The Departure Lounge Cafe - Alton

Lisa Coates

We held our wedding reception here, on can not recommend it enough, Simon and the team were amazing with a professional can do attitude delivering the wedding of our dreams. The value for money is in the setting, the layout, flexibility and the extra touches already in place to make the wedding go well.
We loved all the fairy lights, barrels, easels and decor all available for us to use included in the hiring fee.
The quality of all the food, service and team were first class.
The reception was even packed up for us to collect which made it so much easier to do the following day!!
Thank you to everyone at departure lounge for achieving our dream wedding!

Rachel Ferris

We had our wedding at The Departure Lounge Cafe and it was the best decision we made! Simon was so accommodating to all our wishes and needs for the day, we were able to create the day we had hoped for! Being able to have the venue three days prior then if day was really ideal, we were able to decorate and take our time setting up our wedding the way we wanted, Simon and his team did do a lot to help too! Our guests have not stopped talking about how amazing our day was from the food to the location to the atmosphere. We also got the cutest handmade gift, which was placed at our table setting. Thank you Simon and your team for helping create the best day ever!

Ross Welch

We chose the departure lounge as our wedding venue and had the most amazing time. Family and friends all unanimously said what a wonderful place this was and how beautiful the scenery was.
Simon was incredible working towards the wedding, he was extremely transparent with his services and open to what we wanted to do. Extremely good value for money too. We had set-up time a couple of days before so we didn't feel too rushed. Great food - go for the Hog Roast.

On the day, he and his team were extremely pleasant and working round all of us to make the most special of days, special. Nothing was too much to ask.
I would seriously recommend this place as a wedding venue. I've got in mind some birthday parties I would like to host in the future here too.

Thank you DL for making our day! If I had to, (I hope not), I would do all of it again, there.

christina griffith

I had my wedding here on 24th August 2024 and I honestly could not have picked a better location, more perfect host and the MOST amazing staff. I wanted an informal and very child and family friendly wedding and Simon made our special day just perfect. My Dads dog attended and got spoilt rotten, there were 21 children and bouncy castles, the hog roast and BBQ was to die for, I highly recommend! If you want your wedding to be perfect please choose this venue. Nothing was too much trouble for Simon and his staff. I literally can’t recommend enough. All guests said it was the BEST wedding they had ever been to. We went back the next day to load up and everything had been packed up ready to load the car, we didn’t even have to do that. We had access three days before to do as much as we wanted in preparation and to decorate. I read reviews and never write them myself but on this occasion I couldn’t not because this venue is simply AMAZING. And what makes it is the personalised and friendly approach from Simon and the staff. Don’t hesitate just book…

And to review the cafe, my friends and I and my family visited many times in the run up to the wedding, the food is to die for, especially hard when you are trying to be good before a wedding, the general vibe is so welcoming and I would not hesitate to recommend this as a cafe for a bit to eat with friends and family. You will NOT be disappointed.

Thank you The Departure Lounge for making our day simply perfect ❤️?❤️

Geoff Parrett

Had the Bacon sandwich which was beautifully cooked bacon in what seemed thick bloomer slices of bread, my brother had the toasted fruit bread(3 slices) with butter and jam, I had coffee brother had tea. Really good prices as well. We visited on a Thursday, and at first we were the only ones but more people did come in later on. Overall very pleasant place with friendly staff as well.

Zoe T

We couldn't be happier to have spent our wedding day at The Departure Lounge. If we were to do it all over again, we'd be back in a heartbeat. Absolutely everything was perfect.

The communication, help and advice from the moment we approached Simon for a quote was tip top. Nothing was ever too much of an ask and he made a busy (and potentially stressful) time so easy for us.

Simon and his team are genuinely nothing short of wonderful. Sophie and Tina were so lovely and helpful during the week we set up (and on the day!), and Jess and the lady behind the bar (whose name we sadly didn't get) went above and beyond in the evening to make sure everything went smoothly and that our guests (and us) had the very best time. This was not lost on our friends and family (or our photographer)... so many people have commented on how great the team were.

The food was also absolutely amazing too. We had the Ploughman's spread and the hog roast. Both were fantastic and everything was of a very high quality. Our guests have not stopped talking about the brie or the pork! The wine was also delicious, and the bar very well stocked.

So many of our friends have been nervous in the run up to their weddings. We never, ever had that and that genuinely comes down to knowing that The Departure Lounge would do the most amazing job. It's safe to say the team went on to exceed our expectations beyond measure!

We really did have the best day, and we will forever be grateful to The Departure Lounge for that.

David Barton

Went for the first time for a car meet on Sunday. What an absolutely fantastic find!!!

The rural setting is beautiful and the cafe nestles very nicely into its hollow. The enormous paddock comfortably accommodated several hundred classic cars, was well marshalled, and worked very well for the meet.

The atmosphere is both quirky and very laid back. Prices are very very reasonable and there is no commercial pushiness or expectation for anyone to spend money. TBH, with the right business manager they could easily have doubled their takings on the day. But my feeling is that this is not what they’re about.

If you’re looking for a laid back vibe in a beautiful spot (kind of a beach bum scene but in the middle of the countryside), then this is the spot.

Will definitely be returning and highly recommend.

Rebecca Scott

We had our wedding celebration here and we could not have chosen a more perfect location. The staff were kind, happy and so helpful. Simon was easy to contact and made the whole experience really enjoyable. We will never forget our day here and cannot thank the team enough for their hospitality and the beautiful venue!