News from the Farm

Will Fuller Photography features The Oak Barn, Frame Farm - Monday, 25th March 2024

We are delighted that the talented Will Fuller, one of our recommended photographers, is putting our eco-venue into the spotlight with our very own page on his website.

Since our opening in 2019, Will has photographed the most precious and amusing moments for our couples. Working with natural light and blending into the celebrations with ease, he captures couples and their guests off guard and portrays the relaxed and informal nature of their wedding day.

Will is an award-winning London photographer who reflects our ethos and personal approach, and loves the natural world. We may be biased, but we truly believe Will’s pictures speak for themselves!

Five Years Old and ‘Feeling Good’ - Friday 2nd February 2024

Five years ago the farm gate opened for our first wedding and it was indeed a new day and a new life for Frame Farm. As agriculture declined, ownerships changed and buildings crumbled, the farm’s new dawn was the arrival of Tim and Deana with a vision and commitment that would give it new purpose and turn the redundant buildings into one of the UK’s most exclusive and eco-friendly venue’s.

The initial renovation took over three years but work has not stopped; new ideas, improvements and sustainable upkeep have ensured the venue has been beautifully presented for the 167 fabulous weddings held to date. Wedding anniversaries and christenings too, birthday parties galore, corporate events and so much more.

Celebrations captured on camera for private albums, sumptuous styling shared on socials, big brands shooting commercials; the timeless backdrop of our stunning farm is the constant that is cherished by all.

As conservation work continues and a tree is planted for each event that is hosted, we now have our own bee hives and plans are afoot for a new wild flower meadow. Our thanks go to our fabulously talented suppliers who share our passion for sustainability, and all our couples who have placed their trust in us over these very special five years.

Wedding ceremony inspiration - Wednesday 17th January 2024

Our heartfelt thanks to Coco Wedding Venues for featuring our numerous breathtaking ceremony locations on their blog.

Our eco venue offers three distinctive ceremony spaces, which ensures that every wedding is a true reflection of each couple’s vision. Our styled shoot was created with our couples’ diverse tastes and personalities in mind and showcased the uniqueness of our venue.

The first ceremony took place in The Oak Barn, our Grade II listed threshing barn with its magnificent vaulted roof and exposed beams, and featured an organic, rambling floral installation.

We then moved seamlessly into The Byre, an elegant barn transformed into a beautiful English meadow with our lily pond as the ceremonial backdrop, before the couple wandered into the Pole Barn for romantic photographs.

Our grand finale unfolded with vibrant pink florals and relaxed bench seating outdoor on The Byre’s terrace, with the couple framed by our beloved sheep and ancient oak trees.

No matter what your style, the array of ceremony options at our farm allows you to curate your dream multi-day wedding, with you and your guests staying in the luxurious Weaver’s Cottages.

1. Photographer Penny Young Photography
2. Videographer Alex Brown Weddings
3. Hair + Makeup SJB Hair & Makeup
4. Props, Furniture + Styling Locate to Create
5. Florist (The Oak Barn, The Byre & Pole Barn) Bridal Wild
6. Florist (The Byre’s terrace) See Rose Floral Design
7. Bridal Dresses Vicki’s Bridal Boutique
8. Men’s Suits WÜD Tenterden
9. Drinks Woodchurch Wines
10. Celebrant Roxy Celebrates Love
11. Model Couple (The Oak Barn) Anhelina and Dmytro
12. Bridesmaid Model Lucy Holmes
13. Model Couple (The Byre and Pole Barn) Georgia and Daniel

Magical Kentish winter wedding eco venue - Monday 18th December 2023

We are so excited to have been selected by A Kentish Ceremony as their favourite barn for winter weddings, and our first ever wedding has been featured as a showstopper in their winter edition. It was so important to us that guests enjoy the beauty of the farm in all seasons, so we made sure to include lovely underfloor heating and a cosy wood burner for those crisp winter days.

Sustainable woodstock revival wedding inspiration - Friday 10th November 2023

A massive thank you to Rock My Wedding for yet again featuring The Oak Barn, Frame Farm in their Inspiration category. This time the focus was on sustainability, with pre-loved wedding decor and furniture, within our eco-friendly Venue. The Woodstock themed shoot was cleverly styled by Lou Lou Event Design and captured by the talented Nseko Creates.

Visit Kent hails The Oak Barn, Frame Farm an IMPACT HERO! - Wednesday 4th October 2023

It gives us great pleasure to have been listed by Visit Kent as one of their Impact Heroes in recognition of our sustainable practices. There is so much to see and do in Kent and it is wonderful to see so many small business working hard to offer low impact tourism and help their guests make sensible environmental choices when planning their visit. It is gratifying to welcome clients and wedding couples to the farm who care about the impact their event could have and offer them a low impact option.

The best wedding venues in the UK - Friday 7th July 2023

Not only have we won a 2023 award as one of the Best Wedding Venues in Kent but now Mooncast Films has just selected us as one of The Best Wedding Venues in the whole of the UK. This year just keeps getting better and better. Thank you so much Mooncast Films!

Capturing those exceptional moments - Monday 19th June 2023

We believe that there are a few essential elements to your Wedding which should not be compromised on, and high on our list are your Venue and Photographer.

The moments that your photographer captures throughout your Wedding will become your unique story and one that you and your family will always treasure; getting ready with your best friends in our luxurious cottages, the emotion of walking down the aisle, catching each other’s eye whilst exchanging your vows and rings, your first sip of fizz as a married couple, confetti in your hair, speeches full of laughter, a romantic dance and of course, the joy of close friendships and love of families.

Frame Farm is a rural idyl, a peaceful haven where historic buildings are cushioned in a stunning English landscape, where form and texture provide countless backdrops no matter what the season, and where our meadows offer you the freedom to wander in a glorious sunset.

400 year old brickwork, oak beams and ancient barn doors, stacks of logs ready for Winter fires, bouncing lambs in Spring, stunning colours of Summer, ornamental grasses waving in an Autumnal breeze, and willows weeping over our wildlife pond; just a few of the rich backdrops that make our farm so unique and such a glorious background for your Wedding.

Over the years, this tapestry has been captured repeatedly but never in the same way as seasons change, light conditions alter, and each photographer exhibits his or her own special artistry; classical and elegant to dramatic and edgy or vibrant and fun. It’s of utmost importance that you as a couple explore your personal style and choose a photographer that puts you completely at ease. Here at The Oak Barn, Frame Farm we have worked with some fantastic photographers and following are a few of our favourites:

1. Alex Tenters Photography captures the most beautiful moments of your day
2. Anna Pumer Photography, Anna and Todd take fun and colourful pictures
3. Charlotte Amy Photography specialises in a relaxed, informal and personal approach
4. Duntons Photography captures images which speak more than words
5. John Knight Photography loves to tell the real story of your day
6. Matilda Delves Wedding Photography will take natural photography for laid back couples
7. Matt Rock Photography captures those candid moments you never knew happened
8. Nicola Dawson Photography sees all the little things and will capture the most precious memories
9. Penny Young Photography conducts creative wedding storytelling for couples who love natural images
10. Will Fuller Photography has a documentary style combined with a relaxed and informal approach

Weekend weddings - Exclusive in every way - Wednesday 31st May 2023

We are thrilled to be featured by Coco Wedding Venues as one of their “10 Exclusive Use Weekend Wedding Venues We Love” in the UK and further afield. A multi-day wedding is without doubt the most wonderful way to celebrate by extending the precious time you have with friends and family. It is a well-known adage that wedding days fly past too quickly so being able to prolong this joyous occasion is becoming far more important to couples.

Our exclusive weekend hire is our premium option with couples able to savour the peace of our eco venue across three or more days; imagine arriving at our gorgeous 25 acre farm the day before your wedding and enjoying a leisurely afternoon with your nearest and dearest whilst meeting with your talented suppliers and watching their creativity turn your vision into reality. Then relish a relaxing evening whilst watching a glorious sunset across the sheep fields, before retiring to your sumptuous cottage for a peaceful night’s sleep.

Awake rested and revel in a morning of pampering for you and your loved ones. Discretely watch your guests arriving before making your grand entrance and marrying the person of your dreams. Now the champagne starts to flow, and your celebration really begins!

On Sunday, kick off your shoes and reminisce over brunch with the people who matter the most to you. Your Weekend Wedding will be the perfect mixture of happiness, laughter, music, fun and or course, overwhelming love!

The wonders of spring - Monday 24th April 2023

The snowfall in mid-December took us all by surprise with a white blanket covering the farm one Sunday afternoon. This created a beautifully tranquil scene for Harry and Emily’s stunning white Wedding in our cosy barns with the fire blazing.

A few months later the winter snow is just a distant memory and is making way for new beginnings! Snowdrops and daffodils brought the first colour to our farm and the striking red stems of the Dogwood around the lily pond have been pruned with new buds bursting into life beneath the vibrant green of the weeping willows. The Yellow Wagtails have returned after their winter jaunt to Africa and are busy building their nests around the farm.

Spring is a colourful and noisy time here as flowers and new growth abound, and ewes and lambs call out to each other all day long. Newborn lambs are delivered by Farmer Tobin daily and they can been seen frolicking around the trees and pastures. It’s a wonderful time of the year with new life flourishing, and it makes The Oak Barn, Frame Farm the perfect backdrop for your Spring Wedding.

Danielle & Daniel’s rustic sage green wedding - Monday 10th April 2023

We are so excited to be featured in Rock My Wedding’s inspirational article on Danielle and Daniel’s stunning Sage Green Wedding. Our lovely couple chose to be married at All Saints Church before travelling in style to The Oak Barn, Frame Farm in a fabulous sage green Aston Martin DB6 where they spent the weekend surrounded by friends and family. The talented Nicola Dawson Photography once again worked her magic and captured their love and happiness to perfection.

The sage green dresses and suits were complemented by an exquisite array of flowers, and Danielle’s styling was highlighted beautifully by the golden sunset. Their perfect summer Wedding was filled with warmth, sunshine, smiles and happiness.

Our diverse & trusted caterers - Monday 20th March 2023

Creating a bespoke Wedding for each of our couples is at the heart of everything we do at The Oak Barn, Frame Farm. We believe in offering choices so that your style shines through at your Wedding; where will you host your ceremony, how will you decorate the barns and which suppliers will inspire you. All these decisions will contribute to making your special day totally unique.

The feast you share with family and friends and how you compliment fabulous food with a tempting range of drinks is of vital importance and that’s why we have chosen the finest caterers in Kent and Sussex who can deliver the highest quality menus from fresh, local produce.

Like The Oak Barn, Frame Farm all five caterers are small, family focussed teams which ensures the service is personal and comes with a huge dollop of passion. Each one has a unique style so choosing the caterer that compliments you is only the first step in an exciting journey from your conceptual ideas through to your Wedding Breakfast.

Perhaps you dream of a traditional three course meal, or maybe relaxed dining with sharing boards is more you. Whether it’s fine dining, fusion cuisine, a BBQ or vegan extravaganza, our caterers are here to guide you through a range of options and spoil you with a tantalising tasting. They will also ensure that great care is taken of your friends who have special dietary requirements.

Here at our farm, we don’t agree with corkage so you can choose to supply all the drinks for your Wedding or your caterer can run a pay bar. We highly recommend that you peruse your caterer’s retail drinks list or even ask them to do a food and wine pairing for your wedding breakfast. Either way, you can be assured of impeccable service from their dedicated teams.

It’s your Wedding, so why compromise with a set menu when you can be spoilt for choice:

1. Elizabeth Caton Food and Wine has built an excellent reputation for wedding and event catering, using local, seasonal produce to make creative, delicious and beautifully presented food.
2. Julia at Food Glorious Food truly believes that food should look as good as it tastes and taste as good as it looks. They produce fabulous food, perfect parties and exceptional events.
3. Nicci at Home Gurr’own has a local small holding where animals are fattened, and fruit, vegetables and flowers are grown for the wedding.
4. Jimmy Garcia Catering offers global cuisine with a strong sustainable focus inspired by years of travel and experimentation.
5. Nick at Vine & Dine creates bespoke menus using the finest local ingredients and will assist with wine paring.

Winner of Hitched Wedding Venue in Kent award 2023 - Wednesday 1st March 2023

We are very proud to have won a Wedding Venue in Kent 2023 Award from Hitched. These awards are judged solely on the quality and number of 5 Star reviews given by our couples. Our heartfelt thanks goes out to all our wonderful couples who left us the highest possible rating after their Wedding Day at The Oak Barn, Frame Farm.

We are particularly proud to achieve this since we are an exclusive eco venue that hosts a limited number of weddings each year, and we are thrilled that our commitment to delivering a very personal and high quality service is being recognised by our couples, thank you so much!

Maxie & James' natural & relaxed wedding - Friday 23rd December 2022

'Totally and utterly stunning' is how Whimsical Wonderland Weddings describes Maxie and James's August wedding in their latest feature. And we agree wholeheartedly! With such beautiful wedding photography by Nicola Dawson Photography, it looked as though the hot summer days had been planned to give the perfect colour tones for the backdrop to their wedding day. The images capture the natural style of their special day, with the flowers on Maxie's hand embroidered dress reflected in James's tie and buttonhole and complimented by meadow flowers handpicked by the couple in the lead up to their wedding. This was a Wedding that captured The Oak Barn, Frame Farm's spirit; simple, natural and so elegant.

With many guests visiting from overseas, Weaver's Cottages provided the perfect ambience for this family friendly wedding. A long weekend in the beauty of the Kent countryside to celebrate their marriage. We hope you enjoy reading more about how Maxie and James planned their Wedding weekend and what made it so special for them: Whimsical Wonderland Weddings.

Our 100th wedding! - Friday 23rd September 2022

At The Oak Barn, Frame Farm our focus has always been on quality not quantity, and delivering an exceptional Wedding Day, as well as seeing our couple’s happiness as they celebrate with their friends and family, is our reward.

That is not to say an important milestone in our journey went un-noticed; our first wedding on 2nd February 2019 was a stunning, snow covered day and since then, we have had one joy filled celebration after another leading up to our 100th couple, who married here on the sun bathed weekend of 3rd September 2022.

To mark this special occasion, we cracked open the fizz (English and local naturally) and invited Max and Lynsey to plant their Oak tree in the pasture viewed from The Byre’s terrace. We plant a tree on the farm for every couple, but this was a special and happy day for us and a chance to reflect on all the wonderful celebrations from the last three years.

The Queen’s green canopy – Planting trees for the jubilee & our couples - Monday 23rd May 2022

England’s green and pleasant land will become more so by the end of 2022 thanks to The Queen’s Green Canopy. This unique initiative encourages tree planting to mark Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee and create a legacy in honour of The Queen’s leadership of the Nation. At the start of the year, Deana and I pledged to honour this landmark Jubilee by planting a tree for each year of Her Majesty’s 70 year reign.

Tree planting has become an annual event here at Frame Farm with trees planted to honour every marriage that has taken place since we opened in 2019. It seems fitting that this year we should promise to continue this wonderful tradition for each couple who will marry here in the future.

This year’s work took place around our Winter Weddings in February and it is a pleasure to see these saplings growing well and now in leaf. We selected a range of native broadleaved and coniferous trees to enhance the farm’s woodlands and restore some of our neglected hedgerows. The chosen species will flower in sequence so pollinating insects will have blossom throughout the Spring and Summer.

We are sure that some will live to a great age and help lessen the long-term impact of Storm Eunice, Dudley and Franklin that battered the farm just before the planting began; we lost six trees including a magnificent oak that was ripped from the earth at the far end of the valley. The circle of life continues, and our green canopy is now bursting with the joy of Spring.

Your top wedding venues for 2022 - Friday 19th November 2021

We are honoured to have been chosen as one of Coco Wedding Venue’s Top Wedding Venues for 2022. For the full list read Caitlin Hoare’s article.

Time well spent - Friday 24th September 2021

We are always striving to improve The Oak Barn, Frame Farm and 2020’s enforced hiatus provided the perfect an opportunity for three significant enhancements to our venue: a new storeroom, laundry room and another luxurious one bedroom cottage / Wedding Cottage.

Tim’s first project was to create a Client Storeroom to house their deliveries before their event. We always had ample space in our barn but now they have a dedicated room with lighting, power and shelving.

He then went on to build The Loft, our new eco-friendly laundry room. Located directly above our Biomass Boiler Room, the warm air rises up through vents into the Loft to dry and air our laundry.

Our most stunning renovation this year is the conversion of the old laundry room in our Oast to create another opulent one-bedroom Wedding Cottage. It is complete with a wonderfully decadent Verdigris copper bath in the bedroom and a loft style oak door separating the bedroom from the open-plan living area. This first floor cottage is reached by a new external hardwood staircase and affords a bird’s eye view across our farm and the sheep fields. The addition of 6 Weaver’s Cottage now allows us to accommodate 20 guests at the farm and gives our couples a choice of two stunning cottages for their Wedding night.

Bohemian vibes meet autumnal splendour in this Kent wedding shoot - Tuesday 17th August 2021

Celebrating the re-opening of the wedding industry, hair and makeup artist Chloe Campbell brought a team of local suppliers to The Oak Barn, Frame Farm to create a relaxed bohemian shoot with a nod to autumn. For all the details, read BrideMagazine.co.uk's article.

Photography: Toby Shaw Photography
Venue: The Oak Barn, Frame Farm
Dresses: Claire De Lune Bridal
Hair & make-up: Chloe Campbell
Jewellery: IJ Avenue
Venue dressing: Love Lily Lending
Flowers: Blooming Flair
Vintage accessories: Village Vintage
Models: Francesca Fleur & Jacasya Townend

New beginnings - Friday 14th May 2021

Spring brings new life, plants push their way through the soil to find light and we look towards a brighter future as our freedom gradually returns after a long cold winter in lockdown. The natural world has been awakened by the warmth of Spring sunshine and our fields are filled with lambs and the green hue of unfolding leaves.

Finally, our barns are open again! Whilst virtual viewings gave us a visual lifeline in past months, it’s elating to personally welcome couples to our magical farm.

A few of our local suppliers dressed the barns beautifully to showcase their style and wares, as well as inspire our visitors. They generously gave their time, resources and enthusiasm as we all prepare for our first weddings of 2021 - the road ahead will soon be paved with wild flower confetti.

Our reasons for celebration this year are many and it promises to be an exciting, fun filled and memorable Summer for us all as we watch our couples revel in their love with friends and family.

Our sincere gratitude goes to these fabulous suppliers for stunning floral arrangements by Hannah’s Garden, Kate is The Natural Florist, and Clare Staplehurst of See Rose Floral Design. Rachael from Hire Love chose from her eclectic collection of furniture and décor and along with sparkling tableware from A Touch of Vintage they created gorgeous Wedding Breakfast settings. Village Vintage designed relaxing chillout areas in The Oak Barn’s lean-to with exquisite pieces, as well as a vibrant rug and candle aisle in The Byre. The various styles showcased at our eco venue in the last few weeks were captured by photographers Will Fuller Photography and Matilda Delves Photography.

How to assess the eco credentials of your venue and caterer - Friday 26th March 2021

For guidance on how to assess the eco credentials of your prospective Wedding or Events Venue, read Rock My Wedding's blog "Eco-Friendly Wedding - 15 Questions To Ask Your Venue", which we were delighted to assist them with.

Winners of the Sustainability & Environmental Impact Award 2020/21 in the Rural Business Awards - Thursday 25th February 2021

We are very proud to win the ‘Sustainability and Environmental Impact Award 20/21’ in this year’s Rural Business Awards This is the first year this category has been presented by the RBA, in partnership with Amazon, making it a huge achievement to become the inaugural recipient.

Speaking after the win - at the RBA’s first online final - Tim Maw from The Oak Barn, Frame Farm said, “We are thrilled to win this award and express our gratitude to The Rural Business Awards and Amazon for recognising our achievements in this important new category. Sustainability and the environment were at the forefront of our restoration plan and it is so fulfilling to now host weddings, corporate events and retreats with minimal impact on our fragile world. Every decision we make, however small, has an impact on our future and we will always strive to do better”.

The Judging panel, drawn from the rural business sector, official agencies and rural charitable organisations, recognised that The Oak Barn, Frame Farm “has given new life to what was an empty farm with great commitment to reducing the size of their carbon footprint - a fantastic example of what can be achieved - the balance of sustainability & lower environmental impact within a beautiful events venue”.

We were pitched against companies from a diverse range of sectors throughout rural business, all impressively striving to run their businesses as sustainably as possible. The wedding and events industry is not renown for its sustainability, but this has been our objective from the first days of planning the renovation of the farm and establishment of our business. We are so pleased to have this long-term strategy recognised by this prestigious award. It’s a great boost to our team and shows you do not need to compromise on luxury or style to achieve a low carbon eco-friendly wedding or event.

RBA Awards: aim to give recognition to businesses operating right across the Rural sector, to acknowledge the breadth and depth of opportunity presented by the Great British countryside, as well as to celebrate the achievements of our rural businesses, from engineering through to artisan food producers and professional services organisations. (RBA Awards 2020-21-national-winners).

National finalist for Top Sustainability & Environmental Award - Tuesday 1st December 2020

The Oak Barn, Frame Farm has been selected as a National Finalist by the Rural Business Awards, in partnership with Amazon, for The Sustainability and Environmental Impact Award 2020/2021.

The restoration and regeneration of Frame Farm in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner is at the heart of our business, so we are extremely proud to be one of six businesses to reach the final and be recognised for this achievement. This is the Awards’ sixth year of celebrating the success of businesses across the UK’s rural economy.

As we near the end of our second year of trading it’s rewarding to see the farm running smoothly on renewable energy. Our new trees, gardens, pond and wild areas are maturing beautifully, and the future is looking brighter despite a challenging year for us all. Reaching the National Final is an immense morale boost for our small team, and we are just so grateful for the contributions made by our suppliers in Benenden and the wider rural community that we work so closely with.

Becoming Regional Runner Up for the ‘Best Rural Start Up Business’ at last year’s Rural Business Awards was a proud moment but having the environmental achievements of our business recognised this year is even more rewarding; we will leave lockdown with optimism for the future and an even greater appreciation of the fragile world we live.

We are honoured to be up against such inspiring businesses and look forward to the Rural Business Awards at the online National Final on Thursday 25th February 2021.

Also featured on Coco Wedding Venues' Blog and Weddings in Kent blog.

Micro weddings on the rise - Saturday 21st November 2020

2020 will be an unforgettable year for us all but there was a ray of sunshine for several of our couples who chose to host a micro wedding this year whilst postponing their larger wedding reception to 2021.

These bespoke days have been keenly anticipated by our couples, their families and closest friends and each one has been truly wonderful, with the couple deciding how long, short, formal or informal they will be. Our micro weddings have been packed with emotion and beautiful details ensuring they are just as memorable as the larger weddings we are accustomed to hosting. Our couples have enjoyed them so much that we feel this is the start of a magical new trend.

“We decided to go ahead with our ‘mini-wedding’ this year and enjoyed a small, intimate celebration with our close family – the venue is perfectly suited to smaller scale events as well as larger weddings and we’ll be returning next year for the big party and wedding reception with all of our original guests – we cannot wait!” enthuses Hannah Davison.

Frame Farm is the perfect venue for both micro and larger weddings. Our two licensed barns, luxurious cottages and stunning outdoor areas allows each couple to pick and choose which elements they wish to use to create their uniquely intimate wedding – there are few rules for micro weddings so couples can plan their day exactly how they wish, even breaking a few traditions along the way.

With its simple elegance and all-encompassing views, The Byre works beautifully for indoor or outdoor ceremonies and/or receptions. Floor to ceiling glass doors and windows welcome in a panoramic scene that starts at our woodland, takes you across the green valley that is home to our sheep, and on to the calm of the lily pond. The building is immersed in its surroundings through details such as the solid oak benches and tables, handcrafted from one of our trees. Afterwards, confetti on the terrace with a celebratory drink are enjoyed by all while gazing at these stunning views or the magnificent sunset over our valley in Kent’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

For longer micro weddings, our spectacular high-vaulted Oak Barn is perfect for receptions. Beautifully divided into natural areas by ancient oak beams guests have been able to flow from reception drinks and canapé stations into the main barn for the wedding breakfast, catered for by our superb local caterers. Afterwards, the wedding party can relax in cosy comfort on decadent sofas surrounded by beautiful rugs beside our wood burner, or on our stage overlooking the grandeur of the barn.

At the end of a fabulous day, guests can retire across the courtyard to Weaver’s Cottages. Five sumptuous cottages offering luxurious accommodation are housed in the farm’s traditional Kentish weaving house and oast which dates to 1607.

No matter how our couples have planned their day at the farm, all our micro weddings have had one thing in common: the radiating happiness of the couples and obvious delight of their guests.

Cosy autumnal and winter breaks in Weaver’s Cottages - Tuesday 6th October 2020

We had an unexpectedly busy Summer here at Frame Farm. Admittedly, not the second Summer that we had been excitedly anticipating, which was full of promise for magical weddings and parties at The Oak Barn. Luckily, another strand of our business, our holiday cottages, has flourished and has continued to bring life to the farm with wonderful families and couples staying in Weaver’s Cottages and finding much needed fun, peace and relaxation in Kent’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Frame Farm is perfect for breaks throughout the Autumn and Winter. Stay in stylish, cosy cottage accommodation and enjoy rural peace at a beautiful and stunningly renovated Grade II listed Kent farm. Frame Farm is excellently located for visiting many historic houses, castles and gardens while exploring Kent and East Sussex. The surrounding countryside is a vibrant wine and gin region and is home to Chapel Down, Gusbourne, Nyetimber, Hush Heath, Woodchurch and Anno Distillers to name just a few. Or hunker down in front of a fire in one of our fantastic local pubs.

Over the Summer, we received some lovely reviews from our guests who have been as delighted with their holidays at the farm as we have been to welcome them.

“We have just returned from the most enjoyable family week at Frame Farm. Deana, Tim and all the staff were the perfect hosts, and nothing was too much trouble. The location is fantastic for getting around the visitor attractions around Kent and the seaside, we visited numerous Castles in the area. The cottage and grounds were spotless, the pub nearby was excellent and there were large shops not too far away. We also enjoyed watching all the wildlife and stars. Such a peaceful, quiet, relaxing location. Thank You.” The Squire family – August 2020

No matter which cottage you choose, you will enjoy luxury with views across our sheep fields making your Autumn or Winter break a memorable one. About an hour from London and with prices starting at £197 per night (minimum 2 nights) or at £565 per week it is the perfect escape.

Please contact us for availability and a special rate for your stay.

Life outdoors - A marriage ceremony to remember! - Saturday 11th July 2020

Love and happiness returned to The Oak Barn, Frame Farm as we hosted Rebecca and William’s Marriage Ceremony, our first in 2020.

For a venue owner, there are many things that make every wedding memorable and it’s wonderful that each one is unique; on Saturday, 11 July the farm was a buzz with the excitement of holding our first outdoor ceremony.

Rebecca and William were blessed with a beautiful sunny day and held their ceremony under the eaves of The Byre with their family and friends seated outside on the terrace in the sunshine with the sheep behind them in the field. With so much space and fresh country air they were able to welcome guests of all ages.

Rebecca and William’s dearest wish was that they could be married on 11 July 2020 and as the day grew nearer so did the emotion! Finally, we were all given the go ahead and we worked closely with them, as well as the Kent County Council, to ensure that their ceremony could proceed safely but without losing any of the magic!

We look forward to welcoming Rebecca and William back soon for their reception to celebrate their commitment to one another in front of many more members of their family as well as their friends.

An Easter message - Saturday 11th April 2020

As temperatures hit 20 degrees the office doors are wide open for the first time this year and new born lambs are springing around the pasture just a few meters away. There is a tinge of green on the oak trees in the valley and new life is emerging everywhere after the wettest winter on record. It is good to be optimistic about the year ahead despite normal life being temporarily suspended by the Covid pandemic.

It has allowed us the opportunity to reflect on our first year and the sixteen weddings we hosted at The Oak Barn; we marvel at how wonderfully unique each marriage and celebration has been and how beautifully the barns have been prepared by each couple; truly inspiring and a great reflection on their relationships and everything that is dear to them. We have been sent many stunning images and glowing testimonials from our couples and their photographers for use in our first Wedding brochure. It is great to share this with everyone who has contributed so much to the past year and with those making new enquiries.

As we celebrate new life at Easter we look forward to exciting times ahead. Families and communities will emerge from lockdown with greater unity, affection and appreciation of what is important in life and we are quite sure we will all be ready for a good party! This year’s marriages and celebrations may not follow the first made plans but we are certain that they will still be fabulous!

‘Success at the 2019 Rural Business Awards’ - Thursday 7th November 2019

On 18th October we were delighted to attend the South East Region Rural Business Awards in Canterbury following our shortlisting as Finalists in two categories, both Best Rural Start-Up Business and Best Farm Diversification Project. The Rural Business Awards are in their fifth year and are the only UK-wide programme dedicated to showcasing the success of rural businesses, run in partnership with Amazon.

At the ceremony, held at Canterbury Lodge, it was a great honour to be voted Runner Up in the Best Rural Start-Up and collect our award despite stiff competition in the South East region that encompasses Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, East Sussex, Greater London, Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Oxfordshire, Surrey and West Sussex.

It is a great honour to be recognised in this way only ten months after our launch and we are very grateful to everyone who had a hand to play in the restoration of the farm and, more recently, our suppliers who are an amazing pool of local talent who help give every event here a distinct character. It is an excellent start for The Oak Barn and we are looking forward to closing the first year with two magical Christmas weddings and other events over the Christmas period and the New Year.

The grand launch - Saturday 19th January 2019

By 10am, the underfloor heating is cosy underfoot, the wood burner is roaring in the corner, the Bose sound systems and mood lighting are creating a relaxed atmosphere in The Oak Barn and The Byre, and finally the farm gate swings open to welcome guests for the first time. First to arrive are those couples who have taken a leap of faith and booked weddings throughout 2018 after viewing a dilapidated oak frame standing precariously in a building site.

With a glass of bubbles in hand they have returned to see our vision complete, with both barns dressed with beautiful flowers from See Rose Floral Design, sumptuous wedding hire furniture by Hire Love and Village Vintage, and edible delights from Sarah Hall Catering. It’s a full house for several hours with prospective couples keen to Kent’s newest venue.

We soon find we are welcoming our next wave of afternoon guests from the village, friends and many of the building team who have worked on the project over the last 16 months. It is touching to see so many of their family members, a reflection of the pride that has gone into this build.

Darkness falls, candles are lit and lighting dimmed for our evening guests; a sit down dinner for nearly 50 professionals with event planners, suppliers and journalists who have supported and advised us in past months during our start-up. A great evening of networking and laughter and a chance for us to see the barn in use as a venue for the first time with all systems running beautifully!

Racing against the weather - December 2018-January 2019

The nights close in, temperatures drop and we are under pressure to finish the hard landscaping before the weather breaks. All our walls are built with traditional lime mortar and the first frosts damage some of the great work achieved in recent weeks. Kerb stones are laid and then finally, after three years of mud, we see our first tarmac! It is a wonderful sight and improves working conditions for all.

Our ‘green’ car park receives the grid system that will receive topsoil and grass seed next year and many pallets of setts are delivered to pave The Byre’s Terrace and The Courtyard. The site is transformed throughout December as these aesthetic layers are added. An enormous hole is dug beyond the stables for our new sewerage treatment plant and soon this final piece of equipment is lowered into place.

The stable barn is a hive of activity with the old feed troughs, welded, blasted and painted ready for use as our toilet wash basins. Huge slabs of oak are machined and sanded and slowly transform into 20 benches for our ceremony room, two signing tables, four bar tables and our mobile bar. It is magical to see so much good use made from the dead oak tree that stood for years in one of our fields.

We are working all hours towards our launch party deadline. Furniture for our five cottages is delivered daily and all needs assembly. Mirrors and artwork to hang, signage, fire extinguishers and cloakrooms to fit out. It is too late in the year for grass seed so 100 square meters of turf is laid and suddenly the seemingly endless frenzy of work ends late on a Friday night.

Weatherproof for the autumn - September-November 2018

The focus during the late summer was completion of the annex structure and fitting the joinery in The Oak Barn. The last of the foundations have been laid so we now have a complete raft of concrete supporting the barn. Our team of carpenters has trebled as the roof structure quickly takes shape over the new kitchen and toilets, and work commences on the replacement of weather boarding. The bricklayers have moved on to the garden walls, rebuilding with original bricks that have been painstakingly cleaned.

By the pond, we have created a new waterfall to replace the old plastic pipe that provided an overflow into the stream through the pasture. It has been hard work establishing over 340 new plants and watering them through the scorching summer but the lilies are doing well after last year’s dredging despite the low water levels.

Inside The Oak Barn, the partition walls have appeared within the annex and the first fix plumbing is in place. Heat exchangers, air conditioning units and kitchen extraction fans are being positioned and the first ductwork is being fitted; it is a mass of pipes, ducts and wiring with little space to work in a very hot roof space. The electricians are busy adding to the mass of cables that terminate in the cupboard that will become our hidden control centre for the barn.

The end of September saw the laying of underfloor heating pipework and floor screeds; visually a giant leap forward that enables us to have a much better idea of the completed space. Months of product research has culminated in orders for floor tiles, light fittings and sanitary ware and, with a newly laid hearth, our wood burner has been fitted in the corner of the main space.

With the day length shortening we are pleased to see our hardwood joinery arrive on site. Six panels for the sliding doors in the lean-to, four huge windows for the south and west facades and the enormous screen that stretches high up into the porch. Even when the barn is enclosed it will have amazing natural light. The fitting begins but requires great dexterity due to the irregular shape of the old frame.

With the doors fitted our threshold levels are determined and landscaping now begins. The courtyard between The Oak Barn and Weaver’s Cottages is taken over by earth movers and grab lorries and the noisy chaos gradually gives way to level ground and correct gradients for the driveways. Walls are built to retain Weaver’s Cottages terrace and new sandstone is laid. Our 18th century well, with beautiful spiral brickwork below ground, now has a low wall from salvaged bricks and the surrounding ground is being reinstated ready for new lawns.

Heat and hard graft - Thursday 23rd August 2018

The Spring and Summer months have been very productive here at the farm. The Byre is a few of weeks from completion and we reached a milestone yesterday which marked the end of foundation work to The Oak Barn. The schedule is only slightly behind but after all the snow, the wettest Spring and now the driest summer on record our builders have done an amazing job to be this far advanced in these unusual conditions.

The Byre is looking beautiful with the weather boarding, large glass doors and windows now fitted and complimenting the reclaimed oak timbers that frame the view across the fields and pond. The lighting and underfloor heating has all been tested which just leaves some decorating to be done and the terrace and lawn to be laid outside.

Across the yard, under The Oak Barn, the wet and very heavy Kent clay dried and set like concrete in the soaring July temperatures making the excavation for the foundations hard going. Our mini digger, the largest we can get beneath the propped oak frame, struggled to break through this ground so large sections had to be dug by hand. It has been a relief to pour the final section of concrete this week and end this phase of work. Progress should gather pace now with the underfloor heating, wood burner and air cooling systems that will make the barn so comfortable in all weathers.

Moving quickly behind the foundation work the bricklayers have been working with great skill and care. The original bricks have been lovingly cleaned for rebuilding the plinth walls on which the barn sits. Despite essential repairs to the oak frame the crooked character has been retained and our brick courses follow the original lines of the building; a beautiful finish produced by fine craftsmanship.

We are making headway with the new annex for the kitchens and cloakrooms and it will soon be possible for the aesthetic elements of the project, including resurfacing the drives and farmyard and new planting, to be underway. It will be wonderful to reinstate the lawns and gardens around the buildings as we approach Autumn and prepare to open the farm gate for you to enjoy.

Snow and cat slides - Wednesday 14th March 2018

In true English style we open with comment on the weather! It is such a critical aspect of the build at the moment and March has brought a fair share of inclement conditions. The snow began on the second day the roofing team were replacing the Kent peg tiles so that put a rather abrupt end to progress for the rest of the week. Our joiners did manage to navigate the roads and made some headway fitting oak purlins in The Byre’s roof but the only other activity at the farm was extreme toboganning in the fields.

The big melt only worsened the mud but it did allow resumption of work to both barns. In The Oak Barn, excavations have advanced well to drop floor levels in preparation for pouring the foundation slab. We now have an idea of the scale of the barn which swallows up a mini digger and dumper truck with ease! Up above, tiling of the ‘cat slide’ roof is nearly complete and once again looks spectacular. Meanwhile, The Byre’s roof is taking shape with the deck boards and insulation now underway. It will not be long before both barns have watertight roofs which is a significant milestone after decades of neglect.

Wealden Country Landcraft Ltd has created planting plans for our new garden areas around the barns and the pond. The new borders will be stocked with tall waving grasses whilst the pond will have a range of native marginal water species that can mature through the summer; it is a wonderful, positive step forward and we look forward to seeing this part of the venue realise completion in the coming months.

Rising from the mud! - Tuesday, 6th February 2018

The dry autumn weather gave way to some persistent rain and high winds in December but despite these difficult conditions and the ensuing mud our building contractors, Astral Ltd, have completed the frame repairs of The Oak Barn. It has now been sheathed in plywood, two layers of high density cement board for sound proofing and a thick layer of thermal insulation. An overnight snowfall was not a very auspicious start for the roofing team yesterday but felt and battens have been laid on the ‘cat-slide’ in preparation for replacement of the Kent peg tiles. After two months of hard work, The Oak Barn has a roof system that is close to being weather proof.

Internally, the first fix electrics, data and AV cables have been installed, all neatly hidden in the roof layers to keep the historic structure free of surface mounted technology. We are now in a position to remove the internal scaffolding and begin excavations within the barn for foundations, something this barn has never had! It will be a delicate process of propping the entire structure while we remove the supporting walls, dig out footings and then pour in a concrete slab.

Meanwhile, across the yard, The Byre has risen from the mud with new walls built with our carefully selected handmade bricks and laid with lime mortar to replicate the previous animal shelter. The beam and block floor has been craned into position and the steel frame for the roof is now in situ and ready for the new joinery. The original oak posts are also being cleaned for replacement on the west façade, a key feature of this glass wall that will give views across the farmland.

Back to Basics - Friday, 27th October 2017

Our work has progressed at quite a pace in this first month, aided by the dry and mostly sunny autumn weather. Completion of the scaffolding in and around The Oak Barn has allowed the 16,000 or so tiles to be stripped from the roof and securely stored ready for sorting and rehanging next year. The weather boarding has also been removed so we now have a bare oak frame allowing the full extent of the defects to be inspected.

Freshly cut reclaimed oak is now being spliced in to replace rotten timber, and loose joints are being stabilised with a special resin. One of the main trusses has been jacked up and pulled in so this now sits back where it belongs on top of it’s jowl post.

It has been a delicate process that could only proceed once our six bat boxes had been strategically placed around the farm with the work overseen by our bat environmentalist. We have only displaced three Pipistrelle’s and one Long Eared Brown bat but I am sure they will be pleased with their new homes by the recently dredged pond.

On that note, we had a very dirty and smelly afternoon washing the thick black slime off the water lily root bowls; these have now been replanted in the pond and the water level is rising well thanks to a day of rain last week. Our old stable stall posts have been sand blasted, painted and now provide the support for our new pontoon. They still have their ‘Cottam and Co.’ name badge from C1850, notable as in use by ‘Nobility, Gentry, Hunting Establishments and Her Majesty’s Stables Aldershot and Balmoral’. It is wonderful to recycle a piece of Frame Farm history and, together with oak from a dead tree we felled and planked last year, create a very smart pontoon giving stunning views down the valley.

The Byre has now been completely dismantled and the oak and bricks stored for re-use in the new building. The footings have been dug, concrete poured and the walls are now rising above this muddy corner of the sheep field. The block and beam floors will be delivered next week so it is exciting to see rapid progress here. All in all, a very productive month!

Breaking Ground - Wednesday, 27th September 2017

On 11th September 2017 the second phase of work at Frame Farm began to convert our two Grade II listed barns into an events venue. The first digger bucket broke ground to mark the official start of the 45 week renovation. 320 tonnes of Kent clay have been removed from the yard and aggregate laid to form the base layer of our overflow car park. This hard standing will be used by our building contractor during the work but by mid 2018 it will be seeded with grass for a green, hard surface we can use throughout the year.

Work has also started on The Oak Barn, with scaffolding nearly complete to stabilise the oak frame and give access for stripping the weather boarding and peg tiles. The frame is extremely fragile so we look forward to being able to remove the acrow props and ratchet straps that have held the barn together for at least ten years. It is the start of a new era for this beautiful 300 year old, Listed barn and a relief for us after two years working with designers, conservationists and planners to get this project off the ground.

Today we also began dredging the pond beside The Byre barn. Years of silt and leaf material have turned this into a pit of stagnant black sludge so it is the first stage in restoring this back to a wildlife haven and tranquil spot to sit, wander or take photographs.

Over the next 45 weeks our photo record and blog will follow progress of the work so you can enjoy the renovation of the two barns and conversion from dereliction to stunning events venue. You can follow us here on our Website and on our Facebook page.

Renovation of Weaver’s Cottages - Completed July 2016

Our first phase of work involved the refurbishment of Weaver’s Cottages which date from 1607. Lying opposite the The Oak Barn this stunning building now provides plush accommodation for 18 people within four cottages and a ground floor flat.

The massive oak beams and other historic features are visually dominant but the latest LED lighting and low energy appliances, solar photovoltaic cells and biomass boiler give this building carbon neutral status. A peaceful night here is good for the planet and your wellbeing!