The Secret Barn
Based on a weekend wedding in May.
- Exclusive use of the site.
- The use of the paddock area for camping (optional extra, available between May and September, up to 40 happy campers).
- The Orchard with beautiful apple trees and wild flower area or lovely old Georgian wall as a back drop, perfect for a Darling Buds of May Style / Humanist ceremony, if you wanted to do something like that. Alternatively you could use this area for the canapés.
- Use of The Secret Barn itself (seats up 110 ish/stands up to 150), with beams bedecked with fairy lights and floor boards begging to be danced on!.
- The lawn area in front of the barn can be used for welcome drinks and canapés and / or sitting around the fire later on; parking in the main field.
These items are not included in the price above but can be added for an additional fee:
- Catering and flowers.
- Use of the paddock for camping.
Please contact the venue for detailed prices.
Set down a quiet country lane at the foot of the South Downs, The Secret Barn sits within working farmland with wide views stretching towards Chanctonbury Ring. This is an authentic agricultural setting, surrounded by open countryside, where the pace feels unhurried, and the landscape forms a natural backdrop to the day.
The layout flows easily across multiple outdoor spaces, including a paddock for camping, a lawn for drinks and firepit gatherings, and a licensed orchard for open-air ceremonies. With countryside in every direction and a sense of gentle seclusion, the venue offers flexibility while remaining grounded in its rural setting.
Ceremonies take place either in the ancient barn or outdoors in the licensed orchard. Inside, the historic ceremony barn has a quiet, atmospheric character, with original beams overhead, birds nesting in the rafters and sunlight filtering through old windows. Wooden benches line the aisle, giving the space a simple, chapel-like feel.
For couples drawn to the outdoors, the orchard offers an alternative setting amid greenery and open skies. Both options reflect the venue’s natural character and offer a relaxed yet meaningful setting for exchanging vows.
The threshing barn becomes the centre of celebrations, offering a characterful space for dining, speeches and dancing. Long trestle tables create a relaxed communal atmosphere for sharing dinners, before the room transforms for an evening party.
Outside, the lawn and firepit invite guests to step out for fresh air, late-night conversations and marshmallow toasting as the evening unfolds. The barn’s original features, from creaking boards to exposed beams, create a celebration that feels informal, welcoming and full of personality.
Camping is available in the paddock, allowing guests to stay on site and extend the celebration into the following morning. This flexible option suits relaxed, multi-day gatherings and keeps friends and family close throughout the event.
Food at The Secret Barn is generous, seasonal and deliberately unfussy. This is not about intricate plating or formal dining, but relaxed, flavour-led dishes designed to bring everyone together around the table.
Guests might begin with substantial canapés on the lawn, followed by sharing boards or tapas-style starters, before moving to colourful salads, barbecues and generous platters served at long trestle tables. Much of the produce is grown on site, with herbs, beets, salad leaves, courgettes and pumpkins regularly appearing on the menu. Desserts lean towards crowd-pleasing favourites, such as Eton Mess layered with seasonal berries.
The emphasis stays on abundance and sociability rather than precision plating. As dishes are shared and guests gather around the tables, the barn comes alive with conversation, laughter and the easy atmosphere that defines the day.
The Secret Barn sits near Steyning in West Sussex, at the foot of the South Downs. The countryside location offers wide views and a peaceful setting while remaining within reach of nearby towns and coastal areas.
The venue is approximately 45 minutes from Gatwick Airport and accessible via nearby train stations at Billingshurst and Shoreham-by-Sea.
Full directions are shared once arrangements are confirmed, but shhh, it’s top secret!