Valleyside Barn scoops Gold for Wedding Venue of the Year

www.valleysidebarn.co.uk

Valleyside Barn scoops Gold for Wedding Venue of the Year at the Devon Tourism Awards

Valleyside Barn, based in Bickleigh, Mid-Devon has won gold for ‘Wedding Venue of the Year’ at this year's Devon Tourism awards (2025/26). This marks the venue’s second award in consecutive years after achieving Highly Commended in the Country/Barn Venue category at the South West Wedding awards in 2024.

Emma Wright, co-owner, said, “We are so proud to receive this award. Hosting weddings is a huge responsibility and we are dedicated to giving couple’s a perfect and relaxed wedding day. This award recognises our fantastic team and all the amazing couples that have chosen to get married at Valleyside Barn – a huge thank you to them.”

To enter the Devon Tourism Awards, applicants must complete an extensive evidence-backed questionnaire. Successful entries then receive a judge’s visit to assess the experience first-hand. Based on this visit, finalists are selected and awarded gold, silver, bronze, or commended status.

Awards organiser Robin Barker of Services for Tourism added, “Tonight was one of the highlights of the year for me and my team. Witnessing the delight of the winners, whether Bronze, Silver or Gold, and the impact success has on their mood and motivation is impossible to describe. In an era when business is tough for many, it is great to be bringing something positive to all concerned.”

79 trophies were presented to Devon’s leading tourism and hospitality businesses at Sandy Park in Exeter last night (27^thNovember). The event was the conclusion of four months of judging, with 91 visits carried out by the team of independent judges. The other finalists in the category were Bovey Castle who won bronze and Rockbeare Manor who collected silver.

Matthew Wright, co-owner, said, “One of the reasons we enter awards is to benchmark ourselves and ensure we continue to strive to offer the best possible experience to couples. To receive another wedding award in consecutive years and to achieve gold is an incredible achievement and testament to that.”

This will be the third gold award for the trophy cabinet following on from the success of sister business Valleyside Escapes glamping, winning gold at the South West Tourism awards in 2024 and Devon Tourism awards in 2023/24. As a gold winner Valleyside Barn may be nominated to represent the county in the national Visit England awards later next year.

Carrie Thomas, Visitor Information Officer, Tiverton Tourist Information Service said, “Huge congratulations to Valleyside Barn. The availability of a multi award-winning, wedding and events venue which also has award-winning luxury glamping accommodation is an excellent asset to Mid-Devon and supports our current work to promote all that is great about this area through Visit Mid Devon.”

Valleyside Barn officially opened in September 2021 and hosts a select number of weddings each year. It is licensed for civil ceremonies for up to 100 guests and couples can opt for an outdoor ceremony in the Mediterranean-style courtyard or an intimate indoor ceremony in the gallery. The main barn - where the wedding breakfast and evening reception is held - is rustic with an industrial edge providing a blank canvas for couples. The venue also features stunning gardens and a river meadow providing picture-perfect backdrop for photos. On-site accommodation includes a Honeymoon suite and three luxury, award-winning glamping safari tents at sister business Valleyside Escapes.

About Valleyside Barn www.valleysidebarn.co.uk

A rustic converted barn with an industrial edge and licensed for civil ceremonies. There is capacity for 100 guests for a ceremony and up to 180 for an evening reception. There is a Mediterranean style courtyard for outdoor ceremonies and reception drinks and stunning gardens and river access providing a beautiful backdrop for photos. A honeymoon suite provides accommodation for the newly married couple and a space for pampering prior to the wedding.