The bridal party raising their glasses in the courtyard

Reflecting on 2024 at The Barn at Pengelly

Author

Lauren Withers

Venue Manager

DateApril 24, 2025

CategoryReflections

As we look back on 2024, it’s incredible to see how much we’ve grown, evolved, and celebrated alongside so many wonderful couples. From exciting team changes to fantastic new additions to our venue, last year has been one of transformation and achievement. Here’s a look at some of our biggest highlights:

Growing Our Team

Last year, we welcomed Cath & Emily to The Barn at Pengelly team! As Meg went on maternity leave and rejoined us at the end of the year, Lauren then headed off for her own maternity leave. It’s been wonderful expanding our team and supporting each other through these exciting life moments.

Enhancements to Our Venue & Accommodation

Last year saw us making some significant improvements to enhance the guest experience:

New Pathway – Guests now have a smoother and more scenic route from the venue to our cottages, including a new stairway at the rear of the venue.
Swing Installation – In April, we added a handmade wooden swing—perfect for capturing those romantic and playful wedding moments!
All 7 Cottages for Wedding Guests – With the addition of Tressa & Korn cottages, all seven cottages are now available for wedding guest stays.
Cottage Courtyard Revamp – We upgraded the courtyard with a new fire pit and gas BBQ, creating a warm and inviting space for guests to relax.
Soundproofing Upgrades – March saw major soundproofing improvements, including wood installed above the doors and acoustic panels in the ceiling, ensuring the best possible acoustics for celebrations.
Yurts Replaced with Huts – In March, we transitioned from yurts to stylish and cozy huts, offering even more unique accommodation options.
EV Charger Installed – We took another step towards sustainability by installing an EV charger for our eco-conscious guests.

Elevating the Wedding Experience

Styling Packages – We introduced beautiful styling packages to make wedding planning even easier for our couples.
Shot Ski Addition – A new must-have for epic party photos, the Shot Ski is set to become a guest favourite this year!

Awards & Recognition

We were honoured to receive several incredible accolades:

Winner of Muddy Stilettos, Cornwall – Best Venue
Lauren, our Venue Manager, won the Unsung Hero Award at the Cornwall Tourism Awards
Finalist for Wedding Venue at The Wedding Industry Awards (TWIA)
Highly Commended Wedding Venue at the Cornwall Tourism Awards

Community & Events

Open Days – We launched our very first Open Days, giving couples a chance to explore the venue, meet our team, and start envisioning their dream wedding.
Construction Began on Our Glam Room – At the end of the year, we started work on our much-anticipated Glam Room, set to launch soon in 2025!
Unsung Hero Campaign – We launched our own Unsung Hero campaign, partnering with local suppliers to offer a free wedding to a couple who have been through hardship. It was incredibly moving to read all the heartfelt stories, and we are so excited to host Grace & Paul’s wedding later this year.

Celebrating Love

Most importantly, we had the absolute privilege of hosting a record number of weddings last year. Each one was unique, full of love, and a true reflection of the wonderful couples who chose to celebrate with us.

As we step into the busy season of 2025, we’re so excited for what’s ahead, from new weddings to exciting developments at The Barn at Pengelly. Thank you to all our couples, guests, and team members for making 2024 so special.

More Posts You Might Like

Reflections

A Remarkable Week of Recognition for The Barn at Pengelly

Awards season has arrived, and what a whirlwind week it has been for The Barn at Pengelly. We’re still catching our breath after an incredible series of celebrations across Cornwall and the South West. Each event brought its own excitement, surprises, and unforgettable moments, and we are over the moon to share what we’ve achieved. A Silver Win at the Cornwall Tourism Awards Our week began beneath the stunning architecture of Truro Cathedral, where the Cornwall Tourism Awards took place. Surrounded by so many outstanding Cornish businesses, we were honoured to take home Silver for Wedding Venue of the Year. This recognition means so much to our team. To be acknowledged among the very best businesses in Cornwall is a huge achievement, and it reflects the passion and care that goes into every wedding we host. A Double Victory at the South West Wedding Awards Next stop: Plymouth, for the South West Wedding Awards, and what a night it was. Not only did we win Barn/County Wedding Venue, but to our absolute delight (and complete surprise!) we were announced as Wedding Venue of the Year across the entire South West. This final award is presented to the standout winner chosen from all venue categories, something we really didn’t expect. In fact, our wonderful Venue Manager, Lauren, had already slipped into her trainers ready to head home! Her dash back onto the stage added a moment of comedy to an already unforgettable night and perfectly captured the joy and shock we all felt. Celebrating in Bristol with The Wedding Industry Awards (TWIA) Our week concluded in Bristol, where we joined the TWIA Awards as finalists in two categories: Barn Wedding Venue and Events Team. TWIA holds a special place in the wedding industry because its results are based entirely on feedback from the couples we’ve supported, making it an especially meaningful accolade. We were thrilled to be announced as Events Team of the Year for the South West. This win sees us progress to the National TWIA Awards in January, where we will proudly represent the region on the national stage. To be recognised for the heart and hard work our team pours into every celebration is something we will never take for granted. A Testament to Our Amazing Team, and Our Wonderful Couples These awards are more than trophies; they reflect the dedication, professionalism, and genuine care shown by every member of our team. From early morning setup to late-night pack-downs, from planning calls to problem-solving on the day, our staff go above and beyond to make every wedding unforgettable. But none of this would be possible without the couples who choose The Barn at Pengelly to host their love story. Your thoughtful feedback, glowing testimonials, and trust in us fuel everything we do. Looking Ahead As our wedding season comes to an end for 2025, we are immensely proud of what we’ve achieved this year. This incredible week of recognition has energised us, inspired us, and reaffirmed why we love what we do. We can’t wait to head to the TWIA National Awards in January, and to continue creating unforgettable moments for every couple who walks through our doors. Thank you for being part of our journey. Here’s to many more magical memories at The Barn at Pengelly.

The Unsung Hero Award

At the start of 2024, we launched something incredibly close to our hearts: The Unsung Hero Award. It was our way of collaborating with suppliers to give back to someone who had faced life’s toughest challenges with strength, resilience, and gift someone who truly deserved a dream wedding. The response was overwhelming. Stories of love, loss, and unwavering determination poured in from across the county. But one story touched us deeply: the story of Grace and Paul.

Recap of Our Spring Wedding Fair 2024

On the 14th April 2024 we hosted our annual Spring Wedding Fair, where we welcomed over 400 guests and showcased offerings from more than 30 suppliers. As one of Cornwall’s largest wedding fair hosts, we were proud to see our venue bustling with excitement, and provide the opportunity for everyone to meet our amazing team.