Introducing The Spinney – Rivervale Barns’ New Outdoor Ceremony Space

We are delighted to now be able to share an enchanting new addition to Rivervale Barn, and a truly breathtaking setting to say ‘I do’.

Nestled amid the woodland in the idyllic gardens, the Spinney provides a magical location for an outdoor wedding on your special day. There’s a delightful feeling of privacy and seclusion beneath the trees, making it the perfect place for a fairy-tale wedding or woodland theme. Now you can make full use of the wonderful outside space at Rivervale Barn, exchange your vows and have an unforgettable ceremony in the great outdoors.

The owners of Rivervale Barn, Moyra and John Illsley, are always searching for ways to make their Hampshire wedding venue stand out from the crowd, as well as providing couples with everything they could wish for to make their dream wedding a reality. They knew that creating an awe-inspiring space for brides and grooms to marry surrounded by the atmospheric woodland would mean they could offer something unique and memorable.

“We wanted to create a beautiful and romantic location which would make an outdoor ceremony just perfect whatever the season. Our lovely wooded area was just too perfect, so we decided that was the best place for the structure to be built.” – John

The Spinney consists of an exquisite oak frame that echoes the impressive exposed beams of the Ceremony Barn, and is finished with a matching tiled roof, ensuring the whole venue exudes that delightful country chic style. There is plenty of room for up to 150 guests on the decked area so all your loved ones can find a place amongst the trees and watch as you exchange your vows.

“We took a great deal of time planning the build and sourcing a quality European wood, and wanted something that was unique to make a real statement. We’re delighted with the ethically-sourced materials and the finished product is just what we were hoping to achieve.” – John

When you walk around Rivervale Barn, you can feel the love and passion that has gone into creating it at every turn. The Spinney is no different, and there’s even a sentimental reason behind the name.

When I was young, I lived in a house that had a wooded copse we called the Spinney, at the bottom of our garden. The Rivervale Barn gardens are renowned for the array of blue bells and primroses in the spring in our wooded copse here at Rivervale. Wandering through it always takes me back to my childhood and reminds me very much of our spinney then as a child. We thought it would be the perfect name to suit this peaceful and picturesque setting.” – John

You can begin your day relaxing with friends and preparing in Rivervale’s Pamper Room before putting the finishing touches to your look in the Cornstore Cottage. Once you’re ready, a path leads all the way from here to the Spinney, giving you a few moments to compose yourself and spend some time in the company of your nearest and dearest. As you approach, with birds singing in the trees, floral scents on the breeze, and all your guests sat in the dappled sunlight, you couldn’t wish for a more picturesque place to tie the knot.

“It will be a pleasure to see our couples enjoy, celebrate and embrace the Spinney, and we feel it’s very much at one with the gardens and our hearts. It’s humbling to know that a couple’s new journey has begun at our venue and we’re delighted to play a part in making sure their day is full of love and laughter. Making people smile is a wonderful business to be in!” – John