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About

On Hitched.co.uk since 2021

Last update: November 2025

The Barn at Drovers is a 16th-century organic farm in Hay On Wye, Powys, providing to-be-weds with a non-traditional, unique wedding venue off the beaten track. Tucked away at the foothills of the Black Mountains, this dog-friendly setting invites nature lovers to reconnect with the earth and its sustaining wilds. Amidst 200-acres of woodland and meadows, you can say goodbye to white linens and round tables and embrace a formal or informal celebration with play at its centre.

Facilities and Capacity

Situated on the Welsh, English border, The Barn at Drovers is an authentically rustic place buzzing with energy and ideas. The venue offers exclusive hire for a three-day retreat where guests can roam freely on 200 acres of farm, field, and forest. Two distinctive barns provide idyllic spaces for the ceremony and reception, alongside a rich selection of outdoor settings, including woodland. Recently renovated to a stylish degree, the award-winning stone threshing barn offers upscale interiors ideal for chic bohemian weddings. For more rugged, pared-back affairs, the rustic outdoor agricultural barn is just the place. Each space holds a capacity of between up to 120 guests. After the wedding ceremony is complete, guests can toast the nuptials with cocktails and local drinks in the cool courtyard complete with festoon lighting and industrial bar. Next, it's on to the wedding feast with organic produce cooked outdoors over open fires. Throughout the evening, family and friends can soak in the atmosphere, toasting marshmallows next to the fire pits. At the end of the night, you and your guests can retire to the beautifully restored old stone cottages, or super posh Safari tent with accommodation for 36. For larger weddings, you can add a festival feel with a pop-up bell tent village for additional guests in the summer.

Services Offered

The Barn at Drovers is known for its outdoor cooking and sustainable approach to food. The culinary team is highly passionate about growing food with best practices, meaning that all ingredients are seasonal and sourced from the farm or other local suppliers. As part of their effort to minimise their environmental footprint, they aim to limit food miles and waste for the ultimate green wedding feast. Some of the dining options include a three-course menu inspired by the season and served in your choice of setting. A dedicated gin bar and mixologist is also available to complement the evening with signature drinks and any requested beverage selections. To ensure the venue meets your desired vision, an array of decor items will be available such as vintage crates, sofas, straw bales, crockery, and more.

  • Asian-owned
  • Woman-owned
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Frequently asked questions

Venue type:

In the country
Unusual weddings
Asian wedding
Historic
Marquees and tents
Woodland and festival
Barn
Outdoor license
Tipis and yurts
Unique weddings

Ceremony options:

Fire ceremony
Civil ceremony licence

Dining options:

Seated meal facilities
Alcohol licence
Buffet meal facilities
In-house catering

Evening entertainment:

Entertainment licence
Live band facilities
Evening reception facilities
DJ facilities

Overnight accommodation:

Overnight accommodation for wedding couple
Overnight accommodation for guests

Venue staff assistance:

Wedding coordinator

Other features:

Exclusive use
Accessible facilities
Car parking
Helipad
Confetti permitted
Changing room for wedding guests
Pet-friendly
Elephant baraat permitted
Horse baraat permitted
illustration notebook

Do you have any questions?

Reviews for The Barn at Drovers

E
Ellie Sent on 21/08/2025
5 out of 5 rating

The most perfect wedding for the most perfect day 🤍

My partner & I got married at Drovers Rest in June this year, and it was an absolute dream come true! We knew from the moment we pulled in to the car park for our first visit that it would be the one after seeing its rustic charm, animals grazing and stunning grounds. After speaking to Kesri and the team this was solidified and no other venue came close - dog friendly, AMAZING food, alpacas & gorgeous accomodation- what more could you want?! We’re so glad that we went ahead with that decision, and chose Drovers to be the place we celebrated one of the most special days of our lives. Kesri and Lola were always just a message away when we had 100 questions during the build up, and they did all they could to help us get everything just the way we wanted. The team are so flexible with your choices and wishes, they did their best to accommodate to every wish or idea we had and wanted to get on board. The team were incredible the whole weekend too- from Paul picking me and my bridesmaids up in his van from Drovers Cottage in the pouring down rain to take me to the ceremony, all the way through to the chefs saving us the canapés we missed whilst having photos taken, and Kesri making bouquets out of the left over flowers we had to give to friends and family. There’s not a single guest who hasn’t commented on how incredible they all were, they made us all feel welcomed and like a part of their family. Our parents are especially impressed and grateful for all their efforts and kindness 🤍

The food was amazing, and again, praised by everyone. We had a breakfast together the next morning for all guests who stayed on site, all freshly cooked on the fires outside which was such a special and unique touch to end the experience with our closest friends and family.

All in all, it’s a truly wonderful and unforgettable place, with a team that go above and beyond for you, your family & your friends. Honestly, thank you so much for everything, you are the most kind-hearted and welcoming family, you’ve given us a day we will never forget, perfect from start to finish, and we would love nothing more than to do it all over again. But nevertheless, we will be back for a good camping holiday around the fires with the alpacas next summer ❤️
Matthew
Matthew Sent on 02/09/2025
5 out of 5 rating

A Perfect August Weekend

I was lucky enough to get married at Drovers Rest in August. What can I say... I fell in love with the farm, the family, the staff, the animals... The specifics on food and the accommodation etc are very easy to describe, but what is difficult to explain is how I feel about the family and the venue now. It almost feels like another home, and I am really looking forward to going back soon. For one short weekend we really felt like we were part of the family. Kesri and Paul made it so clear from the start that they would try and make whatever idea we had to come true. Luckily for them, we are pretty laid back people. The biggest and most important thing for us was that we, and our friends, felt comfortable and could enjoy the weekend as much as we possibly could. And they fulfilled that in every sense. Before the wedding, Lola and Kesri were really good with quotes, ideas, help, talking us through things and making sure we were really happy with everything. We also headed up to the venue for an open day and tried the INCREDIBLE food and had a good look around the cottages and the options for the ceremony. Paul showed us around and we had a really good laugh with him about ideas and what other people have done on site. We opted to have our ceremony in the woods, and it was truly beautiful. The sun came through the leaves and branches, and it is so quiet and peaceful. Then the drinks reception afterwards was a lot of fun. The bar is great, and all the team seem to get involved in making sure drinks are flowing. We had games and music and it felt really great in the shade of the sun. Then the team start to cook the food... in the courtyard with you. And people LOVE being able to see it being cooked in front of them. Service was great throughout the meal, and then we partied the night away... And I'm really glad to say that we got to party with the team. Marta (we love you!) and her daughter were dancing with us, Kesri and Paul joined us for toasts, and their children had a great laugh with us making cocktails and serving shots at the bar. And then we got to do it all again on the Sunday! I'll end by saying that it was genuinely getting a little awkward with the amount of our guests telling us how amazing everything was. This was no grand "pimp my wedding" style affair, but it was heartfelt, and done exceptionally well, and the two things that really made it were the amazing food and the incredible team. Everyone loved all the staff and the family, and every plate of food that was served was met with absolute joy, and whilst we (I) was happy to take a lot of the credit from our guests for a great wedding weekend, really it was down to Drovers to understand what we wanted, understand that (I think) we're on the same page in many ways, to deliver incredible food and drink, but mainly to just be themselves and to welcome us into their home for the weekend. KEsri, Paul, Family and Team. Thank you.
B
Bethany Sent on 27/08/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Our August Wedding!

We got married at The Barn at Drovers earlier this month and we couldn't have picked a better venue. Kesri, Lola and all of the team did an absolutely fantastic job and we're really personable, we felt like they were our friends by the end of the weekend. We booked the venue 18 months in advance and Kesri was so patient showing us around, particularly as we had our two small children with us. The venue is beautiful, with various different spaces to hold your ceremony to suit your style. Kesri and the team were open to all our ideas and all our questions leading up to the day were answered quickly.

We will definitely be booking a trip to stay on the farm again!!
A
Alexander Sent on 26/08/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Bank holiday wedding!festival!party!feast! 😍

After viewing what felt like a hundred wedding venues, we were so happy when we came across Drovers Rest. If we could sum up our personalities within a venue - this was - the one!
12 months later and the team at Drovers absolutely smashed it, and gave us the best weekend of our lives and the perfect wedding which we’ll remember forever! Festival vibes, a fire cooked feast, a woodland ceremony and a party that lasted from Friday - Sunday ( quite literally ) - the onsite accommodation was perfect for all, and the relaxed atmosphere really took the stress away from everyone ( mainly me :) ) - Thankyou to the best team, who went far beyond what we ever expected. We can’t wait to visit you all again in the future for more great memories ( and food :) )! Much love guys! From Alex, Abi and all our guests!
Abigail
Abigail Sent on 26/08/2025
5 out of 5 rating

The best weekend of our lives!

The best weekend of our lives!

Drovers Rest is a unique and amazing venue! It's beautiful and relaxed atmosphere is unmatched. From it's beautiful woodland to the rustic barns, with wild horses roaming the fields and alpacas and goats to feed.

We viewed over 10 venues across the whole UK and nothing compared to this venue!

The team were amazing from start to finish and couldn't do more for us! They made us and our guests feel so welcome and special.

Our guests commented on how lovely and amazing the team at Drovers all were and how they had the best time at the best venue they've ever seen.

The love and dedication of the team really makes this place special!

We can't wait to come back already! We're ready for a winter feast stay!


Natalie
Natalie Sent on 11/08/2025
5 out of 5 rating

If you're dreaming of a picture-perfect, magical wedding venue, look no further than Drovers Rest.

We discovered this hidden gem entirely by chance, while searching (last-minute!) for accommodation for a friend’s wedding in Hay-on-Wye. At the time, we weren’t even engaged – but the moment we arrived, something clicked. The setting was so breathtaking, so full of charm and peace, that we found ourselves imagining our own wedding there. Within a week of visiting, we’d booked it. A year later, we celebrated the most unforgettable day of our lives.

From the moment we turned down the driveway at Drovers Rest, we knew we’d found somewhere truly special. The rustic barns, rolling green hills, and sweeping countryside views felt like stepping into a storybook. As soon as we stepped out of the car and breathed in the fresh air, everything slowed down. Even our guests commented that it felt like we’d all escaped on a countryside retreat together.

The day itself was nothing short of magical. Food was cooked over open fires right in front of us – a beautiful, theatrical experience that made each meal even more special. Every dish was generous, full of flavour, and stunningly presented. And the cheesecake… it honestly deserves its own mention – rich, creamy, and so good that no one stopped at just one slice.

What truly set Drovers Rest apart, though, was the team. They weren’t just staff – they felt like part of our celebration. Warm, welcoming, and effortlessly attentive, they made sure everything ran smoothly while also taking the time to connect with our guests, making everyone feel genuinely at home.

As the sun set and we looked around at our loved ones laughing, eating, and celebrating together, we knew this was the perfect place for our wedding. The only downside? How fast the day flew by.

For such an extraordinary experience, the cost was incredibly reasonable – and we’re already planning a return visit for one of their special event weekends.

Drovers Rest didn’t just give us a wedding venue. They gave us a place we’ll carry in our hearts forever.

Natalie - The Bride
H
Hannah Sent on 07/08/2025
5 out of 5 rating

The best!!

If you’re considering having your wedding at Drovers - do it! We first went to view the venue 18 months before we got married and the magic of Drovers shone through immediately, despite it being a dreary January day. We chose Drovers as our venue without going to see anywhere else. Having had our wedding there last weekend, it was 100% the right decision. From start to finish, we couldn’t have asked for any more. The venue itself is amazing - the setting, the accommodation, the views, the barns, the animals! The food was something which drew us towards Drovers initially and it did not disappoint. Everything from the chilli on the Friday night, to the breakfast hampers, the wedding day feast and the Sunday brunch was just incredible. Seeing it come together right in front of our eyes was a highlight for everyone. If all of the above isn’t enough, the thing that stood out most to us about Drovers is the people - everyone who works there is kind, relaxed, cheerful and fun. So many guests commented on the team - on how close-knit they are and on what a wonderful atmosphere this creates. There is a sense of calm at Drovers, which I can only imagine is quite rare to find in the wedding industry, and it is absolutely priceless. We cannot thank Drovers enough for giving us a wedding weekend that exceeded all of our expectations and we would wholeheartedly recommend them.
Tom
Tom Sent on 07/08/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Unforgettable venue!

Drovers Rest have been so helpful and accommodating since day 1. What makes this such a great venue is that there is so much under one roof. You have your aisle (which can be anywhere on the property - we chose the orchard which looked incredible), the accommodation, the reception, the food AND the drinks in one convenient package. The value is unparalleled - we could not find anything close to the quality for the price in the area. The posh barn was perfect for the meal and the old barn gave us an absolute banger of a party, all the while people were socialising and relaxing in the courtyard. It was such a magical experience. Really grateful we found these guys. The team there will take you through everything step by step, and you really feel invested in. Can’t recommend enough! Tom
L
Leigh Sent on 29/07/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Woodland Wedding

My wife and I got married at Drover's Rest last week and it was everything that we hoped for. Kesri and her team were on top of everything throughout the day, the vegetarian feast was absolutely delicious and the day ran very smoothly. Drover's Rest provided the perfect setting for our woodland wedding, and feeding the alpacas was an added bonus! We are very grateful to all at Drover's Rest for giving us the perfect day!
R
Rhys Sent on 24/07/2025
5 out of 5 rating

A spectacular venue and an incredible team!

We couldn't have asked for a more beautiful venue or a more supportive team. Drovers is a stunning, peaceful setting that made our wedding feel like a dream.

A huge thank you to Kesri and the entire team – your care, attention to detail, and calm professionalism made everything run so smoothly. From the picturesque ceremony space to the cosy accommodation and incredible food, every part of the day was perfect.

We’re so grateful for the unforgettable memories. Highly recommended!
Jack
Jack Sent on 24/06/2025
5 out of 5 rating

A Dream Wedding at The Barn at Drovers

A Dream Wedding at The Barn at Drovers

We couldn’t have asked for a more magical venue than The Barn at Drovers for our wedding day. From the moment we arrived, we were blown away by the stunning setting, the rustic charm of the barn, and the peaceful beauty of the surrounding countryside.

What truly made our experience exceptional, though, was the incredible team behind it all. Kesri, was a calming and reassuring presence throughout the planning process—always available, always kind, and full of helpful advice. Lola, was an absolute star. Her attention to detail, creativity, and dedication ensured everything ran smoothly and looked beautiful. Both made us feel completely at ease, and nothing was ever too much trouble.

The staff on the day were equally amazing—friendly, professional, and genuinely invested in making our celebration special. Every guest commented on how well looked after they felt.

We are so grateful to everyone at The Barn at Drovers for helping us create memories that will last a lifetime. If you're looking for a venue that combines natural beauty with heartfelt hospitality, this is the place!
R
Ruth Sent on 01/10/2024
5 out of 5 rating

The amazing Drovers Rest! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Drovers Review
From the moment we first visited Drovers Rest we knew we’d found our place - the setup is not only beautiful and natural but calm and welcoming and nothing felt like it would be too much trouble.
Kesri, Paul and the team were absolutely fantastic throughout and are so grateful to them.
When the day itself came round everything was well-organised and Paul, Kesri and their whole team made it smooth from start to finish. They made anything we needed happen with no stress and took care of all the little things without us even noticing! They were always around if we needed anything and we owe them thanks for some wonderful photos and reels!
It is rare to go to a wedding where guests are raving about the food but that’s exactly what you’ll get at Drovers! No words to describe that food!
It is a really special place where the team will work with you to create your day just as you imagined it.
The stunning surroundings and host of animals make sure you will also get some truly incredible photos. We also loved that all of our close friends and family could stay on site making it feel like a weekend long celebration.
As long as you don’t mind the odd 4-legged friend making an appearance in the proceedings, you won’t find anywhere better.
Thank you again Kesri, Paul and your entire wonderful team!
Ruth & George Yallop
R
Ruth Sent on 25/09/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Brilliant food, lovely setting

We chose The Barn at Drovers for our wedding in July and had such a fantastic weekend!
Kesri, Paul, Marta and the team couldn’t do enough for us in the lead up and on the day to give us an unforgettable celebration.
The food across the whole weekend was delicious - several guests said it was the best wedding food they’d ever had! A highlight for me was the bespoke passionfruit and coconut pavlova they made bespoke for us - I will dream about this for a long time, absolute perfection! And they took special care to ensure allergies and dietaries were catered for so everyone could enjoy all the food.
The venue itself is just gorgeous. It made such a difference to us to be able to have the space to enjoy for the whole weekend. We arrived the day before the wedding and it was so lovely to be able to prep in advance and then spend longer with everyone who had travelled in. The cottages were brilliant for our immediate family to stay in, and lots more guests stayed in the very comfortable safari and bell tents.
Our initial hope was to get married in the orchard. This wasn’t something Drovers had done before this year but they were only too happy to try out new things to give us the best day possible. It rained on the Saturday so we moved the ceremony indoors - but the ceremony barn is stunning so we were very happy with this, it’s a beautiful space that Paul and the team decorated with ceiling drapes for us, it felt so welcoming. We had a lovely ceremony and Kesri was so helpful working out the logistics and technology.
Afterwards, the undercover area in the courtyard kept everyone dry while maintaining the spacious feel of outdoors while everyone enjoyed their cocktails and canapes. The reception barn comfortably fit our 100 guests in and looked so special with its modern feel and rustic features.
The team made everything feel smooth, despite the masses of work they were doing at every turn behind the scenes. They put you at ease and really care about giving you the best experience. We had a fantastic wedding - thank you Drovers!
Michelle
Michelle Sent on 25/09/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Didn't blink at anything!!

I don't have enough praising words for Drovers and it's Team! Not only is it a beautiful and versatile venue, the team were so hardworking in less than ideal conditions!
We threw everything at them, a nerf war, horses, over 100 guests, and then there was a spout of biblical rain to add to that! They took everything in their stride, let us make the day our own and provided the most mouth wateringly fabulous food we have tasted.... so much so that our guests are still telling us they are dreaming about the lamb!!
We couldn't recommend this venue enough, and can't thank them enough for making all our dreams come to fruition! Michelle and Andy X
Jade
Jade Sent on 24/09/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Best Team Ever

We had the most fantastic wedding with Kesri, Paul and everyone at Drovers. We honestly couldn’t have wished for better. We were well looked after from start to finish, and I feel as if the whole team have become lifelong friends through the wedding planning journey. Our queries were always answered promptly, and absolutely everything they promised materialised. The support we had throughout the whole process was second to none. The venue looked absolutely beautiful on the day, the staff were kind, courteous and very happy in their work. The food was amazing. If we could live this day over and over we would. In terms of the venue and team, there is absolutely nothing we would change.
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The Barn at Drovers Real Weddings

Leigh & Tom
51 photos · 22/07/2025
Sophie & Tom
7 photos · 03/08/2024

Meet the team

Kesri Smolas
Kesri Smolas
Manager and Owner

Welcome to our rustic 40 acre farm etstate venue. Hidden in the hills of hay on wye. Myself and my parner Paul left the corporate 9-5 to escape to the country and begin our dream!

Paul Smolas
Paul Smolas
Owner & Farm manager

Hi there,

Im Paul and myself, my wife and our kids moved away from city life to start up our very own business in the quiet countryide of Herefordshire.

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