If there’s one thing we love more than hearing the words nervously muttered amongst the stone walls of an ancient church, it’s seeing a bride burst through the doors of an old farm barn, skip down the aisle with her gown hitched at the knees and shout the words “I DO!” so loud they dance around the exposed beams and up into the eaves. That’s how a barn wedding feels. It feels different. It feels magical. The whoops, claps and cheers of your teary-eyed guests bouncing off the flagstone floors and up the exposed brick walls until your ceremony space is filled with euphoria and charm.
And that’s not the only reason we love a barn wedding.
In the same way each couple shares their own love story sparked by their own gorgeous personalities, each barn is different and unique, specked with one of a kind idiosyncrasies and quirks that make it oh-so-special. Barns simply know how to add the perfect dollop of countryside wow to both your ceremony and reception.
So, to celebrate this, we’ve pulled together a list of what we believe are the most amazing barn wedding venues in the UK. Enjoy.
If you’re looking to add a splash of gorgeous authenticity to the biggest day in your love story, this is the barn for you. Set on a working farm, this venue is doused in that something special; that something that can’t be described but will send the feels up your spine. Don’t worry, though. While it might be nestled in the grounds of a working farm, it’s also an “exclusive use venue” so when they say it’s yours for the day, they mean it.
There are charming barn venues, and then there are barns that steal your breath at first sight and leaves you dabbing away tears with every new space you stumble upon. Cripps Barn is the latter. From its original flagstone floors to its open fire, the south-west-facing terrace to the pretty gardens complete with bonfire, this place is rustic heaven with views across the Cotswolds. You even have the choice of marrying beneath the timber frames of the barn, or in the woodland glade. Whichever you choose, tea lights will look amazing.
Whether you've always dreamed of walking down the aisle of a rustic old barn that’s bursting with charm or you want to make your intimate wedding that little bit more wow, The Old Farm Barn at Thursford is utterly perfect. Rustic, unforgettable and dancing with a plethora of original features. Exposed timber beams, flint walls, time-worn bricks, everything. It’s the perfect place to walk the aisle, share your first kiss, leave to a monsoon of confetti and then, after you’ve enjoyed champagne in the walled garden, canapés on the manicured lawns and made memories on the original fairground rides, you can return to a barn that’s been transformed into the reception space you’ve always dreamed of.
There aren’t many barn venues that burst with as much charm and countryside style as the Airedale Barn at East Riddlesden Hall, which should be reason enough to book in a viewing. But the piece de resistance is the fact this space is a National Trust property and that means the cost of your venue hire will go toward keeping this beautiful piece of English history looking wow - a million times wow.
What sets this barn apart from it’s oh-so-charming counterparts is the way your belly flips when you first catch a glimpse of it. Shustoke Barn is nothing shy of striking. Part of a collection of 18th-century red-brick buildings set in the heart of Warwickshire, this rustic wedding venue has everything you could want, from an impressively vaulted ceiling, lofty oak beams and the most spectacular flagstone floors for you to walk down. And if that’s not enough, in the middle of these buildings is a courtyard so stunning it will melt Instagram. From fire pits to old olive trees, it has all the details to make your big day even more unforgettable.
Once upon a time, this venue was a working dairy farm with all the hustles and bustles you can imagine. But not anymore. The Cow Shed is now a rustic wedding venue perfect for eco-friendly romantics. Set in the beating heart of rural Crail, this charming venue is almost entirely powered by wind, solar and recycled batteries. And it boasts some next-level charm too.
Ladies and gentlemen, brides-to-be and their madly in love men, if you want to get hitched in the most idyllic and impressive setting the UK has to offer, the The Ashes is it. Located at the foothills of the Peak District, in a Grade II listed building in the Staffordshire Moorlands, this 50-acre estate is yours to enjoy in any which way you please. There’s The West Barn, The East Barn, The Old Dairy Barn, gorgeous gardens, impressive grounds, stone bridges, wildflower meadows and a lake, all for you to enjoy. It’s beyond captivating.
There is a reason why this venue has won so many awards: it’s magical. It’s a beautifully restored 17th century stone barn that’s surrounded by some of the most delightful grounds you could hope to hire. And because of its size, you won’t have to worry about trimming your guest list down. With enough space to comfortably cater 250 people, you can celebrate with everyone you love.
There is only one Tudor barn in London, and it dates back to the 1500s, with almost all of its original features still able to draw out a million involuntary wows. There are the wooden beams, the gorgeous stained glass windows, the 13 acres of beautiful parkland, medieval moat, Gastro Pub, Tudor Gallery and so much more. Yeah, the Tudor Barn Eltham is one of the most exciting (and intriguing) places for you to say your vows and start your happily ever after.
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