Everything You Need to Know About the Accommodation

If you’ve already decided that on-site accommodation is a non-negotiable, you’re likely now asking a more specific question: how many people can actually stay, and how does it work in practice?

At The Great Barn Devon, the accommodation is designed to feel like a natural extension of the wedding itself – not separate, not secondary, but very much part of the experience. And crucially, it’s set up in a way that gives flexibility, comfort and space for your nearest and dearest.

This guide walks you through everything you need to know, from how many guests can stay, to how the cottages are best allocated, and how the whole weekend flows.

How many guests can stay on-site?

Across three properties, The Great Barn Devon sleeps 22 guests, with capacity for up to 30 when using high-quality (and incredibly comfortable!) sofa beds and fold-out beds. 

This puts it in a really useful position: enough space for your immediate circle – family, bridal party, closest friends – without feeling overcrowded or impersonal.

Rather than dozens of hotel-style rooms, the accommodation is made up of three self-catering cottages, each with its own character and purpose. 

The three on-site properties, explained

1. Place — the main house (sleeps 12 + 5)

Place is the largest and most significant of the three properties: a Grade II listed house that sits at the heart of the accommodation offering.

  • Sleeps 12 in bedrooms
  • Additional space for up to 5 guests on sofa/fold-out beds 
  • Includes a separate bridal apartment

The layout naturally lends itself to getting ready – multiple rooms, space to spread out, and a sense of calm before everything begins.

2. St Nectan — the light-filled cottage (sleeps 6 + 2)

St Nectan is the second-largest property and sits overlooking the rose garden.

  • Sleeps 6 in bedrooms
  • Space for 2 additional guests on a sofa bed 

Who it suits best:
This is often used for:

  • Close family members
  • Couples with young children
  • A smaller group of friends

It strikes a nice balance of being spacious enough to feel comfortable, but slightly more contained than Place.

3. Figgy Cottage — the smaller retreat (sleeps 4 + 1)

Figgy Cottage is the most compact of the three, but also one of the most charming.

  • Sleeps 4 in bedrooms
  • Space for 1 additional guest on a fold-out bed 
  • Includes a private walled garden

Who it suits best:
This tends to be the perfect option for:

  • Grandparents or older relatives
  • Guests who prefer a quieter, more private space
  • A small family unit

What’s included in the accommodation?

All three properties are self-catering cottages, designed to feel like a “home from home” rather than formal accommodation. 

While specifics vary slightly between properties, you can expect:

  • Fully equipped kitchens
  • Comfortable living spaces
  • Thoughtfully designed interiors
  • Outdoor areas with seating
  • Easy walking distance to the main venue

The emphasis is on comfort and ease, rather than hotel-style service, which suits the relaxed, weekend format of the venue.

How the wedding weekend works

Friday — arrive, settle, exhale

One of the biggest advantages here is early access.

You can arrive and check in to Place from 9am on Friday, and St Nectan and Figgy Cottage from 4pm on Friday.

  • Unpack properly
  • Spend time with your closest people
  • Settle into the space
  • Ease into the weekend with final prep & rehearsals
  • The option of a catered Friday night dinner in West Barn

This often becomes one of the most underrated parts of the wedding – a quieter, more intimate lead-in before everything begins.

Saturday — everything flows naturally

Because everyone is already on-site:

  • There’s no travel or time pressure
  • The morning feels calm and spacious
  • Guests can move easily between cottages and venue

The bridal party can get ready together, guests can wander across at their own pace, and at the end of the night, everyone simply walks back to their cottage. It removes a surprising amount of stress, both for you and your guests.

Sunday — slow, sociable, unhurried

Unlike venues where everything ends abruptly, here you have time to properly wind down.

  • No fixed rush to leave on Sunday
  • Time for coffee, breakfast, and conversation
  • A chance to relive the day with the people who matter most

Some couples extend to Monday morning, allowing for an even more relaxed departure.

Booking and practical details

Accommodation is booked by property rather than by room, which keeps things simple and flexible. 

This means:

  • You decide who stays in each cottage
  • Guests can pay you, or the venue can take payments directly
  • You have control over how it’s allocated

It also avoids the slightly fragmented feel of hotel-style bookings, as everything stays within your group.

Is the accommodation enough?

For most couples, the answer is yes – because it’s designed intentionally.

You’re not trying to house your entire guest list. Instead, you’re creating a core group:

  • The people you’ll spend the most time with
  • The people who shape the feel of the weekend
  • The people you want close, from start to finish

For everyone else, there are plenty of nearby options (we provide all couples with a trusted list of local accommodation) but the heart of the wedding remains on-site.

Final thoughts

What The Great Barn Devon does particularly well is strike a balance.

It offers enough accommodation to create that immersive, shared experience, without tipping into something that feels too large or impersonal. The three cottages each play a distinct role, and when used thoughtfully, they support the flow of the entire weekend.

If you’re at the stage of comparing venues, this is often the deciding factor. Not just how many people can stay, but how it feels when they do. And here, it feels easy.

Book a private viewing to explore our venue in your own time, and begin to visualise your day here with us.