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Weddings

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On Hitched.co.uk since 2022

Last update: November 2024

If you're seeking a rustic wedding venue with a difference in Okehampton, Devon, then you need to look no further than The Ashridge Great Barn. Nestled in a picture-perfect valley between green pastures and woodland, this is a truly enchanting place to say 'I do'.

Facilities and Capacity

This airy building, with 500 years of history, is highly versatile. Whether you're looking to cover it in fairy lights, hang vintage bunting, or fill it with floral details, this space can be transformed into your dream wedding venue.

The barn can seat 140 and has a maximum capacity of 200, so grand wedding breakfasts and evening receptions are always an option here. Before or after the ceremony, you're also welcome to relax by the fire pit or chill out in the snug area. These are great spaces for guests to catch their breath during the celebrations.

The Ashridge Great Barn has gorgeous outdoor ceremony space in the gardens with the Magic Circle having a capacity for 120 and the Secret Glade nestled in woodland having space for 100 guests.

We have an onsite catering kitchen with a list of wedding suppliers at the staff's fingertips, allowing you to choose a tried and trusted supplier to suit your needs and tastes. We do not charge corkage here and Great Barn staff will also be on-hand to help with the planning and preparation. These event professionals will suggest how you can get the very best out of these magnificent spaces.

There is a cottage onsite that sleeps 6 an we also have camping/glamping field available for hire.

Services Offered

Every wedding at this venue is bespoke and exclusive. You will be given the use of the barn for three days. This means you can host a rehearsal dinner, prepare the space, and relax after your big day with no rush and no stress. If The Ashridge Great Barn sounds like the perfect wedding venue for you, contact the friendly team to book an appointment or simply to find out more.

  • Woman-owned
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Frequently asked questions

Venue type:

In the country
Historic
Woodland and festival
Barn
Outdoor license

Ceremony options:

Fire ceremony
Civil ceremony licence

Dining options:

Seated meal facilities
Corkage option
Private catering allowed
Alcohol licence
Buffet meal facilities

Evening entertainment:

Dance floor
Entertainment licence
Live band facilities
Evening reception facilities
DJ facilities
Outdoor fireworks permitted

Overnight accommodation:

Overnight accommodation for wedding couple
Overnight accommodation for guests

Venue staff assistance:

Master of ceremonies/toastmaster
Wedding coordinator

Venue leisure facilities:

Hairdresser

Other features:

Exclusive use
Accessible facilities
Car parking
Confetti permitted
Pet-friendly
Elephant baraat permitted
Horse baraat permitted
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Reviews for The Ashridge Great Barn

We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to make your big decisions easier.
5.0 out of 5 rating
5.0 out of 5 rating
12 reviews
100% recommend it
  • Quality of the service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Response time
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value for money
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    5 out of 5 rating
Emily
Emily S. Sent on 02/06/2024
5 out of 5 rating

The best wedding ever! (Totally unbiased review by the bride)

We had our wedding at Ashridge Great Barn and I could not recommend this venue enough. The whole experience has been absolutely wonderful. Cat, Lynda and the rest of the Ashridge staff were so kind and accommodating and were always on hand to help make our vision come to life. The barn is so magical and even without decor it is truly something special. The gardens and the magic circle, especially in spring, are phenomenal, bursting with colour and life. The whole property was the perfect canvas for our dream wedding and the Ashridge team did such an outstanding job of supporting us through the weekend. Having the camping on site was great as well and everyone really enjoyed being able to make a whole weekend out of it. I feel so lucky to have found such an amazing place to celebrate!
Rachael
Rachael W. Sent on 02/10/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Unique fairytale wedding of our dreams!

Ashridge was the first venue we looked at and knew we loved it from the beginning! The beauty of Ashridge is the ability to have a personalised touch, as there is max one wedding a week you have the time to fully decorate the venue to what you wish and with the pressure taken off. Less wedding also means Cat had the time to talk us through every aspect of the day as a wedding planner which was invaluable and added to our attachment to the venue by having a consistently friendly face to talk to.

The weather was not our friend on the day meaning we had to abandon the outdoor ceremony with an hour to go! The staff did an amazing job at being able to turn the venue around so quickly and it was beautiful!

The venue looked so magical with the fairy lights, it really was a magical wonderland hidden away in rural mid-Devon!
Felicity
Felicity Sent on 12/09/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Stunning venue and their amazing team made our wedding day phenomenal!

Our wedding at Ashridge Great Barn was an absolute dream come true, and we couldn't have asked for a more perfect venue. From start to finish, Cat, Lynda, and the entire team were our guiding stars.

Right from the early planning stages, Cat and Lynda were fantastic. They offered invaluable advice, pointed us in the right direction for suppliers, and helped us consider every detail to make our day truly special. Their expertise and dedication were apparent from day one.

The venue itself is simply stunning, the epitome of rustic charm and the perfect backdrop for a wedding. With the choice of two different outdoor ceremony areas and the beautiful barn, we were spoiled for choice. Despite some gale force winds from Storm Antoni, Cat and the team worked tirelessly to help us pull off the outdoor ceremony of our dreams. Their determination and flexibility truly saved the day.

Throughout the entire weekend, Cat worked behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly. Her dedication to making our day perfect was beyond anything we could have hoped for. We felt like we were in the hands of true professionals who cared about every detail.

In the end, we had the best wedding weekend imaginable, thanks in no small part to the incredible team at Ashridge Great Barn. We have nothing but gratitude and respect for Cat and her team for their unwavering support and hard work. If you're searching for a magical wedding venue with an exceptional team, look no further. Ashridge Great Barn is the place to make your dreams come true. Thank you, Cat, Lynda, and the team, for making our day absolutely unforgettable!
Samantha
Samantha B. Sent on 11/10/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Made our dreams come true

Cat and her team were incredible from start to finish. From the moment we had a tour of Ashridge farm, it felt like a second home! Cat made all my quirky ideas a reality and was so accommodating to the numerous date changes, the crazy amounts of emails and many visits with all our family and suppliers. Cat even allowed us to have our legal ceremony in the barn with 15 guests a year before our BIG day due to covid restrictions. I cannot recommend this venue enough, they have made all our dreams a reality and we are so lucky to have found them!
Z
Zoe M. Sent on 03/07/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Incredible

What can I say about this venue. They have been great we are so chilled as a couple and they reciprocated this too. Nothing is too much trouble and they are there for advice to talk to or bounce ideas off when your then fiance says yeah to everything. Cat and the team are worth every penny.
C
Charlotte D. Sent on 24/11/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Gorgeous venue, amazing team!

Ashridge Great Barn is an absolutely stunning wedding venue! Cat and her team were so supportive and professional throughout! They were always happy to run through questions, walk arounds with family, and we really valued Cat's expertise!
The whole day went so smoothly and we couldn't have done it without Cat!
The grounds and the barn are gorgeous (even in the rain) and it was so amazing to have access to the barn the day before and the day after the toe wedding! It took away so much of the potential stress and knowing Cat was on hand to help with anything was a huge relief!

She is so dedicated and goes above and beyond - and she knows the local area so well and was able to advise on local suppliers and accommodation!
M
Megan F. Sent on 12/08/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful, friendly, supportive DIY venue

We knew Ashridge Great Barn was the place for us as soon as we toured the grounds with Cat. We instantly connected with its rural and wild beauty and knew that Cat and team's easy-going nature would be exactly right for us. Some things that drew us towards Ashridge were: the fact that we could choose whichever suppliers we wanted and have our day exactly as we wanted it; the fact that Cat and team have an excellent 'black book' of trusted suppliers which can be used as a starting point in your search; a variety of possibilities for the marriage ceremony itself - we chose to be married at a local church, but there are loads of great options all over the grounds; the grounds: beautiful, varied, colourful and full of nature all year round; the amazing rustic barn which is just gorgeous and comforting even before you start decorating it; the fact that we were able to stay on-site for a couple of days before the wedding and really spend time making sure we were ready and prepared; and the relaxed atmosphere - after viewing lots of 'stiffer' venues, we really felt at home at Ashridge and able to begin to let our creative planning juices flow!

Our planning process was a little longer than most couples' (due to Covid) but despite this, communication with the wedding team at Ashridge stayed regular and always supportive and helpful.

In the few days we spent at Ashridge before, during and after the wedding, the team could not do enough for us. They worked so hard to make sure our visions were realised, and on the day of the wedding, we felt completely able to relax and enjoy it, as the Ashridge team kept an eye out for suppliers who were on their way and helped make sure the day ran as close to the schedule as weddings can.

In all, we had a dream wedding - We would do it all again, at Ashridge, in a heartbeat!
S
Samuel L. Sent on 03/08/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Wonderful wedding venue

After all of the Covid challenges we've just – finally! – had our wedding at Ashridge Court and it was truly wonderful. The main thing to say is that Cat is incredibly helpful, flexible, responsive and accommodating to help make sure you have the day you always wanted the way that you want it. For those looking for a DIY and rustic country wedding, the site is perfect to be able to let your imagination run and truly make the space and the day your own. And it's set in such a lovely and secluded part of Devon, you really feel transported away from it all into the countryside and that you are in your own private space. The glade is such a beautiful and intimate setting for a wedding, the gardens are a great drinks reception space, and then you have the HUGE barn that's ideal for a meal and a party. What's more you're less than an 1hr from Devon's lovely beaches if you want a bit of a relaxed day afterwards with guests. Would also recommend looking into Eggesford Barton as a great nearby accommodation option for guests (e.g. Bride & Groom's family, Bridesmaids and Groomsmen). We and our guests had an absolute blast and would definitely recommend it to anyone.
S
Sonia L. Sent on 27/06/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful and relaxed wedding venue

Ashridge have been so fantastic! We booked the venue in February last year and then had to ask them to rearrange the reception to next year, because of the pandemic. Instead we had a small ceremony outside in the garden. They were so understanding and helpful about rearranging, which really took the stress out of it. The ceremony in the garden was so lovely and it was such a beautiful setting. All of the photographs look fantastic, with the flowers and tall trees in the background. We did most of the arranging with Cat, who is the magic combination of relaxed and organised. When Cat went on maternity leave we dealt with Jo, who was also fantastic. We couldn’t think of a nicer place to get married, and can’t wait to have the big do next year in the barn.
Katherin
Katherin R. Sent on 02/02/2018
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful rustic barn

It was amazing to count on people like The Ashridge Great Barn team, they were very helpful and with professional staff that made everything easier for me and my husband, they also suggested me more things we could do or even places we could go with our guests. Apart from the fact that the view was unbelievably beautiful, we enjoyed the place and even our photographer and guests fell in love inmediately with the venue. Thank you very much from the bottom of our heart for making our special day even better.
S
Scott Sent on 21/11/2019
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing wedding venue!

Amazing wedding venue, stunning barn & grounds for a perfect day!

When we first visited Ashridge Barn we knew it was the wedding venue for us. Tea and cake on arrival, with a combination of relaxed atmosphere, stunning grounds and gardens (which we got to see in every season!) and the beautiful barn full of Devon charm. Simple enough for your own stamp but special enough not to need too much dressing to show it off. A huge plus was the ability for our guests to camp which kept the wonderful weekend going the following morning. All of our guests questioned where we found this little gem.
Finally, we can’t comment on the venue without mentioning Cat. When we first met she described her team as can do people, which isn’t strictly true, there are can do people, and then there is Cat!
From advising on table hire, short listing suppliers, providing foliage and last minute printing of forgotten readings. We even chose our rings based on her recommendation. Cat has the amazing gift of being 100% on hand whilst also being totally invisible. The smooth running of the entire day was down to her hard work and commitment to make it perfect for us. And for this we couldn’t thank her enough and will be forever grateful.
E
Ellie Sent on 22/01/2019
5 out of 5 rating

An Incredibly Special Place

If you are looking for a beautiful, rustic barn and gorgeous grounds with the freedom to do your day your way, Ashridge is the place for you. Aside from the stunning venue, Cat was amazing both in the lead-up to the day and the weekend itself; she was very helpful in suggesting suppliers but equally happy to listen to and support our ideas. We loved the fact that she was happy to have our dog there on the day and there were lots of gorgeous props for us to choose from to help with the decoration. Nothing was too much trouble and we can't thank her enough for making our wedding day truly the best day out of lives. Thank you!
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Hitched Wedding Awards 2022 Winner

The Ashridge Great Barn Real Weddings

Natasha & Connor
117 photos · 12/08/2023

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5.0 out of 5 rating , 20 reviews
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Ashridge Great Barn EX20 2DH Okehampton (Devon)
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