Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have questions about
your big day at Harefield Barn?

Do you have questions about your big day at Harefield Barn?

Every wedding is utterly unique at Harefield Barn but we know you’ll have questions about the space. We’ve tackled some of the most common queries below on everything from confetti to coaches but of course if you need to know something not answered below, please do get in touch with us and we’d be delighted to help.

We are just ten minutes from Exeter and about 5 minutes from the main Exeter to Crediton road, so yes, we are easy to find, but PLEASE make sure you follow the directions given on our Contact Us page.  If you use SAT NAV and a postcode alone, some systems seem to take people on a magical mystery tour of the area! You can also use a google maps pin, or What Three Words ///neatly.blitz.aliens which brings you to our entrance.  Just bear right up the concrete drive and you'll see the Barn ahead of you.

Exclusive use of Harefield Barn and grounds from 9 am on the Friday (or first day of your hire period) until 11.00am on Sunday (or final day of your hire period). However, there is no accommodation in the Barn, so it will be locked overnight once your party has finished. You will also have a dedicated member of staff to help coordinate your day from first contact until your final guest leaves.

Hire includes use of all the furniture and equipment listed on the ​'What's Included' tab of our website.  ​Also included are heating and cleaning charges along with a supply of logs for the woodburning stove and fire pit and a selection of toiletries for the loos. 

We have tried to ensure that once we have given you a price, there are no 'hidden' extras to take you by surprise when you work out your final costings, so unless you have specifically negotiated something different, the prices above are inclusive of everything except the following:

  • £500 Security Deposit.  This will be returned to you within two weeks of your wedding as long as there has been no significant damage, breakages, excessive additional cleaning or rubbish from evening food vans.
  • The price of any hire items (a list of which will be provided to you on booking).

It's very important to us that we keep the personal and flexible nature of Harefield Barn, so for weddings, we only offer an extended hire period which gives you time to personalise your event and relax and enjoy such an important day. 

There are some occasions when single day hire is more appropriate; ie., a dinner dance or party.  Please get in touch if you would like to hold this sort of event.

We have twelve 5'6" round tables which seat up to 10 per table, along with 120 Chivari Chairs with cream seats, all of which are included in your hire.  Along with a top table, this allows you to seat  128 or so very comfortably.  You can fit more around each table, hire in trestle tables or additional round tables if you wish, but this might restrict your ability to have a separate top table and make things a little tight!  It is always a good idea to check with your caterers how much room they need around the tables.  If you are having a buffet or barbecue where you might not choose to provide tables and chairs for everyone, then these numbers would increase, and we can have up to 200 with standing room only.

We understand that a shower of confetti is most definitely a traditional and fun part of your wedding day and makes for great photographs, so of course you can as long as you use fresh or dried petals! However, we are finding that even when couples bring dried flower petals, it turns out that they have been dyed, which can stain the terrace and, more importantly, peoples clothes.  Please be extremely careful to source your confetti from suppliers who guarantee that their petals have not been dyed. CONFETTI CANONS ARE EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN. Please ensure your guest do not bring their own confetti or confetti canons, as if canons are let off, you may be liable for an additional cleaning charge.

We do not have any accommodation ourselves. However there are lots of alternatives you might consider.

  • There are lots of beautiful B&B's and holiday cottages in the surrounding area - take a look at our Accommodation Page to get you started.
  • With Exeter only 10 minutes away, why not book a taxi to take advantage of its wide range of Hotels, Guesthouses and B&Bs too.
  • Or why not set yourselves up a ‘tent village’ in the meadow  for your guests to camp – this can either be by using your own tents, motor homes or caravans, or by using a company who will administer and carry out the whole process for you. You may be able to arrange access to some of the facilities in the building, by arrangement. Please ask us for details.

Of course!  We do our best to be a completely flexible venue, allowing you to use your own ideas to create your perfect day, so everything from flowers and bunting to fairy lights and blankets to keep you warm around the fire pit are welcome.

We have attached some beautiful hand-forged hooks on the beams to help with this, and we provide you with a lightweight pole which you can use to reach them without the need for ladders etc.  There are also wooden pegs on the horizontal beams at both ends of the Main Hall for you to use, and you're welcome to hang garlands, bunting, lights etc from the extra long vintage ladder on the wall.  More details and measurements can be found on the Floor Plan page of the About us Tab by following this link ...https://www.harefieldbarn.co.uk/about-us/floor-plan

To ensure the safety of your guests, we are not insured for you not to use real candles for your wedding. 

However, we have a large selection of battery operated candles available so that you can achieve the same effect without the worry! Just ask when you contact us.

We will take care of all the furniture moving during the day between ceremony and meal and then later to create the dance floor.

Once you have decided how many tables you would like to remove, it really doesn't take as long as you might think to make it happen!

While your guests make their way to the bar or outside for a chat, the band/disco will set up and we will ensure everything is ready for the evening party.  If you want this to happen in double quick time, then we're happy to arrange additional staff to help, for which there will be a charge.

Our bar is currently run by LAP Food and Bars, with their friendly and efficient staff on hand to make your guests welcome. They offer a wide selection of drinks and are happy to chat with you about any specific drink requests you may have, or ways you may wish to 'put money behind the bar' for your friends and family.

LAP Food and Bars have facilities to take payment by card and in cash.   

We do have Wifi in the Barn, but due to our countryside location, the band width is limited, so we cannot offer it to all your guests as it could affect our systems.  It can be provided in an emergency or for your musicians to use if they are streaming music live.

Many couples look at this as the perfect opportunity to have an 'unplugged' day, with everyone putting away their phones and simply enjoying the moment! 

Our extended hire period allows you the freedom to be more flexible for your suppliers to deliver their items.  However, please be aware that if your items are delivered or collected out of your hire times, they may have to leave them outside the Barn where they will be subject to weather conditions and we cannot guarantee their safety.

You certainly can!  Our location is perfect for a spectacular display and we've had some absolutely fabulous ones!  If you would like to find out more - take a look at the website for great local award winning firework specialists Sonic Fireworks http://sonicfireworks.co.uk. PLEASE NOTE: You are not allowed to set off your own fireworks.  Any firework displays must be carried out by a registered company with the required safety certification, and their use notified to us at least three months before your event.

Chinese lanterns are not permitted due to the fire risk and potential harm caused to local livestock and wildlife.

Yes, but due to the risk of boiling water being spilled, we do not allow you to use an urn in public areas.  We have a 4 litre insulated pump action jug available for hire at £5 which can be filled from the instant hot water boiler in the kitchen to ensure your guests stay safe. 

Please remember that if you choose this option, you will need to think about hiring additional cups and saucers/mugs or providing disposables, and there needs to be someone to clear away dirty china and replenish your milk etc.  Harefield staff are happy to re-fill the insulated jug with boiling water from the kitchen as required.

We have two sets of chairs, namely 120 natural wood Chivari chairs with cream cushion pads and 100 dark wood folding chairs with cream/grey seat pads.  It's up to you how you choose to use them, but we have found that using the same chairs for your outdoor ceremony and your meal works very well, as it's quick  and easy to bring them in from the terrace and put them around the tables. 

Yes they do.  Take a look at our Tariff and Availability page to check the current pricing structure, and do keep your eye out for special offers which often enable you to book a weekend wedding for a mid-week price at less busy times of the year.

Sadly, our turning off the country lane is not quite wide enough to enable full size coaches to get right to the Barn.  However, we do have space for them to turn in the farmyard, so your guests could be dropped off in the lane and walk the last couple of hundred metres (make sure they bring suitable shoes and coats for a stone track!!).  

Midi and Mini-buses, however, would not have a problem getting into the car park and picking up from right outside the door, so that might be the easier option for your guests!

They are very happy to collect from Harefield Barn, but due to our country location, we ask you to make sure that you and your guests pre-book taxis well before your event so you don't have a long wait.

We provide you with a selection of specially curated drinks menus (including non-alcoholic options) from which you can choose, and no other alcohol is permitted to be brought onto the site.

If you wish to consider an alcoholic 'favour' for your guests, there will be a small additional charge.  However, we would discourage this unless you have an all adult guest list.

All the ground floor and terrace areas at Harefield Barn have been designed to be wheelchair accessible.  Please read more details in our Accessibility Statement

All the ground floor and terrace areas at Harefield Barn have been designed to be wheelchair accessible.  Please contact us on hello@harefieldbarn.co.uk for our full Accessibility Statement 

 



 

You certainly can!  We have an assortment of different sized English and French churns, and you can find their dimensions here.  Please be aware that if you are planning to use fresh rather than dried flowers, they will need to have access to water to keep them looking good. This means finding a container that fits snuggly in the top of the churns (they're far to deep and heavy if you fill the whole thing up with water!). We do have some suitable containers you can use with flower foam - just ask if you would like to know more.