Your Questions Answered
How do I book my wedding at Silchester Farm?
Once we’ve welcomed you in for a viewing & you have chosen a preferred date we will hold this for you for 7 days at no obligation. Within this time is it suggested you enquire with the registrar, celebrant or church to check availability for your desired ceremony.
Within the 7 days, if you would like to go ahead we can issue you with a booking form, which you will need to fill out, sign & return along with a 50% venue hire deposit to secure your special day. A further £1500.00 is required to secure our in-house catering at the time of booking - this will go towards your final balance for catering.
How do I book my civil ceremony at Silchester Farm?
Once you have booked your wedding date at Silchester Farm, you will need to contact Hampshire Registry Office to book your registrar. We recommend doing this as soon as you book your wedding date. Please visit the Hampshire County Council website for more information on how to book.
What is the best time of day to have my ceremony?
We can do ceremonies anytime from midday. This will depend on the availability of your registrar, celebrant or church. For the smoothest timings of your day we recommend between 12.30-2pm however, we are flexible here at Silchester Farm and your day can be designed around you.
What buildings do I have access to with the venue hire?
With the venue hire, you have access to Silchester Farm from 10am through till 11:30pm Sunday – Thursday (including all bank holidays) & midnight Friday & Saturday. You will have exclusive use of The Hampshire Threshing Barn, Cow Shed, Outdoor Ceremony Pergola, Dutch Barn and our associated courtyards and gardens.
What rooms do I use for each part of the day?
We are licenced for ceremonies in all areas of Silchester Farm, so you are welcome to take your pick on where you would like to get married (weather permitting for our outside areas!). For the drinks reception, we recommend either our courtyard for those warm, summer days, or the Hen House for the colder/wetter seasons.
Following your drinks reception, you and your guests will wander through our Kitchen Gardens up to The Cow Shed for the wedding breakfast and celebrations.
Unfortunately, we do not permit evening receptions in the Hampshire Threshing Barn. This allows for a great flow & minimum turn around using all of the farm for your special day.
What else is included in the venue hire?
Lots! To name a few – rustic wooden tables, wooden cross-back chairs, wooden benches, cake stand and knife, a dedicated wedding coordinator, a fully stocked and staffed bar, PA system for background music, microphones for speeches, pampas grass in milk churns. Adequate parking for your guests.
The Wood Shed (getting ready room) is also included as part of the venue hire.
What accommodation do you have on-site?
We can sleep up to 27 guests staying in the accommodation on site. With a mix of family sharing & en-suites bedrooms. All of the guest accommodation is compulsory as part of your booking. The total cost for the accommodation is £3240.00, which includes a beautifully curated breakfast by our very own head chef, using all the best local suppliers and some extra treats thrown in.
in addition to the above accommodation, from Spring 2025, a collection of Luxury Eco -Pods will accommodate an additional 18 guests, in 9 guest suites across 6 handmade pods which have been carefully designed and built in Hampshire. Each will boast a king size bed, kitchenette and stunning private rural views for all event and wedding guests to wake up to.
This will be freshly delivered to your accommodation the morning after your wedding.
I’m a guest at a wedding, can I book a room at Silchester Farm?
All bookings for on-site accommodation must be made through the wedding couple. We do not take direct bookings for rooms.
If we are staying at Silchester Farm overnight what time is Check-in/Check-out?
Check in is from 2pm & check out the following day is 10am.
Are we able to get married at a church?
Of course! Our closest Church is St Mary The Virgin, which is just a few minutes from the Farm.
How many guests can I invite to my wedding?
Our maximum capacity is 140 for the ceremony, wedding breakfast and evening party. This includes children as part of this figure.
Is the Barn warm in the winter (and cool in the summer)?
In the Cow Shed we’ve recently installed air-conditioning, which will keep you & your guests cool in the summer through your wedding breakfast & celebrations & keeps it warm & cosy in the winter months. Throughout the rest of the buildings we have underfloor heating, The Hampshire Threshing Barn is naturally cool in the summer.
Do you have any disabled facilities?
Reducing the walk from the car park, disabled guests may be dropped off right outside the Hampshire Threshing Barn or Cow Shed. We do have ramps to cover any steps and the Cow Shed has its own flat entrance at the back to avoid any steps. We have disabled toilets in both the Hampshire Threshing Barn & Cow Shed.
How should my guests access Silchester Farm?
Try to avoid using our postcode in your Sat-Nav, it takes you in to the village instead of our gates. The best way to find us is by putting ‘Silchester Farm’ into your Sat-Nav.
Can we pick our own suppliers?
Other than the caterers and evening entertainment, of course. We have a great selection of recommended suppliers who we work closely with if you are struggling with where to start.
How does food and drink work at Silchester Farm?
All our food, drink packages & bar are all in-house - please visit the relevant pages using the drop-down options in the menu bar above. Alternatively, contact our weddings team on weddings@silchesterfarm.co.uk
Will the bar be open before my ceremony?
Water is provided to your guests before your ceremony. Due to the legal nature of a marriage ceremony food & drinks are not permitted before or during a ceremony.
When do I have to decide if I’m having an indoor/outdoor ceremony?
It is always best to plan this in advance however, depending on the weather we can always change the morning of your wedding.
Are all the festoons & fairy lights included in the venue hire?
All the festoon lighting on the outside of the buildings are included and are turned on at the appropriate times. The fairy lights wrapped around the beams in the old hen house & Hampshire Threshing Barn are part of the fixtures and fitting of the farm. The fairy light ceiling installations in both the Hampshire Threshing Barn & Cow Shed can be booked & paid for separately through our trusted partner Farnham Sound & Light.
Can we have confetti?
We are very happy for natural dried flower petals only to be thrown in the garden but unfortunately can’t allow them within the Barn.
Can we have sparklers or fireworks?
We unfortunately do not allow fireworks or sparklers due to the nature of the farm and the animals we have onsite.
Is smoking permitted?
Smoking outside is absolutely fine. We provide plenty of ashtrays in both the Courtyard and Terrace.
Can I leave my car overnight?
Your car can be left in our car park overnight however, it must be collected by 11am the following morning. Please note that we do not accept any liability for your car or any belongings left onsite overnight.
We do not permit guests to stay overnight in caravans/motorhomes, all guests staying at the farm must be allocated a bedroom within our onsite accommodation.
Do you work with any local hotels?
For any guests not staying on site we recommend the below hotels. There are other local hotels, within a 10 mile radius.
The Wellington Arms - located in Stratfield Turgis with 25 rooms available for block bookings, nice pub feel and food available.
The Hare & Hounds – located in Newbury it provides a comfortable & welcoming home from home with 30 individually designed bedrooms.
Should I take out insurance?
We recommend that every couple take out wedding insurance to protect yourselves and the money you have spent on your big day.
Are we able to extend our evening license?
Unfortunately this isn’t something we offer.