Our Story
Here it is - our first blog post. Something I’ve wanted to do for quite some time, but the legalities and logistics of launching a wedding venue have just about sucked all the fun and romance out of things - that is until now!
I realised only today that we recently crept over our 10 year anniversary of living at the farm. Sharing our story isn’t something I’ve found easy to write about - it’s been a long road. However, as I cast my mind back to 2010 it gives me an overwhelming sense of pride - we’ve achieved so much in what really is such a short space of time.
Source: www.british-history.ac.uk
Naas Court Farm was once part of the Nass Estate (as it was formerly known). Dating back as far as the Doomsday Book, it is one of the oldest settlements in the Forest of Dean and Severn Estuary area.
A hall and farm buildings were recorded at Naas Court in 1443, while a buttressed barn of eight bays which formerly had a base-cruck roof were recorded circa 16th century. Naas Court was once a parliamentary garrison during the civil war (1644/45) and later, circa 1800, was used as a dairy and grazing farm - well known for its cheese!
The condition of the farm buildings have steadily declined over the past century and when left unoccupied in the late 90s/early 00s, they fell into ruin and disrepair.
Read more about the history of Naas Court Farm here.
a wedding venue
We’d always dreamt of restoring the East Barn as a wedding venue - it’s size, character and charm make it the ideal setting. Lawns at the front provide ample outdoor space, while the original stone cart shed with its conical pillars and walls wrap the venue in privacy.
The barn has largely been left untouched and unspoilt: the original Forest of Dean stone walls have been left exposed and arrow slits reinstated, while the iron rafters (reclaimed from a World War 11 hangar) and corrugated roof sheets give the barn a contemporary, industrial look which is unlike so many traditional barn venues. Polished concrete floors and draping festoon lighting are the modern finishes which make our venue unique.
Most of the materials used on the project have been reclaimed from the existing barn or elsewhere on the farm: both the indoor and outdoor bar are cladded with 400-year-old boards pulled from the farmhouse and the access ramp has been made from recycled oak.
We’ve now obtained our Premises License and pending the completion of our application, we look forward to hosting Civil Ceremonies next year at the farm, too!
next steps:
2020 has thrown up unprecedented challenges and hurdles for the wedding industry. Despite this, we continue to move forward, with plans to:
build a balcony area above the bar - the perfect cosy hideaway for your weary guests;
restore the Granary building as onsite accommodation for your wedding party;
install semi-permanent accommodation huts/chalets in the camping paddock;
rebuild the remaining farm buildings.
…watch this space!