Capacities
The Barn complex can host a wide variety of events, but the capacity will vary according to the plans for the occasion. A sit down meal in the main barn will be able to host fewer than a summer party with both indoor and outdoor activities.
Our smaller cart-shed can be be a very novel venue for corporate events, small private gatherings and group meetings.
Acceptable capacities for events can range from 30 to 200.
Facilities
The facilities in the Medieval Barn complex are obviously different to those of a more modern venue. They also vary according to the part of the complex that you may hire.
Heating:
The main barn is not heated. From mid-spring to mid autumn it is comfortable – and pleasantly cool in the height of summer. In the depths of winter it will be cold – this does limit what it can be used for; although there is the very successful Carols in the Barn event and a local school has regularly held their Christmas concert here.
The cart-shed centre will be heated
- Equipment: A range of equipment from tables and chairs to white boards and audio-visual equipment can be hired for the venue, there is also a catering area and some equipment which may be available.
- Parking: There is some car parking on site, but it is limited.
- Toilets: There are a number of toilets on site including disabled facilities.
- Catering: We do not offer a catering service, nor do we limit your choice of caterers – you can hire a professional team or you can do it yourselves with the aid of friends.
Pricing
The cost of hiring the Barn does depend upon exactly what you want to do, and when and where you want to do it ! The following are indicative scenarios and prices only:
• Traditional wedding reception: this would involve a 48 hour hire from 12:00 Friday until 11:59 Sunday which allows for setting-up and taking down in addition to the reception itself. The total fee would be of the order of £1170, plus a £500 deposit.
• A day only party in the main barn: a hire period from 09:30 to 22:00. The total fee would be of the order of £970, plus a £500 deposit.
• The cart-shed space can be hired for either £25/hour (for up to four hours), or £300 for a working day. If needed there may be extra charges for use of equipment or other on-site facilities outside of the cart shed.
These figures are indicative only; they are neither a quotation nor an estimate.
• Film location: requests to film on site (subject to separate local authority consents) are charged by the hours for which access is required. The rate is set depending upon the nature of the film or recording envisaged following negotiation. Hiring agreements will normally be for a minimum number of five hours.
Discounts may be available at the Trust’s discretion for bona fide charity events.
Nothing in this document guarantees the acceptance of a hire request. The Trust reserves the right to decline a hire request or proposal at its own absolute discretion without giving reasons. Any hire request accepted, would be subject to the Trust’s written Terms and Conditions. The Trust reserves the right to vary these figures and T&Cs at any time without notice. Additional fees may be stipulated from time to time depending on the nature of the hiring request.
Availability
As a small volunteer trust we do not maintain an online booking system. Please get in touch
The main barn is very much in demand in the summer months. If you are interested in a particular date, please contact us as far ahead as you can.
The next step
If you would like to apply to hire the Barn, or would like further information, please contact us on:
hire@winterbournebarn.org.uk with as much detail as you can, and we will reply as soon as we can.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
There is still some limited availability for this year, but we are not currently taking any bookings for third party events in 2019. This is because the current plans for refurbishment work on parts of the site are likely to see the site closed for most purposes throughout most of 2019. It is possible that we may be able to
accommodate some smaller events that wish to use the cart shed, but this will depend upon detailed timetabling for the refurbishment.
For further details on the refurbishment see the Latest News section of this website
Restrictions – the small print
Our Barn is a unique building dating from 1342 and it may not suit all hirers’ needs. We have therefore found it useful in the past if potential hirers have an escorted visit to the Barn to view what might be available to them, to work out what is possible or not, and to assess whether the Barn would be suitable for their event. This would include discussions about the type of event, your planned activities, the timetable and the numbers of guests envisaged.
Our Medieval Barn is a unique national historical asset, so if you would like to hire the Barn or any part of the complex, you must be prepared to adapt your requirements to the needs of the Barn itself. In the event that your requested booking is accepted by the Trust, you must undertake to respect the buildings of the Barn complex, and guarantee to keep any disruption to the immediate neighbourhood and the wider village community to the minimum.
Neither the issue, completion nor submission of our booking enquiry forms guarantee that the Trust will accept the booking request. Any hire request that is accepted, would be subject to the Trust’s written Terms and Conditions – some of the principle conditions include:
• Operating hours which have been set by the local authority require that the Barn is not used before 09:30 or after 22:00
• Rules governing what type and volume of music may be played
• Rules covering the maximum number of people and vehicles that may be on site at any one time
• Restrictions on the use of naked lights, heating equipment and other potential sources of ignition or equipment
• Requirements that full details of your proposed event, including timings, equipment, decorations or other ‘embellishments’ must be agreed in advance with the Trust. Nothing may be fixed to any part of the Barn structure – even temporarily – without the prior consent of the Trust.
• Provision by you of a Risk Management Plan for your event
Details of hiring fees, charges and deposits.
Any figures given here are indicative only; they are neither a quotation nor an estimate. The Trust reserves the right to decline a hire request or proposal at its own absolute discretion without giving reasons. The Trust reserves the right to vary these figures and T&Cs at any time without notice. Additional fees may be stipulated from time to time depending on the nature of the hiring request.
