Folly Farm Centre
Somerset’s most soulful countryside wedding venue
If you’re dreaming of a wedding that feels like a deep breath: wildflowers, open skies, and that kind of laughter that carries across the fields, Folly Farm Centre might just be your place.
Tucked away within a 250-acre nature reserve near Bristol and Bath, it’s surrounded by endless meadows, rolling hills, and birdsong. As soon as you arrive, the air feels lighter here. In fact, it’s peaceful, grounding, and quietly romantic, the kind of venue that doesn’t need staging or sparkle to feel special.
The views stretch across the Chew Valley, the barns glow in golden light, and everything about the place feels intentional. You can tell it was designed not for grandeur, but for connection with nature, with each other, and with the people who make up your story.
Whether you’re nature lovers, storytellers, or just two people who want a day that feels like a long, joyful weekend with your favourite humans, Folly Farm brings that vision to life with gentle charm and soul.
What I Love About Photographing Weddings at Folly Farm Centre
Folly Farm has a rhythm to it. The kind that changes with the light, the season, and the laughter that fills its courtyards.
From a photographer’s perspective, it’s a dream, but not the kind that’s overly perfect or polished. It’s real. It’s alive. The light dances across the valley, filters through the barn doors, and shifts from golden glow to soft blue dusk in the space of an hour. Every wedding here feels completely different because the landscape and atmosphere are always changing.
There’s something about this venue that makes people relax. For instance, you can see it in the way couples walk slower, and in how guests gather in little clusters with glasses of wine and stories to share. By the time evening settles in, it almost always ends with everyone barefoot on the courtyard stones, laughter spilling into the dark.
What’s more, my favourite thing is that it never feels like a “venue.” Instead, it feels like an escape: an honest, grounded space where joy just happens. From a photographer’s point of view, that’s the best kind of magic there is.
VENUE HIGHLIGHTS
Get in touch
Folly Farm Centre
Stowey, Bishop Sutton, Bristol BS39 4DW
01275 331590
Official website: https://www.follyfarm.org/
Wedding & Events Team
Email: weddings@follyfarm.org
Instagram: @follyfarmcentre
Facebook: @FollyFarmCentre
Planning tips
Folly Farm is a true countryside escape and with that comes a few things to plan ahead for. But once you do, you’ll have one of the most peaceful, meaningful, and joy-filled venues in the Bristol area.
1. Expect rural quiet (and limited signal).
The isolation is part of the charm: no traffic noise, no city chaos, but phone service can be patchy. Pre-arrange transport or shuttles for guests, especially for the evening return.
2. Make it a weekend.
With 20 on-site rooms (sleeping up to around 45 guests), Folly Farm is made for weekend weddings. You can host your rehearsal dinner here, have breakfast together the next morning, and actually spend time with the people you love instead of feeling like the day is over too soon.
3. Embrace their eco-friendly ethos.
Because the venue is owned by Avon Wildlife Trust, sustainability is woven into everything. Expect locally sourced catering options, recycling policies, and restrictions on things like fireworks or confetti cannons. But the beauty of the land itself more than makes up for it, no added sparkle required.
4. Bring practical shoes.
There are meadows, courtyards, and woodland paths, and while they photograph beautifully, heels tend to sink. A second pair of comfy shoes is a must for exploring (and dancing later).
5. The light moves fast, plan your timeline around it.
For example, ceremonies in the early afternoon give you enough time to wander the fields at golden hour. And honestly, that light over Chew Valley Lake is worth every bit of planning.
REal wedding story
Some weddings just radiate joy, no matter what the weather decides to do.
Alison and Hamish’s wedding at Folly Farm Centre was one of those days that reminded me exactly why I love this job. From the moment I arrived, the barn was filled with chatter, hugs, and that easy kind of laughter that happens when everyone truly knows each other.
The forecast? Unpredictable, the kind of Bristol-style rain that teases you all morning. We didn’t get much time for portraits between the ceremony and the celebration, but honestly, it didn’t matter. The stone barns glowed with warm light as they cut their cake surrounded by friends and family.
A few days later, we met again for a quiet portrait session, just the two of them. The air was calm, the countryside still: until, of course, it started raining again. We laughed our way through it, embracing the drizzle and the unpredictable beauty of it all. It felt like the perfect sequel: slower, softer, and every bit as full of heart.
Best Photo Spots at The Folly Farm
Every inch of Folly Farm feels like it was made for photos, not because it’s polished or staged, but because it’s so honest. The beauty here comes from the land itself, from the light that shifts across the valley, and from the feeling that settles in when people gather here.
The Meadow Overlooking Chew Valley Lake
Every inch of Folly Farm feels like it was made for photos, not because it’s polished or staged, but rather because it’s so honest. Here, the beauty comes from the land itself, and as the light shifts across the valley, it keeps revealing something new. Eventually, there’s this feeling that settles in when people gather here: warm, real, and impossible to stage.
The Courtyard
The heart of the venue: all warm stone, wildflowers, and fairy lights strung between the barns. It’s where guests gather with drinks in hand, where the first hugs happen, and where most of the candid laughter unfolds naturally. It’s also one of the most photogenic spots, especially once the sun sets and the string lights come alive.
The Woodland Trail
Just beyond the main courtyard lies a woodland trail: quiet, atmospheric, and perfect for a slower moment away from the crowd. The trees filter the light beautifully, giving that soft, painterly glow that works for both portraits and film. It’s the kind of place where couples naturally pause, talk, and forget there’s a camera nearby.
Featured Weddings at the Folly Farm
Starry Night Winter Wedding Editorial at Folly Farm Centre
There’s something about winter that just begs for a little sparkle. So, on a cold December evening, we turned Folly Farm into a world of celestial wonder.
Scottish Wedding at Folly Farm Centre
Some weddings just have that kind of warmth that not even the rain can touch. Alison and Hamish’s day at Folly Farm Centre was exactly that: calm, romantic, and completely full of heart.
Hotels Nearby
The Pig near Bath
Hunstrete House, Hunstrete, Pensford, Bath BS39 4NS
Oak Barn
Old North Chew Farm, Norton Ln, Chew Magna, Bristol BS40 8RW
The Carpenters Arms
Wick Ln, Stanton Wick, Pensford, Bristol BS39 4BX
Places to Eat & Drink
Salt & Malt
A lakeside restaurant with views to die for (and the best fish & chips in Somerset).
The Pelican Inn, Chew Magna
Warm, friendly, and perfect for a Sunday roast or evening meal.
Chew Valley Distillery
A small-batch distillery offering gin tastings and cocktail experiences, ideal for a pre-wedding get-together or post-wedding wind-down.
Are You Planning Your Wedding at Folly Farm Centre?
Pop your details in below, hit send, and I’ll be in your inbox within 12 hours. I can’t wait to hear what you’re dreaming up, whether it’s a big celebration or a small, intimate wedding.
