Finding a place that feels personal, looks beautiful and gives you the freedom to celebrate your way can be one of the biggest decisions in your planning journey. Our wedding venue in Tonbridge, Kent is Shires Oast, Oast Bridal’s sister business and a family-run countryside setting at The Hop Farm in Paddock Wood.
Set inside a restored Grade II listed oast house, Shires Oast brings together original Kentish character, adaptable celebration spaces and practical support from an experienced team. Its close connection with Oast Bridal and The Kent Wedding Centre also means couples can bring more parts of their plans together in one convenient destination.
Explore Weddings At Shires Oast
From Finding Your Dress To Celebrating Your Day
Oast Bridal and Shires Oast share the same belief: planning should feel exciting, personal and supported.
After helping you find a dress that reflects your personality, it feels natural for us to introduce you to a setting where the rest of your plans can take shape. Shires Oast is located close to our boutique within the wider Hop Farm and Kent Wedding Centre community, giving couples access to bridalwear, décor, entertainment and other trusted suppliers in the same area.
A Restored Oast House With Kentish Character
Shires Oast opened in 2024 as the next chapter in a family tradition of hospitality and events. The family behind it had already supported hundreds of couples through The Kent Wedding Centre before creating a place of their own for ceremonies and celebrations.
Its history stretches further back through generations of family hospitality, including the family’s grandfather and his London restaurants. Today, that experience shapes a warm, flexible approach in which guests are welcomed personally and each occasion is planned around the people at its heart.
For couples searching for a barn wedding venue with authentic features, the main barn includes exposed brickwork, original wooden beams and a built-in dance floor. The historic oast towers also create a distinctive backdrop for photographs and ceremonies.
Spaces That Let Your Plans Unfold Naturally
Every couple imagines their day differently. Some want a relaxed gathering filled with personal touches, while others prefer a package that brings catering, styling and entertainment together.
Shires Oast supports both approaches. Couples can choose an all-inclusive package or explore dry-hire options for greater control over suppliers and details. The team also welcomes approved external caterers where couples have a particular menu in mind.
The available spaces include:
The Main Barn
The heart of the property combines original beams and exposed brickwork with space for dining, speeches and evening celebrations. A built-in dance floor helps the day flow naturally into the evening.
Indoor And Outdoor Ceremony Areas
Shires Oast is fully licensed for legal ceremonies, with an indoor room and peaceful garden settings available. The garden gazebo and historic towers offer a memorable countryside backdrop, while the indoor option provides reassurance in every season.
The Roundels
Two adjoining circular rooms can be used as private preparation areas or for smaller gatherings before the ceremony.
The Shires Inn And Bar Areas
Rustic bar spaces provide a relaxed place for welcome drinks, conversation and evening celebrations.
Part Of A Complete Kent Planning Experience
Choosing our wedding venue in Tonbridge, Kent also places you close to The Kent Wedding Centre and its network of specialist businesses.
At Oast Bridal, we can help you explore designer gowns, our own bridal collection, accessories and outfits for other members of your party. Powder Mill Productions can provide professional sound, lighting and audiovisual support, while Hilltop Ceilidh Band offers live entertainment for couples looking to create an energetic evening celebration.
The nearby décor showroom also gives couples an opportunity to explore items such as rustic letters, lighting, post boxes and candy bars. Bringing these businesses together can reduce the number of separate journeys and conversations involved in organising your plans.
A Countryside Setting Within Reach Of Local Towns
Shires Oast is based at The Hop Farm on Maidstone Road in Paddock Wood. Its countryside surroundings include farmland, gardens and characterful architecture, offering varied photography opportunities throughout the day.
The location is within reach of Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone. Couples comparing a wedding venue will find rural character without being disconnected from the surrounding towns. Those researching a wedding venue couples can travel to may also find that the journey to The Hop Farm opens up more flexibility, supplier choice and space.
The official address is:
Shires Oast
The Hop Farm
Maidstone Road
Paddock Wood
Tonbridge
Kent
TN12 6QF
Telephone: 01622 234707
Email: info@shiresoast.co.uk
Practical Answers Before You Arrange A Tour
Q. Can We Hold Our Ceremony At Shires Oast?
Yes. The property is licensed for marriages and civil ceremonies, with indoor and outdoor options available.
Q. Do We Have To Use A Fixed Package?
No. Couples can explore all-inclusive and DIY or dry-hire options. The team aims to provide structure where helpful while allowing room for personal suppliers and ideas.
Q. Is Accommodation Available On Site?
There are no overnight rooms on site, but the team can recommend nearby hotels and guesthouses in Tonbridge and Paddock Wood.
Q. How Do We Reserve A Date?
After touring the property and confirming availability, a deposit is required to secure the chosen date.
See Our Wedding Venue In Tonbridge, Kent For Yourself
Photographs can introduce the beams, gardens and oast towers, but visiting in person is the best way to understand how the spaces connect and imagine your guests moving through the day.
A private tour gives you an opportunity to see the ceremony areas, main barn, gardens and bar spaces while discussing availability, packages, catering and the ideas that matter most to you.
Couples specifically looking for a wedding venue in Tonbridge can reach may discover that Shires Oast offers the combination they have been seeking: Kentish character, adaptable spaces and a family team that understands how personal the occasion should feel.
Begin Your Journey With Oast Bridal And Shires Oast
From choosing your dress to imagining your first dance, our connected family of businesses is here to make each stage feel more personal and manageable.
At our wedding venue in Tonbridge, Kent, you can create a celebration around your own priorities while drawing on the support, local knowledge and supplier connections available at The Hop Farm. Begin with a private tour of Shires Oast, or visit Oast Bridal to start exploring the look you will wear on the day.