Family Celebration Ideas

There’s no shortage of occasions to celebrate as a family. Anniversaries and christenings, graduations and big birthdays, bon voyages and welcome homes. Or perhaps your family celebrates the start of the cricket season, half-birthdays and obscure days such as Chocolate Soufflé Day (28 February, for anyone who was wondering)…

Whatever rituals your family has, sometimes an occasion demands a celebration a bit more special than cramming around the table at home for a Sunday roast. From riverside barbecues where our chefs sizzle up a storm, to decadent afternoon teas, we’ve got a few ideas up our sleeves to make family celebrations extra special.

Afternoon tea delight

There can’t be a family out there who wouldn’t tuck into an afternoon tea with glee. We serve our Celebratory Afternoon Tea to families in our gorgeous Riverside Suite, which you can decorate to fit the occasion. Kick things off in style with a glass of rose champagne or sparkling elderflower presse, before tucking into a selection of foodie goodies. As well as a selection of delicate finger sandwiches, we’ll serve up home-baked scones, mini cakes and biscuits with a variety of teas. All guests receive a confectionary goody bag to take away too – a perfect finish to any party!

Sizzling by the river

Family barbecues are always full of fun, but they’re even better when you don’t have to cook. As soon as the weather gets milder, our chefs can’t wait to roll the barbecues out onto our riverside lawns to cook up a treat for private family parties. Choose your own bespoke menu, which can range from exotic soy marinated salmon fillets and lamb kofta with tzatziki to our more traditional Kentish sausages and spare ribs. We’ll serve these barbecued goodies alongside groaning tables of inventive salads and desserts, followed by desserts, cheese, tea, coffee and homemade fudge.

Family banquet

Sometimes a family occasion necessitates a more formal affair and serving up a buffet is a great way to cater to all tastes without scrimping on quality. We can serve up a special family buffet in one of our private suites, in the Riverside Suite you can spill out onto our riverside terrace in warmer weather. Choose a menu to suit the tastes of your family. You could plump for international flavours such as cucumber, melon, feta and pomegranate salads and grilled halloumi stuffed peppers, or the best of British with smoked salmon and mackerel pâté and tender beef fillets with seasonal greens. We promise we’ll find an option for even the fussiest of eaters!

Family time is some of the most important time you have, and taking the pressure off organising family occasions means more quality moments can be shared together. Whatever you like to celebrate as a family – whether it’s big birthday bashes or the first visit from the Tooth Fairy – we’ve got a place for you to enjoy family life to the maximum.