RUSTIC ROMANCE

www.finlaysimaging.co.uk Rustic romance

Tie the knot in a charming barn

MALT HOUSE BARN, SY4 3AP

07493 746 207 | www.malthousebarn.co.uk

Malt House Barn is a purpose-built converted barn set in beautifully landscaped gardens overlooking the Shropshire countryside. Offering views of the iconic Wrekin, the property has two tiers of perfectly manicured lawns, a sweeping path up to a arbour seat and a large wooden gazebo perfect for outdoor ceremonies.

The interior is an elegant and versatile space that’s wide and spacious, with ample room for a circular or trestle-style set up. There’s also on-site accommodation with disabled access, modern toilet facilities, a kitchen with catering fridges and a bar area.

CELEBRATE IN STYLE The Ceremony Room is light and spacious with large glass doors and windows that overlook the Shropshire countryside with room for 100 seated guests. Couples will love walking through the double-arched oak doors and taking in the wonderful sights.

Alternatively, the Outdoor Gazebo is a wooden structure set within the landscaped gardens that can accommodate 150 friends and family. Evening celebrations take place in the Reception Room with up to 150 loved ones. This large open plan area is equipped with a stage and stateof-the-art PA sound system and has a bar area that can be used with no corkage fees.

WE LOVE... Couples will receive two nights free accommodation in the bridal suite.

www.seanpaget.com and www.perfectlyuniqueoccasions.co.uk

BENNETTS WILLOW BARN, WR2 4BS

01905 590 016 | www.bennettswillowbarn.co.uk

Bennetts Willow Barn is situated on a working dairy farm and is surrounded by grazing fields, woodland and a charming lake. The property has plenty of places to take those all-important photographs, including flowers that bloom throughout the year, picturesque log walls, fairylights, willow trees and a firepit.

www.hayleymorrisphotography.co.uk

outside in the gardens, in the yurt marquee or the barn. The 20m long yurt marquee is a private, exclusive use space that’s adjacent to the gardens. It includes a firepit and outdoor space for garden games or even a bouncy castle and can seat up to 140 people or 150 without a seat each.

The barn is slightly smaller and can seat up to 100 guests at any one time, with a maximum capacity of 150 for the evening party.

WE LOVE... Bennetts Willow Barn offers a discount for hiring the barn or yurt marquee for a first-anniversary wedding celebration or engagement party and there is also on-site accommodation, perfect for extended celebrations.

www.damianburcher.com www.johastingsphotography.co.uk

REDHOUSE BARN, B60 4BG

07875 142 493 | www.redhousebarn.co.uk

The multi-award-winning Redhouse Barn is a hidden gem nestled in the Worcestershire countryside. Only a mile from the M5, the property has five acres of grounds, landscaped mature gardens, decking and a feature koi pond.

Beautifully designed and luxuriously decorated with both contemporary and traditional elements throughout, including slate, limestone and oak floors with full-height glass sliding doors to allow natural light to flood in. The layout of this exclusive-use venue is designed for a great flow throughout, linking the interior and gardens.

Guests will be wowed as they arrive through the gates and travel along the gravel drive to the front of these magnificent timber-framed and brick granary barns. An ancient ‘Jinny Ring’ apple press provides an impressive feature to welcome friends and family.

The wedding changing room was refurbished in 2018 and provides a stunning facility to start the preparations for the big day. Available from 7am, couples can enjoy breakfast prepared by the chef and his team, whilst the barns are set up by the Redhouse Barn team. There’s also a luxurious honeymoon suite available, with a glass balcony overlooking the gardens.

CELEBRATE IN STYLE For a wedding with up to 105 guests, the traditional Redbrick Barn is the perfect setting. Around 200-years-old it has two layout options available – traditional and central. The Redbrick Barn can also be used in the evening for a variety of activities, from a children’s creche to casino tables or Scalextric tracks.

The Timber Barn is ideal for nuptials of up to 160 loved ones, it’s flooded with natural light from full-height doors, with underfloor heating for those cooler months and many useful items included from colour co-ordinated linens to a professional lighting rig and light-up LED dancefloor.

For outdoor celebrations, the Oak Pergola on the rear lawn is the perfect spot, with a PA system and elegant Philippe Starck clear ghost chairs available.

Receptions take place in a range of areas within the barns from the Lounge Bar to the rear Courtyard Gardens, which have a new clear roof, is heated and has an open-sided marquee to keep off the worst of the weather.

The main gardens around the pond are also ideal to stroll around during reception drinks and canapés.

The Lounge Bar and Snug area provide a more relaxed, comfortable space and is ideally located for accessing all the gardens or main barn areas.

WE LOVE... The whole experience at Redhouse Barn is bespoke. Couples will have a personal consultation with the chef to design their food and drink menus, and enjoy a complimentary wine and cheese tasting event. As a special food experience event, the chef and his team will prepare the chosen wedding breakfast prior to the wedding (at a small subsidised cost) to give couples the opportunity to try their menu and make any changes required before the big day.

www.leeshawilliamsphoto.com

THE BARN AT DROVERS, HR3 6AG

07748 146 862 | www.droversrest.co.uk

The Barn At Drovers is a stunning 16th-century venue situated on a working organic farm. The farm’s food is sourced directly from the fields and foraged from the hedgerows and there are stunning courtyards and gardens with 150 acres for couples to explore. and wooden ladders suspended by steel beams, old potato box slats for the walls and plenty of straw bales. While the Industrial Chic Barn has wooden beams, a corrugated ceiling and wonderful old olive buckets as lighting suspended from the beams.

Al fresco celebrations are held in the field or charming woodland.

www.charlottemailphotography.co.uk

COTON HOUSE FARM WEDDING VENUE, WS14 9LQ

01543 432 429 | www.cotonhousefarm.com

Nestled in the picturesque village of Whittington in rural Staffordshire, the Coton House Farm Wedding Venue is a 16th-century farm that was used as a rest point for local beef farmers on their way to Lichfield. This traditional Yorkshire board clad building has large oak frames that blend into the rural setting. Inside is The Stables, a large preparation suite, with a comfy seating area, washroom facilities, dressing room and hair and make-up stations.

CELEBRATE IN STYLE The Oak Barn is a working barn conversion with high oak-vaulted ceilings draped in fairylights. There are neutral, light colours throughout with large glass front windows, lots of space, oak floors and hanging chandeliers. The Sty, a luxurious and well-stocked bar, adjoins the Oak Barn and is perfect for any occasion.

The Terrace, with seating and log burners, provides unobstructed views of the paddock, grounds and green fields.

Alternatively, the 17th-century Old Dairy Barn with oak frames, black sandstone flooring, cross back chairs, and illuminated chandeliers can be used. Boasting a private and quaint courtyard looking through the stable blocks, this space is perfect for holding guests before the ceremony. The venue is also licensed for ceremonies underneath the Oak Veranda.

WE LOVE... The happy couple will receive a free wine and food tasting before the wedding.

BLITHFIELD LAKESIDE BARNS, WS15 3NY

07508 194 992 | www.blithfieldlakesidebarns.co.uk

www.photographybysamanthalowe.co.uk

Accessible via a 1km long driveway, Blithfield Lakeside Barns is a working farm with plenty of privacy and luscious grounds. Overlooking the Blithfield Reservoir, the glass-fronted property has a large patio, wood cladding to the side of the barn and a large car park to the rear. whitewash walls, exposed beams and a neutral décor throughout, it can accommodate 180 seated guests, but there is also a marquee available for larger celebrations.

WE LOVE... Accommodation for 32 friends and family is included in the wedding packages, and couples will also receive exclusive use of the property between Friday and Monday.

Treetop ESCAPE

Melissa Cullen spends an idyllic night away at Will’s Treehouse at Winchcombe Farm

Having recently tied the knot, my hubby and I were eager to enjoy a relaxing minimoon together, so when the opportunity to visit Will’s Treehouse at Winchcombe Farm arrived, we jumped at the chance. An oasis of tranquillity, this five-star glamping retreat has six-holiday homes to choose from, including Warwickshire’s only treehouse. Designed with outdoor living in mind, the treehouse is nestled within four sycamore and ash threes – one of which is even growing through the kitchen! This remote retreat is easy to reach with main roads close by, and it’s only a 20-minute drive from Stratford-Upon-Avon town centre.

UP IN THE SKY I love exploring a new place, and when we arrived, I was instantly taken aback by how stunning this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty was. We parked our car around the back of the property and were delighted to meet the resident alpacas and ponies. After a somewhat extended meet-and-greet with our new neighbours, we headed inside to see what awaited us.

Prior to arrival, we’d researched this family-run retreat, but nothing prepared us for just how wonderful it would be. As we opened the door, we were greeted by a fully-equipped kitchen with a range of SMEG and Joseph Joseph accessories and a luxurious bathroom with a bathtub and toiletries. The interior perfectly combined contemporary design and home comforts, which made us feel instantly at ease. The large living space was complete with a 55-inch Smart TV and DVD player, a sofa which could be moved to reveal two bunk beds, a king-sized bed and beautiful views of the surrounding countryside. If that wasn’t enough, we were also treated to a goodie bag upon arrival, which included fresh apples and a delicious cake – yum!

REST AND RELAXATION Our favourite part of the accommodation was the outdoor area. The treehouse’s terrace includes a private hot tub (which I couldn’t wait to try), a hanging chair, a hammock, an outdoor shower, a barbecue and a pizza oven. As a self-proclaimed pizza connoisseur, I obviously wanted to try the pizza oven and it didn’t disappoint. It was easy to use, thanks to the online guide provided by the owners, and we were really pleased with the result. So much so, that I’ve begun hinting to my hubby to get me one for Christmas much to his dismay. Lounging in the hammock with a cup of tea and a slice of wood-fired pizza, I looked at the surrounding countryside and felt completely at peace. Situated on a private estate, it’s a tranquil space with the only sound coming from the surrounding wildlife.

STAR-CROSSED LOVE Each holiday home comes equipped with a personal telescope for stargazing. I’d never tried it before, and as my hubby is a space enthusiast, we couldn’t wait to try. Looking at the night’s sky, surrounded by the beautiful trees, was a wonderful moment that I’ll never forget.

After we’d had far too many cups of tea, enjoyed the luxurious outdoor shower (a must try if you’re staying at the property), cooked dinner and spent the afternoon relaxing in our fluffy robes, it was finally time to try the hob tub. It was very easy to use, and within seconds we were relaxing with a bottle of champagne looking up at the night’s sky. With such hectic lives, it was lovely to just sit and relax together.

After a few hours, we finally jumped into the super-comfy bed and fell asleep watching a film together – the perfect evening. We awoke after the best night’s sleep we’d had in a long time, feeling like royalty. We used the wonderful kitchen to make breakfast before visiting the alpacas and horses once again.

SO MANY CHOICES With six holiday homes to choose from, there really is something to suit everyone at Winchcombe Farm. Many of the properties have heated geodesic domes with king-sized circular beds, firepits for toasting marshmallows and there’s even a pond with resident ducks.

We loved that Winchcombe Farm works with other local businesses to offer add-on luxury extras, including concierge, pampering, gin delivery, floral decorations, wedding planning and a fine dining private chef service, so you can have the perfect stay without having to go anywhere. Whether you’re looking for a relaxing minimoon or a family getaway, each home has something special to offer.

We were really sad to be leaving after such a wonderful night away and are already planning to return next year!

SANDON HALL

Exclusive Country House Wedding Venue Staffordshire 01889 508004 info@sandon.co.uk