Forest Edge Vineyard - A Hidden Wedding & Events Venue on the Edge of the New Forest
Nestled on the north-western brow of the New Forest National Park, Forest Edge Vineyard offers a unique private venue that combines a working English vineyard with a beautifully appointed Dutch Barn for weddings, conferences and special occasions. Sitting at just over 90 metres above sea level, the property at Woodfalls Cross Farm in Hale commands sweeping views that stretch all the way to Witsbury Down, giving every event an unmistakable sense of place.
The Venue at Forest Edge Vineyard
At the heart of the estate sits a striking steel-framed Dutch barn that has been renovated to a high specification. The structure pairs intertwined, exposed steels wrapped in a tin cloak of inky black with feet of interior walls clad in warm wood, creating a sense of intimacy at ground level while keeping the upper walls a light, airy grey that gives the building height and a spacious feel. Opaque skylights pour streams of daylight into the room and bi-folding doors on the western end open directly onto the vineyard, drawing the garden inside.
Above the main space sits a striking mezzanine floor, and the venue is completed by luxury toilets, a charming courtyard, a one-acre paddock and the vineyard itself. The grounds include generous grassy parking, a scrunchy gravelled terrace and garden seating ideal for outdoor drinks and canapés. The Dutch barn can accommodate up to 80 seated guests or 120 standing, with an additional 9m x 9m marquee available for hire as an optional extra, complete with a contemporary interior and 1,000 fairy lights.
The Vineyard
The vineyard was planted in 2012 and is cared for personally by the owners. Sitting on this elevated position, the vines are thriving and are now at maximum fruit production. While the first release of estate wine is anticipated, visitors can already enjoy the sight of immaculately tended vines framed by rolling Hampshire countryside. The 2020 harvest marked an important milestone for the project, and the owners continue to share progress updates with guests who visit the venue.
Weddings & Events
Forest Edge Vineyard specialises in hosting weddings, private celebrations, conferences and other special occasions. The barn hire charge is designed to be as all-inclusive as possible and includes:
- Wedding co-ordination
- Front of house service on the day
- A fully staffed bar
- A staffed, licensed and equipped bar
- Refreshments for reception wine and welcome drinks (catering can also be arranged)
As a family-run business with over twenty years of experience in events, the team works hard to take the stress out of organising the day and to ensure everything runs exactly to plan. The owners live on site, offering a level of personal attention and responsiveness that visiting couples have warmly praised.
What Guests Say
The venue has earned consistently enthusiastic feedback from couples and event hosts. A recent testimonial from Michael Davison (May 2022) described The Venue as "everything it promises to be; a delightfully positioned, newly completed, well designed and beautifully appointed place for family and friends to celebrate in style," highlighting the immaculately tended grounds, the adjacent vineyard and the warm welcome from the on-site owners.
More recently, Alice and Laurence (May 2024) wrote: "Thank you again for helping us host such a superb wedding event! We had the best time and are still on cloud 9. We loved the venue; the setting and beautiful views, the yummy food, relaxed atmosphere and how helpful you both have been in the creating and planning stages of our wedding."
A visitor interpretation written by Jade G captured the architectural character of the space: "The Dutch barn's framework consists of intertwined, exposed steels wrapped in a tin cloak of inky black. The feet of the interior walls clad in wood giving those on the ground a sense of intimacy, while the heads of the walls are a light, airy grey; giving the building height and a spacious feel. The opaque skylights allow streams of light to fill the room with a buoyant atmosphere alongside the bi-folding doors on the western end of the building, backing onto the vineyard, invites the jovial soul of the garden indoors to add to the experience."
Wines at Forest Edge
The vineyard is at maximum fruit production and the owners are keeping visitors posted on progress towards a first estate release. In the meantime, the venue is closely associated with Swallow Fine Wines, a small family business with over thirty years of experience in the drinks industry. Swallow Fine Wines supplies quality wines online to the public across the UK, is well known for importing the popular Domaine Gardrat wines from France, and can supply the right wine for any Forest Edge event at the right price.
Location & Getting There
Forest Edge Vineyard sits in an enviable position on the edge of the New Forest National Park, making it an ideal setting for visitors travelling from Salisbury, Bournemouth, Fordingbridge, Christchurch, Southampton and the surrounding areas. The elevated, peaceful setting feels a world away from busy town life, yet remains within easy reach of major transport links across Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire.
Booking a Visit
Prospective hosts are warmly invited to arrange an appointment to view the venue. Calls can be made to Stan directly on 07955 847849, and full postal and address details are listed below.
Contact Details
- Telephone: 07955 847849
- Address: Forest Edge Vineyard, Woodfalls Cross Farm, Hale, Hampshire, SP6 2NW
- Facebook: facebook.com/fevvenue
- Instagram: @thevenuefev
Plan Your Event
Whether dreaming of an intimate vineyard wedding, planning a milestone birthday, organising a corporate away day or hosting a private celebration, Forest Edge Vineyard offers a one-of-a-kind backdrop. With its blend of contemporary architecture, sweeping New Forest views, a working vineyard, attentive on-site owners and an experienced events team, the venue provides everything needed to make a special day truly memorable.