Ever since we first set eyes on Botley Hill, our key focus - alongside excellent hospitality - has always been to maximise on the views of our wonderful location.
As you may have noticed on recent visits, one of our dreams is now becoming a reality: our brand new luxury wedding venue, The Barn at Botley Hill.
Due to open this summer, just behind our historic Botley Hill Farmhouse, The Barn is the culmination of many years of planning and will make the most of our spectacular views of the North Downs and Surrey Hills countryside.
Stylish event venue
Work began in October last year and, with the main structure now taking shape, our vision of a stylish venue for weddings, black-tie dinners and private parties in the Surrey countryside is only a few months away.
Built from traditional shiplap timber and crafted inside from reclaimed wood with exposed steel beams, the most breath-taking feature is the floor to sky glass windows which give guests a panoramic view across the Surrey Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. These are perfect to make the most of the spectacular sunsets we all enjoy so much at Botley.
Attention to detail has been paramount, and porcelain tiles have been shipped from Italy while the tables have been handcrafted by local carpenters from reclaimed wood.
Inspired interior design
For some parts of the project, we have enlisted the help of Emma Kirby who was part of the design team behind the vintage-modern look of Soho Farmhouse in Oxfordshire – the private members’ country retreat and celebrity favourite.
This has helped to ensure that The Barn will be a harmonised blend of rustic elegance with contemporary features and will be beautiful in its own right.
Customers will be able to enjoy the surroundings as they are or use them as a backdrop to create their own unique theme for their wedding or exclusive events.
A spectacular welcome
When complete, The Barn at Botley Hill will hold up to 128 people seated. Guests will access the venue from a private driveway leading to a parking area on the site of the former RAF Botley Hill, a strategic location during World War Two.
Entrance into The Barn will be through a smaller barn attached to the main building, also featuring floor to ceiling glass windows.
As well as a reception area for weddings or intimate parties, this space will be a cosy break-out area with comfortable seating, rugs and a woodburner.
The two barns will lead out onto the decking where a gazebo, informal seating and fire pits will allow for continued socialising outdoors.
Views of London
The south-facing garden will draw its inspiration from nature with wild grasses and aged steel planters, leading the eye to the fields and across to the North Downs.
In the opposite direction, on a clear day, guests will be able to see the outline of Canary Wharf and The Shard as London is just 12 miles away as the crow flies.
To coincide with the opening of our new wedding venue, our luxurious North Downs Shepherd Huts will be moving on to the Botley Hill site during the summer to provide accommodation for events and the ultimate Surrey Hills staycation experience.
With the first weddings set to take place at The Barn at Botley Hill this summer, we believe it is an awe-inspiring new Surrey Hills venue which is sure to be at the centre of many magical moments for years to come.