The Perfect Barn Wedding Venue in Essex

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When you and your guests step inside Smeetham Hall Barn, you’ll be welcomed by an atmosphere of elegance, charm, and timeless romance.. Our barn, with its stunning high-vaulted ceiling and original timber beams, is over 500 years old. It has been meticulously restored into a tasteful wedding venue, ready for you to enjoy. Victoria and Sophie will go above and beyond to make your wedding dreams come true.

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The barn is perfect for weddings and civil ceremonies of all sizes, from intimate gatherings of 30 to 40 guests to grand celebrations with up to 150 guests for a sit-down wedding breakfast. The spacious dance area provides plenty of room to dance the night away to the band or DJ of your choice.

 

A Marquee or Garden Wedding Reception 

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Adjacent to the barn, our silk-lined marquee, located in a sheltered courtyard, accommodates up to 150 guests. Heated in cooler weather to maintain a perfect ambiance, the marquee is ideal for drinks and canapés, offering a comfortable space for mingling away from the dance floor. There's also room for additional musicians, such as a string quartet, to enhance your reception.

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For a civil wedding ceremony held in the barn, you and your guests can smoothly transition into the marquee or the landscaped gardens, where Splinters Caterers, our dedicated catering partner, will be ready to serve drinks. If an outdoor ceremony is your preference, we are licensed to hold weddings beside the lake on The Great Lawn.

Couples choosing a church wedding will find our caterers waiting at the French doors of the marquee to welcome the bridal party.

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In addition to the marquee, you’ll have access to the scenic courtyard, perfect for stone-baked pizza, barbecues, hog roasts, and enjoying the beautiful outdoors throughout the day.

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Smeetham Hall Barn: A Rich History and Idyllic Setting

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Smeetham Hall Barn is a privately owned 16th-century barn set on a property listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. As a Grade II listed building, it was originally used as a threshing barn for grain storage before becoming a livestock barn until the mid-1970s.

 

The Hyde Parker family has resided at Smeetham Hall since 1906, and it remains a working farm.

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In 1998, the barn was beautifully converted into a wedding venue and has since become one of Essex's most esteemed locations for weddings.

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Explore the Local Area

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The surrounding region boasts a rich history with charming towns and villages nestled in rolling agricultural countryside, complemented by a scenic coastline offering everything from fishing to funfairs.

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Famous East Anglians include portrait and landscape artists Thomas Gainsborough (Sudbury) and John Constable (Dedham), as well as composer Benjamin Britten (Aldeburgh). Newmarket, known for its Derby-winning horses, is the heart of horse racing.

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Essex and Suffolk are home to beautiful churches and cathedrals, including Long Melford, Lavenham, and St. Edmundsbury Cathedral in Bury St. Edmunds. Renowned stately homes such as Melford Hall, Kentwell Hall, Ickworth Park, and Audley End add to the area's historical allure.

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Visitors can also enjoy a variety of leisure activities, including country and coastal walks, golf courses, Newmarket racecourse, and sailing.​