We’re shining a light on Oak Barn, Frame Farm, a place where heritage, character and rural beauty all combine in perfect harmony. If you’re an engaged couple in search of an exclusive rustic venue in a truly idyllic setting, then look no further. In this exclusive showcase, we’ll explore all the charm and highlights of Oak Barn, with insights from owners Deana and Tim Maw. Read on to discover the joys of this stunning venue for yourself.
Highlights of the venue
Oak Barn is an award-winning eco venue dating back to 1607, set in a gorgeous valley in the heart of Kent’s High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, yet only an hour away from London.
There are three stunning and uniquely distinct barns (the Oak Barn, the Byre and the Pole Barn), as well as gorgeous garden areas, a pond, terraces and a courtyard, and luxurious accommodation in Weaver’s Cottages. The entire farm is exclusive to couples and their guests, and is perfect no matter the season.
Owners Deana and Tim Maw sum up Oak Barn’s stand-out features as follows: “We are a small, family-run eco venue which is perfect for couples looking for a wedding that is a true reflection of their vision, where they can create a bespoke and personal day or multi-day wedding. Our weddings at the farm are so personal. It is of the utmost importance to us that our couples get to choose and decide on every aspect of their wedding, rather than being presented with package deals. We are here to help and advise throughout their planning stages and on the day, and their personal event manager will ensure that their day runs perfectly.”
The team at Oak Barn also have a remarkably impressive number of awards and nominations to their name. These include the following:
- 2019 / 2020 Runner Up – The Rural Business Awards South East – Best Rural Start Up Business
- 2020 / 2021 Winner – The Rural Business Awards – The Sustainability and Environmental Impact Award
- 2021/22 Winner – Kent Wedding Awards – Wedding Venue of the Year, Something Different!
- 2021/22 Finalist – Kent Wedding Awards – Wedding Venue of the Year, Best Sustainable
- 2021/22 Finalist – Kent Wedding Awards – Wedding Venue of the Year, Best Venue
- 2022 Finalist – Muddy Stilettos Award – Best Wedding Venue
- 2022 Regional Finalist – The Wedding Industry Award – South East – Venue (Barn)
- 2022 – Coco Wedding Venue – Top Wedding Venues for 2022
- 2023 – Mooncast Films – One of the Best Wedding Venues in the UK
- 2023 Finalist – Muddy Stilettos Award – Best Wedding Venue
- 2024 Nominated – Muddy Stilettos Award – Best Wedding Venue
Sustainability ethos and commitment to diversity
This outstanding venue isn’t just award-winning, but also LGBTQIA+ and multi-faith friendly, neurodiverse-friendly, and a Sustainability Hero.
- They have hosted Hindu Fire Ceremonies
- They have held Indian Weddings with various ceremonies
- They have a stunning church walking distance from the farm, and the Reverend loves welcoming new couples to his congregation
- There are 4 distinctly beautiful areas of the farm, which are licensed for civil ceremonies, so that you can have your celebration your way
Owners Deana and Tim elaborate on their sustainability ethos: “Our environment and creating a sustainable business and venue was of paramount importance to Tim and I, and so we constantly strive to be as eco-friendly as possible. We recycle, upcycle, reuse and choose sustainable products. We also only recommend local suppliers, or ones that offset their carbon. We also love planting a tree at the farm for each event that we host at the farm.
Deana and Tim own the farm and live in the main farmhouse. Deana hails from Hong Kong and has a mixed Chinese/English heritage. Diversity and inclusion are therefore of great personal importance to them both.
- They are one of the few venues that are wheelchair accessible in all areas, and one of their Wedding Cottages is also wheelchair accessible
- They welcome all couples to the farm, and cater to all backgrounds and beliefs
Reception spaces
Oak Barn boasts four versatile reception spaces within the sustainable farm:
The Oak Barn
A stunning Grade II listed threshing barn stands as the estate’s centrepiece, and is a popular option for large weddings. Its gorgeous high-vaulted roof, exposed beams and floor-to-ceiling glass doors accommodate up to 135 guests for ceremonies, 135 for formal dining, and 200 for evening receptions. Hidden in the fabric of the building is a high-tech light and sound system, and it’s perfect in all seasons due to the air conditioning system, underfloor heating and wood burner.
The Byre
The Byre is an adaptable space with floor-to-ceiling glass doors that bathe the interior in beautiful natural light and flow onto the terrace and into the charming sheep field. This elegant location accommodates 100 guests for ceremonies, 60 for formal dining, and 100 for relaxed evening receptions.
Pole Barn
Steeped in rustic charm, this large open-fronted barn and wood store is stripped back and more understated in style, but also decked in pretty fairy and festoon lights, and is home to a fabulous 1956 Fordson Major tractor. Retaining the character of its humble origins, it is the venue’s most versatile events space, providing the perfect backdrop for a laid-back ceremony and drinks reception, as well as joyous garden games and romantic couples’ portraits.
The Byre’s Terrace
This is a magnificent option for an outdoor wedding ceremony, offering the perfect place to exchange vows and relax with loved ones, gaze at the glorious sunset over the Kent countryside and the lily pond, and tune in to nature.
Onsite accommodation
Unlike many other barn venues, Weaver’s Cottages offers luxurious onsite accommodation where couples can relish a few extra days with their loved ones. Staying at the farm will ensure the perfect start to your wedding celebrations. You’ll have plenty of time to settle in, unwind, and really make the most of the magical setting, surrounded by your closest friends and family members.
Meet the venue’s owners
Deana was introduced to weddings when she started working in hotels in Asia, and loved everything about them. In her own words:“When Tim and I first saw Frame Farm we fell in love with it and knew that it could be transformed into a breathtaking venue surrounded by sheep fields, for couples to create a bespoke wedding that would reflect them as a couple. It took a three and a half years’ renovation project to give the farm a new lease of life. We watched our ideas turn into a beautiful reality. Our vision was to create a venue where our couples could curate a dream day or multi-day wedding, within an eco and sustainable environment. Then on 2 February 2019, whilst the sun glistened on the snow, we hosted our first wedding.”
Deana continues: “It is a joy coming to work each day and the satisfaction is immense. We love seeing all our couples’ plans and styling come together on their wedding day, and witnessing the pure love and joy as our couples celebrate one of the most amazing occasions of their life with their friends and family. It always makes my heart swell! So many of our couples stay in touch, eagerly share their wedding photos and videos with us, and come back to stay for their anniversary, or return for their children’s naming ceremonies – which means so much to us. We pride ourselves on building the most caring relationships with our brides and grooms, who ultimately put their trust in us.”
Memorable moments
We asked Deana and Tim to share their most memorable wedding to date, and any particularly unusual or fun experiences. They share:“Each wedding at the farm is so unique that it is so very hard to choose, and this is what makes Oak Barn, Frame Farm, so special. We do love seeing what transport our couples will arrive in – from classic buses and cars to a truck cab and sports cars. We must admit that witnessing couples landing by helicopter in the field next to The Byre’s terrace for their Grand Entrance into their ceremony, has certainly been unforgettable, both for ourselves and their wedding guests.”
Having the farm turned into an “English Fayre” with Morris dancers in the Pole Barn, and archery, axe throwing and wild bird displays in the fields was also a particularly memorable moment for the owners.
They also revealed that The Pole Barn is the most versatile space where couples can go wild with some incredibly fun ideas. These include:
- Mini golf circuits
- Pin ball machines
- Pool/air hockey tables
- Chill-out areas with bars
- Skittles competitions
- Morris dancers
- Vintage games
- Photo booths
In the field adjacent to The Byre’s terrace where reception drinks can be hosted, the owners also have reports of some amazing…
- Wild bird displays
- Giant chess games
- Axe throwing
- Archery contests
- Croquet
Secure your booking today
If you’re dreaming of a picture-perfect wedding surrounded by beauty, charm and one-of-a-kind service, Oak Barn is the wedding venue for you. As the owners themselves put it, when it comes to your wedding, it’s not just about finding a beautiful venue for your big day; it’s also about discovering somewhere to create memories that will stay with you forever. Secure your booking today!
You Might Also Like…
Happy Planning!
Related articles
