Samphire At The Blazing Donkey - Dover

I got married here this past weekend and I had the best day. I could not fault it at all, the day went so smoothly and that it thanks to Sandra. She made sure our day rang perfect, even though due to weather it had to be inside, in the barn it was perfect. The food was delicious and nothing was too much trouble. We can’t thank the blazing donkey enough for making our day so perfect. Will Defo be returning for a meal.

Just stopped in, was a wedding taking place, and still happy to serve me.

We got married in May 2024 and, although the day itself went smoothly, the lead up to the day and the aftermath was appalling. We booked the hotel package, meaning we get exclusive use of the grounds and all hotel rooms are reserved for our guests. This means we paid upfront (about 1 year before our wedding) for all 20 hotel rooms at £250/room. The idea being that when our guests book their rooms, we get refunded the amount they pay. We were encouraged to do this to prevent non-wedding guests staying the night of our wedding. We chose to ask our guests to pay £120/room and we would absorb the difference. Firstly, one of our guests was charged the full £250. Apparently this was in error but I had seen previous reviews of this happening. Secondly, we found out 2 days before our wedding that they had double booked the hotel rooms, with guests for the next days wedding staying the night of our wedding. They refused to cancel the rooms of the non-guests and instead put some of OUR guests in the glamping site, and canceled 2 of OUR rooms. So some of our guests had to share rooms/beds so everyone had somewhere to sleep, and some people ended up in cramped shepherds huts not proper hotel rooms. So 2 nights before my wedding I was calling our guests to try and organise this- so stressful and embarrassing to explain to our guests! It also meant that we did not have exclusive use as promised (and as we paid for), as the guests of the next days wedding were hanging about and were also sitting having breakfast with us the next morning. Really not on when we paid to avoid this. They offered me and my husband a free meal and hotel stay in the future to make up for it. A bit of a kick in the teeth in my opinion, so we declined. We also chose to use the chiavari chairs. In their photos they looked beautiful, with cream cushions. About a month before our wedding we were notified that these are an upcharge, this was never explained to us when we opted for them months prior. Apparently they source them from another company (they don't belong to them) so we have to pay for them. Fine, we paid. ANYWAY on the day the chairs had bright yellow cushions on them. I questioned this as it clashed with our colour scheme. We were told they had them stored over winter and they had to put those covers on them because they were mouldy underneath. So I guess that means you don't source them from another company? Again, just making money out of us. One the day, the leg on one of the chairs broke and one of our elderly guests ended up on the floor. The floor in the marquee is so uneven and spongy. Our cake was wobbling about because the floor it was stood on was uneven. I was worried the whole thing was going to topple over. The dance floor was also uneven and needs replacing. I would also say that if it rains on your wedding day, their backup plan is for you to get married on the dance floor. When they sold us the package, they said they had a curtain to separate one corner of the marquee to use for the ceremony in case of rain, but after we booked we were told that's not longer possible as they had thrown away the curtain. Not sure what they are telling people these days, so beware. It took weeks of countless emails and phone calls to get out deposit back and the payments for the hotel rooms. Now it's finally sorted I feel like I can share our experience.

Never have I been somewhere so peaceful and tranquil the main part was shut but booked online key was left in door when I arrived I sat in the beautiful garden oj my own with a drink all I could hear was the birds and the wind this place is a little bit of heaven you have to stay hear and experience it stunning the rooms as sell wow just wow

Avoid at all costs! Upon arrival, bin bags, laundry bags, and general cleaning equipment was littered around the site. We had to tidy this up before the rest of our party arrived. No welcome drinks. No cocktail making class (which was an extra £1800! The arrival afternoon tea hamper was very delayed as staff were not aware of our booking, despite booking 8 months in advance. Cold dinner with missing condiments. Chipped glassware. No butler or private chef dietary requirements were not met! Numerous comments from staff explaining they shouldn 't be catering to us due to a wedding at The Blazing Donkey Damaged and torn tents leading to a cold and unpleasant night. No hot water. A true CAMPING experience, I suppose. Nothing comfortable or luxurious about it. Meat left outside overnight. Very unpleasant to wake up to, poses a serious health and safety risk! Richard (owner/manager promised a partial refund verbally and via email but has since refused to honour it. Fortunately, we were able to get food and drink off site, and made the best of the situation we were in, but this is really quite unacceptable. Please avoid