Belle Epoque, Knutsford

[ginnybag]

Hi there,

Just wondering if anyone knows anything about this venue in Cheshire. My cousin has just sent me a wedding invite for March and I'd like to attend, but, having read some reviews, I'm a little wary.

Apparently the place is not at all child friendly - to the point of not having a baby change facility on site at all. I can understand this - it's a restaurant/hotel catering entirely for couples from the look of it - but given I'll have a eight week old with me, just a touch panic inducing.

My cousin and his bride to be have specifically stated that they're happy to have kids at the wedding, but as they have no children of their own, nor any real experience of small kids, I would not be at all surprised to find that they haven't even thought of the 'logistics' of kids when selecting their venue (and nor should they have, imo - not their issue!)

So, I'm just wondering if anyone has been lately and can advise me one way or another. I would far rather simply decline the invite than cause any hassle for anyone on the day, whatever family might say about not attending!

We have been to a couple of weddings at the Belle Epoque. It is lovely, great food, very cool venue. However, it is not very child friendly. Do you only have one DC? If it is only 8 week old then prob not a problem but a more mobile toddler/child then not much room to run around etc.
There are some nice B & B just across the road that would be easy to stay at if you needed a quick getaway/even a nappy change they are so close. There is also accom onsite, maybe you could bagsie a room for quick nappy changes during the day - perhaps not bridal suite for pooey ones!!
Hope that helps anyway.

ooooh I have pressed my nose up against the bow window in the past

lovely

Have never been to the Belle Epoque (another nose-presser here) but there is a Starbucks a quick walk round the corner which I'm pretty sure has a changing table. Not ideal but would do in an emergency!

Cheers.

Only the one DC - very, very small, so space isn't an issue but feeding/changing would be.

I'd gathered the impression that it isn't the sort of venue that is 'family-friendly' - I'm just wondering how much not family friendly, cause I'd been getting the not-even-a-changing-table-in-disabled-loo level of not friendly as an impression.

We're about an hours drive away, so wouldn't be staying (and certainly won't be staying on-site, cause all the rooms are pre-booked for wedding party members) but maybe a near-by B&B is a solution.

I'm fretting not so much at the thought of me coping (although a concern!) as at the idea that me trying to cope under conditions that aren't suited will prove massively disruptive for the couple getting married. That's the last thing I want to be honest!

Do you think someone from the wedding party would let you use their room for baby changing and any quiet time? That might be best solution. The great thing about 8 week old babies is that they are very portable! Great for any type of social do in my opinion!

To be honest, I wouldn't think the bridal couple will notice any changing/feedling dilemmas you may be having at all! It just won't register on their radar.

I also think at that age that it doesn't really matter if the venue isn't child friendly. If you have a changing bag, you can change your baby anywhere. We went on holiday with DS1 when he was 10 weeks old and he had his nappy changed in the boot of the car several times. Otherwise, you can just pop the changing mat down in a corner somewhere if you are really stuck. Otherwise, their loos will probably have a wide counter or something else you can use.

If you are breast feeding, you can pick any comfy chair you can find, if you are bottle feeding, I can't think that providing some hot water could be beyond even the most child-unfriendly venue!

If you are still worried, why not call the venue and ask?

Hadn't thought of the car boot etc.

Cheers for all the advice.

Its not a big place so thats why its not a particularly child friendly.

The food is great though .... ooh the vegetarian stilton sausages ....

Have a lovely time.
Where are they getting married ?

Same venue, which is why I was asking! Not attempting to stay for the evening do but would like to see them actually get married etc.

I'm probably being over-paranoid about possible disruption. I just would hate my child to cause upset for their wedding. They'll do this once (I hope!)

Strongly suspecting my kid might not be half the issue though. We have three people in wheelchairs in the family, and apparently there are several toddlers on the bride's side, so my impressions of the venue might have side-effects with or without me!

Stuff it, shall go and hope she doesn't wail constantly to be fed and have explosive diarrhoea 6 times!

Now I just have to find her something stunningly cute to wear...

Oooh my Dad got married there - DS1 was 3 at the time and out of nappies, but the staff were lovely to him (it was a very small wedding and we were more or less the only people there at the time) - I would have thought that you would be fine with an 8 week old, although the toilets IIRC are small "powder room" types of toilets and not terribly nappy change friendly, so if you can use a room then I would see if you could.

Enjoy - it will be a lovely day, the wedding room is gorgeous

Definitely go! I got married at the Belle Epoque and it was a fantastic day. Agree it isn't child friendly (we didn't have kids at our wedding) but with an 8 week old I would see if any of the bridal party are staying overnight & use one of their rooms. If that isn't an option the Cross Keys does good value B&B and is practically next door. I'd be more concerned about the wheelchair users to be honest - the venue is on 2 floors with a wooden staircase linking the 2!