Intimate Weddings at The Long Barn, Appleton-le-Moors on the North York Moors
If you’ve ever felt like the traditional wedding conveyor belt isn’t for you, and you’re looking for something other than the standard approach then please read on. If what you’re looking for is more personal, more relaxing and more about you then perhaps an intimate wedding weekend might tick all the boxes. There’s an exciting new option in the North York Moors and I was thrilled to be asked to take the first photos of this amazing space.
The Long Barn at Town End Farm is nestled in the beautiful and picturesque village of Appleton-le-Moors, and if you’re looking for the perfect place to escape along with your dearest friends and family then this could be right up your sheep lined street. Long Barn now boasts a full wedding license to host weddings for the couple and 12 guests with the idea designed around relaxed, personal celebrations with those who matter most to you.
A wedding that feels like a holiday (because it is)
The magic of an intimate wedding at The Long Barn is that it doesn’t have to be over in a blur. So, instead of squeezing everything into a single day with hasty arrivals, a quick ceremony, hurried family photos, speeches, dancing, and a goodbye when it feels like you’ve only just said hello why not spread the love and relaxation just that little bit further. Long Barn offers a 3 day exclusive-use stay. This means time for a pre-wedding supper, a calm wedding morning, and a post-wedding day for countryside walks, brunch, and actually being together. The Long Barn’s approach is intentionally different. You and your guests get the space, the privacy, and the freedom to celebrate at your own pace.
Newly licensed for weddings in 2026
The announcement is simple but also significant, and a little bit different to the norm. From 2026, The Long Barn will be fully licensed to host weddings. That means you can legally say your vows onsite and build a wedding that’s rooted in one place, no dashing between ceremony venue and reception venue, no herding guests around, no never having chance to speak to everyone.
Long Barn Weddings have been shaped by lived experience. The owners share how, when they married, the choice of intimate venues wasn’t what it is today and that’s part of what makes this new chapter feel meaningful.
Only 10 weddings a year. Calm and genuinely personal.
In an era where some venues host weddings back to back, The Long Barn is taking a deliberately slower route. Ian and Jackie only host ten weddings per year, this keeps your celebrations tranquil and allows them to give each couple the attention they deserve.
For couples, this is more than a nice soundbite.
Fewer weddings means-
Less production line feel- you won’t see yesterdays bride packing up whilst you unpack.
More flexibility and breathing room- you could have a barbecue on Friday, or cook pizzas outside, or enjoy a picnic and garden games on Sunday, or maybe wander round to the local pub. You can set up your ceremony space at a leisurely pace and there’s no rush to take it all down either. Plus you can rope in your guests to help !
A venue that still feels special- (because it is)
Private, homely and considered– You want a wedding that’s intimate by design and not just smaller numbers in a big space, this matters.
The Village of Appleton-le-Moors.
Appleton-le-Moors is one of those villages that instantly slows your shoulders down. Sheep amble around taking life at a glacial pace and big skies, quiet lanes and moorland views give wonderful backdrops for your wedding photographs. The village sits within easy reach of some of the most beautiful landscapes in North Yorkshire. Rolling moorland stretches out in every direction, changing colour with the seasons. Heather-purple in late summer, frost-dusted and dramatic in winter. Nearby villages like Lastingham, Hutton-le-Hole and Gillamoor add to the charm, each offering historic churches, traditional pubs and picture-perfect walking routes. Appleton-le-Moors isn’t loud or showy, its beauty lies in the details. It’s a place that feels rooted, restorative and endlessly inspiring, For photographers, it’s a dream. For guests, it’s a genuine break. Less “wedding venue bubble,” more “weekend away together.”
A boutique wedding for up to 14 staying guests.
One of The Long Barn’s defining features is that it’s built for a close-knit celebration. The property sleeps up to 14 guests across seven en-suite bedrooms, ideal for couples who want their wedding to feel like a private house party, but with the polish of a luxury venue. That en-suite detail is a small thing that makes a huge difference for wedding weekends. No bathroom queues, no awkward logistics, and plenty of comfort for multi-generational groups. When you’re staying together for three days, those practical touches really add up. And, if the tradition of not seeing each other the morning of your wedding is important, that is perfectly doable. Dogs are welcome at your wedding and for the duration of your stay because they’re family too. From walking down the aisle to portraits and cuddles, your day should include everyone you love.
The ceremony space: The Long Barn
Ceremonies will take place in the Long Barn, and this blank canvas is ready to be dressed exactly as each couple wishes. This is where intimate weddings come into their own as you can create a space that looks and feels like you, rather than adapting yourself to a venue’s standard package.
Think seasonal flowers, candlelight, soft draping, a minimal modern look, or something wild and meadowy, whatever your vibe, the setting is flexible. And because you’ve got multiple days, you can style slowly and thoughtfully, without the pressure of a same-day turnover.
Midweek or weekend: choose the pace that fits your people
The Long Barn will offer two simple ways to plan your celebration:
Midweek weddings- 4 nights- for a quieter, more relaxed rhythm
Weekend weddings – 3 nights –for gathering loved ones from further afield
There’s no “right” answer just what works for your crowd. Midweek can feel wonderfully calm (and often helps with supplier availability). Weekends are great for guests travelling longer distances. Either way, the point is the same, you’re not cramming your wedding into a single intense day.
“Your wedding, your way” — with trusted local suppliers
Rather than offering a full in-house planning service, The Long Barn focuses on giving you access to a trusted network of local suppliers be that caterers, florists, photographers, stylists, and more. These trusted suppliers already know the area and are recommended through the venue’s experience hosting celebrations. You are, of course, very welcome to source your own but using trusted suppliers means you keep control of your day (and your budget), and you’re not starting from scratch with wedding supplier research. And when your wedding is based around a multi-day stay, having suppliers who understand the relaxed “stay & celebrate” style is a big win.
Three days of moments, not just a timeline
So what does a 3-day wedding at The Long Barn actually feel like? Imagine something like:
Day 1: Arrivals & welcome
Guests arrive, settle into their rooms, pop a bottle in the courtyard, and head out for a gentle walk. In the evening, you could host a relaxed welcome supper, maybe hire in a caterer, maybe a local pub meal or suggest each couple bring their favourite dish and the recipe for you to start your very own recipe book.
Day 2: The wedding day
A breakfast brought to you so you can relax and enjoy your wedding preparations. There’s no frantic travel and timelines to stick to. This is all about getting ready with the people you love. A wedding ceremony in the Long Barn, followed by a celebration that flows naturally. Drinks and canapes on the patio, speeches in the courtyard, music, laughter and most importantly time. Time to soak in the surroundings and feeling of the day, and say yay, we got married ! And the added bonus of not having to rush to clear out at midnight because another couple is arriving tomorrow.
Day 3: The “we’re married” day
A long brunch, picnic style, where you can wander around, croissant and coffee in hand. Maybe you’re guests will join you for an amble across the moors, or a last toast in the courtyard. The kind of day you’ll remember just as vividly as the ceremony itself.
This is the real benefit of an intimate, multi-day wedding. You don’t just host an event, you create a shared experience.
Want to know more ?
If you love the sound of this but want clarity on structure and costs, do please head over to Ian and Jackie’s Long barn Wedding page where you will fine greater details, more photos and the pricing. The Long Barn has straightforward wedding package options designed to complement the 3 or 4 day exclusive-use booking, with no hidden extras. I also have it on good authority (but I’m not sure I’m supposed to tell you) that a special “First I Do’s” introductory price will be available for the first 3 bookings.
Beautifully unhurried
To summarise, Yorkshire style…… So in t’end, it’s reet simple really. Good folk round thee, proper food on t’table, an’ time, actual time, te sit, laugh, wander outside an’ say “well, this is grand.” Nowt rushed, nowt shouty, an’ no one tappin’ watches. Cos int’ end, it’s nor about chair covers, strict schedules, or ticking boxes. It’s just thi favourite people, an’ a few days where life slows down an’ feels easy. Brew in hand, big skies owerhead, rakes o’ laughter driftin’ out t’barn. A wedding weekend done proper, Yorkshire-style, warm, onest, an’ full o’ heart. Aye, that’ll do nicely, an with a bit o luck, you might choose me to tek’t pictures, if so, I see thee then, then.
Long barn Weddings are about good people, good food, and having the time to enjoy both. An intimate wedding weekend lets you slow down, breathe it all in, and spend your energy where it matters. If that sounds like your kind of celebration, Long Barn is ready. Stay a while. Celebrate properly. Linger over breakfast, laugh late into the evening, and forget the clock entirely. No rushing. No fuss. Just you, your favourite people, and a wedding that feels as relaxed as it does unforgettable.
