A beloved family home and countryside wedding venue in Devon, Upton Barn instantly wraps you up in a warm welcome that will make you never want to leave. We’re all about those wholesome, stripped-back rustic vibes while our approach is simple; you are at the heart of what we do. Now, who’s ready to get married?

FAQs

Available to hire on an exclusive basis, Upton Barn is just a stone’s throw from the M5 and is within easy reach of Exeter and Taunton.

We’ve carefully crafted the setting to include everything you could possibly need for the wedding day you’ve always envisioned. We love nothing more than seeing you have the time of your life, wining, dining, dancing and laughing with your favourite people. It’s why we do, what we do!

If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.

General

How level is the Walled Garden is it suitable for my elderly guests and those who require wheelchair access?

The top section of the Walled Garden is flat and access to the lower section with guest seating is via a temporary ramp. The lavender aisle has an additional 2 steps.

Do you have air conditioning at the venue?

Yes, we have air conditioning in The Paddock to ensure you keep nice and cool whilst getting ready on those hot sunny days. We also have installed air conditioning into the Stable Barn to ensure that you and your guests enjoy your Wedding Breakfast in comfort on even the warmest of days.

Can we use confetti in the Walled Garden?

Of course, but please make your guests aware that they must only use natural dried petals.

We are having a small intimate wedding, will the Cider Barn be too big?

Not at all. Our venue hire charge is based on a minimum of 60 daytime guests, the Cider Barn looks as amazing for a smaller intimate wedding of this size as it does for a larger wedding ceremony. We can help you plan the space to ensure you make the very best of it for your guest numbers.

The Cider Barn has lots of windows will it be cold?

The Cider Barn is very well insulated due to the thick stone construction, so it remains cool in the summer and warm in the winter. The cosy wood burner and underfloor heating throughout make it toasty warm!

Is there WiFi at Upton Barn?

Yes, there is FREE WiFi, you don’t even need a code to login, so share all your pictures on your social networks and tag us #uptonbarn.

Can I arrive by vintage camper van?

Yes. The approach to Upton Barn and Walled Garden from Cullompton via Old Hill is fairly steep but there are also two other alternative routes to Upton if required.

Is there parking available at Upton?

Yes. We have plenty of parking for up to 68 vehicles all within 1 minute walk from the Cider Barn & Walled Garden. Vehicle access to the entrance of the Walled Garden is only available to wedding party vehicles and those with limited mobility.

Can coaches come to Upton?

Yes, we have parking space and a turning point for coaches. There is a restricted bridge en-route to Old Hill leading to Upton but these vehicles can access the venue via Post Cross using the Honiton Road instead.

How many guests can we have?

The Stable Barn, The Cider Barn and Press Bar are all licensed for up to 156 daytime guests and an additional 44 evening guests. Our venue hire charge is based on a minimum of 60 daytime guests.

Is there wheelchair access?

All areas of the barn and gardens are suitable for wheelchair access with gentle sloping walkways into the Walled Garden and to access the lower parts of the garden a temporary ramp is available, accessible toilets are located inside the Cider Barn and a lift provides access to the Stable Barn.  The lavender aisle in the Walled Garden has 2 steps.

Is it easy to find Upton?

Yes, we are clearly signposted from all routes, so although secluded rest assured your guests be able to find the venue easily.

Can we book our wedding breakfast and evening party with you and have a church wedding?

Yes absolutely, we regularly host wedding receptions for couples choosing a church wedding.

Which churches are near the venue?

St Andrew’s Church located in Cullompton is one of the closest to Upton, but there are many others in the local villages nearby including Plymtree, Kentisbeare, Uffculme and Willand.

Are dogs permitted onsite?

We love our pets as much as you, and know they are a big part of the family, but unfortunately due to the livestock living at Upton Farm we do not allowed dogs on site, the only exception being registered guide and assistance dogs. Any dogs found onsite will need to leave immediately and under no circumstances can be left in vehicles, if you need recommendations for local doggy day care then please do contact us.

Can we leave cars parked over night?

Yes. All cars need to be removed by 10am the following morning. Guests are not permitted to stay overnight in vehicles, this includes in campervans and motorhomes.

Do you have accommodation onsite?

The Stalls are our onsite accommodation pods, set in a tranquil glade in the woodland. These are automatically booked for your wedding night to ensure exclusivity. The stalls sleep 8 people across the 4 pods. We are in the process building 2 additional spaces The Bower, a stunning honeymoon suite and The Nest, our family accommodation sleeping 4.

Where is the closest accommodation to the venue?

Other than the Stalls at Upton, we are fortunate to have a number of hotels, B&Bs, holiday homes and even glamping sites within just a few minutes of Upton.

Do you have any local taxi companies we can use?

Frankies Taxis
01884 255333

Apple Taxis
01392 666666

Exe Valley Private Hire
01884 34322

Jolly Jaunts Taxis
01884 840979 / 07976 827762

RT Taxis 
07731 154024

Devon Transfers
07425 262087

Parkway Taxis
01884 38899 (only operate day time)

Collections from the designated area located at the end of the driveway immediately next to the car park. Guests with limited mobility can be collected at the entrance to The Walled Garden.

Do we need wedding insurance?

Yes, we recommend all couples take out wedding insurance as soon as they pay their deposit.

How do we secure a date?

We ask for a booking deposit and for you to sign and return our terms and conditions to secure your date.

Does the venue have any lawn games we can use?

Yes! Lawn games are listed in our additional hire items, we have Giant Jenga and Cornhole, find out prices in our Budgeting Tool.

Is the venue exclusive use?

Yes, Upton Barn & Walled Garden is booked on a fully exclusive basis for your wedding day.

Who will be the point of contact in the lead up to the wedding?

You will be allocated a Wedding Coordinator whom you will meet at your final planning meeting. We are a small team at Upton so the chances are you may have already met them when you came for your viewing.

Ceremony

Is the venue licensed for civil ceremonies?

Yes. We are licenced for both indoor and outdoor civil ceremonies. If you chose to have your ceremony at Upton Barn & Walled Garden this will appear on your venue hire booking with the relevant fee, Find out more on our budgeting tool.

What do I need to know about my civil ceremony?

Upton Barn and Walled Garden are fully licensed for civil ceremonies in both The Cider Barn and The Arbour in the Walled Garden. A typical ceremony lasts about 30 minutes and is conducted by a Registrar from Mid Devon Registrars (you will need to book your registrar).

By law, a civil ceremony must be non-religious in content, so cannot include, for example, hymns, religious readings, music or prayers however a civil ceremony can be tailored to you by including favourite readings, poems, live or recorded music allowing your imagination to run wild.

We provide the discreet management of your ceremony so you can completely relax in the knowledge that your “I dos” will run seamlessly.

You can choose between our arbor constructed of oak from the farm or our lovingly restored Cider Barn for your ceremony, both are set within the grounds of our stunning Walled Garden and are the perfect choice for providing a relaxed and unique feel to your day.

 

How do I book the registrar to carry out my civil service?

Your chosen ceremony date and time must be agreed with Upton Barn & Walled Garden. You will then need to book your ceremony by contacting Devon Registration Services:

Telephone: 0345 155 1002
Email: [email protected]

Consumption of alcohol is not permitted in the ceremony area until after your ceremony.

Mid Devon Registration Office can give you further details about ceremonies, however, we have provided a useful link below to help you understand the next steps;

Guide to planning a Marriage or Civil Partnership

You may find it useful to look into the differences between a marriage and a civil partnership before you book your registrar, more information can be found here

Do you have a PA system for our speeches?

We have a great sound system with wireless microphones that your Wedding Coordinator will hand out when the time comes to those giving speeches.

Are there areas for us to get ready in the morning?

The Paddock is our beautiful space designed specifically with this is mind, this optional spa-like space has everything you will need for the ultimate relaxing, pampering wedding morning. Along with all the functional elements like showers, hair and make-up stations, comfy sofas, it has gorgeous natural light and great views so you can watch your guests from a distance as they arrive.

How flexible are the timings of the day?

The timings of your day will be dependent on your wedding ceremony time with the registrars, we will work with you to plan your day out exactly as you would like it around those timings. As a guide, we recommend couples book their ceremony between 1-2pm, this gives a nice flow to the day and allows enough time to get ready in the morning.

Do you allow candles?

Absolutely, candles look beautiful and are fine as long as they are in a suitable and safe container to avoid wax dripping onto surfaces.

How do we provide you with the music we want to play?

We use Spotify to play your music on the day so we will ask you to create Spotify playlists for us to download.

The Wedding Breakfast

Do you offer food tastings?

Our designated caterers Mulberry Catering Co and Pickle Shack regularly host food tastings, contact them directly to find out when and where their next tasting event is.

Do I have to use your recommended suppliers?

You are only required to use our designated caterers for your wedding breakfast, if you would prefer to use a food truck for your evening food you are welcome to. Our recommended suppliers list is based on those companies our couples have used and we have had experience of working with. You will be sent this list when you book your wedding at Upton. All suppliers working at Upton will be required to provide evidence of Public Liability Insurance plus PAT testing certificates (if bringing electrical equipment) Gas Safety certificates (if using Gas onsite) Drone licence (if using a drone onsite) .

Do your caterers have menus for different diets including vegetarian and vegan?

Both of our caterers are very talented chefs who are experienced, they will tailor the menus to suit your needs and any allergies your guests may have.

Are crockery and linen included in the price?

Yes, glassware is included in your venue hire cost. All crockery and white linen (for our round tables) are included in your caterers costs as seen in our Budgeting Tool. Coloured linen (napkins/tablecloths) can be booked through your chosen caterer for an additional charge.

What size tables do you have?

We have 6ft x 2ft 6″ oak trestle tables and 6ft round tables.

Do you have any items we can hire?

We have a number of items that can be hired including garden games like Giant Jenga and Cornhole. We also have decorative items including a hand crafted oak Post Box, Easels and a beautiful Hanging oak beam with Edison lights that can be suspended from the ceiling in the Stable Barn above the top table.

Find out prices of these items in our Budgeting Tool.

Evening Reception

What time can our evening guests arrive?

We will help you work out your timings based on your ceremony and your wedding breakfast and you can then decide on what time you would like your evening guests to arrive.

Are fireworks permitted?

We unfortunately cannot allow fireworks at Upton Barn & Walled Garden due to the livestock living on site.

Do we need to pack up at the end of the night?
You don’t need to worry about a thing, we will pack all of your personal and decorative items back into your secure storage area for you to collect the following morning.
Do you have an open fire pit?

Yes, we do have an open fire pit that will be lit in the evening, you are welcome to provide marshmallows and sticks for your guests should you wish to toast marshmallows.

Can we have a pop up food truck for our evening guests?

Yes, you are welcome to choose a speciality caterer for your evening food. We have a designated spot next to the fire pit which has an electric hook up and is easily accessible from The Press Bar.

Is there space for a live band and when can they set up?

Yes, the raised area in The Cider Barn lends itself perfectly as a stage, with room for a number of performers and their instruments. There are ample power points for them too.

What time can we have entertainment until?
Entertainment is allowed until Midnight. The bar also closes at midnight.
Are there quieter areas for family to talk as well?

Absolutely, The Press Bar is over two levels so you can relax on the comfortable seating in the upper area, or get toasty seated down by the wood burner in the lower section. There is of course lots of outdoor seating in the Walled Garden for those not wishing to hit the dance floor all night.

What payments do you accept at the bar?

Card payments are accepted at the bar.

Is there a noise limit?

Bands and DJs need to ensure that the volume does not exceed 105 decibels on the dance floor at any time. We have a sound limiter in place which ensures levels remain within the parameters permitted.

Facilities

How many toilets are there?

We have a block of mens and ladies and an individual wheelchair-accessible toilet adjacent to the Cider Barn, we also have 2 toilets next to the Tack Room with baby changing facilities.

Is there somewhere we can securely store our wedding gifts?

The Tack Room is a secure room which only you have access to on your wedding day, you can leave items in there should you wish, any items left in there at the end of the night will be placed into the secure storage area for you to collect the next morning.

Do you have baby changing facilities, high chairs and space for breastfeeding?

We have high-chairs for your mini guests and baby changing facilities in the toilets next to the Tack Room and in our wheelchair-accessible toilet adjacent to the Cider Barn. If you wish to let selected guests use your private Tack Room to feed you are welcome to do this. Alternatively there is comfortable modular seating and a sofa in the Press Bar and Lower Press areas.

Pricing and Payment

How much will the initial deposit be and when is the final payment due?

Our low deposit offer is currently £500, this will be followed by your first instalment payable 16 weeks after your deposit, second instalment would be due 8 weeks before your wedding and the final payment is due 2 weeks before your wedding date.

Is VAT Included in the prices given to us?

Yes, our prices include VAT.

What’s your Cancellation Policy?
You will receive your documentation including full terms and conditions for you to sign when you book Upton Barn & Walled Garden, all of the details regarding cancellations can be found in detail in this document, we ask you to read through this carefully before you sign and return to us.
Do you have Public Liability Insurance?

Yes, we have full public and product liability insurance. We also ask all suppliers working with Upton to provide their certificate of PL insurance.

What happens at our first viewing?

Please allow an hour for your first viewing. We try to cover everything in great detail so that we have a good understanding of your requirements for your big day. From your ideas on food, entertainment, style, set up etc. We will show you all our facilities and go through our prices, options etc.

Can I bring family members or my photographer along to see Upton before my wedding?

Yes, we hold regular friends, family and supplier days on Sundays, you will be invited along as your wedding approaches.

What’s included in my venue hire fee?

Exactly what is included within the hire cost you ask? Well look no further, we have listed all of the items that are exclusively yours and included in your venue hire fee here.

Planning your wedding

When will I have my final planning meeting?

Once you have booked your wedding we offer you a private planning meeting to help you plan your wedding day. We will book a mutually convenient time for your planning meeting with us on a date approximately 4 to 6 weeks before your big day.

What happens at my final planning meeting?

Your final planning meeting is held at Upton with your Wedding Coordinator who will be supporting you throughout your planning process and on your wedding day. This is a great opportunity to discuss your plans with them in order for them to gain an understanding of how you would like your day to run.

During this meeting your Wedding Coordinator will ask for details of all the suppliers you have chosen (e.g. florist, photographer, musician etc). They will also establish the running order of your wedding day and confirm timings. They will also agree a time for you to drop off all of your wedding items the day before, such as decorations, place cards etc.

What will your Wedding Coordinator do on your wedding day?
They will be working hard to make sure everything runs smoothly for you. Briefly this will include the following:

  • Oversee the placement of your venue decorations and meet your suppliers
  • Help your florist and cake supplier find what they need to set up
  • Meet and greet your guests as they arrive and invite them into the Walled Garden or Cider Barn
  • Liaise with your Registrar
  • Discuss timings with your photographer
  • Welcome you and your attendants when you arrive
  • Discreetly manage and coordinate your ceremony and music
  • Set up the tables, chairs and your decorations in The Stable Barn for your wedding breakfast in conjunction with your caterers
  • Work closely with your caterer, Best Man, Ushers and MC to ensure your day runs smoothly
  • Provide microphones when it is time for speeches
  • Re-set The Cider Barn after your ceremony for your band or DJ and dancing
  • Meet your band or DJ and show them where to set up
  • Meet any evening caterers and show them where to set up
  • Remain on hand to help with any requirements from you or your guests throughout the day until your Evening Event Manager takes over.

“A fabulous venue for weddings! Beautiful garden, flowers, views and lake. Great attention to the needs of the bride, groom and all the guests, including accessibility for wheelchair user. The staff were friendly, helpful and professional. Thank you for making the Mullen wedding a day to remember.”

Fiona Mullen