# Party & Group Event Help
Welcome to your Party Planning Hub! Having Hargate Hall completely to yourselves means you can design the ultimate group weekend with zero strict rules. Whether you are planning a landmark birthday, a family reunion, an anniversary celebration, or a corporate getaway, this page contains all the handy resources and downloads you need to plan your stay.
Essential Downloads & Planning Tools
To help you organise your group, download our master planning tools below:
- Download the Party Information & Room Layout Spreadsheet (XLS) – Use this to map out who is sleeping in which apartment, track your catering choices, and plan your group’s itinerary.
- Download the Hargate Hall Floor Plans (PDF) – A room-by-room guide to our self-catering apartments so your guests know exactly where they are staying.
Your Weekend Timeline
While you have total freedom during your stay, our standard group weekend structure is designed to give you maximum time together:
- Friday (Arrival): Check-in opens from 4:00 PM. Gather your favourite people, unpack the cars, and fire up a casual buffet or pizza night.
- Saturday (The Main Event): Your dedicated day for group activities, big celebratory dinners, or exploring the Peak District.
- Sunday (Relax & Unwind): Enjoy a lazy Sunday roast or a group walk. You have the venue for the whole evening!
- Monday (Departure): Check-out is by 10:00 AM.
Catering & Supplies: Absolute Freedom
We are a fully “dry hire” venue, which means you have complete flexibility over food and drinks:
- DIY or Pro Catering: You can cook for yourselves in the apartment kitchens, organize a big casual BBQ, or hire professional outside caterers to serve a banquet in the main hall.
- No Corkage Fees: Bring your own wine, beer, and soft drinks. We don’t charge a penny for corkage.
- Need Supplier Recommendations? Head over to our Hargate Suppliers Directory to find trusted local private chefs, hog roasts, mobile bars, and equipment hire.
Our Role During Your Stay
Hargate Hall is yours to enjoy in total privacy. On your arrival, we will be around to welcome you, answer any layout questions, and hand over the keys. While we leave you entirely to your own devices to make our home yours, we live nearby and are always on hand if you have an urgent question about the facilities during your stay.
Group Activities & Places to Visit Around Buxton
To help your guests plan their free time, here are some of the best group activities and sights located just minutes away in Buxton and the surrounding Peak District:
🧗 Action & Adventure Groups
Swing from the Treetops, Go Ape, Country Park
Ideal for lively groups, Go Ape Buxton sits 1,200ft up in the canopy of Buxton Country Park, offering zip wires and rope challenges.
Explore Underground, Pooles Cavern
Head down into Poole’s Cavern, a stunning two-million-year-old natural limestone cave right on the edge of town that offers brilliant guided group tours.
🏛️ Culture & Elegant Sightseeing
The Pavilion Gardens
4
A beautiful 23-acre Victorian heritage park in the center of town. It’s perfect for a casual group stroll, boasting lakes, a conservatory, and an excellent café.
The Buxton Crescent
The Pump House, The Crescent
Take a walk past this stunning 1780s Georgian landmark, or book your group onto the Buxton Crescent Experience to learn about the town’s famous spa heritage.
Buxton Opera House
Water St
A magnificent, historic theatre designed by Frank Matcham. Check the local box office at Buxton Opera House before your stay to see if there are any live shows, concerts, or festivals matching your weekend.
🥾 Famous Local Hikes
Solomon’s Temple
A fantastic, short group walk starting right from Poole’s Cavern through the woods up to a Victorian viewing tower, rewarding you with panoramic views over Buxton.
Chee Dale Stepping Stones
Monsal trail
A slightly more adventurous, dramatic walk through a limestone ravine where your group can conquer the iconic river stepping stones.
Happy planning!!
Julie and Anthony