Here are some of the things we have planned for this year.

A magnificent Orangery capable of seating 160 guests. Dedicated Executive Boardroom furnished to the highest standards. A new lawn at the south-east corner of the mansion house.

We lovingly restored our Hebe fountain, purchased by Conrad Finzel at the Great Exhibition of 1851.

We added a stunning bridge to one of our lake islands. The perfect spot for a picture.

From stable block to luxury getaway.

Due to popular demand, we created our beautiful gazebo in the estate. The perfect spot for al fresco weddings and events. Fully licenced for ceremonies.

We strive for the highest standards so decided to invest in high quality dedicated furniture to match our high-quality corporate clients.

With the addition of our luxurious accommodation, Clevedon hall clearly announced itself as one of the elite venues in the region and a must-see property for all events. This amazing new facility created the perfect opportunity to take our team to the next level. This is when James Matthews arrived as Operations Director, now our Managing Director. He is supported by an exceptional team that drive us forward.

After working through the ground floor refurbishment, it was finally time to host our first wedding. Congratulations Lucy and Alan!

In 2009 we began the process of converting Clevedon Hall, into a high-quality events venue.

At the start of our journey we worked with many partners to ensure we offered the highest levels of service. Quality was the order of the day.

School was est. 1851 and was one of the oldest public schools for girls. The school fled Bristol to The Bishop’s Palace in Wells during the War Used to have tennis courts, cricket pitch, swimming pool and even a theatre. The school used the library as dining room.

• Rev Burden, Katherine (1st wife), and Rosa (2nd wife) were early pioneers of mental healthcare for children and adults.
• Katherine bore two children who both died in their infancy and left no heir.
• The Burdens made considerable modifications and extensions to the hall.
• USA army had barracks here during the war, as did the Bristol Aerospace Co.
• The Burdens est. a trust in /902 that became the Burden Neurological Institute.

• Hill renamed the mansion, Clevedon Hall.
• Two of his daughters held their wedding celebrations here (in 1888 and 1898).
• He entered his father’s shipbuilding business in 1845 aged just 16.
• Founded Bristol City Line which crossed the Atlantic to America.
• The Hill family loved to dress-up and throw ‘Theatricals’, or what we know as amateur dramatics, here at the hall

From 1850 he ran Finzel & Son with his father, he eventually took over in 1859. By 1870 the refinery was the largest in the UK – some argue the world! In Sep /872 the refinery produced in one week 1,800 tons on sugar worth £70,000 (in todays value £7.1m!).

Finzel arrived in the country in 1810 aged just 17. He was a penniless German emigre who didn’t speak English!

• He built Frankfurt Hall in 1853
• No connection with slavery, he established his business in 1838 and slavery was abolished in I 833.
• Made his fortune designing a machine which perfected the refinement of sugar

ANECDOTES

Finzel’s refinery burnt to the ground in a fire in I 847.

He rebuilt a state of the art refinery at a cost of £250,000 (or £23.Jm in today’s money), and he pledged to give a third of his profits to charity.

Finzel I was good friends with fellow countryman George Muller, his charitable donations helped to build Miil/er’s Ashley Down Orphanage.

Conrad Finzel I enjoyed a daily dip in the sea!