The Old Kent Barn
- The Good Guest Guide -
Welcome
You’ve Been Invited!
How exciting, you’ve RSVP’d and there’s going to be a wedding! While you’re arranging what to wear and checking out the gift list before the big day, please review this guide as we hope it will answer some of your frequently asked questions.
We have an exceptional team of staff who are always happy to help, both before and throughout the day.
We feel passionately that everyone has a great time while at The Old Kent Barn.
“Awesome venue but the staff made this place excellent, honestly they were so attentive and incredible! Would give an extra star if I could.”
Lots
Further information on our food service.
Our filming policy at the Barn.
Further information on surprises for the day.
Our handy guide to bringing children/ babies to a wedding.
We’ve got you covered in our guide for speeches and presentations.
Top
Tips to dance the night away.
How to contact us if you’ve lost an item on the day.
Further info on weddings at the barn.
Where to Stay?
We’re fortunate to be close to two coastal towns, Folkestone, and Dover. We’re also close to the city of Canterbury.
There’s a wide range of accommodation available in the surrounding area for both overnight and short stays.
Our local accommodation guide has a directory of recommended accommodation including partner hotels offering best rates for guests attending weddings at the barn.
Click Here for our Local Accommodation Guide
You can find further recommendations here.
oH w to Find Us
Address
The Old Kent Barn, Smersole Farm, Swingfield, Kent CT15 7HF
Click here to find us on Google Maps.
By Car
FROM LONDON on M2/A2 to Canterbury/Dover. Take the A260 turn-off to Folkestone. Pass through Denton and Selsted, ignore the first sign to Lydden and take the second left hand turn signposted Swingfield Street and Lydden . At the crossroads turn left and the driveway to our barn is 300m on the right.
FROM LONDON on M20 to Ashford/Channel Tunnel. Ignore Folkestone turn-off and after Roundhill Tunnel take first slip road left signposted Canterbury. At roundabout go straight over onto A260 direction Canterbury. Pass through Densole and turn right after MacFarlane's nursery, signposted Swingfield Street and Lydden. Driveway to our barn is 650m on the right.
FROM DOVER A20 to Folkestone Take the Canterbury turn-off and then first right onto the A260 to Canterbury. Pass through Hawkinge and Swingfield (Densole) and fork right after MacFarlane's nursery, signposted Swingfield Street and Lydden. Driveway to our barn is 650m on the right.
Train
The nearest railway stations are Folkestone Central and Folkestone West, which are 6 miles away. Taxis are available at the station.
What Three Words
superhero.jelly.marker
Guest Parking
We have a large carpark and overflow parking on site The main car park has 30 dedicated spaces, there is no charge to park.
You are welcome to leave vehicles overnight, we ask they are collected by 11am the following day.
Car Charging
We have 4 charging points for electric/plug in hybrid vehicles. No cables are supplied, you must bring your own.
Campervan
Campervans are permitted on a case-bycase basis.
Please email email us here events@theoldkentbarn.co.uk
Please note, we have no facilities such as external power points, mains water or toilets in the overflow car park. No fires, cooking outside. All rubbish must be taken away.
Are There Local Taxis?
The local taxi companies are familiar with the venue location.
We recommended pre-booking your taxis as the local taxi firms can be busy during the day and evenings with local work. If you don’t pre-book you could experience a long delay or be unable to get a taxi.
If you decide you’re unable to drive and need to book a taxi, please head to the bar area and you will find local taxi numbers.
You’re welcome to leave your vehicle overnight in our main car park until 11am the following day.
We understand from time to time taxis can sometimes take longer than expected (if not pre-booked) We consider ourselves a helpful and friendly company, however please note we are not permitted or insured to transport guests from the venue.
Please note! Uber are not yet active in our area.
Helpful Timings
On-Site Ceremony: 1pm arrival (recommended)
Ceremony Begins: 2pm
End of Night: 11.30pm bar & live music ends
Guest Departure: 12.00am
Rates: Taxis coming from Dover or Canterbury will often charge a set fee –this includes an out-of-town rate. Please be aware, taxis coming from out of town often require pre-booked or prepaid fares. Folkestone companies will either charge a set fare, or by the meter, depending on the company. We advise calling and checking before you travel. Click here for Local Taxi Companys
*Standard timings - it’s always best to refer to your invite/couple
Pick up and Drop point: Main Car Park
Are You Accessible?
We consider our venue accessible and wheelchair friendly.
There are pathways from the main car park entrance, through the grounds and into the main barn and outdoor ceremony area. Both indoor and outdoor ceremony areas can be set with designated spaces for wheelchair users - this is information we'll ask the couple in advance of their wedding day. Our friendly and helpful team are always on hand and very happy to help at any time.
Inside the main barn, the reception area is all on one floor. Our tables are suitable for guests with wheelchairs and we're able to leave a space for your chairs at the table. Please note our dining chairs don’t have arms, you may find it more comfortable during dinner in your own chair. We have dedicated accessible facilities for guests with access needs.
Please note for any guests staying overnight in the Old Barn, we now have two ground floor rooms on-site.
These rooms are classed ‘mobility friendly’ They’re not officially disability accessible due to the floor space and ensuites.
Hearing Loops
The New Barn and indoor ceremony area have a hearing loop system. Those who wear a compatible hearing aid, can simply switch their hearing aid to the 'T' position.
If you are hearing impaired and require assistance at any time, a member of our team will be pleased to help.
Service Dogs
We’re familiar with service dogs on site and support the important role they have. If we can assist at any time during your visit, the team will be most happy to help.
Best To Be
Prepared
TOKB'S Top Tips on how to prepare for an amazing day
Pre Arrival
Breakfast/ Brunch
We always recommend starting the day off with a lovely breakfast or brunch. You may not be eating until the wedding breakfast which is usually at 4pm. If you are staying local, below you can find excellent brunch recommendations.
Folkestone Marleys
Brew Market Square
Canterbury Cote'
Bill's
Flat
shoes
You may want to bring flat shoes to change into for dancing feet in the evening.
Jackets & Coats
We have a rail for jackets and coats in the cloakroom. You may find you need one if the ceremony is outside or the evenings are cooler. Tissues also come
Sunny Days
The Summer can have super-hot spells.
Bring your shades and a fan, wear light layers for the day into the evening.
Consider applying sunscreen for the day.
The New Barn is air temperature controlled, keeping you comfortable throughout the day and evening, in all seasons.
There are two ceremony locations. The outdoor ceremony seating area is covered by glass pergolas that have a UV filter. The indoor ceremony area is inside the New Barn. The ceremony location is determined by the weather/season and the couple’s wishes.
If you get chilly easily perhaps bring a light jacket or blanket for your legs.
Bring a Brolly!
Year round the UK weather can be unpredictable. We’re fortunate on the South coast to miss the worst weather, in fact we’re closer to France than Maidstone so might be worth checking the weather there too!
Sometimes it’s just great weather for ducks, our advice, bring a brolly and leave in your car or park your brolly in the cloakroom here at the barn.
In any weather don’t worry, we’ve got you covered.
Do you know if we can...
Questions you may have before the day.
Can we bring confetti?
Bio-degradable confetti is the only type of confetti permitted to be used in the grounds.
If you’re bringing your own confetti, it’s a good idea to check on the day with the team as couples will often supply their own style, suitable for use in the grounds.
TOKB Top Tip - Be sure to throw confetti high in sky (not at the happy couple!) it makes for a great picture as it falls.
Fireworks?
Fireworks are not permitted. We are rurally located so they disturb livestock, and our neighbours, and pose a safety risk to guests and the buildings.
Let Love Sparkle
We do permit couples the use of sparklers. If you’re uncertain whether they’ll be providing sparklers, check with the couple before the day.
Smoking/Vaping
We permit smoking/vaping in the grounds only.
There is a dedicated space for guests wishing to smoke in a sheltered space.
Guests vaping inside the barn will be asked to move to a suitable location (outside) for the benefit of guests and staff inside the buildings.
Prayer Space
We’re mindful and respectful there are times during the day you may wish to pray in a private and quiet space. Please let the wedding coordinator know and they’ll make a space available to you.
We have free Wi-Fi for you and your guests.
To access the guest Wi-Fi, please ask any member of staff for the password.
You can view our Bar Menu here
(Current prices at time of writing (April 23) – subjecting to change, availability, price increases)
Bar
The bar is located centrally in the New Barn.
Open Times
The bar is open from 1pm for guests arriving before ceremonies. Please note, the bar closes 30 minutes prior to the ceremony. We are not able to serve any drinks after this time and as this is a legal ceremony requirement.
Any unfinished drinks are not permitted in any ceremony areas – we can however look after any drinks for you until after the ceremony in the bar area.
We will not be serving any drinks for the duration of the ceremony; you’ll not be permitted to drink any alcoholic drinks during the ceremony.
Guest Seating For the Meal
Before seating guests for the meal, we close the bar – don’t fret, it’s only temporary for a few minutes while we keep the day running smoothly. As soon as the couple have been officially ‘welcomed to the room’ we’ll re-open the bar.
Table Service
We don’t offer a table service facility; instead, we ask guests to purchase any drinks directly from the bar.
Speeches
We close the bar during the speeches. Often a drink has been organised for you, or drinks on the table, including iced water are available – the team will be unable to serve any drinks during this time. Once the speeches have concluded the bar will re-open and remain open until 11.30pm (including Sundays).
Payments
We accept cash, card, contactless including Apple Pay.
Please note we cannot accept AMEX payments or foreign currency including Euros. We do not have a cash machine on site (the nearest machine is a 6-minute drive from the venue) we’re also unable to offer cash back.
Tabs
We have a card safe facility for guests wishing to run a personal tab during the day. You’ll be allocated a tab number and able to add drinks on this for you. You’ll be required to settle your account before we can return your card to you.
House Rules
No shots before 7pm, this is non-negotiable so please don’t ask (you’ll thank us later).
Whizzy Arrivals
You might be considering bring a whizzy vehicle, we’ve seen a wide range of transport from ponies to Porches, tractors and Tuk Tuks, old and new.
The gravel car park is the best space for whizzy arrivals, we can time your arrival with the photographer/videographers to capture this exciting time!
Vehicles can be parked in this area for post ceremony pictures
Vehicles can be left overnight outside the barn before departure the following day.
If you’re unsure about accessibility/type of vehicle, please do get in touch with the team here.
Allergies/ Dietaries
Couples are asked to notify us of any guest allergens or dietaries prior to their wedding day. Please tell them of your allergens or dietaries.
We have a documentation process for each guest and their menu. We’re take allergens and dietaries very seriously and are careful with all documentation and information both before and on the day. We check and cross reference each dish you’ll have is suitable for you.
A front of house manager, alongside our team and Chefs will be aware of all allergens we’ve been notified of on the day. A team member will speak to you prior to service to confirm your allergen & choices.
Additionally, we’ll have considered bread, butter and milk options are suitable for you and if not provide a suitable alternative.
We have regular staff training and ensure we are up to date with all allergy legislation. If you have been advised of the menu choices, you’re welcome to view our dietary key within our menu here.
Couples complete their final numbers and paperwork at least 30 days before their wedding.
If you would like confirmation/reassurance, we recommend you contact us around 21 days prior to your attendance – we’ll be able to confirm the information submitted by the couple and assure you before the day.
Our Events Team are very happy to help. When you call, please reference the date of the wedding, your names and dietary so we can confirm with you.
Call: 01303 844 270
Email: events@theoldkentbarn.co.uk
Say Cheese!
We love seeing you capture those happy and memorable moments during the day. You are welcome to take your own pictures and film. If you’re planning to use a drone, we require (in advance of the day) permission/confirmation from the couple, your relevant qualifications and insurance be sent to events@theoldkentbarn.co.uk
Whilst we’re flexible with filming around the barn, we ask you respect the privacy of surrounding houses and don’t disturb any livestock.
Facetiming Ceremonies & Speeches
You may wish to Facetime during the ceremony and speeches on the day. If you ask a member of the team, they will be happy to provide you with the Wifi password. Our team will be happy to assist with devices during ceremonies and speeches.
Unplugged Ceremony/ Wedding
Please be mindful if the couple have asked for unplugged ceremony/wedding; this means they’d like you to be present throughout the day and not take pictures during key moments, instead relying on the photographer and videographer for the day. Phones and iPads can sometimes interrupt special moments such as the aisle.
Socials
Please be aware, many couples request you do not share any pictures of them on social media until the day after their wedding. Some ask none are shared at all, instead wishing to make their exciting announcement with a preview from their professional photographer, please respect their wishes.
Sssh It’s a Secret!
We love surprises at the barn. It could be for guests or the couple.The team are happy to organise this with you.
Surprises for the Couple
Some guests like to arrange a special surprise for the happy couple.
We’re really good at keeping secrets, We do ask that any surprises adhere to our suprise policy which you can find here. There may be occasions when this is not wanted and we must respect the wishes of the couple.
Examples of great surprises, Singers, Saxophonists, Magicians, Live Art , Caricaturist, Ice Cream Cart
Couples Room (Overnight)
Our couple have an overnight onsite stay included.
We’ll have ensured their personal belongings; marriage schedule and any cards and gifts are taken to their room.
We’d be very happy to set items supplied on your behalf, such as decorations and gifts. Fun items will be applied with discretion. We won’t allow access to their room unsupervised or turning of the room.
If you feel you need to access their room, please speak to the Wedding Coordinator who will be happy to help. Please note, we cannot allow confetti canons or coloured rose petals in any of the rooms due to staining.
If you’d like to organise a surprise for their room such as a flowers, sweet treats, balloons, champagne (can be pre-purchased and a gift note attached) or other gifts please email.
Surprises for Guests
We’re familiar with organising surprises for guests with you.
Usually this is celebratory events such as birthdays, anniversaries, and achievements.
If you’d like to arrange any surprises, please note, we’ll need confirmation/permission from the couple.
The Littlest VIPS
Click here to view our guide to children/babies at a wedding
Speeches & Presentations
So you’re speaking? Never fear, we’re here to help!
Click here to read our guide.
Bring flats! Flats, flip flops, or even your slippers! Shuffle the night away and protect your toes from any dodgy dance moves
Ain’t no party TOKB
The couple have planned everything to from you now is to dance and have fun! Fill of the day, it means the world
party like a Party
perfection, the one element they need Fill the floor and join in the celebrations world to the happy couple.
Planning to return home/ to the hotel by taxi? We recommend you pre-book your return taxi before the day. Click here to taxi details.
Taxi!
I can’t find my..
It’s quite common for things to be left behind after a great wedding! Shoes, sunglasses, jackets and keys are some of the top items left behind (no limbs yet!)
All items left behind are taken over to the Old Barn at the end of the night during the cleanup.
If you find you’re missing an item/s we recommend you call the barn before 11am, a member of the team will go and check for your lost item and call you back to confirm if they have been successful (please leave a description and contact details)
If you call the barn after 11am (the following day) – the happy couple will have departed and taken any items from the day before. Anything found after their departure will be taken and stored in the main office and we’ll contact the couple to let them know.
Our best advice is often other guests are helpful and will take items with them just in case (they won’t know our policy and be concerned it will be lost) so it’s always a good idea to get a message to groups of friends/ family in case.
If you prepared before the wedding in one of the dressing spaces, it may be your item/s went inside someone else’s bag (always good idea to pack your bag in the dressing room with all your items once you are ceremony ready) and worth asking the group you were with.
Lost Property Act
Should any guests lose any belongings while on site at The Old Kent Barn or incur damage to their property, the provision of the Hotel Proprietors Act 1956 may apply. If we find any lost property, we will make every reasonable effort to locate the owner and return it. If we cannot locate the owner and an item is not reclaimed within 3 months of the guest’s departure, low value items will be disposed of and high value items will be handed to the police.
Do at Kent Barn
The Old Kent Barn is a multi-award winning venue (including 2 National accolades) situated in the glorious Kent countryside. Family owned and run since 2005, we offer exclusive use for you and your guests, along with calm, precise and supportive management of your day.
Mouth-watering and memorable dishes from our in-house kitchen along with our renowned attention to detail from our expert team. Licensed for barn and garden ceremonies.
Day guest capacity 150 – Evening total guest capacity 250.
Click the link here, we’ll send you some helpful information and access to our easy to use cost calculator.
To book a tour email the team here
Follow our social accounts where we share real weddings, news and updates Instagram Facebook
w: theoldkentbarn.co.uk t: 01303 844270
e: events@theoldkentbarn.co.uk