wedding that feels personal and atmospheric without losing the facilities needed for a fantastic celebration.

A Wedding Venue Full of Character

One of the biggest attractions of The Hurt Arms is its character.

Originally a 19th-century inn, the venue has a fascinating history and has been carefully developed into a modern wedding destination. Rather than feeling like a purpose-built function venue, it retains a sense of individuality and connection to its surroundings.

The result is an appealing old-meets-new atmosphere: historic architecture and mature trees sit alongside stylish interiors, contemporary facilities and a dedicated wedding space.

For couples who want their wedding photographs and celebrations to have plenty of personality, that combination can be particularly appealing.

The Tollgate Suite

At the heart of weddings at The Hurt Arms is the Tollgate Suite, a rustic-chic space named after the toll house that stood beside the original building during the 1870s.

The suite features floor-to-ceiling windows, allowing plenty of natural light into the room while providing views towards the surrounding countryside. There's also a private bar and dedicated facilities, making it a practical space for both the ceremony and evening celebrations.

Once the formalities are over, the room can be transformed into a lively wedding reception space, with lighting helping to create the atmosphere for dinner, dancing and entertainment.

And for a wedding DJ, that's an important consideration. A room that can transition naturally from ceremony to wedding breakfast and then into the evening party gives the day a great sense of continuity.

Beautiful Outdoor Spaces

The Hurt Arms isn't just about what happens inside.

Step outside the Tollgate Suite and you'll find a raised terrace overlooking Ambergate woods and the local cricket pitch. It's an ideal place for guests to enjoy a drink, take in the scenery and enjoy some fresh air during the reception.

The terrace also leads down towards the venue's secret garden.

With paved areas, oyster-grey tables and chairs, ornate lanterns and mature oak trees surrounding the space, the garden provides a peaceful area away from the main celebrations.

For wedding photography, having several different environments close together is another advantage. Couples can capture photographs around the venue and surrounding countryside without necessarily having to travel elsewhere.

A Wedding Breakfast With a Difference

Food is another important part of any wedding, and The Hurt Arms has an in-house catering team.

One particularly unusual feature is the converted horse box used for catering, adding another distinctive touch to the venue.

Whether you're planning a traditional wedding breakfast or looking for something a little less conventional, having catering facilities on site makes it easier to create a celebration that works for you and your guests.

The venue also offers buffet facilities, alcohol licensing and options for evening food, helping couples plan the entire day in one location.

A Venue Designed for the Evening Party

Of course, the wedding isn't finished when the wedding breakfast ends!

The Hurt Arms has facilities for dance floors, DJs and live bands, along with an entertainment licence and evening reception facilities.

The Tollgate Suite can take on a completely different atmosphere as the evening progresses. With its lighting and private bar, it provides a natural setting for the transition from wedding breakfast to the party.

And if you're planning a wedding where the evening entertainment is a major part of the day, that's something worth considering when viewing venues.

After all, you want somewhere that works just as well for the first dance and final song as it does for the ceremony.

Fireworks and Outdoor Celebrations

For couples looking to add something spectacular to their evening, outdoor fireworks are permitted at The Hurt Arms.

Subject to the venue's requirements and arrangements, this can provide a memorable finale to the celebrations.

There are also marquee options for outdoor celebrations, giving couples additional flexibility when planning their wedding.

On-Site Support

Planning a wedding involves an enormous number of details, so having experienced support from the venue can make a significant difference.

The Hurt Arms has an on-site coordinator to help ensure that the event runs smoothly. The venue also offers wedding packages and can assist couples through the planning process.

There are additional practical facilities including accommodation, car parking and bar services, meaning much of the day can be kept together at one venue.

What Do Couples Say About The Hurt Arms?

The reviews are particularly impressive.

According to the information currently listed on Hitched, The Hurt Arms has a 5.0 out of 5 rating from 41 reviews, with 100% of couples recommending the venue.

Recent reviews repeatedly highlight the venue's combination of beautiful surroundings, helpful staff and successful wedding days.

One couple described it as a "brilliant wedding venue", praising the beautiful mix of character and modern style. Another couple said they couldn't say enough good things about both the venue and its staff, describing their experience from arrival through to the final song as exceptional.

A particularly encouraging theme is the support provided by the team. One couple whose wedding had originally been planned for 2020 explained that, after having to postpone several times because of the pandemic, the team remained supportive throughout the uncertainty.

These reviews suggest that the appeal of The Hurt Arms isn't simply the building itself. The people behind the venue are a major part of the experience.

Our Review of The Hurt Arms

The Hurt Arms is an impressive Derbyshire wedding venue for couples looking for character, atmosphere and flexibility.

Its historic roots give the venue plenty of personality, while the refurbished facilities mean couples aren't sacrificing modern comforts.

The Tollgate Suite is a particularly strong feature, providing a bright and attractive setting during the day before becoming a dedicated party space in the evening. The terrace and secret garden add valuable outdoor areas, while the surrounding Derbyshire countryside provides an attractive backdrop for photographs.

We also like the fact that the venue isn't trying to be everything to everyone. With capacity for around 70 to 120 guests, it offers a more intimate scale than some of the huge wedding venues around the Midlands while still providing everything needed for a proper wedding celebration.

And with 41 five-star reviews and a 100% recommendation rate on Hitched, there is plenty of positive feedback from couples who have actually celebrated their weddings there.

Our verdict

If you're searching for a Derbyshire wedding venue with historic character, modern facilities, beautiful outdoor spaces and a strong reputation for looking after couples, The Hurt Arms deserves a place on your list.

From the ceremony in the Tollgate Suite to drinks on the terrace, photographs in the gardens, the wedding breakfast and finally dancing into the evening, it offers a venue where the different parts of your wedding day can flow naturally together.

For couples wanting a wedding that feels relaxed, stylish and full of character, The Hurt Arms could be a fantastic setting for your big day.

Planning Your Wedding Entertainment?

The venue is also equipped for DJ facilities and evening entertainment, making the music an important part of bringing the reception to life.

As a wedding DJ, I know how important it is for the evening party to build naturally from the first dance through to a packed dance floor. A venue like The Hurt Arms offers plenty of scope to create an evening that feels personal to the couple while keeping the atmosphere going right through to the final song.

Looking for a wedding DJ for The Hurt Arms or another Derbyshire wedding venue? Get in touch with Alt. Entertainments – Music Matters.