These Questions & Answers about hiring Cott Farm are based on clients’ previous questions. If something’s not covered below, please do get in touch!
Guests attending a wedding or event at Cott Farm will find information about transport, accommodation and more here. Professional wedding suppliers can find key information for suppliers here.
Photo: Jon Warr Photography
Ceremonies
Are we able to have our legal wedding at Cott Farm?
Yes. Cott Farm is licensed by Somerset Council to host legal marriages and civil partnerships both indoors and outside.
May we have a celebrant-led ceremony instead?
You are welcome to choose a celebrant to conduct a symbolic ceremony at the farm.
Please remember, unlike registrars, celebrants aren’t able to officiate legal ceremonies in England.
Can we insist on an outdoor ceremony, whatever the weather?
We will always try to make everything happen as you want it on your big day. This includes your preference to have your wedding outside, but unfortunately the weather is one of the things we cannot control.
There’ll be no other weddings taking place anywhere at the venue, so we can leave your ceremony location decision until the last possible moment, with all our fingers crossed. But please note the Registrars may insist you have your ceremony inside if the weather is awful, and we can’t overrule them. Please do trust our experienced team – we will always try and work to your wishes and will help you make a decision in the best interests of everyone!
Photo: LatitudePhotography
Capacity, accessibility, children & pets
What is the capacity of the barn?
The barn can seat up to 150 people for your meal, and has capacity for 250 guests in the evening. We offer a stretch tent hire option to create additional covered space for events with more than 150 daytime or 250 evening guests.
Is The Barn wheelchair accessible?
The venue is all ground level and the outside areas are gravel or grass. The Barn itself has a very gentle concrete slope leading to the entrance with tri-fold doors. There is a separate level access toilet.
Are there restrictions on children?
We do not restrict the number of children you may invite. However, you must arrange a suitably qualified and insured creche or childminding service for the duration of the wedding if more than 10% of your guests are under 14 years old.
Children must be fully supervised throughout the day and night.
Children over 10 will be served the same meal as adults. We can usually offer under 10s smaller portions of your chosen adult main course or a separate child’s main course, but we cannot change the portion size for starters and desserts.
Can we bring our dog?
All members of the couple’s family, including dogs, are welcome! Doggie guests are limited to the couple’s pets only. Dogs are not permitted inside our bell tents.
Photo: DHW Photography
Catering & Bar
Can we bring our own caterers or bar?
Similar to a hotel or restaurant, all food and drink consumed on the premises must be provided by the venue. Our talented kitchen and bar team will be serving a carefully curated menu. Choose from a range of popular dishes or just let us know what you’d like to eat for a bespoke quote.
What is provided by the venue for the tables?
Our menu pricing includes tableware for your chosen menu and drinks, including serviettes, cutlery, crockery and glasses. We also provide salt & pepper, water jugs and serving equipment for each table, and we set and prepare the tables for your meal.
Do you have a licensed bar?
Yes. Our licensed, staffed and fully-stocked bar has a good selection of local and popular drinks, which are reasonably priced. The bar is a ‘cash bar’, meaning guests buy their own drinks, but you are able to provide drinks tokens or a bar tab, should you wish. The bar accepts cash and card payments, plus there’s bar table service QR codes.
The bar closes at Midnight on Saturdays, 11pm Monday to Friday and 10pm on Sundays.
Photo: DHW Photography
Decorations
Can I decorate The Barn?
Yes. You have the venue all day on Friday to decorate, and until Sunday lunchtime to collect your decor, cards and gifts. The venue provides the perfect backdrop for your finishing touches, being beautifully decorated, furnished, and lit (including fairy lights on the beams and paper lanterns for the roof lights). We can also take care of any all styling for you, if you’d prefer.
Are we able to set off Chinese lanterns and/or fireworks in the grounds?
Sorry, no.
May we use confetti in the grounds?
You can use real flower confetti outside. We do not allow synthetic (including that labelled ‘biodegradable’) confetti anywhere within the grounds, including ‘table confetti’ inside the barn.
Photo: James & Kerrie Photography
Pricing & Payments
How much does The Barn at Cott Farm cost?
Every couple is unique, and so is your wedding. The cost will depend on your specific requirements, including how long you’d like to use the venue for, the exact number of guests you choose to invite, and your food and drink choices. Our transparent pricing calculator enables you to explore options that work perfectly for your vision and budget – no hidden surprises, just clear pricing for your dream day:
Do summer dates cost more?
No. We don’t hike our prices up for ‘peak’ season and our lovely outdoor spaces make us the most perfect summer venue.
Do prices include VAT?
The Barn at Cott Farm is VAT registered and all costs are subject to 20% VAT, which we legally have to collect from you and pay to HMRC.
How do payments work?
Your initial booking fee officially books your date, with further instalments payable according to the payment schedule. The ‘standard’ schedule is as follows. This can be tailored to suit you (for example so that two payments are not due at the same time if your booked date is with 18 or 12 months).
| Full Weekend hire | Single day and Twilight Wedding hire | Wedding ceremony only hire | |
| Initial booking fee | 2000 | 1500 | 240 |
| 18 months before Event Date | 2500 | – | – |
| 12 months before Event Date | 2900 | 2000 | – |
| 6 months before Event Date | 40% of the remaining balance | 40% of the remaining balance | – |
| 3 months before Event Date | – | – | The remaining balance |
| 1 month before Event Date | The remaining balance | The remaining balance | – |
| 1 day before Event Date | The security deposit (£500 – refundable) | The security deposit (£500 – refundable) | The security deposit (£500 – refundable) |
Photo: DHW Photography
Facilities
Are toilet facilities included?
Our luxury toilet facilities in our unique, handmade shepherd’s hut are included for all weddings and events at Cott Farm. There are three cubicles in the ladies, and a cubicle and three urinals in the gents. There is also The Nook, our couple’s dressing room with level-access toilet, shower and baby-changing station. These come stocked with paper, hand towels and soap.
Is the venue heated?
Yes. Our very effective heating makes the barn ideal for weddings and events on cooler days. The building is fully insulated against cold (or hot!) outdoor temperatures, making it a comfortable indoor space in all weathers.
What’s the car park capacity? Can guests leave cars overnight?
There is ample parking in the (huge!) field. Saturday wedding guests are able to leave cars overnight – these must be collected between 10am and midday on Sunday. Our rural location means pre-booking taxis is essential.
How does the camping and glamping option work?
The camping and glamping option includes five luxury bell tents, each sumptuously furnished for two people, including a king size bed with proper mattress, Egyptian cotton bedding, bistro table and chairs, carpet and romantic lighting. There’s also plenty of space for your guests to pitch their own tents, campers and caravans for the night. Breakfast is available on Sunday morning.
We don’t offer the option for guests to book individual pitches with us directly, but couples who book the camping and glamping option sometimes ask for a contribution from their guests.
Is there accommodation nearby?
There is a variety of lovely nearby hotels, B&Bs and self-catering cottages in the surrounding area, including one next door! Please see nearby accommodation.
Other
Do you have preferred suppliers?
We have a directory of recommended local wedding suppliers if you need help choosing. However, this is not the same as ‘preferred suppliers’. You are free to choose the suitably-qualified professionals you’d like to provide each personal part of your day.
Do you have public liability insurance?
The Barn at Cott Farm and the suppliers we commission for your wedding or event have public liability insurance. Any suppliers you commission directly for your wedding or event need to have their own cover.
I have another question…
Contact us if you’d like to know anything we’ve not covered here!
Ready to Start Planning Your Perfect Day?
Every couple is unique, and so is your wedding. Our transparent pricing calculator helps you explore options that work perfectly for your vision and budget – no hidden surprises, just clear pricing for your dream day.
Questions?
We’d love to chat about your wedding plans!
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