Best barn venues in southern England for your perfect countryside wedding
- Feb 15, 2024
- 11 min read
Updated: Jul 17, 2024
Here's a fun fact for you - I actually grew up in a barn! And before you get visions of me sleeping on a hay bale next to a herd of cows, it was a barn conversion with central heating and a working toilet. But perhaps this is why I LOVE a barn wedding venue; it's probably subconsciously making me feel at home as I take in those old, slightly wonky walls, high ceilings, and rustic wooden beams. Now barn weddings have become so popular, I think my parents missed a trick in the '90s by not converting our gargantuan sitting room into a wedding venue, and being well ahead of the curve!
I've been fortunate enough to work as a wedding photographer at loads of amazing barn wedding venues across the country, so I'm here to pass on some of my faves! I hope you love these as much as I do, and maybe even find the venue of your dreams in the process.
And as for the photographer of your dreams? Well, if you like these photos why not message me for a quote! I'd love to photograph your gorgeous barn wedding - and I promise I won't get confused, change into my cat pyjamas, and settle down for a Harry Potter movie marathon thinking I'm actually back at home and that my mum will bring me a hot chocolate any second.
Without further ado, my favourite barn wedding venues across southern England are:
The Barn at Newton Park Farm, Buckinghamshire
I've even added them to a snazzy map so you can see them geographically!
Priston Mill, Somerset
You can find beautiful Priston Mill not far from Bath and Bristol, so despite being in the glorious Somerset countryside, it's well connected. The Tythe Barn dates from the 1700s and, as you can see from the pictures, is bloody gorgeous! The exposed brick, high ceilings, and beams give it oodles of character, and all the natural light is a photographer's dream!
The Tythe Barn has loads of outdoor space to enjoy - and lots of photo opportunities! You also have access to a smaller barn off the back of the main space, which has a comfy lounge in case you need some down-time (and I don't blame you - getting married is tiring!!).
So, is the Tythe Barn at Prison Mill the right size wedding venue for you? Well, it has space for up to 130 guests for a ceremony and wedding breakfast - and if you don't mind sticking some people up on the mezzanine you can push that to 150. It's pretty nice up there, so I'm sure your guests wouldn't mind - in fact, it feels a bit VIP having your own area! Otherwise, you could make it a haven for your littlest guests, with more relaed childrens' tables for the meal, and a play/chill-out area where they can let off steam or have a snooze.
You can learn more about Priston Mill on their website, and contact them at www.pristonmill.co.uk/contact-us/.
Pennard House, Somerset
I might be slightly pushing the boundaries of what can be considered a barn with this one, but I loved Pennard House so much that I had to include it! While you've also got a beautiful country house to enjoy, much of your wedding will take place in the gorgeous coach house! This converted coach/stable building dates from the 1700s and has loads of character and barn-like charm for your wedding breakfast and evening reception.
You can hold your wedding ceremony inside the main house, or outside in the beautiful gardens under a pergola, before heading across to the coach house for your wedding breakfast. Downstairs, you can party the night away in the former stables, where the stalls have been converted into super-cool and cosy seating areas!
Loving Pennard House and the fact that you get a beautiful country house with a rustic barn on top? Visit their website and contact them at info@pennardhouse.com.
The Victorian Barn, Dorset
I loved this gorgeous, light-filled venue when I visited it for the first time in 2023! You can find it between Sherborne and Blandford Forum in Dorset. One of the best things about it is that you and potentially all your guests (depending on numbers), can stay on-site in lovely cottages - with hot tubs! There's also an indoor swimming pool, a sauna, and a games room, so you and your loved ones can really make a weekend of it and stretch out the celebrations.
You can get married in the Osborne Hall, which radiates with natural light from the skylights, and has loads of room for everyone, as well as a gallery around the top for anyone who wants an aerial view of your nuptials and/or drunken shenanigans on the dance floor! Outside, there are acres of gardens to enjoy, with several different seating areas to relax in.
I really loved this place, so if you're looking for your perfect Dorset barn wedding venue, visit their website to find out more! You can contact them online at www.thevictorianbarn.co.uk/contact-us or email info@thevictorianbarn.co.uk.
Burley Manor, Hampshire
Well, what can I say about Burley Manor? Firstly, it's in the gorgeous New Forest, and the venue is pretty easy on the eyes too. Secondly, it was the scene of the funniest incident out of all of the 200+ weddings I've shot, as the planned 'romantic golden hour pictures near the deer' turned into being mobbed by the deer, who mauled the bride's bouquet and ate the groom's buttonhole!!!
Burley Manor has two lovely barns for your wedding, with space for up to 80 guests for your wedding breakfast, and 120 for the evening do. Both are full of natural light and plenty of character, and open onto a lawn and seating area.
A short hop away is the hotel, comprising of the main historic house and the garden wing, so there's loads of space for your guests to stay on-site! The rooms are lovely and spacious, and lots have private terraces where you can relax and enjoy the views of the red deer sanctuary.
If you think your wedding wouldn't be complete without stunning views and amusing animal encounteres, check out Burley Manor's website! You can contact them about your big day at weddings@newforesthotels.co.uk.
Ufton Court, Berkshire
Located handily near Reading Ufton Court is a beautiful 16th Century timer-framed tithe barn, perfect for your dream wedding in the Berkshire countryside. The white walls mean there's plenty of light to be had, and the barn is seriously roomy inside, giving you space for up to 150 guests!
Most ceremonies take place in the tithe barn, but if you want something a little smaller, Archer's Hall (just opposite the main barn) has space for up to 80, and if you number under 50 people, you can also get married in the manor house.
The grounds are extensive, giving you a large range of wedding photo spots, as well as places to hold your drinks reception - or just slip away to for a bit of a breather!
One thing unique about Ufton Court is that by holding your wedding here, you're helping fund the on-site charity, Ufton Adventure! All the profits from the weddings business are gifted to the charity, so while you're booking a stunning wedding venue, you're also giving a little back, which is a lovely extra bonus.
Loving the look of Ufton Court? Check out their website to learn more about what they offer, and contact them at www.uftonweddings.co.uk/get-in-touch or email weddings@uftoncourt.co.uk.
Cantley House Hotel and Barn, Berkshire
I've shot at Cantley House a couple of times, and it's such a lovely venue! You can find it near Wokingham in Berkshire, and it's the perfect spot for your wedding of up to 100 guests. With 38 bedrooms, there's plenty of room to stay on-site and enjoy the lovely grounds and fantastic food.
As well as the lovely 17th Century barn, which is really roomy and perfect for your wedding breakfast and evening reception, there are also a number of suites in the Victorian manor house you can use for your ceremony or drinks reception. Outside, there are huge gardens for enjoying your (hopefully sunny) wedding day, and taking loads of photos.
Is Cantley House Hotel and Barn doing it for you? Check out their website and get in touch with them at www.cantleyhotel.co.uk/contact-us.html.
Lillibrooke Manor and Barns, Berkshire
Berkshire is clearly full of beautiful barns, as you can find this gem of a venue near Maidenhead, a stone's throw from the M4 so very conveniently located (especially for me, as I live in west London not that far from the start of the motorway!). Lillibrooke has hands-down won the award for the best wedding meal I've ever been served as a photographer, as they presented me with a GIGANTIC chicken and leek pie, mashed potatoes, veg, and gravy, followed by a trio of heavenly desserts! I have since become gluten intolerant but remember it very fondly, and can testify that the food is amazing.
Now food aside - to the venue itself! Well, it's a stunner, to put it bluntly. The Small Barn (the one with the huge windows at one end) is ideal for your wedding ceremony with space for up to 130 guests, and is situated in the pretty Cloister Garden, which is great for a drinks reception, as well as being licenced for outdoor weddings.
The wood-framed Great Barn has room for up to 170 seated guests, so loads of room for your wedding breakfast and getting down on the dance floor in the evening. As well as the barns and gorgeous gardens, you can also make use of the Engine House (great for photo booths, a chill-out zone, or a drinks reception if it's raining); the beautiful 14th Century manor house which has the space to sleep 12; the light-filled Tack Barn to get ready in; and the cute Cottage Room.
Loving Lillibrooke as much as I did? Why not check out their website and see if it could be your dream wedding venue. You can get in touch at www.lillibrookemanor.co.uk/enquire/ or email info@lillibrookemanor.co.uk.
The Barn at Newton Park Farm, Buckinghamshire
Heading up to Buckinghamshire now, where you can find this lovely venue not far from Milton Keynes. Newton Park Farm is a great blank canvas wedding venue, with space in the Tythe Barn for up to 110 guests. Full of twinkly lights and wooden beams, it's a really romantic space for your wedding!
The venue has loads of lovely outdoor space for you to enjoy, as well as take your wedding photos. And if you fancy an al fresco wedding, you can hold your ceremony in the wedding hut down by the lake - which is also licensed for civil ceremonies! The venue is exclusive use and a great blank canvas for your wedding vision, and even has a few B&B rooms so you can stay on-site.
Learn more about The Barn at Newton Park Farm on their website, and contact them online at www.newtonparkbarn.co.uk/contact, or via email at ginny@newtonparkfarm.co.uk.
Millbridge Court, Surrey
We're going to the more modern end of barns now, with the beautiful, light-filled Millbridge Court in Surrey. The venue is a restored 19th Century house, with huge bright halls for your wedding ceremony and reception, contrasting with the cosy lounges at the front of the property, perfect for rainy-day drinks receptions and general relaxing.
Now, one of the things I was so looking forward to before I shot this wedding was checking out the stunning outdoors. But alas, it POURED the entire day, barring about five minutes at 9pm, when we grabbed a couple of quick outdoor shots in the courtyard. Nonetheless, what I could see through the cold, rain-misted windows looked gorgeous, and the photos others have taken on less rainy days back this up!
If you want to get married outside (and have the weather to do so!), you can tie the knot under the oak arbour, which is fully licensed for civil weddings, and very romantic. For getting ready, the Loft is a fab space, with five snazzy makeup stations, a private bathroom, and lots of space to chill out with your nearest and dearest. There's even a cute one-way window that looks down into one of the halls, so you can sneakily spy on your guests and/or your other half! And if you want to stay the night, there are eight double bedrooms just upstairs.
If you like the look of Millbridge Court, check out their website and drop them a line by hitting the get in touch button in the bottom right of the screen!
Brookfield Barn, West Sussex
One of my favourite venues of 2023 was Brookfield Barn, situated in the glorious Sussex countryside between Horsham, Crawley, and Hayward's Heath. This place is lovely, especially the pergola by the lake where you can get married outside if you're lucky enough to have the weather for it. And on super-sunny days, the pergola is also great for your group photos!
The main barn is a great space for your wedding breakfast and evening celebrations, and one end opens right up onto a balcony overlooking the lake, letting loads of light and fresh air in (especially welcome if you've been going nuts on the dance floor in mid-July!). Upstairs, there are 10 bedrooms to stay in, and a morning prep room with big skylights to ensure there is perfect lighting for your wedding makeup application.
The possibilities for your wedding photos are endless. You can take a joyride on a golf buggy up into the fields, where you can find a tree swing, a hidden treehouse, and a cute little bridge. And if riding in a golf buggy isn't your thing, there are lots of great spots nearer the venue as well.
And after ALL that excitement, there's an outdoor pizza oven to rustle up delicious, on-demand evening snacks. It's always hit and miss on whether I can eat any evening food at weddings as they tend towards the glutenous, but I was made a gluten-free pizza with chorizo and red peppers, and it was LUSH.
If you've fallen as in love with Brookfield as I have, learn more about them on their website! You can contact them at www.brookfieldbarn.co.uk/contact/, or email enquire@brookfieldbarn.co.uk. And if you do book your wedding there, please choose me as your photographer! I really want another pizza.
Pangdean Old Barn, West Sussex
Staying in Sussex, enter Pangdean Old Barn in the South Downs near Brighton. This barn wedding venue is really sizeable, with room for 190 seated reception guests; so if you're planning a larger celebration, this could be the one for you. Adjoining the Old Barn is The Stables, with space for a smaller ceremony or reception of up to 70 people - or to use as a chill-out zone/rainy weather reception drinks space.
If you want to get married outside, you can do so at the Mulberry Lodge, an oak gazebo in the orchard, which is built into a 500-year-old Mulberry Tree! But regardless of where you hold the ceremony, definitely make the most of the outdoor space throughout the day (weather permitting). The gardens are really stunning, and full of great photo opportunities, including a swing! You can also ask the owners for a jaunt up into the fields, which is the perfect spot for golden hour shots. We didn't quite get that when I was there, as it was virtually blowing a gale at the top of the hills, but the windy photos are so much fun nonetheless!
Loving the look of Pangdean Old Barn for your West Sussex wedding? You can learn more at their website, and contact them at www.pangdean.com/contact-us.
The Barns at Lodge Farm, Essex
Last, but certainly not least, we're heading east to The Barns at Lodge Farm, situated just outside of London, in the Essex countryside between Harlow and Epping. The venue is family-run and has six amazing spaces you can use for your wedding, including the vast Grain Store, with space for up to 250 guests! There's so much room in there, you can really make it your own, with plenty of space for tables, dance floors, photobooths, 20 huge wedding cakes (gluten-free, thanks), and probably a ferris wheel or two for good measure!
You can officially tie the knot in the more traditional timber-framed Victorian Granary barn, which has space for up to 160 and is such a beautiful space. At your disposal, you also have The Bar (a barn with a fab bar and lots of chill-out space), the huge courtyard, and The Old Workshop, which is ideal for getting ready on the morning of the wedding.
For wedding photos, there's loads of choice. Head out to the fields and their amazing views, pose in front of the striking silos, or just hang out in a barn with all the twinkly lights! To be honest, they're all great options.
If you'd like to find out more, visit the venue's website, and get in touch with them using their contact form at www.lodgefarmnazeing.co.uk/pages/contact-us, or via email at info@lodgefarmnazeing.co.uk.
Loving these wedding photos? Thanks, you're too kind! If you'd like to talk to me about being your photographer, or even just pick my brain about any of these venues, get in touch! Hit the button below to go to my contact page where you can ask any questions and request my brochure. Hope to hear from you soon!
P.S. If you want to see any more photos from these weddings, let me know in your message and I can direct you to the full galleries.
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