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Venues Houchins
Houchins

Overview

  • All-inclusive Essex country wedding venue
  • Grade II*-listed farmhouse, modern barn
  • Licensed to host civil ceremonies
  • Elegant grounds and gardens for photos
  • Wedding ceremonies with 25-150 guests
  • Evening reception parties for up to 180
  • Tasteful modern and rustic interiors
  • Carefully selected, local caterers to choose from
  • Accommodation in the historic farmhouse
  • Romantic bridal suite for the newlyweds

Houchins

Located in its own pocket of the Essex countryside, just outside Coggeshall, this charming, characterful event venue is centred around a historic 17th-century farmhouse and an outstanding modern barn complex, all of which can be yours for the entire day. Hosting ceremonies and formal receptions for 150 guests and evening parties up to 180, each area within the barn has been tastefully designed and finished to create a rustic-meets-traditional ambience for every aspect of a wedding celebration.

Celebrate your wedding in the simply perfect surroundings, and even get married outdoors in the bijou Loggia, with your guests looking on under the protection of an elegant garden marquee. The experienced Houchins events team have several preferred catering companies who are renowned for providing delicious cuisine for occasions of all shapes and sizes, so you can rest assured you and your guests will be eating well on the day, and the farmhouse can offer accommodation for the wedding party.

History

Houchins is made up of a beautiful 17th-century farmhouse, worthy of its prestigious Grade II* listing, plus the excellent modern barn complex newly converted from utilitarian 1950s farm buildings - erected by the current owner's grandfather!

The farmhouse has records going back at least as far as 1411, but the edifice standing today was created by Flemish clothiers in the 1610s, perhaps accounting for its uniquely-styled façade.

According to accounts, the farmhouse was used as a staging-post for the Roundheads during the second siege of Colchester in the Civil War, and it's suggested that Oliver Cromwell himself stayed here during this period. A second, more recent claim to fame occurred in the 1920s, when the silent movie-star Tallulah Bankhead used Houchins as a refuge from London paparazzi.

Facilities

The Foundry And Chitting Shed

Housed within the barns, the Foundry serves as an open space for civil ceremonies, additionally turning later on into a fantastic nightclub for the following celebration party. At the conclusion of the ceremony, move through for a relaxed drinks and canapés reception in the adjoining Chitting Shed, featuring a large glass double door leading onto the west-facing terrace and gardens.

Civil Ceremony Capacity - 150 Guests
Evening Reception Capacity - 180 Guests

The Grainstore

Designed as the principal dining facility at Houchins, the former Grainstore with its large fireplace, mezzanine gallery and high-arched ceiling is perfect for a formal banquet or informal buffet.

Wedding Breakfast Capacity - 150 Guests

Ceremony Loggia And Wedding Garden Marquee

The open-sided outdoor Loggia, built for summer weddings, is the perfect setting for an outdoor civil ceremony, followed by a serene, romantic walk around the beautiful landscaped garden.

A marquee is provided for your guests to witness the ceremony from the shade, or to take shelter from any inclement weather.

Civil Ceremony Capacity - 150 Guests

The Drawing Room

This space is a peaceful location for more intimate gatherings and occasions. With its 17th-century oak panelling and ornate fireplace, the room is ideal for ceremonies with up to 25 guests.

Civil Ceremony Capacity - 25 Guests

Catering

The cuisine served up at Houchins can be provided by any one of their short list of preferred local caterers, each representing a different style of food. Feel free to ask the Houchins team for their advice on which one would be the best fit for your big day.

Accommodation

Just 50 metres from the barn, the 400-year-old farmhouse can readily sleep up to 14 guests, including four rooms with private en-suites and two bedrooms with a shared bathroom. In addition, there is a beautiful stand-alone honeymoon suite in our custom-built Cart Lodge next to the farmhouse.

For more information on this venue and its services, either visit the Houchins website for more information or simply click the enquiry tabs to be found at the top of the page.

Address
Houchins Farm
Coggeshall
Colchester
CO6 1RT

Reviews

  • Emma & Tom Murray – 6th September 2019

    We're just back from our minimoon and now all the wedding dust has settled, just wanted to drop you all a note to say a huge THANK YOU for everything you did to make our day so fantastic. A lot of people had said to us before 'things will go wrong on the day, but you just won't care' – but nothing did for us! Everything ran so smoothly as we had planned and it was everything we wanted it to be and more.

    Thank you to all of you and your amazing team that make it all happen, I couldn't recommend you highly enough as a venue.

  • Jade & Matthew Rayner – Saturday 24th Augus

    What an amazing day we had, honestly we couldn't have asked for a better venue for our wedding. We had an incredible day and couldn't fault it. Thank you all for your hard work to make sure our day ran smoothly. Everyone was extremely helpful, Taylor was fabulous and nothing was ever too much. We are extremely grateful for all your team's support.

    What a day we will remember!

    Jade & Matthew

  • Laura and Matt Girvan – 8th August 2019

    From the moment we walked into Houchins we knew it was the venue for us. Not only is the setting beautiful, the staff are amazing. They have a knack for making your wedding feel like their only priority which made the lead up and the entire day feel so special.

    We couldn't have dreamed of a more perfect day and are so thankful to Houchins for making it this way.

    We highly recommend using Houchins as we honestly couldn't have wished for a more amazing day!

    Thank you

    Laura and Matt


  • Katie & Terry - Saturday 20th July 2019

    A bit of a delayed message but thank you so much again for making our day so fantastic – we couldn't have wished for more! Everyone at Houchins has been amazing. All of our guests have been extremely complimentary about the beautiful venue and how organised and helpful you all were.

    Thank you for making our wedding day the best day of our lives! We will always have such find memories thanks you all.

  • Amy & Stuart McGill - Friday 19th July 2019

    From the moment my wife and I drove up to Houchins we knew this stunning venue was where we wanted to have our special day. The grounds, barn and farmhouse are beautiful in every way and the team ensure every corner and aspect of the venue is of the highest standard. We can't thank the Houchins team enough for all that they did both leading up to our wedding day and ensuring our magical day ran smoothly. No request was too much, no question too silly and the day was perfect thanks to the amazing team and all their work behind the scenes.

    A special thank you to Taylor who was there the day we walked through the door to view the venue and one of the last to leave in the evening to ensure everything was perfect for me and my bride. Taylor supported us throughout and really did go above and beyond. Thank you.

    You guys really made our day special and your venue is head and shoulders above any of your competition (trust me I was dragged around the whole of the Southeast in search of the perfect venue!)

    Thank you Houchins, not only from my wife and I but from all our guests who had the most amazing day.

    Stu & Amy

  • Laura Jennifer - 10/08/2018

    Houchins is the best wedding venue. The moment we first walked around we knew it was the venue for us and we couldn't have been more right. We were lucky enough to be able to set up the day before and meet Jason who instantly made us feel at ease and reassured us that they would ensure that the day ran perfectly and it did! From Taylor helping us when we were getting ready, Jason during the ceremony/meal and Wayne in the evening they all ensured that the day went perfectly and the way we wanted. The vast majority of our guests have told us that it was one of the best weddings they have been to, that it really flowed well from one thing to the next and nothing felt rushed at all. I know I spent ages planning it but I also know without the Houchins team it wouldn't have been that way at all! We cannot thank them enough for going above and beyond on our special day. We highly recommend this venue because not only does it look amazing but the team which come with it are outstanding themselves.

  • Emma - 18/09/2018

    I cannot thank ALL staff at Houchins enough! Planning a wedding is hard work but these guys took some of the stress away by being with me step by step and always being available. Before the wedding, I went to most of the open events and was made to feel as if I was at home! The day before the wedding everyone was on hand to support with setting up and nothing seemed like too much trouble!
    On the day I could not have asked for more, Taylor was amazing as were the other staff and I felt like they were friends part of the day. The venue and accommodation are amazing and I have had multiple comments from guests stating that it's the best venue they've been to!
    If you wondering whether you should go to view Houchins or not, stop wondering and just do it. You won't regret it!
    This post could never be enough to explain how much we loved Houchins or how amazing our day was! Thank you all so much.

  • Catherine - 12/09/2019

    The most beautiful wedding venue. After our first viewing, we were so excited to be getting married at Houchins. We went to most open events just to have a look again each time getting more excited as the wedding drew closer. The staff are so helpful, kind and professional. They were always available when we had queries throughout the whole process also offering recommendations for suppliers making the planning easier. On the day the staff were amazing making sure we had everything we needed for the day to run perfectly.

  • Rob and Philipa Gould - 06/2016

    Thank you for all your hard work in helping make our wedding day an unforgettable one. All our guests had a great time. Some a bit too good!! And there were many compliments on a beautiful venue. Thank you for simply everything! It was all wonderful!

    Thanks again and best wishes for the future.

  • Katie and Robert Crouchman - 11/2016

    Where do we start? From the minute we saw Houchins we knew we had found our venue! From start to finish, the entire team was so helpful and patient! We are so glad we chose Houchins and received so many compliments from our guests about how beautiful it was. "Thank you" doesn't seem to cover it but we'll say it anyway.

    Thank you for all your hard work and congratulations on winning the award. It couldn't have gone to a nicer bunch!!

  • Rachel and Dan Jarvis - 19/12/2016

    Houchins is the most beautiful venue, we fell in love with it from our first visit. Everything is just done so well from the venue itself, the garden, to the house. There are also the most lovely, helpful & professional people who work there. I know for a fact without Jayson, Wayne & Taylor, we wouldn't have had such an amazing day. They were so flexible, nothing was ever too much trouble & they were invested in making sure we had the most amazing day! It added to the experience as you didn't feel like it was just another wedding for them & made it so stress free. Everyone commented on how beautiful the venue was & how smoothly the day ran, it really did make the perfect setting to our day. Thanks so so much! Can not recommend Houchins highly enough!

Houchins

Request Brochure

Colchester, Essex

Houchins

Colchester, Essex

Overview

  • All-inclusive Essex country wedding venue
  • Grade II*-listed farmhouse, modern barn
  • Licensed to host civil ceremonies
  • Elegant grounds and gardens for photos
  • Wedding ceremonies with 25-150 guests
  • Evening reception parties for up to 180
  • Tasteful modern and rustic interiors
  • Carefully selected, local caterers to choose from
  • Accommodation in the historic farmhouse
  • Romantic bridal suite for the newlyweds

Houchins

Located in its own pocket of the Essex countryside, just outside Coggeshall, this charming, characterful event venue is centred around a historic 17th-century farmhouse and an outstanding modern barn complex, all of which can be yours for the entire day. Hosting ceremonies and formal receptions for 150 guests and evening parties up to 180, each area within the barn has been tastefully designed and finished to create a rustic-meets-traditional ambience for every aspect of a wedding celebration.

Celebrate your wedding in the simply perfect surroundings, and even get married outdoors in the bijou Loggia, with your guests looking on under the protection of an elegant garden marquee. The experienced Houchins events team have several preferred catering companies who are renowned for providing delicious cuisine for occasions of all shapes and sizes, so you can rest assured you and your guests will be eating well on the day, and the farmhouse can offer accommodation for the wedding party.

History

Houchins is made up of a beautiful 17th-century farmhouse, worthy of its prestigious Grade II* listing, plus the excellent modern barn complex newly converted from utilitarian 1950s farm buildings - erected by the current owner's grandfather!

The farmhouse has records going back at least as far as 1411, but the edifice standing today was created by Flemish clothiers in the 1610s, perhaps accounting for its uniquely-styled façade.

According to accounts, the farmhouse was used as a staging-post for the Roundheads during the second siege of Colchester in the Civil War, and it's suggested that Oliver Cromwell himself stayed here during this period. A second, more recent claim to fame occurred in the 1920s, when the silent movie-star Tallulah Bankhead used Houchins as a refuge from London paparazzi.

Facilities

The Foundry And Chitting Shed

Housed within the barns, the Foundry serves as an open space for civil ceremonies, additionally turning later on into a fantastic nightclub for the following celebration party. At the conclusion of the ceremony, move through for a relaxed drinks and canapés reception in the adjoining Chitting Shed, featuring a large glass double door leading onto the west-facing terrace and gardens.

Civil Ceremony Capacity - 150 Guests
Evening Reception Capacity - 180 Guests

The Grainstore

Designed as the principal dining facility at Houchins, the former Grainstore with its large fireplace, mezzanine gallery and high-arched ceiling is perfect for a formal banquet or informal buffet.

Wedding Breakfast Capacity - 150 Guests

Ceremony Loggia And Wedding Garden Marquee

The open-sided outdoor Loggia, built for summer weddings, is the perfect setting for an outdoor civil ceremony, followed by a serene, romantic walk around the beautiful landscaped garden.

A marquee is provided for your guests to witness the ceremony from the shade, or to take shelter from any inclement weather.

Civil Ceremony Capacity - 150 Guests

The Drawing Room

This space is a peaceful location for more intimate gatherings and occasions. With its 17th-century oak panelling and ornate fireplace, the room is ideal for ceremonies with up to 25 guests.

Civil Ceremony Capacity - 25 Guests

Catering

The cuisine served up at Houchins can be provided by any one of their short list of preferred local caterers, each representing a different style of food. Feel free to ask the Houchins team for their advice on which one would be the best fit for your big day.

Accommodation

Just 50 metres from the barn, the 400-year-old farmhouse can readily sleep up to 14 guests, including four rooms with private en-suites and two bedrooms with a shared bathroom. In addition, there is a beautiful stand-alone honeymoon suite in our custom-built Cart Lodge next to the farmhouse.

For more information on this venue and its services, either visit the Houchins website for more information or simply click the enquiry tabs to be found at the top of the page.

Address
Houchins Farm
Coggeshall
Colchester
CO6 1RT

Reviews

Request Brochure
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