Our Story
Meet the Team
Henry Backhouse
Managing Director
Having grown up on the land Henry knows the place inside out. He’s spent years growing the business with his family from the ground up. Henry plays a huge role in each and every wedding day behind the scenes. When he’s not managing The Out Barn, Henry enjoys skiing, spending time with is family and motorbiking.
Ruth Woods
Sales and Marketing Manager
With many years of hospitality experience, Ruth plays a key role in driving sales and shaping our development strategy alongside Henry. She’s often the friendly face behind viewings, guiding couples around the venue. Outside of work, she enjoys the arts, gardening, fine dining, travel, and family time.
Chris Best
Operations Manager
Chris has worked in hospitality for over 15 years in various venues including Michelin Star Restaurant, Northcote. Chris became a part of team in 2021, since joining the barn he has overseen many weddings and looks after our team of staff. Outside of work Chris enjoys getting outdoors, fine dining and karaoke.
Alice Schofield
Events and Marketing Manager
Alice joined the team in 2017 as a waitress and showed a love for content creating and event planning. Alice then went on to complete a Degree Apprenticeship with The Out Barn and has continued to grow with the business. Outside of work Alice enjoys getting creative, spending time with her family and dog walking.
Aimee Johnson
Wedding Coordinator
Aimee joined us at the start of 2024 and is our latest Wedding Coordinator. When Aimee joined us she had just returned from time away in Australia where she worked in a venue gaining valuable experience. Outside of work Aimee enjoys dog walks, travelling and being creative.
Jess Gudgeon
Wedding Coordinator
Jess has worked in hospitality for over 10 years, with 7 of those spent at the Michelin Star Restaurant, Northcote. Jess joined our team in 2022 and has fallen in love with running weddings and helping couples dreams become a reality. Outside of work Jess enjoys reading, travelling and spending time with family.
Jane & Harry
The Backhouses
Where it all started…
Harry is a 3rd generation farmer who has lived on the farm all his life and is passionate about evolving the barn and continuing to create sustainable solutions for the business. His wife Jane held training days here at The Out Barn before they were asked to hold their first wedding down at the farm. The Backhouses turned their family home into accommodation for weddings which Jane now manages.
Although the pair may not be involved as heavily with the weddings these days they are always a prominent part in our Out Barn Family.
Sustainability
The Out Barn is a breathtaking venue that seamlessly blends tradition with modern design, featuring a beautifully restored 17th-century hay barn and a striking elliptical function room. Our commitment to sustainability is reflected in every detail, from wildflower planting and bee conservation to eco-friendly bio-mass heating.
We believe every couple deserves a wedding that reflects their unique vision, offering exceptional service and complete flexibility to customize every detail. Whether you dream of an intimate ceremony or a grand celebration, The Out Barn provides the perfect setting for your unforgettable day.
FAQs
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The first wedding was held on site in 2009 after a couple had spoken with the Backhouses’ multiple times to twist their arm into hosting their dream wedding in the grounds. This sparked the idea to create The Out Barn, turning an old hay barn into a stunning and contemporary venue in 2012 and the rest is history…
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You’ll have a designated Wedding Coordinator, alongside managers and a team of bar and waiting on staff of around 5/6 people.