Hoad Farm Venue

About the venue

A family-run barn wedding venue at Acrise, near Folkestone, where three-day packages include set-up and pack-down days. Couples choose from three licensed ceremony spots, and three holiday cottages on site sleep 12. Winter weddings for up to 50 start at £2,750.

Every wedding package at Hoad Farm runs for three days. Couples get a set-up day, the wedding day and a pack-down day, so nobody has to rush the decorating or the clearing up.

The venue is run by a small family team in Acrise, a Kent parish named for its ancient oaks, in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty near Folkestone. Shirley McCrystal owns it with her sister Valerie Hughes, and Valerie's daughter Bronwyn Hunn is the wedding and events coordinator.

The farmhouse dates back to the 14th century and has links to King John and the Pope's Legate. Beside it stands the restored barn, and packages can include barn and marquee hire.

Ceremonies are licensed in three places: the Copper Gazebo, the Pond Gazebo and the barn. Packages include tables and chairs, linen, crockery, glassware and the music system. Couples also get the kitchen for their caterer, bar facilities for an outside bar, and the grounds and gardens.

Hoad Farm calls itself a DIY-style venue. Couples choose their own caterer, bar and suppliers, or take the inclusive package with partners Forky Porky and Book a Bar. For 2027 and 2028 the venue can dress up to ten tables from its own décor collection.

Three holiday cottages on site sleep up to 12 guests, four in each. They were once the farm's pigsty. Pets are welcome at celebrations, and music and alcohol stop at 11pm out of respect for the neighbours.

Family-run barn venue at Acrise, near Folkestone, in an AONB

Three-day wedding packages with set-up and pack-down days

Ceremonies at the Copper Gazebo, the Pond Gazebo or in the barn

Three on-site cottages sleeping 12, converted from a pigsty

Packages from £2,750 (winter, up to 50 guests) to £6,000

Inclusive package for up to 60 guests at £6,950

DIY-friendly, with in-house décor for up to ten tables

Pet friendly; also hosts parties and corporate events