We work slightly differently to many wedding venues. We limit the numbers of weddings we celebrate every year so that our weddings can be absolutely bespoke to each of our wedding couples. We don’t do a “package”. You can hire the space with exclusive use for the set up, the day itself and the clear up time. You can dress it how you want. Shimpling Park Barns is a beautiful blank canvas onto which you can build your dream day.
You can choose to sit down with your friends to a formal wedding breakfast, or you can go full festival pop up waggon style… or indeed, mix it up to your taste. You can keep it small or go large – the two barns spilling onto two beautiful courtyards are yours to arrange as you wish. You can partner with a trusted caterer and bar. (We do not charge any commission or corkage) to make your wedding fit your dreams and your budget.
We have a glorious area under the trees by the ponds for your ceremony. We have memorable views in the gardens and farm for perfect photographs. But we also have enough space inside so you have the flexibility to plan for outside and adapt if the weather is not promising to be kind. The two barns are as beautiful in the rain and the sun so you can have the confidence to plan what you want in the knowledge that everything will work whatever the weather throws at us.
Our barns are underfloor heated by renewable fuels so if you decide on a winter wedding, Shimpling Park Barns will be as toasty and special as you can dream of.
If this sounds like the kind of wedding you are dreaming of, we would be delighted to show you around.
Everyone of our weddings is bespoke, deeply personal and utterly joyous!
Every celebration is unique at Shimpling Park Barns.
The location and barns are utterly beautiful with their rich red brick and beautiful festooned courtyards. We strictly limit the amount of weddings we host per year so that we can really concentrate on making each one of them exactly what our couples want. We are a “carbon negative” totally organic farm. The barn has been converted with an eye to environmental sensitivity with recycled materials and heated with renewable fuels, so if the environment is something that is important to you, you can be sure your wedding does not “cost the earth”.
We are not licensed, so the legal registration is done at a Church or in our local Registrars Office with whom we have great relations. Back at Shimpling, you can design your own ceremony as formally or informally and totally bespoke to you with a celebrant or a family member guiding you and your guests through your commitment to each other.
You can seat from 10 up to 80 for a formal style “wedding breakfast” in the tall barn. You can have more if your meal is more fluid. You could have up to 150 if you want extra evening guests to dance later!
Exclusive use of the tall barn and the lantern barn, the outside bar area and the two courtyards. We have plenty of Vintage style trestle tables and folding wooden chairs. (You are of course welcome to rent in round tables if you prefer). There is plenty of parking and plenty of kitchen space for your caterers. There is easily accessible festooned courtyard for any food trucks / pizza ovens / ice cream vans or bar trailers you might want and there is a fire pit with logs available if you would like.
No. There are no extra costs from us. We have a range of trusted caterers delivering a wide choice of delicious treats. From full tasting fine dining to street food style, you can partner with them direct to choose the fayre that YOU want. You are free to supply your own drinks and get them served by your caterer (we do not charge any corkage) or get a pay bar to organise this for you. Again, you will partner with them directly to ensure they deliver exactly what you want.
No. We have extensive knowledge of a wide range of tried and tested caterers offering a host of different styles and budgets. We know they are all good. You choose what suits your taste buds and your budget.
No. We have a beautiful bar area that you are welcome to use from which you can supply your own drinks and get your caterers to serve it. Alternatively, you can rent in a pay bar. You will partner directly with them so you know you are getting what YOU want.
Yes, the gardens and farm are very photogenic with woods and ponds as well as a “ha ha.” You are welcome to use them for a pre-event shoot.
Unfortunately, we do not currently have accommodation on site but we can give you a good list of great places to stay nearby.
You can have exclusive access from 9am to 5pm on the day before your wedding so you can enjoy the setting up. You have exclusive use of the whole barn complex on your special day. (We ask that the licensed bar stops serving at 11.30 pm and recorded music stops at 11.45pm and that the wedding party leave by 12.30 – you may be exhausted by then!) At your own risk, you and your guests are welcome to leave your cars and your decorations at the barn as long until noon the day after your wedding.
We will give you a clear contract, so you know where you are, but in brief, we ask for £500 to secure your booking. We ask for £1500 six months before your wedding and the balance is due a month before the wedding. There is a returnable damages deposit of £500. (We have never had to withhold any damages money at all)
We keep it simple. For weekdays (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday) the current price for exclusive rental of the venue is £3900.00. For weekends (Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday) it is £4500.00. The prices are not currently going up for 2025.