Harlestone Village Institute
Other villages have a village hall. Upper and Lower Harlestone enjoy "The Institute", so called because its origins lie in creating reading rooms for the betterment of local folk.
It dates back to 1924 and the brick and timber framed building is privately managed and maintained by a village committee.
We have a full music and alcohol licence and we are completely flexible on bar arrangements. You can supply the alcohol or we can stock the bar and serve or sell it for an hourly fee. All music and alcohol consumption must stop by 23:00. Mobile reception in the area is poor and taxis should be pre-booked for 23:15. A SatNav is unlikely to find the hall, so please follow the map and directions at the bottom of this page.
Sponsor or organise a local event at the Institute
The Village Institute exists to beneift our residents. You are always welcome to organise or sponsor your own event, which may be for charity, a local cause or simply for fun!
In the past people have organised:
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Table Top Sales,
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Jazz Lunches,
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Barbecues,
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"Casino" Evenings,
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Cheese and Wine events,
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Film Evenings,
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Tea Dances,
- Craft Fairs etc.
We provide the venue - (at reduced prices for residents) - and you provide the energy and commitment to make it a success, prepare the hall and clear up afterwards. Interested? Contact Tudor or Lynn right now on 07531 714095 to book your event.
Local resident benefits
The fund raising and events held, enables the trustees to offer the following benefits to the village:
A subsidised annual hog roast (Children free)
A subsidised annual pantomime (Children free)
Discounted rates for any Harlestone resident
Discounted rates if the event is for charity fund raising.
In addition we provide a valuable meeting point for: The Women's Institute, Local Sports Clubs, Village quiz charity nights, Christening parties after baptism at St Andrews, Harlestone Parish Council, Church fund raising events and children's Irish Dancing classes.
Email us at: harlestonevillage@gmail.com
Harlestone Village Institute Fund Raising
The village Institute is a valued facility. However, its future depends on the community supporting it, both through attending events and donations. Why not join the 200 club. This is the institute "lottery". Every month there is a first prize of £100 and runner up prizes as well. It costs just £2 per month for a ticket. Click application form to download a copy.
Harlestone Village Institute Weddings and Parties
Harlestone Village Institute is the perfect place for your special event. Set in fantastic countryside and large enough to create your own unique Harlestone Village occasion and atmosphere. You can see how people have decorated the hall for parties and weddings in the photographs below.
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The hall is available at all times for hire, whether for a one-off function, regular 
block bookings, social functions or parties.
Unlike many halls the Institute is set in its own grounds.
The hall has its own car park and we can usually arrange overflow parking in an adjacent field for larger events.
If you have lots of children attending there is a large childrens playgroung a two minute walk away, equipped with swings, roundabouts, slides and climbing frame.
Contact Tudor or Lynn right now on 07531 714095 to book your next important event or:
email us: harlestonevillage@gmail.com
There is a separate "pub style" bar and room, which seats about 40 people.
The large hall seats around 100 people, formally. Both halls benefit from central heating. Upstairs there is a nice sized lounge area and two ladies toilets, completely refurbished including electric hand driers, in 2012.
A new kitchen was installed in 2013, complete with catering size oven, glasswasher and four standard size fridges to keep 100's of bottles or cans cool.
You can always use your own caterers to set up and serve food. We have plenty of room, unlike many venues.
Unfortunately there are no disabled facilities.
Schedule of charges
Whole building £30.00 per hour
Main hall and kitchen £20.00 per hour
Bar room only £12.00 per hour
Bar and kitchen £15.00 per hour
"All day" bookings are priced individually and cost from £300, depending on requirements. Ask us for a quotation.
Weekend Wedding Package & Wedding Ceremony
We also have a wedding package available for £1,500, which gives access for the weekend, and includes chairs, tables, licence, insurance etc. Our caterers and bars are much cheaper than commercial hotels, clubs and other venues, which makes us excellent value for money. You are also able to have a celebrant at our venue (at extra cost)
Email us for enquiries: harlestonevillage@gmail.com
Diary of events
To book your special Harlestone event, Harlestone Village Institute wedding, anniversary or birthday in Harlestone Village Institute Contact us via email on:
harlestonevillage@gmail.com
Map and directions
To print a map the easiest thing to do is open and print the map image by clicking here
From the M1 Northbound:
Leave at junction 16 and follow the A45 towards Northampton. At the first roundabout take the first exit signposted Lodge Farm and Althorp House.
Continue straight over the mini roundabouts until you reach a large roundabout where you take the first exit signposted Harlestone and Althorp. You are now on the A428 towards Harlestone Village and West Haddon. On your left you will see a Wyvale Garden Centre and on your right Harlestone Firs. Go straight on for about a quarter of a mile and take the first left, just at the entrance to the village and before the 30 speed limit signs. This is signposted Upper Harlestone. If you go past the Fox and Hounds pub on the right you have gone slightly too far.
Follow the road round and take the first turning on the right, you will see a black and white painted signppost for the post office, village institute. On the right hand side just ahead of you. This is a narrow lane, follow it to the end and you will see the Institute. There is ample parking behind.
From the M1 Southbound:
Exit the motorway at junction 18, take the A428 and follow the signs for Harlestone for approximately 10 miles. You will come through Lower Harlestone and the Fox and Hounds pub will be on your left. Take the first right hand turn as you exit the village. Follow this road round and take the first right hand turn. You will see a black and white painted signpost for the post office, village institute. On the right hand side just ahead of you. This is a narrow lane, follow it to the end and you will see the Institute.