8 of the Best Pretty and Rustic Barn Wedding Venues in Essex
A blank canvas style space that also brings plenty of its own character and charm, barn wedding venues continue to be a really popular choice for many couples and for good reason. Often spacious in nature due to their previous uses as corn stores or farm sheds, they are ideal for medium to large weddings too.
Below we’ve listed 8 of our favourites nestled within the rolling hills of Essex to help spark some ideas.
A new wedding venue located in Thorpe-le-Soken, Villiers Barn is set within acres of beautiful gardens and tranquil lakes. A Grade II listed seven bay barn, it is rich in history and has been lovingly restored to combine both modern and traditional elements seamlessly. Their former coach house, located between the courtyard and the swimming pool, is a lovely getting ready suite for you to enjoy, before heading onto their ceremony space complete with large windows, white walls, light wood flooring and traditional ceiling beams.
Set within 325 acres of natural landscape, The Warren Estate is located on the outskirts of Danbury and is licensed for both indoor and outdoor weddings. A popular ceremony spot is their Oak Pavilion with limestone aisle, verdant lawns and blossoming flower beds. For the reception, enjoy the grand Rose Barn, with towering vaulted ceilings, French doors, oak staircase and galleried landing for the wedding breakfast. The venue can host up to 120 guests seated for ceremony and breakfast, and 250 guests for the evening.
An award-winning, exclusive hire wedding venue, Crondon Park features 17th century architecture and a Jacobean barn and is set within the peaceful Stock Valley. At the centre of the venue you’ll find the Baronial Suite filled with charm and character, with the Ryder Room as their designated civil ceremony space. For outdoor weddings, they have lovely amphitheatre style seating and a floral canopy to get married under. The venue also has lots of accommodation available on site too.
4. Smeetham Hall Barn
Located on the Essex/Suffolk borders, Smeetham Hall Barn is a historic wedding venue with a modern twist, combining both classic and contemporary design in one space, whilst retaining the venue’s old world details. Surrounded by Belchamp countryside, the venue can host up to 150 guests and has a silk lined marquee that can be attached the barn in cases of bad weather.
5. The Essex Barn at the White Hart
Surrounded by countryside in Great Yeldham, this exclusive use barn has had a stylish renovation, whilst retaining all the traditional features. The whole barn and gardens will be yours for the day, with the venue including a get ready room and overnight accommodation for you and your wedding party. They offer both traditional and twilight packages, depending on the style of wedding that you’re after.
Surrounded by six acres of landscaped grounds, rolling meadows and flowering gardens, this award-winning wedding venue in Althorne will be exclusively yours for the day. Celebrate your ceremony in the barn which dates back to 1750 with up to 120 of your guests or outside underneath the thatched gazebo, nearby the heart shaped lake and Monet-esque pond and vineyard. Follow this up with a wedding breakfast and reception in the marquee, and then nurse any sore heads the next morning beside the venue’s very own pool!
Approached via a beautiful tree lined driveway, The Reid Rooms near Great Dunmow consists of a range of converted barns around a central courtyard. For the ceremony, choose from their indoor Ceremony Room within one of the barns or for an outside wedding, the Meadow Pavilion and Garden are all licensed for ceremonies. The venue can host up to 150 guests and will be exclusively yours, with the ability to choose all your own suppliers and caterers and they charge no corkage too.
Set across two 17th century Essex barns, Blake Hall Weddings in Ongar is traditional in style with updated modern amenities. The ceremony and reception can either be held in the lovingly resorted Hay Barn or outside under the canopy of the Old Saddlery. The venue is surrounded by vibrant gardens and woodlands and can host up to 150 of your guests, along with sleeping up to 6 guests in the Old Coach House.