Bake Barn is an ancient stone threshing barn, sympathetically converted in 2010 into one of Wiltshire’s premier wedding and event venues. The main barn is a cathedral-like structure with exposed roof beams and large arching glazed windows front and back framing the view.
Inside there is a grand stone mantlepiece on the end wall, which surrounds an open hearth with fender seating and an impressive wall-hung clockface at the opposite end. The stone walls and wooden floor provide a neutral backdrop and the beams and mantlepiece can be decorated as you wish. The voluminous space can be used for wedding ceremonies, dinner and dancing, with direct access into a full fitted professional catering kitchen.
There is an attractive, separate lobby-entrance, with a cloakroom area and disabled, ladies and gents loos, with stairs leading to the first floor.
The Beaters Loft is a spacious first floor room, with views out onto the surrounding countryside. With it’s metal beams and double-height ceiling, it has a stylish, industrial, loft-style feel. There is a kitchenette in one corner with a separate loo and a lobby area with an external door leading to the rear of the barn.
In front of the barn is an attractive gravel courtyard enclosed by a dry-stone wall. Within the courtyard is a lawn on which a sizeable marquee can be placed. On the opposite side of the courtyard is the ‘Loggia’, an open-fronted stone building with far-reaching views out onto the surrounding countryside. The Loggia is split into two halves, the first with a charming metal-studded oak door leading out to the parking area and lending itself as a good location in which to set up a bar. The second half houses banks of overhead heaters and a huge fire bowl, providing an ideal location for a chill-out area.
Set in the stunning Wiltshire countryside with red kites wheeling above and hares and pheasants in the surrounding fields, Bake Barn is located on the northern part of the Fonthill Estate. With no other properties around, the venue is completely private with only the occasional tractor passing by. Access couldn’t be easier, via a private drive just off the A303. The nearest train station is in Tisbury, which goes into London Waterloo and is only a short car journey away from Bake Barn.
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The whole venue is licensed for civil ceremonies, including the courtyard, Loggia, Beaters Loft and the barn, allowing you total flexibility to say ‘I do’ wherever you want. The external courtyard is a popular place to hold a ceremony as it’s capable of easily accommodating over a hundred guests. Alternatively, the main barn can accommodate large numbers, the Beaters Loft on the first floor can also be used, or a marquee can be erected on the lawn in which a ceremony can be held.
There are no restrictions about what you can do, number of guests or who can take a non-legal ceremony. But this is not the case with a civil ceremony which is a legal marriage ceremony and governed by the Wiltshire Registrar Office. Currently the separate areas of the venue are licensed for different numbers of guests for a legal civil ceremony, as follows:
Main Barn 120 people
Loggia 30 people
Beaters Loft 80 people
Courtyard Unlimited
There is plenty of land around the barn on which to camp and a bell tent ‘village’ can be set up on the smaller parking area with fairy lights and fire bowls. Tents can also be put in the top corner of the field next to the barn, or on the grass areas at the front, side or rear of the barn and campervans can be parked in either car park. The external entrance to the Beater Loft is useful to access loo and kitchen facilities from the camping areas.
There are lots of options on how tables can be laid out for dining, according to how many guests you are catering for. The maximum number that can be seated in the barn is 162 on three rows of 9 trestle tables. Below are a few suggestions of different options:
We have very few rules, other than in summary: to treat the venue with respect, not to damage the venue and use your common sense with regards to the health and safety of yourselves and your guests. The few rules that we do have are comprehensively listed in our hire agreement, which we will ask you to read and sign when you make your booking. The main points to consider are as follows:
Wooden Floor in the Main Barn:
We ask you and your guests to refrain from wearing stiletto heels to protect the wooden floor in the barn. We also ask you to put down a dancefloor with a protective membrane underneath if you wish to dance in the main barn area.
Candles:
We ask you to use non-drip candles inside, or to keep candles contained in something such as a T-light holder or a hurricane vase.
Confetti:
Please only use small dried petal confetti.
Cleaning:
You will need to return the venue in the same good clean state of repair in which we hand it to you.
You must clean the entirety of the venue, including inside and out before handing back the keys at midday on Monday. We suggest that you employ cleaners to do this for you and we can recommend people who are familiar with the venue who can clean it on your behalf.
Rubbish Removal:
All rubbish must be removed and there is a large commercial bin provided for you to dispose of general waste. However, you must remove all items that can be recycled and dispose of them yourself. We recommend you pay to have your rubbish removed prior to handing back the keys to us at midday on Monday and we can recommend companies who can do this for you.
No, there is no noise curfew – you can party into the small hours!
Dry hire means you are hiring the venue, but it does not include furniture, etc. You will need to employ whichever suppliers you want to use, but this does mean you can control your budget.
No, there are no restrictions, but we strongly suggest they are insured for your own protection.
No, there is no corkage charge.
No, we are happy to assist where we can on the run up to your wedding or event, but we do not provide a member of staff on the day. However, if you are having a legal civil ceremony, we are obliged to have a representative from the Fonthill Estate present shortly before and during the service. We can recommend wedding planners and co-ordinators if you need one.
Yes, every area of the venue is licensed for certain numbers of guests, please see the wedding ceremony section above.
A civil ceremony is a legal wedding ceremony which will be conducted by a member of the Wiltshire Registrar team.
Yes, please see the charges listed below.
Yes, you certainly can, but you will not be legally married unless you arrange to visit a local Registrar and sign the paperwork prior to your ‘big day’.
No, there is no charge for a non-legal ceremony.
No, there is accommodation on the Estate, but it’s not managed by us and we can send you a list of local accommodation available.
Yes, there is lots of accommodation locally and we can send you a list of what’s available.
Yes, please refer to the camping section above.
No, there is no charge to camp.
Yes, the venue is dog friendly.
Yes, we’ve had brides arriving on horseback, in horse-drawn carriages and even lamas, but please have a chat with us first.
No, unfortunately fireworks are not livestock and crop friendly, but sparklers and smoke flares create great photo opportunities.
No, we do not allow Chinese lanterns on the Estate as they are a fire risk and a risk to livestock.
Yes, but only the small, dried petal confetti and only outside the buildings and courtyards please.
Yes, we are happy for you to use haybales on the land around the barn complex, but not in the courtyard or the barn itself, as it’s very difficult to clear up straw afterward.
2024 | 2025 | 2026 | |
High Season May to September |
£5500 | £6000 | £6500 |
Mid Season April, October, Xmas and NYE |
£5500 | £5500 | £6000 |
Jan, Feb, March, Nov and Dec | £5500 | £5000 | £5500 |
Civil Ceremony Charge | £400 | £425 | £450 |
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