Over the past few years, we have noticed more and more couples searching for something a little different from their wedding venue.
Not necessarily a wedding abroad, but a celebration that feels like an escape from everyday life. Somewhere guests can slow down, spend real time together, stay for the weekend and enjoy the occasion properly rather than rushing home at the end of the night.
At The Great Barn, we are lucky to welcome a wonderful mix of couples. Many have existing ties to Devon already; some grew up here, some couples met whilst studying at the University of Exeter, while others spent years visiting the county on family holidays and always imagined returning for something special one day.
Alongside those local connections, we also see couples choosing Devon entirely as a destination wedding location in its own right. They want countryside, coast, fresh air, beautiful surroundings and somewhere that feels peaceful and private, while still being easy for guests to travel to. That balance is something couples often tell us they struggled to find elsewhere.
A Wedding That Feels Like a Retreat
One of the things couples love most about The Great Barn Devon is the feeling of stepping away from normal life for a few days.
Set within the idyllic Teign Valley, surrounded by rolling countryside, the venue feels calm, relaxed and wonderfully tucked away. Weddings here naturally become more than a single day event. Guests arrive, settle into the cottages, gather by the pool, walk through the gardens and properly spend time together. For many couples, that slower pace becomes one of the most memorable parts of the whole experience.
There is also something very special about having your closest family and friends all staying together in one place. Morning coffees become catch ups by the kitchen table, evenings stretch longer, and the whole celebration feels far more intimate.
Easy to Reach for Guests Travelling from Across the UK
One of the biggest misconceptions about a destination wedding in Devon is that it feels difficult to reach.
In reality, The Great Barn Devon is surprisingly accessible for guests travelling from across the UK and beyond. We are conveniently located close to the M5, within easy reach of Exeter Airport, and London Paddington to Exeter by train takes just over two hours.
For couples with guests travelling from different parts of the country – or internationally – that accessibility makes a huge difference. It allows couples to enjoy all the beauty and atmosphere of a countryside wedding venue without guests feeling like the journey is overwhelming.
Luxury On-Site Accommodation for a Full Wedding Weekend
Accommodation is often one of the biggest considerations when couples search for a destination wedding venue in Devon. At The Great Barn, we can sleep up to 30 guests on site across our luxurious cottages and accommodation spaces, allowing close friends and family to stay together throughout the wedding celebrations.
The accommodation itself becomes part of the experience. Spacious interiors, beautiful bedrooms, peaceful surroundings and shared spaces give guests somewhere to properly relax rather than simply somewhere to sleep after the wedding.
Outside, the heated outdoor pool and extensive grounds create even more opportunities to gather together across the weekend.
For additional guests, there is also plenty of accommodation available locally, from boutique hotels and cosy inns to holiday cottages and countryside retreats nearby. We provide all couples with a list of recommended accommodation upon booking their wedding with us.
Experienced Staff to Support Every Part of the Celebration
Planning a destination wedding naturally comes with questions around logistics, coordination and guest experience, so having an experienced in-house team can make all the difference.
At The Great Barn Devon, couples are supported by our friendly and experienced staff throughout the planning process and wedding celebrations themselves, including our wedding coordinators, chefs, front of house team and maître d’, amongst many more friendly and willing faces!
For couples organising weddings from London, elsewhere in the UK or overseas, that reassurance and support is often invaluable. Our aim is always to help weddings feel relaxed, enjoyable and genuinely personal from beginning to end.
Why Devon Continues to Capture Couples’ Hearts
There is a reason Devon remains one of the UK’s most loved wedding destinations. The landscape changes beautifully through the seasons, the pace feels slower, and there is unforgettably beautiful scenery.
Whether couples already have a story rooted here, or simply fall in love with the idea of gathering everyone together in the countryside for a few days, destination weddings in Devon continue to offer something many people are searching for – space, connection and the feeling of creating memories properly, without rushing through them.
If you are currently searching for a destination wedding venue in Devon and would like to explore The Great Barn, we would love to welcome you for a private viewing.
