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Weddings

About

On Hitched.co.uk since 2022

Last update: May 2026

Villiers Barn is a picturesque Wedding Venue located in Thorpe-le-Soken, Essex. The barn is set in an idyllic location, with acres of beautiful gardens, tranquil lakes, and incredible countryside views, making it perfect for a rural wedding.

Facilities and Capacity

The Grade II listed seven-bay barn is rich in history and has been beautifully restored, combining traditional features and modern style.
The former coach house has been transformed into a gorgeous get-ready suite, and it's situated between the courtyard and swimming pool. At Villiers Barn, ceremonies will take place in the property's designated indoor ceremony space. The room features large windows, white walls, light wood flooring, and ceiling beams, creating a light and airy event space. Receptions are held in the main barn venue with wooden structures, ornate chandeliers, and large glass sliding double doors. If you're looking to have the fairytale-inspired wedding you've always envisioned, this venue is for you!

Services Offered

The experienced team is passionate about their work and is committed to ensuring you have the happiest day, tailored to you as a couple and full of personal touches. Villers Barn offers bespoke packages to meet all your requirements. The in-house catering team is a family-owned business that comes with 25 years of experience managing hundreds of weddings a year. They will ensure the smooth running of your day, providing a combination of top-class food and service. What's more, the venue is just four minutes from the award-winning Lifehouse Spa & Hotel. They have 89 bedrooms and will provide a discounted rate for any guests attending a wedding at Villiers Barn.

Awards

We are very proud to have won numerous wedding awards since opening in the last 5 years, which is a credit to the hard work and passion our team put into every wedding, making each couple's wedding vision become a reality!

  • Hitched Wedding Awards 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025 & 2026
  • The Wedding Industry Awards : Regionally Highly Commended Barn Venue of the Year 2022
  • The Wedding Industry Awards : Regionally Highly Commended Barn Venue of the Year 2023
  • The Wedding Industry Awards : Regionally Highly Commended Best Newcomer 2023
  • The Wedding Industry Awards : Regionally Highly Commended Barn Venue of the Year 2025

Frequently asked questions

Venue type:

In the country
Historic
Barn
Outdoor license

Ceremony options:

Civil ceremony licence

Dining options:

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

Evening entertainment:

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

Overnight accommodation:

Overnight accommodation for wedding couple

Venue staff assistance:

Wedding coordinator

Venue leisure facilities:

Swimming pool

Other features:

Exclusive use
Accessible facilities
Car parking
Confetti permitted
Pet-friendly
illustration notebook

Do you have any questions?

Reviews for Villiers Barn

James
James Sent on 13/09/2025
5 out of 5 rating

The Exceptional Villiers Barn!

This venue really is exceptional as the title suggests.

Having been engaged for over 10 years and been to many weddings ourselves, my new wife and I decided it was time we tied the knot and it all started when my now wife worked at the venue on behalf of another bride, telling me “You’ve got to see this venue”. We booked a viewing and a week later we had secured our date. Villiers barn was the only venue we viewed and we instantly knew this was going to be ‘our’ wedding venue.

The Day family are such a wonderful and beautiful team, with Jonathan being the face of the operation, do not underestimate the attention to detail and how kind caring his sister and parents are… Juliette is a real diamond of a mum and an integral part of the business and really makes you feel part of the ‘Villiers family’ whenever you see her.

We booked two years in advance and Jonathan was there with us every step of the way. Nothing was ever too much to ask and he was always so understanding and professional with his advice and help. We had his telephone number and email address and asked many questions, that were always answered promptly and professionally.

As for the wedding day itself… WOW! We were simply blown away and made to feel like royalty. Jonathan and the staff at the venue were exceptional throughout.

The bridal preparation room and venue was available from 8:30am to begin getting ready and dressing the tables leaving plenty of time to make sure everything was perfectly put together. There’s plenty of room in the bridal preparation room and even with most of my wives family and friends in there it never felt a squeeze.

Jonathan acted as our host for the day and he often checked in on us, made sure we were well stocked with food and drink, even giving us our own waiter during the drinks reception with our own grazing board of canapés. We honestly never had to ask for anything, as he was on top of every single thing you could think of.

Despite the hot weather, the ceremony room was cool and airy and didn’t feel cramped or like there was too much empty space in the room. We had a singer rather than music and she was able to be in a place where her voice could be heard by all, but not in the way of the photographer.

The music playing throughout the venue on the speakers was always at the right volume and was far more than adequate for the space.

The food was outstanding! From the canapés, to the BBQ main meal, which was cooked using top quality, locally sourced, fresh meats, to the evening food that was served, was beautifully prepared and perfectly cooked. The BBQ did not leave me feeling hugely stuffed or bloated, but left us and our guests completely satisfied afterwards. The desert (brownie and ice cream) was to die for!

As for the evening, it got pretty lively and this was never an issue for Jonathan and the Villiers team. The bar was never overrun, nor overly expensive and the rarely seen NOAM beers were a beer that was popular and enjoyed by many and again, the food, which was the mixed baps and cheese on toast, was delicious and served precisely on time!

We also stayed in the lake lodge on the night of the wedding and what a beautiful setting this is to see in your first night as a married couple. The lodge is warm & cozy and fairly sound proof. Waking up, opening the curtains and enjoying the continental breakfast was the perfect start to married life and I’d definitely recommend it to anyone getting married there. The bed is SO comfortable!

Our advice to anyone considering booking your wedding at this venue, do not hesitate. Go and meet Jonathan and the rest of his family and you’ll get a feeling that is unrivaled at any other wedding venue.

Most wedding venues are about the money, whereas this venue is completely about the experience.

If we could do it again tomorrow, we’d book Villiers Barn in a heartbeat.

Our photographer was Dale Zimmerman who is recommended by the venue and again, we couldn’t recommend him highly enough! His prices were great and we had such a laugh throughout the day with Dale’s completely laid back style of photography. We also had ‘contentbykerrie’ (instagram) as a content creator. Her and Dale worked perfectly together and were a perfect combination of getting the photos and clips we wanted, together with them using their experience as wedding photographers to get the pictures they knew would really help us to remember the beauty of our wedding and the location.

Thanks so much to Jonathan and his family for creating the perfect wedding venue that we will never forget; we honestly can’t thank you enough x
Tracey
Tracey Sent on 14/07/2026
5 out of 5 rating

The most magical venue

From the first time we visited Villiers barn we fell in love with the venue. The team are so lovely they help you every step of the way with planning the day. Juliet, Jonathan and Ellen were always available to answer any questions that we had and to offer support and advice.
The venue is so beautiful the ceremony room is very special and the barn where the reception is held has been renovated so well with attention to every little detail.
There is a small lake with a bridge and fountain in the grounds and a Beautiful paved area where we had canapés after the service.
Our friends and family thought it was the best wedding they had ever been to. We can’t wait to get the photos back from our official photographer.
There is not an adequate superlative to describe how wonderful our wedding day was at Villiers Barn. I would 100% recommend this beautiful venue and the awesome team that run it.
N
Natalie Sent on 10/07/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Natalie and Craig’s wedding 2026

We honestly can't thank everyone at the venue enough for making our wedding day so incredibly special. A huge thank you to Jonathan, Becky, and Julia, who were absolutely amazing from our very first meeting right through to the end of our wedding day.
There was never anything that was too much trouble, and they went above and beyond to make sure everything was perfect.
Their attention to detail, kindness, and professionalism meant we could relax and truly enjoy every moment. They made the whole day run so smoothly, without a single problem, and we always felt completely looked after.
The staff were all so friendly, welcoming, and attentive, helping to create such a wondertul atmosphere. The venue itself is absolutely stunning, and the food was fantastic. So many of our guests commented on how beautiful everything was and how much they enjoyed the day.
We couldn't have chosen a more perfect place to celebrate one of the most important days of our lives. Thank you all for giving us memories we'll treasure forever. We would recommend this venue to anyone looking for the perfect wedding venue-it truly is the best wedding venue in Essex!
Ellie
Ellie Sent on 15/06/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Our perfectly beautiful wedding day 🤍

From the very first time we contacted Villiers Barn, the entire process was seamless. Planning a wedding naturally comes with worries and concerns about making sure everything is perfect and runs smoothly, but the team at Villiers Barn put those concerns to rest from the outset. Their communication, support, and professionalism throughout the planning process were exceptional. Wedding planning never felt stressful, and we felt reassured every step of the way.

The barn itself is absolutely beautiful, with a warm and welcoming atmosphere that made it feel incredibly special. The surrounding gardens are equally stunning, and we loved being able to explore them while having our photographs taken.
The team at Villiers Barn have truly perfected what a wedding venue should be. If you’re looking for a venue full of character, beautiful grounds, and a genuinely friendly and supportive team, I couldn’t recommend Villiers Barn highly enough. We are so grateful to everyone involved and cannot thank the team enough for helping make our day so memorable.
Jade
Jade Sent on 12/06/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Simply the best out there.

When you first think of getting married, you wonder what your day will look like. From the first moment we view Villiers Barn any worry or anxiety went out of the window. From the second we drove down the drive way, we knew this was our wedding venue. We were sold not only by the sheer beauty of the venue and the grounds, but the personality and love that comes from the wonderful family that run this venue.
We were lucky enough to work so closely with Becky throughout our wedding planning and day. From the day we got engaged to our wedding day, it was 163 days - abnormal. But Becky and the entire team made it feel effortless. Them late night worries /thoughts you have, drop the guys a text and they will reassure you and find the answer as soon as they can.
We used all of Villiers recommended venders, this was something that was really important to us. The recommended venders, continue to demonstrate the love and standards that Villiers have.
Becky was simply outstanding and took every single worry away from us on the day, she sorted everything to the finer details. We never had an empty glass, we always knew what was happening next and we were truly given 5 star service in every aspect.
The food that Villiers Barn offer, is simply outstanding. I have dreamt of the Chicken breast in white wine sauce, since our wedding day.
I cannot put into words how much we love and appreciate the entire team from Villiers. From the family that run the venue right through to the bar staff. No stone is left unturned and every single detail is thought of. We had disposable cameras on the table and one of our wonderful servers realised we still had some films left - she was on the dance floor making sure every moment possible was captured.
If you’re debating Villiers, there is no other venue for you. Everything is done under one roof and is executed to the finest detail.
Villiers will forever hold such a special place in our heart - not just because it’s our wedding venue but because of the people. The Day family truly are the selling point of this venue.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you so much!
S
Shania Sent on 01/06/2026
5 out of 5 rating

The best day ever!

Where do we even begin!
As soon as we stepped foot into the main barn, we knew we wanted to get married here! From the first visit, just the two of us, to many more with family members and friends to show off this incredible place! The whole team helped make the planning seamless and the day even more so! Even all the silly questions I had, the whole team were there to put my mind to rest!

If we could do it again, we would in a heart beat and not change a single thing!

We cannot thank all of the members in the entire planning process but especially, Juliet, Ellen, Beckie, Jonathan & Ali.

The day was incredible from start to finish and we cannot thank you guys enough!

Many of our guests were confused as to why we decided to get married a little further afield, but then when they got there, they understood why and were stunned at the whole venue and the team, and even came to tell us how gorgeous the place was!

If you are newly engaged, seriously consider Villiers Barn, I promise you won't regret it!

We cannot thank the Villiers Team enough!

Shania & Tim
x
L
Laura Sent on 10/05/2026
5 out of 5 rating

The best day of our lives!

We recently had our wedding on 24.04.26 and wow what a day it was! We first viewed Villiers Barn in September 2023 and fell in love with the venue and all it has to offer. Not only the barn itself is beautiful but the grounds, the bridal suite and the honeymoon lodge just make it the dream venue.

The whole team at Villiers barn are outstanding, they make sure the day runs so smoothly and can’t do enough for you and all your guests!

Juliet, Jonathan, Ellen and Becky made the whole process an absolute breeze. From booking, contact throughout the years of planning, setting up the barn the night before and being there throughout the wedding day to help out whenever we needed, we can’t thank them enough for making our day so perfect!

We would highly recommend Villiers Barn to anyone getting married, you truly will have the best day of your lives🤍



Siobhan
Siobhan Sent on 27/04/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Best day ever!

We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect venue than Villiers Barn for our wedding day. From the moment we first visited, we knew it was something special—the setting is beautiful, full of character, and creates such a warm, intimate atmosphere that made our day feel truly magical.

What really made the experience exceptional, though, was the incredible team behind it all. A huge thank you to Jonathan, Ellen, and Juliet, who truly went above and beyond at every stage. Their support, attention to detail, and genuine care made the entire planning process feel so much easier and more enjoyable. Nothing was ever too much trouble, and they were always on hand with reassurance, ideas, and solutions.

Our guests absolutely raved about the amazing BBQ and the baby Guinness shot wall—such a fun and memorable touch! Everything was done to perfection, and it really added to the atmosphere of the day.

At the end of the night, we were so touched to find a thoughtful little feast waiting for us, along with our cards and gifts carefully gathered and beautifully displayed in the honeymoon suite. It made everything feel so organised and special. And while we were busy celebrating on the dance floor, someone had even taken the time to put my bouquet into water—such a small but incredibly meaningful gesture that really sums up how attentive the team is.

Even the surroundings added to the magic—at one point we spotted a heron nearby, which felt like such a peaceful and unique moment in an already perfect day.

On the day itself, everything ran seamlessly. The team worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make sure every detail was just right, allowing us to relax and fully enjoy every moment with our family and friends. So many of our guests commented on how stunning the venue was and how smoothly everything flowed.

We are so grateful for everything Jonathan, Ellen, and Juliet did to make our wedding day so special. If you’re looking for a venue that combines charm, professionalism, and a truly dedicated team, Villiers Barn is simply outstanding.
Calum
Calum Sent on 20/04/2026
5 out of 5 rating

The perfect wedding day

We visited Villiers Barn for the first time about two years before our wedding, and we knew pretty much straight away that it was where we wanted to spend our wedding day. It wasn't just the venue itself that we loved, but the feeling we both had from the moment we walked in. Rebecca and Juliet made us feel so welcome, and there was just a family feel to the whole venue that we hadn't found anywhere else.

Throughout the planning process the team was so helpful. Replies came quickly and nothing ever felt like too much to ask. On the day itself, every single person we or our guests interacted with was kind, attentive and so willing to help. We had a few different requests along the way such as cake cutting during the drinks reception, some extra veggie food options for the evening, and different dietary requirements, and everything was handled without any fuss at all. They even asked our top table how we wanted our beef cooked, which was such a thoughtful touch.

The food was outstanding. So many of our guests said it was the best they'd eaten at a wedding, and the beef in particular was delicious. They were also really generous with the drinks during the meal, which went down well with our friends! One of our guests actually wandered into the kitchen after dinner to thank the team in person, which I think sums up how people felt about the whole experience!

My wife hadn’t had a chance to grab any evening food yet and mentioned in passing that she was excited to get some of the cheese on toast. About ten minutes later someone from the team brought a board of it out to her on the dance floor. It's such a small thing but it's exactly the kind of moment that shows what kind of venue Villiers Barn is. The team there genuinely cares, and it shows in everything they do.

We even had pretty much every type of weather on the day, and the team just adapted throughout without it ever becoming an issue. Everything flowed naturally and ran without a hitch.

We feel really lucky to have had our wedding at Villiers Barn. To Rebecca, Juliet and the whole team - thank you so much. You gave us the most wonderful day and we're so grateful for everything.
C
Charlotte Sent on 20/04/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Sarah & Jeff’s wedding

The venue was more that we could ever of wanted , absolutely beautiful! The staff was all very friendly and welcoming and made our day special ! The food was amazing 😻 the kitchen staff and waitresses were lovely and catered for every need and all our guests said how great it was - would highly recommend! Xxx
J
Jack Sent on 18/04/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Exceptional Venue, Perfect Wedding!

From the moment that we first viewed the venue, the atmosphere felt calming, comfortable and just like home! Then we met the Villiers barn family, Greeted constantly with smiles, their friendly and approachable energy instantly put us at ease and almost melted the stress of wedding planning away. Before even securing our date, we were made to feel special and that our vision could be made a reality. Throughout the months leading up to our big day, communication was quick, efficient and the team couldn't do enough for us, they were always there with advice, ideas and solutions. The process of wedding planning before you do it, is very daunting and feels like a mountain to climb at times, however with Villiers Barn it was seamless and effortless. They were able to recommend trusted suppliers who were also faultless and helped make our day perfect! Fast forward to our big day, the Villiers Barn team went above and beyond from the moment we arrived. We can both honestly say that on our wedding day we did not have one question to answer, one request from the suppliers, the Villiers Barn team handled everything and set up beautifully ensuring we were calm and enjoying our moment wholeheartedly. The venue and grounds are stunning, the food was second to none, the hosting was spectacular and finally the honeymoon lodge was the perfect place to rest after such a memorable day. Overall, Villiers Barn will always hold a special place in our hearts and we are forever thankful for the family and wider team at Villiers Barn for helping us pull off our dream wedding! Love to you all, Hollie and Jack 05.12.25
C
Charlotte Sent on 17/04/2026
5 out of 5 rating

The best venue - they go above and beyond!

Our experience with Villiers Barn was the best we could've imagined.
The whole team, from the management right down to the bar and wait staff were literally 10/10 and they go above and beyond every single time.

Any out of the ordinary requests they try to accomodate, and their communication throughout the entire process was incredible.

They are normal people, who genuinely care. Other venues we spoke to we felt like just another wedding to them, however with Villiers they care about their couples, and want the absolute best.

I have no notes on how the venue could be improved - from start to finish we had the absolute best day possible.

They acommodated a complete change in timings, when we had a surprise fly over, which is amazing! They are also a dog friendly venue so if you want your furry best friend there, they couldn't do more to get them included.

Thank-you especially to Jonathan and Ellen - you made our day MAGICAL and we will forever be grateful.
R
Racheal Sent on 13/01/2026
5 out of 5 rating

What an incredible venue and staff

We got married at Villiers Barn in September 25 and had the most amazing day!! From pictures on social media I knew it was the perfect venue for us, on the first viewing we fell in love and I even cried a couple of times at the thought of our future day there.. From the moment we enquired to after the wedding the contact from Jonathan and Becki was incredibly fast response and helpful.. Every single detail was thought about and went through with us.. The wedding day itself was as smooth as it could have possibly been and all staff were so so attentive.. The food was delicious and service was seamless.. All our requests from order of the day to suppliers were worked into the day.. The price of everything was very reasonable for a wedding venue too.. I could not recommend Villiers Barn enough, an INCREDIBLE team and venue!!
Dawn
Dawn Sent on 11/11/2025
5 out of 5 rating

The Perfect Wedding

From the moment we walked into Villiers barn, we knew it was the one.
The Whole team were so welcoming from the very start.
Our day from start to Finish was perfect.
From the Food, the bridal suite, the barn, the Grounds, the Staff, the Organising of every part of the day I could not fault anything.
All the staff went above and beyond for us and all our guests.
The Honeymoon Lodge was a perfect end to a perfect day.

I would recommend this venue to anyone - We had the best day ever!!
Molly
Molly Sent on 07/11/2025
5 out of 5 rating

The best wedding venue ever!

From our first visit we knew Villiers was the venue for us - the grounds and the barn are just absolutely beautiful. The bridal suite and the honeymoon lodge are just perfect and you really couldn’t ask for anything more!

The team at Villiers are beyond exceptional - honestly nothing was too much trouble and they were so accommodating for all our requests.

Jonathan and Rebecca were so helpful along the planning process and made the whole thing completely stress free, they really cannot do enough for you. The food was fantastic and we have had so many compliments from our guests on the staff/venue.

I would highly recommend this venue to anyone - you will not regret it and you will have the best day of your life.

Cannot thank the team at Villiers enough ❤️


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Badges

Hitched Wedding Awards 2026 Winner
Hitched Wedding Awards 2025 Winner
Hitched Wedding Awards 2024 Winner
Hitched Wedding Awards 2023 Winner
Hitched Wedding Awards 2022 Winner
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Did the reviews win you over?

Villiers Barn Real Weddings

Bethen & Nathan
25 photos · 07/08/2025
Jade & Scott
28 photos · 22/06/2025
Rosie & Paul
58 photos · 15/08/2024
Faye & Josh
89 photos · 02/06/2024
Sian & Taylor
77 photos · 26/05/2024
Elisha & Daniel
40 photos · 30/04/2022

Map

Grove Farm, Tan Lane, Thorpe-Le-Soken CO16 9PT Thorpe-le-Soken (Essex)
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