Lower Barns

Saint Austell, Devon, England

★5(84 reviews)

About

Lower Barns is a secluded, intimate boutique wedding venue in Cornwall, perfectly designed for elopements and small celebrations. Accommodating from two people up to 20 guests, this quirky and characterful venue offers a romantic backdrop with spacious rooms, excellent food, and attentive hosting from proprietors Janie and Mike. The venue combines stunning design with warm hospitality, making it an ideal choice for couples seeking a unique, memorable celebration in a magical setting.

Lower Barns is a boutique guesthouse in the countryside near St Austell on Cornwall's south coast, and it is built for elopements and very small weddings. It is run by hosts Janie and Mike, and the ceremony is a legal one led by a registrar from Cornwall Council, held in one of three spots: the open-air Wed Shed, the candlelit Shack or the garden. Weddings can happen any day of the week, and the hosts will act as your witnesses if you come alone.

The two-person elopement includes two nights' bed and breakfast in the Cranny Suite, which has its own garden, hot tub and woodburner. On the day there is breakfast in bed, flowers, champagne and a wedding cake, followed by bubbles and a cream tea in the Party Shed after the ceremony, with a two-course wedding meal there as an option. You are welcome to bring your own drinks. Mike also photographs weddings, both around the property and down on the beach.

If you want a few people with you, the Nearest and Dearest package covers up to ten, and there are dog-friendly and LGBTQ+ packages too, with your dog welcome as ring bearer. The suites include the Nook, with a hot tub and sauna, the beach-hut style Hideaway and the two-storey Hayloft, which sleeps up to four and has a wheelchair-friendly wet room and ramp access. Without light pollution, the night skies are a big part of the experience, and the Lost Gardens of Heligan, beach walks and clifftop paths are all nearby.

The honest caveat is size. This is a place for two to ten people, not a fifty-guest party, and any witnesses beyond the hosts must book at least two nights in a suite. Registrar fees are paid to the council separately, and paperwork needs to be in order well ahead.