Weddings 'kicked into touch' at Bath Rugby HQ

Bath Rugby has been told it can no longer hold weddings at its rural headquarters following a decision by Somerset Council.

Bath Rugby's official base is at Farleigh House on Church Farm Lane, on the outskirts of the village of Farleigh Hungerford.

The site has been the club's headquarters since 2010, and has been used for weddings, corporate events and private functions, including erecting temporary marquees within the grounds.

The Farleigh House website states it is no longer accepting new wedding or corporate event enquiries, but will honour "all existing confirmed bookings scheduled for 2026".

Somerset Council has now approved a "certificate of lawfulness" which will allow the club to continue holding corporate events in line with the original planning permission for its training facilities.

However, the club will no longer be able to hold weddings at the venue unless it obtains separate planning permission.

The club is also not permitted to host events on Mondays or Tuesdays, along with Christmas Day and Boxing Day, and no firework displays will be allowed.

Somerset County Councillor Adam Boyden, whose Frome North ward includes the complex, said he had "received a number of complaints from several local residents living close to the house about noise from recorded and live music from some of the wedding parties."

"Traffic management of the wedding guests' vehicles has also been an issue, with many cars leaving the venue late at night, deliveries in the early hours, and taxis with engines running waiting outside residents' homes."

Somerset Council planning officer Ed Winter said the authority was happy with the site being used as Bath's HQ, but were not satisfied weddings or other functions "held for persons unconnected with Bath Rugby Club" was covered by planning permission granted in 201.

Tim Burden, representing Bath Rugby as senior director at Turley, said significant investment has been made at Farleigh House to "regenerate and enhance this important heritage asset".

Since 201, he added, the club had funded the restoration and upkeep of the Grade II-listed house and estate.

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