“In today’s climate, farming feels like a bit of a gamble.”
Could hosting weddings or events on your land be the way to bring in more resilient income?
Farming’s never been easy and right now, it’s tougher than ever. Rising costs, unpredictable weather, and ongoing political and economic uncertainty mean that relying on agriculture alone can feel more like gambling than planning.
That’s why more UK farmers are diversifying and one of the most popular ways is turning part of the farm into a wedding or event venue.
With demand for rural weddings on the rise and government support available through the Rural England Prosperity Fund (REPF), now could be the right time to explore how your land could bring in new, exciting income, without giving up farming.
The Challenge and the Opportunity
The UK agricultural sector is facing a storm of challenges:
- Volatility of commodity prices and legislation
- Labour shortages
- Rising costs
- Supply chain disruptions
- Climate change
- Shifting consumer expectations
- Constantly changing trade agreements
“As Jeremy Clarkson has found, it’s impossible to make money farming so my wife and I decided we would have to set up a wedding venue to survive. That’s what big houses have to do these days.”
Why Weddings?
The wedding industry has boomed in rural locations. According to Savills, the number of licensed venues has grown by 162% since 2017 that’s an increase of 473 venues. Platforms like Hitched list hundreds of countryside locations, especially in the South East, South West and East of England.
There’s clear demand for rustic, scenic venues: barns, converted outbuildings, and outdoor ceremony spaces are increasingly popular. The appeal lies in their authenticity, charm and Instagrammable aesthetic.
And importantly, wedding income is more stable than farming – payments are often made upfront, and bookings are spread throughout the year.
A Real Example: Slapton Manor
In the heart of Northamptonshire sits Slapton Manor, a fourth-generation working farm dating back to 1924.
The family initially decided to diversify in 2001 to generate revenue to renovate the dilapidated farm buildings. They began by offering accommodation for guests to enjoy the beautiful surroundings. After the blow to business from Covid, and with one family member Sam having a career in events, with support from the REPF, the family transformed more underused farm buildings into elegant event spaces, developing their existing offering, while maintaining the core of their farming operation.
“Our family has farmed at Slapton Manor for over a century — it’s at the heart of everything we do. After Covid, it felt natural to use the farm for weddings and events, while maintaining its integrity. We host just one wedding a week, focusing on quality and personal touches whilst generating profit, ensuring each event benefits the local area.”
And most importantly:
“In an ideal world, farming would provide us with a living wage as it has done so with past generations… sadly this is not possible anymore and with the volatility and uncertainty of the industry, being reliant on farming is a gamble. Having the accommodation and event side to our business gives us stability.”
With REPF support, Slapton Manor not only created a new income stream but also safeguarded jobs, supported the local economy, and created a sustainable path for the next generation, all while keeping farming at the core.
They are proactive about protecting the craft of farming and the peace of the countryside, fearful that the art of growing and livestock care is being lost, as the younger generations don’t want to get into an industry rife with challenges and uncertainties, diversifying with a new input of ideas is the only way to keep Farming alive.
“Being a family-run farm, the changes to inheritance tax really worry us. This isn’t just our business, it’s our home and our history. We’ve had to come up with new ways to bring in money just to build a fund for when the tax hits, because it’s going to hit us hard.”
Thinking About Doing the Same?
If you’re considering opening up your land or buildings for weddings and events, here are a few things to think through before applying for a grant like REPF:
📍 What’s the demand in your area? Do your research on other venues and gaps in the market.
👩👩👧👧 Are the whole family on-board? The events are not a one person job, it is a demanding industry and will have an effect on every aspect of the Farm.
⌚ Is the time and passion there? The development and running takes a lot of time and energy, with disruptions to the day-to-day running of the farm.
🌳 What makes your farm special? Think about your landscape, buildings and local appeal and make the most of your surroundings.
🏗️ What infrastructure do you already have – and what’s needed? Consider parking, water, power and shelter.
📑 What permissions are required? You may need change-of-use planning approval, alcohol licences, etc.
🧱 How will your plans impact the environment? This is often part of the grant application.
🤝 What’s the local benefit? Could your project create jobs, support suppliers, or strengthen the community?
Advice from Slapton Manor to others considering it?
“The whole process, from applying to receiving the REPF was really smooth. Having the money from the grant to transform our old and dilapidated farm buildings, which require maintenance anyway, into a functioning revenue stream has been hugely valuable. I’d definitely encourage other farmers to explore it.”
Let’s Talk About Noise
“Being part of the local community and in close proximity to the village, we are very conscious not to become a nuisance with noise created from events. We’ve put some measures in place to help protect the tranquillity of the countryside and are looking for more solutions to prevent any future problems.”
At Direct Acoustics, we’ve worked with farms of all shapes and sizes across the UK for over 15 years, helping turn event spaces into success stories – without causing noise issues.
From planning and design to installing proven acoustic solutions, we’ll help ensure your diversification journey is welcomed, not challenged, by your community.
Want to learn more about protecting your peace while growing your revenue?
📩 Get in touch – we’re always happy to help.
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