Houghwood Golf Club, St Helens, Merseyside

Our Son and lovely new Wife chose the Houghwood Golf Club for their Wedding this April. Me and My Husband have to say that from start to finish was Fantastic. We can only speak from the guest side of things as all the details were sorted out by the Bride & Groom.

We where looked after from the moment the Wedding party walked through the entrance, drinks on arrival, photos taken around the grounds which are a wonderful setting.

Which ever member of staff you spoke to where lovely and nothing was to much trouble. When serving the meal the children's where brought out first. The whole meal was excellent, taste, presentation - all good.

The whole afternoon just rolled smoothly on with the staff working hard in the background. The night buffet was just as good, plenty to eat and lovely choice. Wedding cake cut up and passed round later in the evening.

The resident DJ was used and a singer for the nights entertainment - everyone finished the night by saying how much they had enjoyed the whole event.

We would certainly recommend the Golf club for any occasion. Our family have now celebrated 60th & 80th Birthday lunches and also a Diamond wedding lunch at the Golf Club, all excellently carried out by the lovely Staff at the Houghwood Golf Club.

The Houghwood Golf Club is set in the most beautiful setting with expansive views across the county. This is the key selling point and main reason to choose the venue.

Weddings are held upstairs in the restaurant and Valentine suite and although the main room is a slightly irregular shape,it does benefit from a large balcony which is great for summer days and smokers!.

Therefore with the 'stage set' it's really disappointing to highlight that The Houghwood does not seem geared towards the full operation of running events.(They desperately need to undertake a hospitality course and visit some hotel operations)

In fact they seem terribly torn about letting outsiders (non golf members) into their cosy surroundings and this attitude permeates through. Unfortunately it's the 'front of house ladies' who are the most guilty here.

Other issues to take onboard are the lack of a late licence beyond midnight and the venues location, which means transportation must be orgamised well in advance.

You are also expected to pay for room usage on top of an expensive menu list.

I was expecting great things from the catering operation but have never been so disappointed by the buffet that appeared. At £15.95 a head x 150 people the food was a choice of chicken curry (they must have used 3 pullets, such was the lack of meat in a watery sauce and a hotpot that was straight out of a tin (actually it wasn't that good!)

They then served it sparingly as if they were offering caviar and truffles.

You also need to remember to be responsible for your guests behaviour throughout the evening, as they will use this against you when it comes to returning your deposit.

It probably would be great for a nuns dieting convention but not much else.

I finally want to point out that this review was made by a wedding guest who has also been an event co-ordinator in a previous life, and not by the bride & groom who are still too upset to discuss their wedding experience at the Houghwood!!