The Old Kent Barn

The Setting

The Old Kent Barn is set in an idyllic rural location. They have two buildings – a purpose-built 110ft oak-framed barn (for indoor weddings and receptions) and the original barn (with guest accommodation) built over 225 years ago. The barns are set on manicured landscaped grounds and are surrounded by picturesque Kent countryside, making it the perfect backdrop.

An hour’s drive from London and only a short drive from the Kent coastline. Accessible from both main motorways.

Two train stations in the town of Folkestone are available locally, with a short journey to the venue and the historic city of Canterbury only a 20-minute drive.

The Vibe

The Old Kent Barn is a 200-year-old oak framed Tythe barn, full of character and beams and home to their 5* accommodation for the venue with a luxurious newlywed suite and two further double ensuite rooms.

The design of the New Barn (where receptions are held) is opulent (the chandeliers have won an international design award!) and neutral to co-ordinate with any colour scheme or theme. It’s oak framed with large windows and an open plan space. Their neutral tones lend themselves to any theme, from rustic to vintage to modern and contemporary. A light-tiled floor throughout the venue, including a solid wooden dance floor and stage area softened with ivory drapes and a magical starlit ceiling, guides you onto the floor for your first dance.

A fabulous dressing room is available for brides or grooms to arrive from 7.30 on the morning of the wedding to relax with their bridesmaids or groomsmen. The dressing room has an ensuite shower room, enough dressing gowns for everyone, a digital TV, an iPod docking station, air conditioning, lots of beautiful mirrors, a fridge and attentive staff to get fresh coffee, tea or whatever you need.

The 2 ½ acre gardens are professionally landscaped, creating formal parterres with romantic roses, sweeping curved hedges and an informal lake garden with a fountain all set against a backdrop of mature trees and countryside. A large gazebo with a panoramic view of the surrounding rural countryside sits within their landscaped grounds.

The paved seating area for outdoor ceremonies has a rose and wisteria-covered aisle and glass pergolas to shelter up to 150 guests. Both indoor and outdoor ceremony areas have a sound system so guests can hear the ceremony. Atmospheric up-lights and fairy lights have been placed throughout the grounds; in the evening, the picture-perfect fairy-lit areas create a truly magical setting.

In the Winter months, couples marry under the stars within the barn under their beautiful fibre optic starlit ceiling. Their ivory drapes create a beautifully intimate ceremony space, with bespoke wooden benches to seat your guests. This incredible space can be dressed in many designs and seasonal styles for your wedding.

A dedicated coordinator is on-site throughout the day to run the day and evening. Couples get exclusive use of the new and old barn and all the grounds for the day. Their hire fee includes a complimentary stay in the newlywed suite in their on-site 5* guest accommodation within the Old Barn and consists of a freshly prepared breakfast the following morning.

They are proud back-to-back winners of Kent Wedding Venue of the Year and the only Kent venue to have won it three times!

They offer their couples a complimentary food-tasting event for food and wine choices.

They have a vintage ivory four-seater taxi to transport the bridal party from the dressing room to the ceremony area.

Facilities & Access:

• Designated accessible parking spaces
• The Barn and Ceremony area is wheelchair accessible with pre-bookable allocated seating for wheelchair users (aisle edge)
• Accessible facilities within the main barn
• Wheelchair-suitable guest tables
• Ground-level dressing room for couples (available on request)
• Full support of trained staff – including advance requests