A few weeks ago Mr Rigg and I were lucky enough to be invited to spend a night at Huntstile Organic Farm in Somerset.  Hunstile is one of the beautiful wedding venues listed on The Natural Wedding Company directory – it’s a gorgeous organic farm run by some of the loveliest people I’ve ever met.

We were warmly welcomed to Huntstile by Lizzie and John (the farm has been in John’s family since 1951 but dates back to the 15th century!) after making our way down lush green winding lanes.  The farmhouse is breathtaking, a mixture of warm stone, mullioned windows, and white wash – the ancient front door thick and full of secrets.

Surrounded by rolling farmland, stunning views and a lovely menagerie of goats, ducks and pigs, Huntstile Organic Farm is a tiny piece of heaven and I can’t imagine a more lovely setting for a relaxed country wedding.

Huntstile even has its own stone circle where you can hold a marriage ceremony atop a hill overlooking the farm, a magical spot on the edge of a small copse with views all around.  To get you and your guests to the stone circle, Lizzie and John have a wedding tractor and trailer, or if you’re getting married locally in church you can also arrive by tractor.

For your wedding reception you have all kinds of choices.  In fine weather you can eat outside, with straw bales, tables and benches provided for a relaxed meal.  If you are planning a small intimate wedding in the cooler months you can have a banquet in the farmhouse dining hall with a crackling log fire and flickering candles.  There is also large marquee at the back of the house facing the countryside views and complete with a cute wooden hut bar.

Huntstile also has a lovely range of accommodation, including the stunning Panelled Room where we stayed with its Jacobean oak panelling and views of rural Somerset.  As well as the B&B rooms, Hunstile also has self-catering and camping options – perfect for a weekend-long wedding celebration.

The final thing that must be mentioned is the food.  We ate dinner cooked by Lizzie and it was exceptionally delicious – all their wedding meals are cooked on site by Lizzie and her team, just take a look at the menu ideas to get excited about the sorts of things you could have – from BBQ’s to cream teas, rustic pig roasts to sumptuous vegetarian banquets, seasonal feasts to a farm picnic.  I also love the sound of their late night bites – anyone for mini fish and chips in paper cones or ‘proper’ hot dogs?

If you’re looking for a beautiful, friendly, and relaxed wedding venue which offers something a little different from the norm, Huntstile Organic Farm could be the place for you.  Visit their website for full details or get in touch with Lizzie by email at info@huntstileorganicfarm.co.uk.

And if you’re thinking about planning a wedding venue scoping visit, ensure you book a room for the night along with dinner to really soak up this special place – you’d be mad to miss Lizzie’s homemade sausages and bacon at breakfast the next morning.

The Huntstile Organic Farm essentials

• Marquee seating up to 135 guests or a more intimate wedding meal of up to 50 in the farmhouse dining hall.
• Caters for rustic weddings with their wedding tractor and trailer for transport, a barn dance in the evening, and straw bales for seating.
• Stunning rural location and beautiful countryside views – you’d be spoilt for choice when it comes to photo opportunities!
• A hilltop stone circle perfect for hand-fastings and alternative ceremonies.
• Excellent wedding menus using locally sourced, seasonal and organic ingredients.
• Accommodation for 25 and camping for 15, with other accommodation within walking distance.

If you’re interested to find out more about our visit, you can read more at my personal blog about our stay.

Images: Lisa Dawn Photography (apart from image 5 of the Panelled Room)