The BarnYard

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.