Think of a beautiful barn in rolling countryside and you often think of it as a wedding venue. However, barns offer so much more to those who seek them out. These historic buildings are a snapshot of a bygone era, yet can be transformed into fantastic corporate event settings.

As an event maker, part of my role for each client is to find the perfect location and venue for their event. My corporate clients are often looking for the ‘wow’ factor, something quirky and different from their competitors, or a new experience for their attendees and guests. They are often surprised when I present the idea of running the event at one of the many historic barns across the country.

These stunning historic venues are often not a person’s first thought for a corporate do. The cliché of “my friend’s daughter was married at a barn” is often heard when I present different solutions to their brief, but these buildings offer so much more.

Where can you hire a venue with exclusive use and not have to be charged a fortune for the privilege? At a barn, you will be given free parking, ground floor access and have stunning views often with oodles of countryside encompassing the venue that can be explored or used by your guests.

Versatile spaces for corporate events

These venues are open throughout the year and are constantly looking at how they can develop their corporate clientele. They are open to trying innovative ideas and thinking creatively when it comes to staging events, compared to some of the more traditional corporate venue choices. Barns will already have a wealth of suppliers that they work with on a weekly basis, a strength of knowledge delivering bespoke events and have a passion for the historic building they own and manage.

I for one have built some amazing relationships with these properties over the years. This year has been about ‘thinking outside the box’ for clients with budget restrictions, those requiring complete privacy or needing a ‘big space’ to ensure social distancing. Well, these beauties have ample space and floor to ceiling natural daylight that floods the building whatever the weather. These unique sites offer so much to those who are willing to explore a different option than the conventional meeting room in a hotel, purpose-built venue, or conference centre.

Let me share with you three of my favourites:

Long Furlong Barn

The Jenkin family renovated the barns back in 2014 with a fascinating history stretching back to 1880. This Grade 2 listed tithe barn has been sensitively restored to provide a stunning venue for up to 150 guests. Situated only four miles from Worthing and close to Clapham it is also easily accessible from London, Brighton and Southampton.
Ideal for larger celebrations, the Granary combines beautiful traditional architecture with modern amenities. The barn boasts underfloor heating, colour changing lighting, HD projector and high-quality sound system.

Visit the Long Furlong Barn website

Laughton Barns

Located in the heart of the Sussex South Downs, near Lewes, Laughton Barns is the venue if you are looking for space for those team building days. Boasting eighty-four acres of picturesque landscape and two idyllic lakes, the venue is the most spectacular setting for a gorgeous country corporate day. Exclusive use, rustic barn, stunning setting; what more could you want?
The Crown Barn is ideal for corporate days, events and celebrations, accommodating 200 guests. The barn was hand-built using local oak, brick and stone and has been fantastically finished with exposed beams and gothic-inspired chandeliers. Additionally, an entire side of the barn can be opened up to let the outside in; you can have the feel of an outdoor event without the commitment to unpredictable weather. The paved drinks reception area is beautifully sheltered by stunning willow trees, creating a relaxed place in which to enjoy a few refreshments and your guests’ company, with benches, outdoor seating, pop-up bar and even fire pits in the evening.

Visit the Laughton Barns website

Gildings Barn

Gildings Farm was originally part of the Cudworth Manor Estate. It continues to enchant everyone who walks through the oak gateway and is set in the tranquil Surrey countryside and surrounded by open fields lined with mature woodland. The interconnecting oak-framed barns create a unique atmosphere and are ideally laid out to ensure a natural flow of guests onsite. The woodland offers a different aspect and lends itself to bushcraft and foraging as well as the stunning meadows that surround the barn.

Visit the Gildings Barns website

Has this inspired you to choose a barn setting for your next event? Let’s discuss it – book a free 1-hour consultation with me in person or online.

Call Claire on 07821 875 864 or email to enquiries@loveluxuryevents.co.uk