Barn wedding venues in Yorkshire: a photographer's guide
Quick answer: Yorkshire barn wedding venues I've photographed include Howard Court near Great Ayton (up to 100 day guests), Whinstone View in Great Ayton (up to 120), Danby Castle in the North York Moors (up to 180) and Chilli Barn near Otley (up to 60). Near York, Barmbyfield Barns and The Normans are also worth a look. Capacities below come from each venue's own website.
I'm Aaron, a wedding photographer based in Guisborough. This guide starts with the barns I've photographed, then lists others in Yorkshire, saying clearly where I haven't worked yet.
What I like about barns as a photographer is the big doors and high ceilings. They let in soft light during the day, and the beams and fairy lights make the evening photos warm.
North Yorkshire wedding barns I've photographed
Howard Court, Great Ayton
Howard Court is an exclusive-use farmhouse with barns near Great Ayton, set in 22 acres of pasture and woodland with views of the Cleveland Hills and Roseberry Topping. It holds up to 100 day guests and 150 in the evening, and is licensed for ceremonies in five indoor and outdoor areas, including a courtyard. I've photographed weddings at Howard Court.
Source: Howard Court. Read my Howard Court venue guide and Lucy and Sam's Howard Court wedding.
Whinstone View, Great Ayton
Whinstone View is a barn with a bistro and log cabins in 14 acres at Great Ayton, close to Roseberry Topping. The barn holds up to 120 day guests and has oak beams, high vaulted ceilings and original brickwork. I've photographed weddings at Whinstone View.
Source: Whinstone View. Read my Whinstone View wedding story.
Danby Castle, North York Moors
Danby Castle sits in the Esk Valley in the North York Moors National Park, beside the ruins of a 14th-century castle. It's exclusive use, with four licensed ceremony spaces: the Courtroom (up to 90), the lawn (up to 110), the castle ruins (up to 50) and the barn. The Daleview Barn takes up to 180 for the wedding breakfast and 220 in the evening, with arched windows looking over the valley. I've photographed weddings across Danby Castle, including the Daleview Barn.
Source: Danby Castle Barn weddings and FAQs. Read my Danby Castle wedding guide and a real Danby Castle wedding.
If you've booked one of these barns, send me your date and I'll let you know if I'm free. Get in touch here.
A West Yorkshire barn I've photographed
Chilli Barn, Otley
Chilli Barn is a converted stone barn on the edge of the Chevin near Otley, with stone walls, oak floors and doors onto the lawn. It holds up to 60 day guests and 90 in the evening from April to October, and 40 day guests from November to March, with a minimum of 30. Legal ceremonies can be held indoors or on the lawn, weather permitting. I've photographed weddings at Chilli Barn.
Source: Chilli Barn weddings.
Barn wedding venues near York
Barmbyfield Barns, Barmby Moor
I haven't photographed a wedding here yet.
Barmbyfield Barns is a working farm at Barmby Moor, about 15 minutes east of York, with four barns and three-day exclusive hire. The Ceremony Barn seats up to 120 and the Main Barn up to 220, and the farmhouse next door sleeps ten.
Source: Barmbyfield Barns.
The Normans, Bilbrough
I've photographed weddings at The Normans.
The Normans is a barn venue on a farm at Bilbrough, near York. It takes from 40 to 120 day guests, with up to 60 more in the evening, to a maximum of 180.
Source: The Normans FAQs.
Bunny Hill, North Cliffe
I haven't photographed a wedding here yet.
Bunny Hill is a barn venue at North Cliffe in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Its venue information gives up to 200 day guests and up to 349 in the evening.
Source: Bunny Hill, the barn.
Barns in the Dales and near Harrogate
The Tithe Barn, Bolton Abbey
I haven't photographed a wedding here yet.
The Tithe Barn is on the Bolton Abbey estate near Skipton, in the Yorkshire Dales. It's licensed for civil ceremonies for up to 200 seated guests, with up to 300 for drinks and dancing.
Source: The Tithe Barn by Cripps & Co.
Wharfedale Grange, Harewood
I haven't photographed a wedding here yet.
Wharfedale Grange is a barn venue on a 25-acre flower farm between Leeds and Harrogate, looking over the Harewood estate. The North Barn ceremony room seats up to 200, and there's farmhouse accommodation on site.
Source: Wharfedale Grange, the venue.
Just over the border: Healey Barn, Northumberland
If you're happy to look a little further north, Healey Barn is an 18th-century barn near Riding Mill, about 30 minutes from Newcastle. It's licensed for ceremonies of up to 130 and holds 200 including evening guests. I've photographed weddings at Healey Barn.
Source: Healey Barn by Cripps & Co. Read my Healey Barn wedding story.
Tips for planning a Yorkshire barn wedding
- Check day and evening numbers separately. Most barns give two figures, and some, like The Normans and Chilli Barn, also have minimums.
- Ask about winter. Chilli Barn, for example, lowers its day capacity from November to March.
- Plan for rain. Ask where the ceremony moves to if the weather turns. Danby Castle, Howard Court and Chilli Barn all have indoor options as well as outdoor ones.
- Ask about set-up time. Some barns, like Barmbyfield, include days before the wedding to set up.
- Sort out where guests will stay. Some barns have rooms on site or nearby, and some have none. Check before you send invitations.
How I photograph a barn wedding
My style is documentary. I don't line people up or ask them to perform. In a barn, I work with the light from the doors and windows during the ceremony, then take you outside for ten minutes of portraits when the light is good. Group photos are planned with you beforehand and kept short.
Barn wedding photography prices
My collections, from the top:
- Willow: £2,295 (includes a wedding film)
- Oak: £1,695
- Digital: £1,295 (half day)
- Small weddings: from £895
A £100 booking fee holds your date, and it comes off your total. Travel is free within 70 miles of Guisborough. You can see what's in each collection on my wedding photography prices page.
Yorkshire barn wedding FAQs
What are the best barn wedding venues in Yorkshire? It depends on your numbers and where your guests are. In North Yorkshire, I've photographed weddings at Howard Court, Whinstone View and Danby Castle, and in West Yorkshire at Chilli Barn.
Which barn wedding venues are near York? Barmbyfield Barns is about 15 minutes east of York and The Normans is at Bilbrough, just outside York, according to the venues.
What's the biggest barn in this guide? Bunny Hill gives the highest evening capacity, up to 349 according to its venue information, and The Tithe Barn at Bolton Abbey seats 200 for a ceremony.
What's a good barn for a small wedding? Chilli Barn holds up to 60 day guests, or 40 in winter, with a minimum of 30. My small wedding venues guide has more ideas.
Can you get legally married in a barn? Yes, if the barn is licensed. Howard Court, Danby Castle, Chilli Barn and The Tithe Barn all say they're licensed for ceremonies.
Have you photographed at these barns? I've photographed weddings at Howard Court, Whinstone View, Danby Castle, Chilli Barn, The Normans and Healey Barn. I haven't photographed a wedding at Barmbyfield Barns, Wharfedale Grange, Bunny Hill or The Tithe Barn at Bolton Abbey yet.
Useful links
- Howard Court
- Danby Castle Barn
- Chilli Barn weddings
- My Danby Castle wedding guide
- My Howard Court venue guide
- Whinstone View wedding story
- Top 10 North Yorkshire wedding venues
- Prices
What happens next
Send me your date and venue, and I'll come back to you with my availability and collections. If it feels right, we can have a chat, and the £100 booking fee holds your date. Get in touch.
About the author
I'm Aaron Jeffels, a full-time documentary wedding photographer based in Guisborough. I was North East Wedding Photographer of the Year 2022, my work has been published in Vogue, and I have 85+ Google reviews. I'm fully insured and bring backup kit to every wedding, and travel is free within 70 miles.