Southend Barns

Southend Barns is a converted farm venue at Donnington, a few minutes south of Chichester. It is booked on an exclusive-use basis, so for the day you have the ceremony spaces, reception barn, gardens, on-site accommodation and car park to yourselves, with open countryside all around. Weddings run all year, including midweek and quieter months.

Why it suits LGBTQ+ couples

Exclusive use means no other parties, no shared bar and no strangers in the background of your photos. The venue team guides you through menus, styling and suppliers, so one group knows your plans from start to finish. With an indoor barn and an outdoor garden option, you can choose the kind of ceremony that feels right for the two of you.

Ceremonies

Ceremonies can take place in the Dairy Barn or, on fine days, outdoors in the Secret Garden. Both are licensed, and ceremonies can host up to around 150 guests. Check with the venue which spaces suit your numbers and season.

Receptions and food

The Threshing Barn is the main reception space, seating up to around 150 for the wedding breakfast, with room for about 200 in the evening. Outside, the Collecting Yard and gardens are used for drinks, with an outdoor cocktail bar and a fire pit. Catering is handled by the in-house team, with a focus on home-grown and English produce and local wines. You can arrange tastings and wine pairings, and there are styling packages covering linen, candles, table numbers and centrepieces, or a bespoke styling service. Live bands and DJs are welcome in the evening.

Staying

The Milking Parlour is set aside as the couple's suite. For guests there is a shepherd's hut and a cluster of bell tents, sleeping around 20 people between them. Chichester has plenty of hotels and guest houses for everyone else.

Getting there and the area

The venue lies off Selsey Road between Chichester and the Manhood Peninsula. Chichester station, with services to London, Brighton and Portsmouth, is a short taxi ride away, and the A27 runs close by. Guests staying on can explore Chichester Cathedral, Chichester Harbour, the beaches at the Witterings and the South Downs.

Good to know

• The whole venue is yours for the day.
• Children are welcome.
• Suppliers usually come from the venue's recommended list, with some flexibility.