Haylands Barn, West Sussex
A wreath of greenery and lavender hung on the flint and brick wall of Haylands Barn

DIY and styling

A blank canvas barn for couples who want to do it their way

Empty flint walls, oak beams and lighting already in place. Everything else is yours to decide.

See what couples have doneBook a viewing

What the barn looks like empty

A long, high flint barn with exposed oak trusses, brick-edged windows and a concrete floor that takes a dance floor, rugs or nothing at all. Dimmable downlights and strings of fairy lights run the length of the roof, with a mirror ball at one end. Power points run along the walls.

Outside, the patio has its own bar, benches, cushions and soft furniture, with a 5m x 5m high-top marquee for shade or shelter. The lawn is open grass looking at the Downs. None of it is themed, which is why it suits so many different weddings.

What couples have brought

  • Hanging floral installations and greenery along the beams, and wreaths on the flint
  • Long rustic trestles with cross-back chairs, or round tables with limewash chiavari chairs
  • Coloured ribbons, candles in enclosed holders, potted herbs and wildflowers in jars
  • A black and white chequered dance floor and a stage for the band
  • A stretch tent or sailcloth marquee on the lawn for the drinks reception or the evening
  • Table plans on ladders, sharing-feast tables outside and a bar built from pallets

The barn is a dry hire venue, so your choice of caterer and bar is as free as your choice of decor. How dry hire works at Haylands.

A white wooden ladder used as a table plan, with potted plants and name cards on the lawn
A table plan on a ladder
Blue agapanthus and white flowers against the flint wall of the barn
Agapanthus against the flint

The build-day timeline

You have the barn from 8am on Friday, which is what makes a DIY wedding here calm rather than frantic.

  1. Friday, 8am: furniture arrives

    Tents n' Events deliver tables, chairs and the toilet trailer and set the trailer where our manager directs.

  2. Friday morning: tents go up

    If you have a tipi or stretch tent, the crew builds it on the lawn. Marquee lorries can drive right up to it.

  3. Friday afternoon: dressing the room

    Florists, stylists and your own helpers lay tables, hang flowers from the existing hooks and fittings, and set the bar. Everyone is off site by 5pm.

  4. Saturday, 8am: the day

    Caterers set up in the courtyard, the band sound-checks, and you arrive to a finished room.

  5. Sunday, by 11am: collection

    Decorations down, cars and belongings collected. We do the cleaning.

A few rules that protect the barn

  • Hang decorations from the existing hooks and fittings only. No nails, screws, staples, pins, tape or adhesives on the flint, timber or paintwork.
  • Candles in enclosed holders, on a stable surface, never left unattended.
  • No confetti of any kind, including biodegradable, and no sparklers, fireworks, sky lanterns or fire pits.
  • Our furniture, lighting, marquee and equipment stay where they are unless our manager agrees otherwise.

Full details are in the terms and conditions of hire.

What you still need to bring

  • Tables and chairs, booked with Tents n' Events at Haylands rates
  • The luxury toilet trailer, from the same order
  • A caterer, or a plan for feeding people yourselves
  • Drinks, and a bar operator with a Temporary Event Notice if drinks are sold
  • Decorations, flowers, table plans and signage
  • Music: a band, a DJ or a playlist and a PA

Price it all with the estimate builder

Enquiries open for 2027 and 2028

See it for yourself

Viewings run most weeks. Tell us your preferred month and guest numbers and we will come back with availability, the brochure and a date to visit.

Enquire or book a viewing See prices and build an estimate
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