Here’s some handy answers to some of our frequently asked questions. Enjoy!!
WHERE IS THIS SECRET BARN, THEN? The barn is down a quiet country lane, in West Sussex, with views of the downs. It’s close to Steyning.
YES, BUT WHAT’S THE ADDRESS? Ahh, we could tell you, but then we’d have to kill you. The Secret Barn is on private property and we don’t give out the address willy nilly!
DO YOU HAVE ANY AVAILABILITY FOR 2026 /2027? We are booking 2027 and 2028, but we have a couple of 2026 dates remaining if you are interested – just get in touch.
WHAT ABOUT 2029? Woah there! Easy tiger, not just yet. When we do we will first announce it on our instagram page so it is worth keeping your eye on there.
HOW MANY OF MY NEAREST AND DEAREST CAN I CROW BAR IN? The Secret Barn seats up to 110(ish) people and stands up to 150. If you would like to have more there is the option of a marquee / tipi.
WE ARE BRINGING LOTS OF CHILDREN… That’s lovely, but please remind parents that it is a working farm and they are responsible for supervising their children, at all times.
HOW LONG DO WE HAVE ACCESS TO THIS RURAL IDYL? Assuming the wedding is on a Saturday you will usually have access for setting up and decorating from the Thursday, but always from the Friday, the barn needs to be left as you found it by Monday afternoon.
CAN WE DECIDE WE WANT TO STAY FOREVER, WHEN THE WEDDING IS OVER? No, not really! You can camp on the night of the wedding, everyone needs to go after breakfast unless they are helping clear up. Everything needs to be back to as it was by Monday afternoon. Most people have everything sorted by lunch time Sunday.
CAN I GET MARRIED THERE? Yes! The barn has a wedding licence so you can be legally married on site in both the orchard and the ceremony barn, both original, both beautiful.
CAN WE DECORATE HOWEVER WE LIKE? Within reason, yes, so long as it can all be taken back down again. We ask that you don’t hammer in to the old wood beams, etc. wrapping / tying things on works just as well.
I DON’T WANT TO SET UP AND DECORATE, WILL YOU? Yes, please get in touch and tell us what you would like so we can provide a quote.
WHAT ABOUT TABLES AND CHAIRS? We have trestle tables and benches which you are welcome to use. If you would like different tables / chairs these would be extra and we can help you with the hire of them. Trestle tables x 16 (20” wide, 88” long, 30” high). Benches x 32 (10.5” wide x 86” long x 18” high). The kitchen has a fridge for food and oven, so you won’t need to worry about getting those in.
IS THERE POWER AT THE BARN? Yes, there are so many plugs.
ARE THERE LIGHTS IN THE BARN? Yes, there are lots of beautiful lights in the barn and the lawn is lit with festoon lights.
ARE THERE LOOS AT THE BARN? Yes, we have the nicest loos in Sussex.
CAN WE HAVE A LIVE BAND? Yes you can. (If it’s a barn dance you have to let us lot join in though.)
CAN WE HAVE FIREWORKS? Unfortunately fireworks present a whole new world of fire precautions, health and safety requirements and livestock problems so we do not allow fireworks.
OHHHHH, WHAT ABOUT CHINESE LANTERNS? Nope – though they look lovely when you send them off but they cause too many problems for the local wildlife and livestock, sorry!
WHY DO I NEED WEDDING INSURANCE? Getting Wedding Insurance is part of our T&Cs. If, for any reason, you need to cancel your wedding, you will need to go to your wedding insurance to claim back any deposits you have paid out to any suppliers, it should also cover the barn and any liability for your guests. We will need your policy name and number, public liability of £2000000. We aren’t affiliated with any insurance company – please have a look around and decide which policy suits your needs. This is needed within two weeks of taking your booking.
WHAT ISN’T THERE? Horrible chair covers (!). Table linen. Glassware. Round tables. Chairs.
WHAT EQUIPMENT MIGHT I NEED? We have two normal sized fridges you can use for bottled drinks only – you may decide you want extra refrigeration. Glassware – we can help you with this.
WE’D LIKE SOME HAY BALES, IS THAT OK? You can have up to 10 straw bales for the grass area outside the barn – John, the farmer and barn owner can organise these for you as well as fire bowl and wood.
WE LIKE THE IDEA OF HAVING HAYBALES INSTEAD OF CHAIRS, CAN WE HAVE THEM IN THE BARN? Nope – hay bales and 150 year old timber building are not a great mix for fire, straw bales must be kept out of / away from the barn.
WE’D LIKE TO PUT UP A MARQUEE – IS THAT POSSIBLE? Yes! we have just the place for it. Please ask us to show it to you when we show you round.
WHAT’S THE LOW DOWN ON CAMPERS AND CAMPING? We have set the limit at 40 campers at The Secret Barn to avoid a situation where we are policing Glastonbury!
MY FRIENDS SCREAM / SHOUT / PLAY MUSIC FROM THEIR CARS ALL NIGHT – IS THAT OK? No, it’s not! Your guests are YOUR responsibility. If there’s too much noise they will be required to leave, and you will be required to facilitate this. Abusive behaviour is also not on.
WHEN CAN WE SET UP CAMPERS TENTS? People can come and set up tent’s on Friday or Saturday. You could also get in touch with Katrina from Beautiful Belles who can come and put up Bell Tents for you and as many of your guests as you like. There is a ‘Wedding Bell Tent’ option as well as a tents for your guests, etc. If you are looking for camping chat – she is your girl.
CAN WE LEAVE OUR CARS OVER NIGHT? Yes! No problem.
IS THERE ANY ACCOMMODATION NEAR BY? We are not far from The Pig in the South Downs, the perfect wedding hotel, surely. There are lots of B&Bs around and a few small hotels, there are also lots of holiday homes / Airbnbs in the area for more flexible accommodation.There is of course the option Glamping option with Beautiful Bells, giving your guest a nicely priced, on site, fun stay over option, if they prefer to bring their own tent that’s fine too.
WHAT IF IT RAINS? You are able to have your ceremony in the ceremony barn and if needs be we will also do the canapes in there. The Shack is perfect for days where its fine but a bit iffy, providing cover for a passing shower.
With many thanks to Irene Yap, Elizabeth Ruby, Jo Thorne and Olive Joy for letting us use their gorgeous pictures from some of the lovely weddings we have held at The Secret Barn.
