FAQ

• Use of the whole venue’s 30 acres and accommodation in the farmhouse, shepherds’ huts, Lotus Belle glamping tents and the quirky Hobbit House honeymoon hideaway
• Tables and seating for 80
• In house PA sound system and mic for speeches and your own plug-in play list
• Illuminated car parking facilities behind the orchard
• Illuminated disabled parking behind the Old Dairy
• Terrace furniture
• Bonfire ‘boma’ with logs and bench seats
• Use of fridges, a freezer and semi commercial kitchen
• Twinkling lights in the Old Dairy, uplighters for the largest oaks and weeping willow trees and festival-style festoon lighting
• DIY pick of foliage and flowers from the hedgerows, meadows and copses
• Use of basic jars and vases for table and venue decoration
• Rustic signage for your ‘order of the day’
• All utilities
• Support of the Higher Holcombe team to move furniture between the chosen ceremony space and reception area
• Parking assistance for guests arriving 1 hour before your ceremony

NB The venue hire makes a nominal charge for crockery and cutlery hire (if required)

Our maximum day-time capacity is 80 people.

With evening guests, the maximum capacity is 100.

To secure a date we ask for a non-refundable deposit of £1000. The balance is payable 3 months before your wedding.

Yes. We are an approved venue by Devon County Council (DCC).

You can hold your ceremony and sign the legal documents anywhere at the venue. Couples usually choose either the willow cathedral, silver birch church or the celebration meadow stretch tent.

Yes. We have a ‘hard standing’ parking area behind the orchard and a disabled car parking area behind the Old Dairy.

Overflow parking is in one of the top fields.

Please car share wherever possible.

Vehicles are left at owners’ risk. Cars can be left overnight.

NB Holcombe Lane is narrow! Drive slowly and be prepared to reverse if you meet a farm vehicle with a trailer (unlikely at weekends).

Yes! We will be there to support you with

• The arrival of caterers, entertainers, photographers etc;
• Health and Safety
• Parking guidance
• Moving furniture around before and after your ceremony
• Providing facilities for you to separate your waste for recycling

Yes! Yes! Yes! Petals only please – dry or fresh as you choose.

Please don’t use rice (birds eat it and it makes their tummies swell uncomfortably) or glittery types (which are basically plastic – yuck)!

Yes! We have a designated area within view of the Old Dairy that we call the ‘Bonfire Boma’. There are logs and benches to sit on and we’ll provide you with a bundle of wood to burn and keep you cosy through the wee hours. We have decorated the area with funky African masks.

No unaccompanied children by the bonfire please. Bring your own marshmallows. Don’t forget the bamboo sticks!

At the start of the hire period everything will be lovely and clean, as you would expect! Your catering teams will be responsible for clearing away after your meal, including taking away food waste and any hired items.

Our cleaners will come in the morning after your main party to clean the Old Dairy and you will be responsible for clearing away your decorations and separating your waste for recycling. Anything that you bring to the site must be taken away afterwards.

At the end of the hire, please leave the venue clear and tidy. We will thoroughly clean; but, if unusual additional cleaning is required in excess of what we consider to be normal for such an event, we will deduct additional cleaning costs from your Cautionary Damage Deposit. This also applies if waste is not separated for recycling. Food waste must be disposed of by your caterers and bar services if booked.

Yes. Here it is!

• 3 months before your event – final payment
• 4 weeks before – payment for any additional staff / support
• 7 days before – cautionary refundable damage deposit and kitchen deposit
• 7 days before – agents/suppliers list with contact information
• 7 days before – names and contact details of two people appointed to remain at the end of your party to ensure that all guests leave

7 days before – your plan for your day is also helpful to us. We can help you make signs, if you’d like, so that everyone knows what to expect (and where to expect it)!