Venue Name: Bingham
Location: 61-63 Petersham Road, Richmond-Upon Thames, Surrey, TW10 6UT
Please tell us a little about the Bingham’s history
Originally built as two Georgian houses, the Bingham has undergone several incarnations.
The property was described in a rental survey for George III, carried out in 1773, as a “messeuge (a dwelling), court and garden” and a “messuage with stables and coach house”.
Lady Ann Bingham, whose sister Lady Lavinia married the first Earl of Spencer, rented the property in 1821, added the room which is currently the Bingham Bar, which links the properties. Later inhabitants included poets Katherine Bradley and Edith Cooper, who wrote under the pseudonym Michael Field and lived in the property from 1899-1914. They entertained many literary visitors at the property including W.B Yeats. Katherine and Edith were aunt and niece who predominantly wrote love poetry, and interestingly they were later discovered to be lovers. The Bingham’s 15 bedrooms are named after their poetry and works.
During the 20th Century the property fell into dis-repair and was bought by the Trinder family in 1984, who embarked upon a series of sensitive renovations, the most extensive of which occurred in 2006-2007 costing in excess of £2m. Mother and daughter, Ruth and Samantha Trinder, continue to run this riverside retreat today.
What type of venue is the Bingham?
Tucked away beside the river in Richmond-upon-Thames, the Bingham is a unique and unusual wedding venue combining a romantic riverside location with a contemporary and elegant interior. We like to offer complete flexibility for couples and cater to all types of weddings, from intimate ceremonies to larger scale affairs. We have three interconnecting Garden Rooms where all wedding ceremonies and receptions take place. These rooms can be hired individually or altogether to allow for different sized weddings. The Garden Rooms lead out to our beautiful riverside garden — the perfect location for hosting an outdoor Champagne reception.
Who works at the Bingham?
The Bingham is made up of 65-70 staff; we are a friendly and intimate team who love the hotel and the guests who inhabit it.
As a small, independent, family owned hotel and restaurant operating in the highly competitive ’boutique market’, customer service sums up everything that we stand for and offer.
Our guests look for value beyond price, a special treatment over and above what they get from the Bingham’s beautiful location, décor and excellent reputation for food and drink. We provide experiences from a plethora of food, drink and hotel related offerings with a high ‘enjoyability’ factor, whether popping in for a drink, eating in the restaurant, staying with us overnight, arranging or attending a special celebration or wedding, or visiting with a company on an away day.
Through excellent customer service we offer our overnight guests a ‘home away from home’, a personalised service where they are recognised by name when they arrive, their favourite drink from the time before, their newspaper choice and how they like their eggs served at breakfast are remembered.
What can a couple expect from having their wedding at the Bingham?
We feel the Bingham presents the perfect solution for couples looking to host their celebration in a chic boutique hotel with a ‘London’ vibe, whilst set away from the hustle and bustle.
Couples hosting a wedding at the Bingham can expect impeccable service, award winning food, sumptuous accommodation, friendly and welcoming staff and beautiful surroundings!
Of the 65 or so weddings we host each year, bride and grooms put their complete trust in us to create one of the most important days of their lives. In many cases we get to know them and their families intimately, and on the day itself the whole team is fully briefed to deliver exemplary service throughout. Nothing is too much trouble and we will always go the extra mile to ensure the day is the day they’ve dreamed of.
What is the capacity for a wedding ceremony and reception at the Bingham?
Each of the three Garden Rooms (where ceremonies take place) can be hired individually to host intimate celebrations, or can be opened up to create one large room seating. We can seat a maximum of 90 guests or 150 standing.
Do you offer exclusive use?
Yes. For couples seeking total privacy, the hotel’s Privee Hire includes exclusive use of the entire property including; all three Garden rooms, the terrace restaurant and Lounge bar, the garden and each of the fifteen luxury bedrooms. The Privee package allows guests to feel completely at home in the venue, creating a grown up house party feel, fusing a laid back atmosphere with sumptuous surroundings where no detail is overlooked.
Does the Bingham have its own caterers or can couples choose to bring in their own caterers?
We are very proud of our in house restaurant which is 3 rosette awarded.
Head Chef Mark Jarvis expertly designs seasonal menus using the finest local, seasonal and sustainable produce. Working closely with each couple, the kitchen team creates gastronomic feasts aimed at wowing guests, whilst an in house Sommelier is also available to help couples pair the very best wines with their chosen menu.
What would a typical wedding breakfast at the Bingham be?
Our wedding menus change according to the season and can also be tailored to an individual couple’s requirements. Some of our most popular dishes for autumn include; Anjou Pigeon for starter followed by Braised Pork Belly with creamed cabbage, apple puree and black pudding, finished with Sticky Toffee Pudding with toffee and vanilla ice cream.
What types of packages are available at the Bingham?
A range of packages are available to completely suit the needs of a couple, from exclusive use to non-exclusive, midweek, last minute, civil ceremonies and civil partnerships are all catered for, as are all types of wedding party size and budget.
How many weddings does the Bingham hold per year on average?
We host 80-90 weddings a year currently.
What do you think is the best thing about having a wedding at the Bingham?
The Bingham is big and luxurious enough to feel like a fabulous hotel, but small enough to make you feel like it’s your own personal residence for the day — house party style.
Guests love the Richmond-upon-Thames location and think the setting is divine, looking straight over the river. The food is fab, our cocktails are great and it’s stylishly funky.
Does the Bingham have a wedding co-ordinator on site and are they available on the day of the wedding?
Yes, the Bingham has a dedicated events team, who are on hand to guide and assist couples throughout each stage of planning; from initial enquiry right up until the wedding day itself, they can assist as little or as much as needed. We have a little black book of preferred supplies who come highly recommended by the venue and whom we have worked with on numerous occasions. We find this to be very helpful for couples looking to use suppliers they know they can trust to deliver and exceed expectations for their big day.
What’s your top tip for choosing the perfect wedding venue?
Always go and see the venue, even before you ask for a quotation; you’ll know instinctively whether it’s going to work for you. Also, choose a venue where you can really work with the team — it’s such an important day and, for the majority, a once in a lifetime opportunity. We get feedback from guests that they weren’t allowed to talk to the wedding team of their chosen venue until 3-4 months before the day itself. We adopt a more flexible approach — some guests want more help than others and we’re always on hand to go through any changes or new requirements.
Where can I find out more about the Bingham?
Visit our website www.binghamriverhouse.com.
