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About

On Hitched.co.uk since 2021

Last update: June 2026

Down a quiet country lane in Upchurch, Kent, you'll find The BarnYard.

A family-run wedding venue nestled at the bottom of a natural valley, surrounded by 150 acres of apple & pear orchards, and woodlands in every direction.

Named Kent's most enchanting wedding venue, The BarnYard has been shaped over the years by passionate founders Joanne and David - who, as the story goes, committed to transforming this forgotten corner of the Kent countryside mid-way through a haircut. From 15 weddings a year to over 250, the venue hasn't looked back since.

Every detail of your day is personally overseen by this close-knit family, alongside a dedicated team of wedding professionals and in-house chefs. Together, they work towards one goal: to give every couple a setting that feels like home for their special day.

The Arboretum
Full-Day Weddings

Unlike a traditional marquee that gets packed away between weddings, The Arboretum is a permanent structure. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows, a 6 metre bar, bi-folding doors that open straight onto the grounds, 360-degree orchard views, and a ceiling that nods to marquee heritage - just better.

It's the kind of setting that lets your ideas take centre stage, without making it hard to do so, seating up to 200 and welcomes 300 for the evening - so nobody gets left off the list.

Right outside, you have two ceremony spaces to choose from. The Lavender Walk Gazebo is a long, open aisle with the natural valley peeking above the fence and that particular fragrance in the air - the kind that finds its way back to you years later.

Then there's the Orchard Garden Gazebo, positioned behind the Arboretum, where the orchard views stop being a backdrop and become the whole picture. You're right in the heart of it.

We all know how unpredictable the British weather can be, so in the case of an overcast day or during the colder seasons, we're more than happy to move the ceremony indoors at no additional cost.

The Apple Barn
Twilight Weddings

Intimate, relaxed, rustic. If we had to sum up The Apple Barn in three words, those would be them.

Inside, exposed wooden beams hang with more fairylights than you can count, white-washed walls keep the space feeling open, and an aisle down the middle leads you straight to the moment. Designed for celebrations with a more exclusive guestlist, it seats up to 85 during the day, with room for 95 more come the evening.

Step outside and you'll find the Courtyard Gazebo - a wooden structure strung with festoon lights, set against red brick walls that feel like they've always been part of the landscape. A beautiful setting for outdoor ceremonies during golden hour.

Weddings in The Apple Barn start at 3pm, so there's no early morning alarm. From the ceremony, you move straight into drinks from the bar in the connecting Roost, then into your evening buffet and celebrations - a pared-back day that lets you actually enjoy it.

In-House Catering

Before becoming a wedding venue, The BarnYard started as a restaurant, so when it comes to your wedding menu, we care about getting it right!

Our culinary team is led by a very passionate Head Chef, John, who prepares everything steps away in our on-site restaurant, The Rooster. From canapés and a three-course wedding breakfast to BBQs and hot and cold evening buffets, we offer a range of options - you just take your pick. Our menus are a starting point, not a fixed list - if you have something in mind, we're open to collaborating until it feels like you both.

The Little Details
That makes the biggest difference

We offer two dressing suites on-site - no travelling between getting ready and getting married.

The Blossom has been designed to keep everyone comfortable during preparations. Two LED-lit dressing stations, plush sofas for those waiting their turn, a fridge to chill the bubbles, and a Nespresso machine for the ones who need coffee first. A breakfast platter can be arranged for delivery, too!

The Hyde Out takes a different approach - a sleek and sophisticated lounge with spacious seating, full-length mirrors, and a stocked fridge. Equipped with darts and card games to keep the pre-ceremony nerves at bay.

Full Transparency

Skip the spreadsheet budgeting chaos with our new Matchmaker tool. Designed to give you a full breakdown of your day, before you've even booked a visit.

Simply pop in your:

  • Preferred ceremony setting
  • Estimated guest count
  • Menu choices
  • Season & date
  • Any extras you love

And it'll instantly match you with a tailored package, complete with estimated price, day timeline, and full breakdown. Head over to our website to give it a go today.

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Frequently asked questions

Venue type:

In the country
Pub or restaurant
Marquees and tents
Barn
Outdoor license
Vineyard weddings
Unique weddings

Ceremony options:

Civil ceremony licence

Dining options:

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

Evening entertainment:

Marquee available
Dance floor
Entertainment licence
Live band facilities
Evening reception facilities
DJ facilities

Venue staff assistance:

Wedding coordinator

Other features:

Exclusive use
Accessible facilities
Car parking
Confetti permitted
Changing room for wedding guests
Pet-friendly
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Reviews for The BarnYard

Kate.brook24
Kate Sent on 12/08/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Wonderful, amazing

The Barnyard were amazing. They answered every question we had, made sure everything was sorted, even offered to help set items up for us, gave us constant reminders on the day for how long we had keeping us on time. Kirsty was outstanding and Tscharna was wonderful too always answering my emails. The food was delicious too!
We had the most incredible day and the team were just flawless. Thank you so much for the most incredible day!
Ania
Ania Sent on 25/06/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect venue

We had a Twilight wedding here in June at the Apple Barn. The barn itself is so beautiful with fairy lights throughout. The courtyard is great for photos and guests to mingle. Tscharna was our co-ordinator and she couldn’t have done more for us. She did her best to calm any nerves and kept everything running smoothly. All the staff were lovely and so helpful. We went for the evening BBQ option and had lots of guests praising their meal. Would definitely recommend The BarnYard
L
Lucy Sent on 08/05/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect Venue!

Booking The Barnyard was the best decision we made. It was absolutely perfect and all the guests shared how much they loved it and how beautiful it was too. The staff were amazing and so helpful and made sure we were looked after from the moment we booked until the end of the wedding day. Thank you!
Sally
Sally Sent on 09/10/2025
4.2 out of 5 rating

Don’t splurge on silly things

If you are like me and thinking how on earth can I have an amazing wedding on a budget, here are my top tips:
Only spend money on the bits that matter to you (a Photo Booth is fun but do you really need it?)
Go for a venue that already looks amazing (you won’t need to dress it up as much)
Twilight weddings for the win (skip the big 3 course meal, no having to arrange tables or by all the bits to go on a table)
Find a photographer who is flexible (if you’re like me and hate having your photo taken, find a photographer for the bits that you really want professionals for, then leave it to everyone else to capture the rest of the day, which they inevitably will! Google shared albums for the win)
T
Tracey Sent on 21/09/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Daughters wedding

Andy, Kirsty and the team made my daughters wedding go with out issue. Friendly , funny, helpful

They will lead your day so you don’t have to worry about timings etc .
Food is great, facilities are lovely the venue is unusual and quirky.
We all fell in love with the venue on first sight.
If you are looking for a quirky wedding space please consider, they do not offer silver service
It’s not that kind of place, rustic , outdoorsy and lots of Aplaca loitering about the place
Highly recommend 10/10 for everything
Corinne
Corinne Sent on 27/06/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Wedding venue of dreams!!

Fell in love with The Barnyard on our first viewing and knew it was 'The One'. We especially loved that the venue is dog friendly as having our Cocker Spaniel with us on our wedding was a non-negotiable.
We were shown around by the lovely Kirsty and she remained with us every step of the way from first viewing all the way up to and including our wedding day, a touch that was really very special.
Getting ready in the beautiful bridal dressing room was lovely, it is gorgeous! Our twilight wedding in the Apple Barn was honestly magical and we can't thank the team at The Barnyard enough.
M
Mick Sent on 10/04/2024
5 out of 5 rating

The most beautiful wedding venue

We had our twilight wedding at The Barnyard in the Apple Barn on 29/03/24 and honestly it was the most perfect day.
The venue is stunning it was exactly what we was looking for the rustic vibe of the barn and the idea of getting married later in the day with the twilight ceremony. The venue couldn’t of been any more perfect for us ❤️
The staff were amazing from start to finish so responsive to emails with any questions I had and constantly putting my mind at rest nothing was too much trouble ☺️

The day itself went absolutely perfect I felt so lucky, The staff know exactly what they are doing and their experience really showed and it helped in making our day so perfect.

I do have one suggestion for the venue and that would be to think about maybe trying to add another dressing room to the venue where the marquee wedding would be. That way each bride getting married that day has the option of using the dressing room all day.

Thank you The Barnyard for everything and making our day so wonderful ❤️
Hollie
Hollie Sent on 28/03/2024
5 out of 5 rating

Our dream wedding!

I cannot fault the BarnYard, their venue is the most beautiful set up ever & I can’t believe we were lucky enough to find it. The fairy lights are just magical and so romantic. The twilight schedule is so relaxed and all our guests said it was the perfect reflection of us, everyone had so much fun!
All The BarnYard staff are so hard working and genuinely looked after us & our guests all night, the service was amazing and nothing was too much trouble. Kirstie was fantastic at making sure the day ran smoothly and helping everything feel calm in amongst the craziness of getting ready. I felt incredible and that it was “my day”. It was truly the wedding of our dreams & I’d recommend it to anyone.
S
Symes Sent on 27/10/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Great venue!

The barnyard is used regularly by us for events, family weddings and dinners. Every time is faultless and the team always give 110%
K
Katie Sent on 13/07/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful venue.

We can't thank The Barnyard enough, everything went so smoothly on the day, there were no issues, staffall very friendly and accommodating. Just the most perfect venue! Everyone needs to get married here!
R
Vicky Sent on 02/01/2023
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful venue and incredible staff

We had the most beautiful day at the Barnyard for our October wedding. We have had nothing but compliments about how gorgeous the venue was and how smooth the day went. Kirstie bent over backwards to ensure we were completely happy from the prep leading up to the big day to the day itself. I couldn't have dreamt of a better venue!
Kate
Kate Sent on 28/12/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Gorgeous Wedding Setting!

We had our wedding at the BarnYard in September and it was the most magical day, the perfect venue and setting for what we were after. We had so many compliments from guests on the venue being stunning and glad we dragged them there. We did drag our guests a while but without a doubt was worth it for the beautiful Kent countryside, gorgeous outside ceremony area and idyllic orchards.

We had a BBQ for the main meal on our day, guests said the food was great!

Without a doubt, we could not have chosen a better venue for us. The size, versatility and beauty of the venue are all amazing and you just have to see it to know what I mean. I wouldn't hesitate recommending this venue to anyone if they are looking for a beautiful outdoor and indoor setting for their big day.
L
Lizzie Sent on 11/10/2021
2.4 out of 5 rating

Wedding reception at the Twilight Barn

We recently had our reception in the Twilight Barn.

Pros:
- the venue really is very beautiful, everyone commented on how stunning it looked
- it needs very little decoration which helps with budget
- food on the whole tasted good
- booking process was very easy and organised

Cons
- the service just was not good. On the night we had a different coordinator to the one we had booked/planned with. At no point did she introduce herself or speak to the bride and groom other than to ask me how much cake we wanted saving
- we said there were 100 guests expected - they put 1 person on the bar. Reports from guests were that this person was slow and a number commented on their rude/abrupt manner. It took 30 mins for one guest to get a coffee.
- other staff on the evening didn't seem bothered about being there.
- food although good wasn't a great variety and very expensive for what it was (in comparison, where we had our sit down wedding meal was only £5 more per head for a 3 course meal) We had BBQ option. I had to organise all the veggies/vegans being fed first, the staff didn't step in to help
- the barn is incredibly hot. It was a mild evening but inside was really hot. This wasn't major but maybe something they could consider
- just something small but when we collected our decorations the next day, our balloons had been left outside all tangled up, and we had to go and look for everything else ourselves. Nobody that was in the office came out even just to say hello and did you have a good night. This just added to our experience of people only really being there because they need to, not because they want to provide excellent weddings

Overall we had a great night due to our band and all of our guests. I didn't feel that the staff were interested in us or our evening and certainly didn't go the extra mile. For the money we paid, I did expect much more as it wasn't cheap. Friendly, helpful staff would have made this a completely different review. Still, it was a beautiful venue and with a few improvements could do some fantastic weddings.
S
Simon Sent on 15/10/2018
5 out of 5 rating

Our perfect wedding.

We spent ages deciding on our wedding venue before we found The Barnyard. We knew almost immediately it was the right venue for us. The setting is absolutely beautiful; surrounded by apple orchards, deep in the Kent countryside. The layout and organisation of the venue allowed for a flawless and seamless day. All our guests commented on how beautiful and well-run the venue is. It really was a perfect day and we are very grateful to Claire and the rest of the team for making sure the day was as magical as possible.
P
Peter Sent on 09/10/2018
5 out of 5 rating

Beautiful setting

We had a twilight wedding. We are a same sex couple and didn't want the traditional service which they were able to cater for. We also didn't want a massive wedding that why we chose the Barn. Everyone who attended said how lovely the venue was. The events team are all really lovely and helpful. Anyone in their team are ready to help. On The day the staff were friendly and helpful, one particular helped our boy who was feeling unwell. The venue looked amazing and decorated as requested and it didn't need too much anyway as it's so pretty. My friends all want to get married here now!
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The BarnYard Real Weddings

Kirstie & Elliot
295 photos · 11/10/2025
Lisa & Ashley
52 photos · 14/07/2025
Chris & Sarah
34 photos · 30/05/2025
Lauren & Alex
14 photos · 03/05/2025
Ambe & Terry
35 photos · 06/08/2024
Eloise & Dan
41 photos · 04/08/2024

Deals

Meet the team

Kirstie Hayward
Kirstie Hayward
Wedding and Events Assistant Manager

Meet Kirstie, Assistant Wedding & Events Manager at The BarnYard.
With a wealth of experience planning hundreds of events, Kirstie’s passion for the wedding and events industry continues to flourish.

Her vibrant personality and enthusiasm make her a joy to work with, while her keen understanding of couples’ desires ensures that every detail is thoughtfully considered. Kirstie excels at translating visions into reality, creating magical experiences that exceed expectations.

As she collaborates closely with our couples, her dedication shines through, making every celebration at The BarnYard truly unforgettable.

Tscharna Morgan
Tscharna Morgan
Wedding And Events Co-Ordinator

Meet Tscharna, our exceptional Wedding and Events Coordinator at The BarnYard.

With an incredible eye for detail and superb organisational skills, Tscharna ensures that every wedding and event runs flawlessly. Whether it’s planning behind the scenes or overseeing the day itself, her dedication leaves a lasting impression.

Couples and clients often rave about her in their reviews, praising the care and attention she brings to making their special day unforgettable.

Harry Jarvis
Harry Jarvis
Business Operations manager

Meet Harry, Business Operations Manager of The BarnYard. Since joining us earlier in 2024, Harry has been instrumental in overseeing both the venue and the restaurant.

His sharp eye for detail and tech-savviness ensure that not only is every event flawlessly executed, but that each meal served in our restaurant meets the highest standards.

With his exceptional organisational skills, Harry keeps the venue and team running like clockwork, making sure The BarnYard maintains its reputation for excellence across weddings, events, and dining experiences.

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Map

The BarnYard, Oak Ln, Upchurch, Sittingbourne ME9 7EZ Hartlip (Kent)
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