151-200 guest capacity
This venue can host up to 200 guests
About this vendor
The Dowds Country Inn is located on the common in Lyme, NH, just minutes away from Dartmouth College. Built originally as a farmhouse in 1780, the Inn has been renovated into a 20 room Bed & Breakfast and fully equipped event center. The Inn boasts a beautiful banquet room with original wide plank floors and exposed beams, and seats up to 200 guests- perfect for hosting events of all sizes. It is a unique venue for any event - whether it be for business or pleasure.
The Innkeeper, Tami Dowd, and her family have been providing family friendly service to locals and visitors for over 20 years. Please join us today, our home is yours!
Amenities + details
Ceremony Area
Covered Outdoors Space
Dressing Room
Handicap Accessible
Indoor Event Space
Liability Insurance
On-Site Accommodations
Outdoor Event Space
Reception Area
Wireless Internet
Business Attributes
- Woman-owned Business
Ceremony Types
- Commitment Ceremony
- Elopement
- Interfaith Ceremony
- Non-Religious Ceremony
- Religious Ceremony
- Second Wedding
Guest Capacity
- Up to 200
Settings
- Ballroom
- Barn
- Estate
- Garden
- Historic Venue
- Hotel
Venue Service Offerings
- Bar & Drinks
- Cakes & Desserts
- Destination Weddings
- Destination Wedding Packages
- Food & Catering
- Planning
Reviews
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4
out of 5.011 reviews
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We had an absolutely wonderful experience with Dowds' Country Inn for our summer 2018 wedding, from touring the venue all the way through our big day. We ended up blocking all the rooms and hosting every wedding event at the inn, because it was just such a good experience to work with their team and much simpler than moving from place to place. We hosted our rehearsal dinner and cocktail reception the night before the wedding for 50 people in the Carriage House and Banquet Hall, and our wedding ceremony and reception for 75 people on the Courtyard and Patio. From start to finish, the Dowds' team made us feel welcome, stayed in touch on every detail, and went out of their way to make sure we were happy. They even recommended vendors and an officiant when we had trouble finding a local Justice of the Peace. Many of our guests stayed for the entire weekend and continue to rave about the accommodations, the food, and the friendly staff. They especially loved the tavern and the breakfast included in their nightly rate. It was truly magical to have our friends and family all in one place, with the entire inn to ourselves, out in the beautiful New Hampshire countryside. We had more fun planning our wedding than I ever thought possible, and so much of that was thanks to the people we met along the way. A big, heartfelt thanks to Tami (Innkeeper), Danielle (Event Coordinator), Gary (Front Desk Manager). Greg (Latham House Tavern), and all of your incredible staff for bringing our dreams to life!
My husband and I recently got married at Dowds'. One of the things that made the weekend so special was having so many of our family and friends staying at the Inn with us so it really felt like a weekend long celebration and we got to spend a lot of time with out of town guests. The food and party were amazing and our guests keep raving about how much fun the whole weekend was. Our wedding was exactly what we wanted and we would definitely recommend Dowds' to other couples.
My daughter held her wedding reception at Dowd's at the end of July. It was a wonderful event-great food, beautiful setting with a tent for dancing, and warm and friendly service. Our family and friends enjoyed staying in the Inn. Tami and Danielle and their team were so easy to work with and helped us create a magical weekend. Thank you!
It’s actually pretty crazy when reading these other reviews because I had the best experience for my wedding! The owner Tami was absolutely amazing through the whole process and her staff was always checking in and making this as easy as possible! I should also mention that I planned this wedding from Arizona, and everything I wanted and imagined my day to be, it was! When I say everything I mean everything down to the smallest detail!
We had many people traveling out of state and the Inn side of the house accommodated all of my family and friends so well! Not to mention the food from the pub, breakfast, and the food served at my wedding was absolutely to die for. We also had the best bar tender named Mike who my entire family loved! Everyone was complementing how great the venue was and the food!
You will not regret having your wedding here! I can’t stress enough how amazing it all was. Just honestly the total package!
Despite us having a beautiful scenery for our wedding and wonderful food + location, the headaches leading up to our wedding ruined the occasion and looking back, we wish we married elsewhere. Overall, unethical business...
- Wedding contract is completely thrown to the side and forgotten about and this venue will push back on everything to get as much money out of you as possible.
- They over promise and pitch a lot at first that "come with the venue," but as your wedding day nears you will have to pay for those promises they break and learn the real "rules" of the inn
- They charge a lot more for outside and out of the box ideas because it wasn't created by them + their vendors
- Lack of communication from owner caused stress and created a lot of "he said, she said" conversations ... save all emails to prove you were in the right and they were in the wrong if you do choose this venue.
... the list goes on. This is ranked with two $$ as "affordable," but that isn't the case with how this venue runs its business.
We could not have been more pleased with our experience with Dowds'. Tami, her family and staff were extremely welcoming and excellent to work with. From the minute our wedding weekend began everything was perfect; from the made to order breakfast the morning of the wedding to cocktail hour to the dancing that could have gone all night! The new (at the time!) patio was perfect for our outdoor cocktail hour and our guests have remarked how beautiful the location is. When our 90 degree day turned into an evening of incredible thunder, lightening and rain storms, the staff very quickly worked to move our dance floor, DJ and party inside. We would highly recommend Dowds' to anyone looking to get married in the Upper Valley!
My wife and I held our wedding reception here, and after a year of planning, we couldn't be happier. We chose to go with an hors d'oeuvres only reception, and while we never pre-tasted, the food was fantastic, and the guests' compliments were abundant. The atmosphere was warm and charming. The staff were attentive and friendly. Tami (the innkeeper) has done a terrific job of setting a standard that's hard to surpass for quality and value. I highly recommend Dowd's for any large-group function.
I ABSOLUTELY WOULD NOT do anything with Dowd's ever again. Our actual event turned out fine, but the woman who runs that business, Tami Dowds, is not honest, breached our contract, and did not uphold fair or reasonable business practices.
When I was searching for a venue and a caterer, I contacted Dowds - easily 4 times and never got a call back. I'd had their food many years earlier and it was good, but this experience really left a sour taste in my mouth.
all of my out of town guests stayed at Dowd's, as we were getting married there. Everyone commented the rooms were great, the service impecable & the breakfast & afternoon tea/scones delicious.
I will definitely have out of town guests stay there again.
Dowd's Country Inn is the perfect place for a wedding. With gorgeous gardens and grounds, a pond and a beautiful converted barn that make a great reception room, you can't ask for more. But, at this place, you get much more. The staff make you and your guests a part of the family and truly care about your day being the best that it can be. Everyone is so easy to work with and the end result is truly beautiful. The food was great and all of our guests kept raving about it. No one wanted to go home because the reception was so much fun. I recommend renting out the entire inn by having your guests stay there and continue the party throughout the weekend. 20 beautifully appointed guest rooms give you lots of flexibility. I want to have another party just to work with this amazing place again.
Contact
9 Main Street, Lyme, NH
Dowds' Country Inn & Event Center
Dowds' Country Inn & Event Center's photos