The recorded history of the Ashridge Court Estate goes back to the 1300's when Edwina de Valletort, a scion of the Norman barons of North Tawton, married Richard Wood and they settled here. Surrounded by verdant woodland and rolling fields, the estate has waxed and waned through the years with the fortunes of it's owners. Nestled into the edge of North Tawton, the estate has links as far apart as India and the Prayer-book Rebellion. Without too much ado, people have been making a living from this land for at least 1000 years, quietly sowing and reaping whilst wars, plagues and politics swept on around them. Long may it continue.
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Ashridge Court North Tawton EX20 2DH
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When we bought the farm in 2012 the Great Barn was in a dilapidated state. Overgrown and damp, a lean-to shelter had been constructed along the back and this was conspiring with the unmaintained gutters to erode the cob walls. The interior was divided into four sections, with a concrete block tractor shed at the West end. Removing the lean-to was a priority; damp cob will collapse from one day to the next, so urgent action was required. After a bit of patching, the barn was at least structurally sound.
A few years later, our daughter was getting married and we had (rashly!) offered to host the reception at Ashridge Court. Excited, but unsure how it was going to work, she invited a gaggle of girlie friends down to help her hash out a plan. The original plan was to have a marquee, but when the women saw the Great Barn they were adamant that, with a little bit of work, the barn would make a gorgeous venue. Work on renovating the Great Barn started in April of 2015, continuing apace to finish the week before the wedding at the beginning of August. We think that the Great Barn turned out to be an excellent venue in practice as well as theory but don't take our word for it - why don't you visit us and see for yourself!
The Ashridge Great Barn Ethos
Having held our family weddings here at the Great Barn, we believe that your wedding day should be bespoke and meaningful to you. We decided that we wanted to share the flexibility that we had planning our own weddings with others, to give to you the same opportunity to have the wonderfully personal and unique weddings that we did.
At the Ashridge Great Barn we give you complete flexibility; your caterer, your florist, it's all up to you. It is your day after all! The team have lists of suppliers of all things wedding related if you'd like some support. We're here to help, have a browse of the Wedding Planning Page for some tips.
Your wedding shouldn't be stressed, rushed or shared. The Great Barn at Ashridge only hosts a few exclusive weddings a year, the venue is yours for a full three day period. Take a full day to prepare, have a rehearsal dinner, spend a full day packing up or host a send off brunch, the choice is yours. The entirety of your special day is devoted to making your wedding dreams a reality.
As well as three areas licensed for civil ceremonies, including a pavilion in the Magic Circle garden room the Ashridge Great Barn boasts a lovely wood dance floor, a fire pit and a 'snug' quiet area. The Barn itself is an airy building with an historical grandeur which retains a feeling of warmth and intimacy. The Barn looks just as stunning decorated with fairy lights and candles as it does dressed up with vintage bunting and rustic bouquets, allowing you to dress it up however you desire.
With space for up to 140 seated guests, a maximum of 200, and a cut off time of 1am, the Great Barn is a venue to remember and a beautiful space in which to make memories.
Grass-Fed Beef
Our grass-fed beef comes from our small herd of South Devon cattle who spend as much of their lives as possible grazing in our fields. Reared slowly and allowed to develop naturally, our beef is marbled and well grained. It is then hung for 30 days to further develop its delicious flavour.
Known as the 'Gentle Giant', South Devon cows are a heritage breed and as well as being the largest native breed, were the first cows to reach America!
We offer next day delivery to most locations in the UK, please contact Carolyn on 07872 598 659 or email us at for more details.
Beef boxes are available in a range of sizes or as individual cuts of meat.
Hardwood and Logs
Our dry hardwood logs get more popular every year with many customers returning time and again for our Ash and Birch logs that burn with a merry flame. All our forestry products come from our sustainably managed woodland where maintaining and expanding the home we can provide for wildlife is our main priority. Managed according to a Forestry Commission woodland plan and a Country Stewardship Higher Tier scheme, our woodlands are full of birds, butterflies and even dormice! Clearing trees helps create woodland glades and other threatened habitats for walkers and woodland animals alike to enjoy.
