Weddings at Anthology Farm
Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, The Cotswolds, UK
A traditional stone barn with a contemporary wing clad in siberian larch, Anthology Farm is a hinterland cattle byre turned luxury elopement wedding destination in the Cotswold countryside. Rooted on 500 acres of whimsical farmland and not far from Cheltenham — the Regency town where artists and equestrians flock in their droves — the wedding barn is a place for the wild and free to be wed against a backdrop of billowing hills and wispy skies.
Introduction
At the head of an ancient Cotswolds valley, Anthology Farm is an 18th century barn designed with love-filled celebrations and grand gatherings in mind. Since the wedding barn is not licensed, couples can opt for a celebrant-led ceremony in the garden or barn in the presence of up to 50 guests. Traditionalists can have a church ceremony in one of the nearby parishes before returning to the farm in a tin-trailing getaway car for an enchanting afterparty. A blank canvas for creative couples — or just the ticket for minimalist duos — the wedding barn lends touches of wood and rattan, but provides a neutral backdrop for florals and bunting and dessert tables galore. Bring in caterers for a classic wedding breakfast, or set the mood lighting to colour-pop and back up the pizza truck for a garden fête.
Inside
As a luxury self-catering home, Anthology Farm can accommodate up to eighteen guests, including babies and children, with rooms split between The Cotswold Barn and The Meal Barn. With its scallop-beaded chandeliers and preserved arrowslit windows, this is a place that flawlessly juxtaposes old and new. Gather in the cinema room with your closest kin, your beau, and your day before butterflies to watch a wedding-eve screening of Father of the Bride. Then, in the days that follow, come together around the long table for lingering charcuterie suppers to tell tales of confetti and speeches penned in the nick of time. Consider hiring the farmhouse for a full week to kick-start your honeymoon in-house, dipping in the heated pool with views over the valley and sipping custom You & Me G&Ts by the fire pit.
Outside
In the ancient rural parish of Whittington on the edge of the Cotswolds, and built at the head of an expansive valley, Anthology Farm is a tenderly renovated trinket of Gloucestershire history. Built 300 years ago using local limestone quarried from the Inferior Oolites, this is a home with Jurassic bones. Yet, contemporary spirit abounds. With 200 pieces of artwork, the farmhouse was given a new lease of life as a family home before throwing open its barn doors to give free-spirited lovers a romantic place to tie the knot against a photographers’ dream backdrop of fairy trails, woods, and streams. In a merry post-nuptials fog, take to the private tennis court for a couples’ game with your in-laws, then pull on wellington boots for the first rural hand-in-hand stroll as a married couple.
The Facts
- SleepsUp to 18, with 50 wedding guests
- Alternative group optionUp to 18 guests
- Bedrooms and bathroomsWith roll-top tubs and exposed brickwork galore, there are plenty of options for the bridal suite. The Cotswold Barn has five bedrooms; two on the first floor (with king-size beds and en suite shower rooms), two on the second floor (with king-size beds, freestanding baths in-room, and an en suite WC and sink), and one on the top floor (with a king-size bed, as well as a separate WC on the first floor). The Meal Barn has four bedrooms; a ground floor king-size room and a ground floor twin bedroom with shared family bathroom access, and on the first floor there are two bedrooms (with king-size beds and en suite bathrooms with standalone baths and showers), and one of these bedrooms has two single beds tucked into the eaves.
View bedrooms - FeaturesWedding barn, heated indoor swimming pool, tennis court and electric car charging point
- PetsSorry, no pets
- Arrivals and departuresArrival Day: Friday or MondayArrival Time: 4pmDeparture Time: 10am
- PracticalitiesThere is space for ten cars, but additional parking can be provided on request. We recommend taxis for larger parties. The venue is booked on a dry-hire basis, however, a full list of recommended suppliers will be sent on enquiry including details of a wedding planner should you wish to enlist expert assistance for your day. Couples can have a humanist ceremony onsite in the garden or in the barn. For weddings in the barn, a small undercover area can be erected as a wet weather plan whilst the barn is being turned around for dinner, however this must be supplied by the hiring party. Tables and chairs will be provided. Music must be turned down at 11pm and off by 11:30pm. Anthology Farm can accommodate up to 50 day guests, and sleep 18 people (access to the accommodation is only for guests staying on-site). Whilst the house does not hold a licence, there are some beautiful churches in the area - the local church is Saint Bartholomew´s Church, Whittington. Catering options are flexible; you are welcome to bring in caterers for a formal wedding breakfast or hire food trucks - there is plenty of space for this onsite. The wedding barn has two WCs and a catering kitchen with separate access. Please note, marquees are not permitted. Helicopters are welcome to land on the grounds.
- Mod consSonos music speakers, projector screen, Smart TVs with Netflix and Amazon, Sky TV including Sky Sports, PlayStations and Bluetooth radios, iPadInternet and communications: High speed fiberoptic internet is availableMobile signal: Check reception maps
- Private cateringDiscover your options for private dining and fully catered breaks.
- Additional extrasA handpicked selection of unique experiences are available at this property.
- Eco-friendlyElectric car charging point
- Other informationProperty terms and conditionsFrequently asked questionsEV charger locationsCheck mobile signalRecommend to a friend
Prices & Availability
Please note, availability for this property is to be confirmed by Unique Homestays on receipt of your enquiry
Whittingham, near Cheltenham
Whittington sits on the outskirts of the Regency town of Cheltenham, the Cotswolds´ hub of arts and culture, and just two hours from London. Offering a sweeping backdrop of far-reaching valleys and magical woodlands, this is what wedding album dreams are made of.
Getting there
- On the Map This luxury elopement venue is in Whittington near Cheltenham, with easy access to several major Cotswold villages and about half an hour by car from Gloucester.
- By Car The property is around two hours drive from central London and about half an hour from the major city of Gloucester.
- By Train The journey time to nearby Moreton-in-Marsh from London Paddington is approximately an hour and a half, followed by a 30-minute cab ride to the house.
- By Air Gloucestershire Airport is the closest runway, at around 20 minutes by car, while Heathrow Airport is under two hours by car. Helicopters are welcome to land on the grounds of Anthology Farm.
From the owner
“The Barns were originally built in 1740 and built of traditional Cotswold stone from the mines opposite the barns. The dressed stone and straight beams of the Cotswold barn indicate it was built to the highest standards of the time.”
What a dramatic first impression Anthology Farm makes, to us and to our guests as well. With the majestic backdrop of Doddle´s Hill and a huge arched window set into the end wall, we think it´s a truly stunning building for an elopement wedding.
Its original use would have been agricultural, built to store the grain harvested on the farm from the surrounding fields, facing East to West with slit openings to let the prevailing wind in to dry and preserve the grains, which would of been used to feed the livestock, to make bread or to be sold at the local markets.
We purchased the farm in 2016 and relocated from Staffordshire, bringing with us over 30 years of hospitality experience. With the help of some funding from the European Agricultural fund for rural development, we lovingly converted the barns into what they are now; a fabulous space for luxury group gatherings in seclusion and comfort.
We worked with interior designers, to help us create a modern and stylish feel to the interiors yet with the feeling of cosiness and comfort you would want from a luxury stay in the Cotswold countryside. A great starting point to explore the beautiful Cotswold countryside yet a stone's throw from Cheltenham and surrounding picturesque villages, with plenty to do for young and old alike.
The Barnes Family
Guest Testimonials
The attention to detail at Anthology Farm is exceptional, I´m still in love with the dining area. I want to find another excuse to come back again, all our guests raved about how wonderful it is and everyone thoroughly enjoyed their stay. I´m so pleased we picked this venue to host our intimate wedding, we´ll forever cherish our stay here.
Unique extras
Enhance your stay with a unique experience from one of our preferred suppliers. From professional in-house chefs to luxury at-home spa therapists and wine delivered to the door, see what’s on offer for your bespoke escape.
Press
Below are a selection of features in which Unique Homestays has appeared. If you would like to feature the property in an editorial capacity, please contact the marketing team on +44 (0)1637 882014.
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Best cabin stays in the UK
The Times
May 2023Staycation in splendid isolation
Country Living
May 2023Britain´s best holiday cottages
The Telegraph
May 2023Best holiday homes in the UK
Conde Nast Traveller
May 2023A look inside The Fable x The White Company
House Beautiful
May 2023Britain´s best offbeat escapes
Country Living
May 2023Follying up the folly
Country Living
May 2023The hidden heart of Cornwall
Financial Times
April 2023
Collections > Electric Car Escapes > UK > Gloucestershire > Cheltenham > Weddings at Anthology Farm
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Disclaimer: These particulars, whilst believed to be accurate, are set as a guideline so should not be relied upon as a statement of fact. The photographs show aspects of the property at the time they were taken and it should not be assumed that the property remains precisely as displayed. If there are points of particular importance that need clarifying before you book, please contact us.
