The Thompson Inn and Cyderhouse

The Cyderhouse is breathtaking and was the absolute perfect space for our ~110 person winter wedding. I could go on and on about the beauty of the place but this venue truly has the trifecta of perfection: the venue is gorgeous, the staff are some of the most kind and helpful people I've ever met, and the food is quite literally some of the best food I've ever had. I couldn't have planned this wedding without the amazing support of Lauren. Lauren always put our minds at ease and everything went seamlessly largely due to her. Top stories and comments from our guests - the food was OUT OF THIS WORLD and the venue was stunning. Highly recommend this venue and team!!!

pecial day. One of the highlights was having our entire bridal party stay at the Inn for the weekend, making the experience even more intimate and memorable. The staff and coordination team went above and beyond to make the day seamless and stress-free. They embraced every idea we had and helped bring our vision to life flawlessly. Our guests were raving about the food, with many saying it was the best wedding meal they’d ever had! We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect place to celebrate such a significant milestone in our lives.

l-maintained, classic New England Inn. Chef Alex created seasonal, locally sourced, AND delicious food -- our guests are still talking about it! Being able to stay onsite for TWO nights made it a true weekend to remember for our families and wedding party. It took the day-of stress away and really let us savor the moment for 48+ hours. Finally, Lauren and Hailey are the absolute BEST! They answered all our questions, they anticipated our needs all weekend long, and truly made the weekend as stress-free as possible (and they're just amazing people to be around!!). If I had to do it all over again, I would pick The Thompson Inn & Cyderhouse every single time. Thank you for the best weekend of our lives! - Rachel & Zach

ght out and easy to do. They had thought of truly everything. The weekend of was easy going, every step was thought out, and the most fun I've ever had. Lauren also asked us all the best questions as the weekend went on, while saving things that the wedding party could deal with for them. She gave us the space we needed to enjoy the weekend as much as possible. The coordinators were an absolute blast and made everything we needed come true. They felt like your best friends planning your big day. The food was the best I've ever had, the space was gorgeous and didn't require much extra decorating, but allowed for all the special pieces we wanted, and the Inn was the perfect space for our party and family to be for the whole weekend. I cannot recommend this venue enough!

eginning, Lauren, the coordinator and one of the owners had every single thing handled and under control. She made the entire process simple, easy, and exciting. Every time we would leave a meeting or conversation with her we felt so comfortable and taken care of and knew that Lauren and all of the staff at The Thompson Inn would make our day seamless - and they did. From the ceremony space to the phenomenal (5 star worthy) food, we couldn’t have asked for anything better. It is not an exaggeration when I say that the food tasting was easily the best food my husband, myself, or our family has ever eaten. Having the Inn right on the property for our entire bridal party, parents, etc. to be able to stay at the night of the wedding made everything that much more perfect. If you are debating whether or not you should get married at The Thompson Inn, my recommendation as a recent bride would be an astounding, one million percent yes - you won’t regret it!

e we knew we had finally found the place. From day one Lauren made us feel comfortable and confident, we had the most unreal incredible wedding weekend and I genuinely cannot speak highly enough of our experience!

e stunning grounds and atmosphere. Lush gardens, quaint pathways, and rusting/historic buildings create a backdrop straight out of a fairy tale. The wedding coordinator, Lauren was exceptional. Lauren's attention to detail and passion for creating unforgettable moments shone through in every aspect of our wedding planning journey. Her warmth and professionalism instantly put us at ease, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the joy of our special day. One of the highlights of our wedding was undoubtedly the exquisite food. The culinary team surpassed all expectations with their delectable offerings, blending local flavors with innovative twists. Our guests still rave about the food, many of whom said it was the best meal they’ve ever had a wedding. The Thompson Inn offered not only a stunning wedding venue but also comfortable and inviting accommodations for us and our wedding party. The rooms were elegantly appointed with a blend of modern amenities and charming rustic touches, ensuring a cozy retreat after a day filled with festivities. What truly set The Thompson Inn apart was its remarkable staff, who went above and beyond to ensure our comfort and satisfaction. Every member of the team contributed to making our stay seamless and enjoyable. Their genuine warmth and dedication made us feel like cherished guests throughout our entire visit. The Thompson Inn is more than just a venue; it's a destination where luxury meets the quintessential New England rustic charm. With its stunning grounds, impeccable service, and unforgettable culinary experience, this venue exceeded our every expectation. Lauren and the entire team went above and beyond to ensure that our wedding weekend was nothing short of magical. If you're looking for a wedding venue that combines natural beauty with unparalleled hospitality, look no further than The Thompson Inn and Cyderhouse. It's a decision you won't regret, and a memory you'll cherish forever.

had both sets of parents tour the venue and have us on FaceTime so we could take a tour with them and we knew immediately that this was the perfect venue for us! They have made the entire planning process so easy! Since we booked with the Thompson inn we didn’t have to worry about finding a place to stay, transportation for the wedding party, catering, a day of coordinator, and access to a closet full of décor that has been left behind from other weddings! We only had to worry about hair/makeup, DJ, and photographer, florist, which Lauren (day of coordinator and point of contact) had incredible suggestions for people she has worked with in the past. It made everything so stress free and well organized. She was so responsive to any questions we might have had and it was so wonderful working with her! Having the inn so close to the cyderhouse made the day so much easier for getting ready and having our wedding party all in one place and having access to the entire property for the whole weekend was amazing. It was also very nice having breakfast provided each morning to have one less thing to worry about! The food all around was absolutely incredible all weekend, our guests are still raving about how delicious everything was! I would 10000% recommend The Thompson Inn and Cyderhouse to anyone who is looking for a venue!

ep work from the couples! It was such a stress free process and our wedding weekend was so epic and amazing. The ability to stay on site at the Inn makes an unforgettable experience for your bridal party and makes it more of an experiential weekend rather than just one big day. The food by Chef Alex is top notch and incredibly impressive while being delicious and fresh. We received so many compliments on the food- not your average bland wedding food!! Lauren and Hailey were incredibly helpful in making sure the whole weekend went off without a hitch and made sure to facilitate fun while also having a handle on the structure of it all. I would absolutely recommend this venue, book here!!!

diately knew that I wanted to get married there someday too. In the fall of 2021, we booked the Thompson Inn without touring any other venue. Lori and Stephen were so welcoming and kind on our initial tour of the inn & cyderhouse. After we booked, Lauren, our coordinator, was so communicative and responsive to all our questions throughout the 2 year planning process (we got married in September 2023). She always got back to us so quickly with an answer and was so helpful at every step of the way! At our final venue walkthrough, we met with Lauren and Arielle to go over our options in case of rain. I really wanted to hold the ceremony outside and we determined that with our guest count, we’d be able to hold our ceremony under the back patio awning if it rained and wasn’t too windy. This was the perfect solution and I felt much more at ease with our backup plan! We held our rehearsal dinner at the Inn too! We were able to pick and choose dishes we wanted from our tasting and from the menus provided to create a truly customized experience. The Inn & Chef Alex were so flexible and accommodating to our vision. The morning of our wedding, we had a delicious breakfast at the inn of fruits, pastries, coffee, eggs, etc. all prepared by the inn staff. The breakfast was a delicious and perfect way to start the day. The bridal party opted to get ready in the cyderhouse and the groomsmen got ready in the main suite of the inn. The bridal party had plenty of room to spread out while getting ready at the cyderhouse & we opted for the mimosa bar to kick off the morning which was an excellent choice. Throughout the day, Arielle was so helpful with everything! From helping me with my veil, to making sure my bustle was in place, she helped with it all! We were lucky enough that the rain held off and we were able to have the ceremony outside under the oak trees. Everything was absolutely perfect. Our vendors kept commenting about how smoothly everything went throughout the entire day! For our reception, we created a custom floor plan because we really wanted to have a large dance floor. The setup of the reception was just what we’d envisioned too! The DJ even commented on how packed the dance floor had been at the end of the night. The food was amazing and we had so many guests tell us it was the best wedding food they’d ever eaten (two relatives even told me it was better than the meal they’d had at the Black Trumpet the night before)! Overall, the day was an absolute dream and was so stress free! The inn staff did an amazing job coordinating with all our vendors and making sure everything ran on time and without any hiccups. I’d highly recommend this venue in a heartbeat!

cess Lauren answered our questions, minimized our stress, manifested our vision, and she did it all seamlessly with close attention to details at every corner. On the day of our December wedding, Hayley was just as organized and helpful, making sure our decorations fit in the space, and setting things up in a timely manner, allowing us to soak in every moment. Let's not forget Chef Alex, who's culinary creations were not only beautiful, but delicious. Chef Alex and his staff were accommodating to our needs, and executed our menu to perfection. Our guests are still raving about each course, and we can't wait to visit again for a wine dinner. The whole team at the Thompson Inn was fabulous to work with-warm, organized, creative, meticulous, and just lovely. We appreciated their expertise, and know that it wouldn't have been the same without them. We were looking for a rustic and elegant venue that had elements of natural and modern beauty and The Thompson Inn and Cyderhouse truly encompasses that vibe. The space speaks for itself. It is so special to have had the grounds for the entire wedding weekend, with the sound of the river flowing in the background. We already want to go back! Thank you to the Thompson Inn Team! -Sarah and Chris

staff, and the location were all incredible. Starting with the food - chef Alex is a genius. The food was emphasized by all of our guests as the best wedding food they’d ever had. The passed apps were all delicious, fresh, and made with local ingredients. The attention paid to guest dietary restrictions was also worth noting as Alex was incredibly flexible and creative. The only downside is that Alex doesn’t have his own restaurant that’s able to visit after the big day! The inn on site was the perfect place for family and wedding party to stay and eliminated the stress associated with having to travel between destinations. Everything was clean and so welcoming. The inn keeper, Stephanie, was readily available and knowledgeable about anything that guests might need. The staff overall were incredible, but special note has to be made of Lauren - the on site coordinator. She was always accessible via email during our planning process and the weekend of it felt like she had multiple body doubles with how much she was able to accomplish. Every little thing was thought of, even before we had a chance to ask a question. For example, after our ceremony my husband and I were directed by Lauren to have a private 5 minutes with our signature drinks and a tray of appetizers. She ensured we ate, kept everything on schedule, and was an absolute dream to work with. Her leadership sets the tone for everyone working on site and we couldn’t have been happier with everyone’s professionalism and attention to detail. The location itself is stunning right on the Lamprey river and the flexibility to move inside easily if there is rain was great. It did end up raining on our date and it was a total non-issue with how accommodating the Thompson Inn was. Overall we were thrilled with our experience and give the highest recommendation to use them as your venue. My husband and I couldn’t be more grateful we found them.

ey offer several elements that most other venues simply can’t compete with, such as a dedicated on-site chef that handles every meal for the weekend, a talented coordinator, lodging for ~20 people in a space that blends past and present, and an all-around amazing team. The property itself is less than 10 minutes from downtown Durham, so nearby lodging and transportation was super easy to coordinate. A few of our favorite things from the weekend: The Inn: Thoughtfully renovated, beautiful, and so comfortable. Having the flexibility to stay here with our wedding party felt like a mini vacation with our closest friends. The convenience of having everything we needed on-site all weekend was great. Being the only event on the property, you get the true VIP treatment and don’t feel like you have to be in an out. The Food: My sister is still raving about Chef Alex’s chicken from our reception, and I am still dreaming about the pastries from breakfast that weekend. I was told by at least 10 guests during the reception that ours was the best wedding food they had ever had. Chef Alex is also super flexible and accommodating, ensuring a nut-free kitchen as my husband has a severe allergy. He catered to guests with all sorts of dietary restrictions while still bringing creativity to every dish. The Team: We felt taken care of at every turn from the moment we set foot on the property. Everyone was gracious and helpful. Our coordinator, Lauren, is the definition of professional. She made it easy to collect all of the details for the weekend and went above and beyond to make sure that things looked perfect. The big things went perfectly, but it was the little things that really made us smile, like ensuring that we had a private moment to enjoy drinks and appetizers at the onset of cocktail hour. Kat is a jack of all trades who kept the inn well-stocked for us all weekend and ensured that I always had a mimosa or anything that I needed all day Saturday. Chef Alex and the front of house staff are the best of the best at what they do. We had to deal with a potential hurricane impacting the area on the day of our wedding. Lauren walked us through several options and recommended an area of the lawn that was even better than our Plan A. The Property: Meticulously maintained and speaks for itself. You could do very minimal décor here, as every area of the Cyderhouse is fresh and has its own personality. The stone fireplace, wine cellar, and chandeliers. Everything is just gorgeous. Working with The Thompson Inn was a truly all-in-one experience. We didn’t have to bring in much (ex: you can rent candles directly from them, they have lots of tables and easels) and you can have several events throughout a weekend as there are multiple spaces (cocktail hours, rehearsal dinner, farewell brunch). Not having to worry about more logistics made it even easier to relax and enjoy ourselves. I wish there wasn’t a text limit because I could go on and on. The Thompson Inn is so much more than a wedding venue – it’s a group of people who love what they do, and it is apparent in the way they care for their couples. I wish I could relive the weekend again and again. If you’re looking for a truly one-of-a-kind wedding weekend, then book The Thompson Inn!

better experience. The inn on property is gorgeous and makes for such a relaxing setting the whole weekend, bring able to stay on property the whole weekend is such a relaxing feeling. The food is delicious and our guest said it was the best wedding food they had! Everyone that works there truly cares about you and your wedding and works to make sure your day is perfect!

ouse, we knew this was the perfect fit. The grounds, cyderhouse, and inn are each as stunning as the next. We wanted a “destination” wedding feel, having all of our family and friends in one place for the whole weekend, without having to travel far. The Thompson Inn let us do just that. It wasn’t just a venue, it truly felt like our home for the weekend. Every single member of the team was an absolute pleasure to encounter at every point in our planning process and throughout our weekend. Lori and Steve welcomed us with pure kindness and open arms from Day 1 of our planning. Lauren, the day of coordinator, made sure the entire weekend went off without a hitch. From the start she made us feel so at ease, being our go-to for any and everything, and was such an incredible person to have by our side every step of the way. The kindness exhibited by ALL of the Cyderhouse and Inn staff, was such a blessing. Haley (the front of house manager), Stephanie (the innkeeper), and Kyle (the groundskeeper) were all ready to jump in and lend a hand with anything at a moment’s notice. The chef was over the top accommodating to my food sensitivity, and just did an INCREDIBLE job on every meal (our guests have still not stopped raving about the food and the portions)! And the waitstaff even joined us for a song on the dancefloor…it was THE BEST. The whole weekend the Thompson Inn team was all hands on deck, and everyone was always willing to lend a hand wherever possible! I cannot emphasize enough the importance of this DREAM TEAM on our wedding weekend…because of them, our wedding vision was brought to life. As our weekend came to a close we realized how bittersweet it was…not only was our wedding weekend over, but we truly felt like we were leaving such wonderful friends we had made in such a short time here. So thank you, Lori, Steve, and all of the Thompson Inn staff, for truly making this wedding weekend better than we could have ever imagined.

ediately. I really wanted a venue that we could make ours for the whole weekend and The Thompson Inn was perfect. The ease of not having to leave the property from Friday morning through Sunday afternoon took so much stress off of us. We had rehearsal dinner, ceremony, reception and after party right there and Lauren (the day-of coordinator) ran everything from the rehearsal straight through to the end of the ceremony. From the beginning everyone at The Thompson Inn made the process so easy and foolproof. Lauren, Stephanie and Lori were the most accommodating, helpful and easy to work with. They have clearly done this hundreds of times and it shows! Everything went to plan the entire weekend, any questions I had leading up to the day were answered immediately and we had super organized meetings, questionnaires and check-points along the way. The weather was constantly changing up until 20 minutes before our ceremony and Lauren and the staff moved our ceremony inside and out multiple times without stressing us- and I can confirm inside or out is beautiful there! They knew what to do in every situation and we truly had free rein of the property all weekend. The Inn was perfect for hosting our bridal party and family, everyone raved about how comfortable the beds were, we had trivia games on the front porch and were even able to host our after party right there and stock the full fridge with our own food and drinks. The food was INCREDIBLE. Our guests are still talking about it. Alex is such a talented chef and we really loved the private tasting we had in January where we got to meet Alex and talk through the menu with him. The venue itself is stunning and there is so much space. The getting ready room and balcony in the Cyderhouse was such a nice spot to spend the morning with my bridesmaids and family and the lawn and fire-pit outside were also a huge draw for us. Our main goal was for the day and the entire weekend to feel like a fun getaway for us and all our friends and it truly did. We would book it again in a heartbeat!

to make a decision. However, we knew the Thompson Inn was our place immediately. Lori (the owner), along with Lauren and Stephanie (planners and organizers) made us feel valued, communicated frequently, and informed us throughout the entire wedding prep process. The venue itself is all inclusive, meaning between the Cyderhouse and the Inn they have everything you need. The Cyderhouse has a beautiful reception hall, a full cooking staff, and a beautiful wine cellar for the rehearsal dinner. The reception hall was the perfect size for our wedding of about 125 people complete with a full bar. The Inn is about 50 yards away which we rented for the entire weekend and it housed the complete wedding party. The inn has a full kitchen, dining area, and bar. Each guest room has a full bathroom and is very clean. Between the inn and the Cyderhouse are two huge beautiful trees which we got married beneath and a fire pit is just adjacent. We had access to this whole area all weekend and it was truly an incredible experience. Highly recommend considering this venue for your wedding or next event!

rite people for the whole weekend without any bother really was what won us over! The Inn is absolutely stunning, from all the rooms being unique and clean to the breakfast ready for you in the am, to the fire pits outside it was perfect! The Cyderhouse? JUST as amazing. All of the staff was helpful and kind during both rehearsal and wedding night. Our guest are still talking about the food from both events. Chef Alex really puts so much work into his work and it really shows! Lauren really was a blessing during this process. She made it SO stress free and truly brought everything I wanted to life. Our weekend would not have been the same without her there! Overall The Thompson Inn was more than we could have asked for. A 10/10 for sure!

s. Why? The Thompson Inn feels like HOME. Not only is the inn spacious, clean, and provides space for your nearest-and-dearest to be with you, but it was the PERFECT spot to host our welcome reception and Sunday brunch. And the Cyderhouse? You guys. We were able to have a HUGE dance floor while still having some of our favorite humans within arm's reach. Our guests are still talking about Chef Alex's dishes weeks later. Everything about our experience here was perfect. From the staff, to the accommodations, to the venue, to the frantic scramble the team did to find me eyelash glue when one of my eyelashes started to fall off (OF COURSE they had it). We hosted our after-party at the inn and it was incredible to have our guests safely walk across the way. And with an incredible hotel just down the road, you can make sure there's room for everyone at your event. I hope you'll consider this incredible venue. I would get married here again, and again, and again. Thank you to Lauren for making our weekend SO very special!!!