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The Great Barn Wedding Venue

An exclusive-use 18th-century barn wedding venue in the Oxfordshire countryside

Oxfordshire, Banbury

from £5,350

175 guests

read 89 reviews

The Great Barn is an Exclusive Use Wedding Barn

The venue is licenced for Civil Ceremonies

Dressing Room available from 9am with the venue hire

Styling, décor, DJ and lighting in-house packages available

The venue has its own in-house catering team of chefs

On-site accommodation - 3 beautiful cottages available

Business details last verified on 24th of December 2025 by the Guides for Brides team.

Prices & Capacity

Prices

Typical Price: £9,367

Price Range: £5,350 - £13,385

Capacity

Ceremony: 120

Standing: 175

Seated Meal: 120

Accommodation

Sleeps: 10

Contact The Great Barn

About The Great Barn, Banbury

The Great Barn is an exclusive-use barn wedding venue set in the Oxfordshire countryside near Aynho. The beautifully restored barn features original Cotswold stone walls, exposed oak beams and vaulted ceilings. Licensed for civil ceremonies, The Great Barn allows couples to host their full wedding day in one character-filled location, with indoor and outdoor spaces for celebrations.

The Great Barn is a historic barn wedding venue offering couples exclusive use of the entire site for their wedding day. Originally built in the 18th century as part of the Cartwright Estate, the venue combines rustic character with modern comforts, creating a relaxed yet impressive setting for weddings throughout the year.

The venue is licensed for civil ceremonies and can host both ceremonies and receptions on site, allowing couples and guests to enjoy a seamless flow from vows to evening celebrations. The main barn provides a light-filled space during the day, enhanced by high ceilings, exposed beams and stone walls, while ambient lighting creates a warm atmosphere for evening dining and dancing.

The Great Barn can accommodate up to 120 guests for the ceremony and wedding breakfast, with additional capacity for evening celebrations (175 evening guests). Flexible spaces include the main barn for dining and dancing, alongside an upper-level area that offers a quieter space for drinks and conversation overlooking the celebrations below. Outdoor areas such as the patio and lawn are available for drinks receptions, mingling and wedding photography.

In-house catering is provided by the venue’s experienced chefs, with menus designed to suit a range of tastes and dietary requirements. A fully licensed bar is available on site, and couples can enhance their day with a selection of optional extras, including décor hire, lighting, entertainment and photo experiences.

A private dressing room is available for wedding preparations, and the venue team offers planning support from initial viewing through to the wedding day. Located near Aynho, The Great Barn is easily accessible from Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire and surrounding areas, with on-site parking available for guests.

The Details

Type of Ceremony

Civil ceremony licensed

Humanist / Celebrant weddings

Venue Setting

Countryside

Venue Type

Barn

Exclusive use

Intimate Venue

Outdoor / Garden

Historic

Additional Facilities

Dance floor

Live music permitted

Discos permitted

Wedding coordinator

Onsite car parking

Licensed bar

Honeymoon suite

Dog friendly

Bridal Dressing Room

Catering Options

Inhouse Caterers

BBQ / Hog Roasts

Buffet

No Corkage

Vegan

Special Guides for Brides Offers

FREE Evening Food (Wood Fired Pizzas) for Additional Guests

Instructions

Up to 70 guests are £18 per person Next 50 guests are FREE (£900 Saving) Over 120 guests are £9 per person (50% Discount)

Terms and conditions

This offer is only valid for pizzas from the evening food menus, and not drinks packages. Offer not available to previously confirmed bookings, transfers of date, or used in conjunction with any other offer.

SAVE £150 on your Entertainment Extras

Instructions

Book our DJ & Entertainment Package 2 and receive £150 OFF any Entertainment Extras.

Terms and conditions

Offer valid only for Package 2. Limited-time offer. Subject to availability.

Contact & Location

The Great Barn, Banbury

Upper Aynho Grounds, Aynho, OX17 3AY, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom

FAQs

This is an exclusive use events venue. We will conduct viewings on the morning of your wedding up to an hour before the ceremony.

The venue is licensed to hold ceremonies and has a capacity of 120.

Wedding ceremonies at The Great Barn are held indoors. The venue’s Cart Shed provides a light-filled setting with fairylights and floor-to-ceiling windows, offering the feel of an outdoor ceremony while providing the comfort and reliability of an indoor space in all seasons.

The venue does not charge corkage, as external food and drink are not permitted. All catering and beverages are provided by the venue’s in-house chefs, with a range of drinks packages available to suit different wedding styles.

The Great Barn does not allow external caterers. All food is prepared on site by the venue’s in-house catering team, offering a selection of menus and catering options for weddings.

Venue hire at The Great Barn begins at 9:00am, from which time couples and their suppliers can access the venue to decorate. Exact arrangements can be confirmed with the venue team during planning.

The music goes off and bar closes at midnight, with guests and suppliers being asked to finish their drinks and leave the building and off-site by 12.30 am.

The Great Barn operates a sound limiter set to 95dBA for all live music and DJ entertainment.

The Great Barn does not allow fireworks.

We only permit dried natural flower petals or lavender confetti, and only used outside.

We do not permit real flames inside the venue, but you are welcome to use LED tea lights or LED candles

The Great Barn does not have a dedicated honeymoon suite. However, three on-site cottages are available to hire separately, providing accommodation options for the couple and guests.

We have 3 cottages available that can be rented for an additional cost. Sleep up to 10 guests.

Yes, there are plenty of hotels nearby. Check our page for hotel recommendations.

Our Sustainability Commitments

The Great Barn takes a considered approach to sustainability by focusing on long-term use, reuse and local sourcing. In-house catering helps reduce unnecessary transport and packaging, while seasonal menu planning supports responsible food practices. Many décor items and styling elements are reused across events, minimising waste. The gardens and grounds are maintained year-round, allowing couples to celebrate in a natural setting without temporary structures or single-use materials.

Why Couples Recommend The Great Barn Wedding Venue

Couples frequently praise The Great Barn as a stunning and photogenic venue, with many saying they fell in love with it at first sight. The beautiful buildings and grounds provide a perfect backdrop for the wedding day, often requiring little extra decoration. A consistent highlight across reviews is the exceptional service provided by the professional and attentive staff, particularly the dedicated wedding coordinators. They are credited with ensuring every detail is perfectly executed, allowing the day to run flawlessly and enabling couples to relax and enjoy the occasion without any stress. The in-house catering receives rave reviews, with guests consistently complimenting the delicious, high-quality food. The venue is also commended for its excellent on-site accommodation and its ability to accommodate personal touches, creating a truly perfect, magical, and unforgettable experience for wedding celebrations.

Customer Reviews

89 reviews

Add review+

Samantha Barker

Dec 2025 -

Paige Thompson

Nov 2025 -

From The Team

Kate

Sales Manager

Welcome to The Great Barn. We hope you have found all the information you need and that you have had a chance to look at our website and social media to help you get a better idea of what we can offer. It really is a beautiful venue and we would love to show you around. If you have any questions regarding weddings at The Great Barn, please don't hesitate to get in touch - we will be more than happy to help.

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