Westcott Barton

Westcott Barton is a private 95-acre estate in a secluded valley at Middle Marwood, about seven miles north of Barnstaple. A stream runs through the valley past ponds, woodland and hilly pasture, and formal gardens around the buildings give plenty of room for photos and drinks outside. The estate runs as holiday lets for much of the year and opens as a wedding and function venue on set event weekends.

Why it suits LGBTQ+ couples

Each event has the venue to itself for the duration, so you and your guests have the estate without strangers around. With a licensed barn, an orangery and accommodation on site, the whole celebration stays in one private place. That makes it a relaxed choice if you want a weekend with the people closest to you rather than a single day at a busy venue.

Ceremonies

Westcott Barton holds a licence for civil ceremonies, so you can marry and celebrate in the same place. Ceremonies usually take place in the Function Barn, licensed for 120 seated guests, or in the Orangery, licensed for 100 and looking out over the gardens. The choice tends to come down to numbers. Registration fees are separate from the venue.

Receptions and food

The Function Barn seats 120 for a meal and holds up to 150 for the evening party. Catering is arranged through the venue's list of recommended caterers and event organisers, which lets you pick a style of food that suits you. Between courses and after the meal, guests can head out into the gardens and down towards the lakes.

Staying

Accommodation on the estate sleeps around 25 or more guests. It is spread across a Grade II listed Devon longhouse and several converted buildings, including the Farmhouse, the Cottage, the Upper and Lower Cider Houses and the Woodhouse. Event weekends fall outside the main holiday season, and accommodation can be booked for the weekend or the week that follows.

Getting there and the area

Barnstaple is the nearest town, with trains to Exeter on the Tarka Line. The estate is a short drive from some of the best known beaches in North Devon, including Saunton, Croyde and Woolacombe, so guests who stay on have plenty to explore.

Good to know

• Exclusive use of the venue for each event
• Function Barn licensed for 120 seated, with up to 150 in the evening
• On-site accommodation for around 25 or more guests