The Barn at Botley Hill marks its first anniversary

Posted on September 18, 2020

From an aspirational dream to a romantic reality, The Barn at Botley Hill is celebrating its first anniversary – and what a rollercoaster of a year it has been.

Our beautiful Surrey Hills wedding venue saw many wonderful celebrations, magical moments and glamorous photoshoots before lockdown, and it was a hugely sad moment for all when we were forced to apply the brakes as government restrictions hit this spring.

But let’s first focus on the more celebratory side of our opening year – from the labour of love that led to the creation of our exclusive venue to launch parties, special occasions, fabulous weddings and so, so many spectacular sunsets.

From the start, we wanted The Barn at Botley Hill to become one of Surrey’s leading exclusive use barn wedding venues. So we hired a team of top experts to work on every aspect of its creation.

Huge fans of the styling of the famous Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire, we teamed up with go-to interior designer to the stars, Emma Kirby, who had worked on that project and helped to ensure things looked just so for our dream venue.

The final results were even better than we’d hoped for. It’s a beautiful space with delicious design touches, and when the light pours through the floor-to-ceiling windows it’s quite magical.

Once the finished project was unveiled to the wider world, we were absolutely blown away by the reaction from the public and coverage from the media. The Barn and its spectacular views were featured across glossy magazine spreads, and our wedding diary booked up in no time at all.

Lucy and Jan wedding at The Barn at Botley Hill, Surrey (Photo: Fresh Shoot Studios)

Photo: Fresh Shoot Studios

A place for celebration

The chairman of Tandridge District Council, Cllr Jeremy Pursehouse, was on hand for the official launch of The Barn at Botley Hill on Tuesday September 24.

It was a fantastic occasion to showcase The Barn at Botley Hill’s two main barns, which are clad in eye-catching black timber and surrounded by beautiful grounds. It was also the first time we unveiled our red brick Oakley Barn, which is now licensed for ceremonies.

Since then, no day has been the same at The Barn at Botley Hill and the gorgeous interiors have been used for a number of stylish photoshoots by our suppliers and caterers, and starred in a sustainable Christmas celebration in Surrey Life magazine.

Of course, The Barn at Botley Hill’s main reason for existing is to provide a perfectly tranquil and picturesque destination for people to enjoy their wedding days. A place for dreams to be made.

Families and friends gathered for weddings in our Oakley Barn, relaxed with a glass of Champagne in the Baby Barn and partied into the night in our Main Barn through autumn, winter and spring. It was truly wonderful to see so many special occasions celebrated, and we were delighted to play our part.

And then lockdown hit, and life became much sadder as we had to work our way through the diary and catch-up with so many lovely couples who only weeks earlier had been anticipating and planning for their big days. There were tears, from us and them, as occasions were postponed.

Through this time, we did everything we possibly could do accommodate those who were set to join us and this means that next year’s diary is already fully booked.

There were positives even as plans were cancelled, and we’ve been delighted to welcome a number of couples for socially distanced engagement photoshoots with our spectacular Botley Hill view as the backdrop.

Ceremonies at Botley Hill Barn by Hayley Bray Photography

Photo: Hayley Bray Photography

A romantic destination in Surrey

Our gorgeous Oakley Barn has also been able to host a number of small and intimate weddings since lockdown measures eased, and they have proven to be truly romantic occasions among the exposed red brickwork and candlelight.

And so, to today, where we sit looking out over what is surely one of the best views in Surrey, looking forward with hope and positivity through this turbulent time.

We thank everyone for their incredible support over the past year, from couples who have shown incredible patience and understanding to our many suppliers who continue to innovate and inspire even through the toughest times.

As things stand, 2021 is already fully booked at The Barn at Botley Hill, but we do have some availability in 2022 should you be looking for a beautiful countryside wedding venue that’s less than an hour from central London in the Surrey Hills.

If you would like to book in a private tour of our stunning venue, please do get in touch to arrange a visit.

Blessed with views from the highest point of the North Downs Way, The Barn at Botley Hill is place where dreams are made and moments seem just a little more magical.

View from Botley Hill Farmhouse

Photo: SMS Creative Photography

The Barn at Botley Hill, Limpsfield Road,
Titsey Hill, Surrey. CR6 9QH

call us
07920 085454