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Trimley Herbs and a Beautiful Old Suffolk Barn

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Trimley Herbs is certainly making an impact in Suffolk where brides-to-be are shunning flowers in favour of herbs.

Trimley Herbs is certainly making an impact in Suffolk where brides-to-be are shunning flowers in… Click To Tweet

Hawstead Place is the site of a breathtaking Suffolk barn dating back to 1423. The ancient barn underwent a spectacular transformation recently when a young couple dressed it out for their spring wedding reception.

The couple revived the ancient tradition of herbs playing a part in marriage celebrations by asking Trimley Herbs to provide more than 85 pots of luscious, aromatic plants to dress the three long tables where guests sat down to enjoy the wedding breakfast.

Trimley Herbs

The beautiful 15th Century suffolk barn at  Hawstead Place, Bury St Edmunds, with the purple uplighting on. The barn has a range of lighting to suit different moods.

This incredible array from Trimley Herbs was grown in a Georgian glass-house.

The many shades of green perfectly complimented the style and grace of this beautiful, historic barn.

Since Paul Farrow, who runs Trimley Herbs, appeared at a local event with his produce, he has had a huge amount of interest in what he is doing, particularly for weddings.

I went along to the site of this particular wedding reception to do some photography for Paul and was completely blown away by the visual impact inside the barn.

Not only was the interior absolutely stunning but the colourful herb pots, standing in the midst of it all on white table linen, looked amazing.

They gave a real sense of beauty through simplicity; a sense of how things must have been when people lived closer to nature and used what was around them to celebrate special milestones.

Trimley Herbs

The outside of Suffolk barn does not prepare you for what you will see when you walk through the door.

The outside of Suffolk barn does not prepare you for what you will see when you walk through the… Click To Tweet

The interior really is spectacular. The huge timber frame soars up and towers majestically over the interior making the roof seem impossibly high; but, it has to be an illusion because from the outside, the barn does not look so tall.

Although the barn is almost 600 years old and characteristically very rustic in this rural setting, it still manages to have a regal, almost Holy atmosphere.

It’s hard to imagine the heavy farm work that would have gone on in the barn when it was first built. I had to remind myself that this was a place where people laboured for long hours to earn a living.

The quiet elegance it now has is probably very well earned after hundreds of years as a working barn. And what better way for this wonderful relic to live on than as a place where people meet to have fun, do business or hold conferences.

Trimley Herbs

Trimley Herbs – On Regal Ground

Queen Elizabeth 1st was a visitor at Hawstead Place in 1578, which may of course account for the pervading regal feel all these years later – she was after all, a formidable woman.

Standing in the quietness of the suffolk barn, it is easy to imagine you can hear echoes of those days.

Standing in the quietness of the suffolk barn, it is easy to imagine you can hear echoes of those… Click To Tweet

There are still trees within sight of the barn that Queen Elizabeth is said to have planted from acorns given to her by Lord Bacon.

Something tells me the ‘holiness’ I sensed evaporates very quickly once parties here get started; I am sure the immense space is perfect for the sound of live music and laughter reverberating off the massive barn walls.

And what could have been more perfect to compliment the rich tones of those old wooden walls than the beautiful deep greens of plants from Trimley Herbs?

Trimley Herbs

Trimley Herbs was one of several local businesses whose skills and expertise found perfect harmony on the day.

Together, they all helped to create an electric ambience that would delight the guests attending this beautifully dressed reception venue.

Besides making a gorgeous passion-fruit wedding cake, Vanilla Cake Design created an incredibly indulgent and irresistible selection of sweet treats that were displayed on an ancient trestle table. The effect was dazzling, not just on the eyes but on the taste buds too.

Trimley Herbs
A close-up of the delicious old-fashioned profiteroles that provided a stunning centrepiece for the sweet-treats buffet table. To see more images of the whole spread that Vanilla Cake Design created, click here.

I am not sure I have had my taste buds dazzled before but, the aroma of sugary sweetness that wafted from the table really made my mine blink! 

I am not sure I have had my taste buds dazzled before but, the aroma of sugary sweetness that… Click To Tweet

As I left the venue, more people were arriving to put the finishing touches to the scene.

My impression was of a magical scene that would later come to life as guests made memories they would probably cherish for a lifetime.

Aside from the main barn where the tables were laid out, there was a very spacious chill-out area with a small bar, comfortable seating, space for a band or small orchestra and a dance floor.

The views from the windows there are serene and relaxing.

Trimley Herbs

The beautifully understated ‘chill-out’ area flowing through from the main barn.

Trimley Herbs
Trimley Herbs
Trimley Herbs

Paul could not have had a more apt setting in which to showcase Trimley Herbs.

Paul could not have had a more apt setting in which to showcase Trimley Herbs. Click To Tweet

He, along with all the other professionals who were busy preparing a grand event for the couple, went to great lengths to add something special to the day.

And one person Paul could not have managed without was 12 year old daughter Ruby who helps with growing  the herbs.

She already has a wide knowledge of herb names and was able to assist her father with putting the labels into the soil so guests could identify the plants, which, they would be taking home at the end of the night.

Trimley Herbs

If you want to find out more about Suffolk Barn at Hawstead Place, Bury St Edmunds click here.

The Suffolk Barn at Hawstead Place is a very special piece of Suffolk’s history – so it was the perfect place for people to enjoy the produce of Trimley Herbs, a business that has a bright future in Suffolk.

And pssst! Over here! Don’t tell anyone I told you, but Trimley Herbs is booked to do the wedding herbs for the granddaughter of a very well known and loved Suffolk celebrity.

7 thoughts on “Trimley Herbs and a Beautiful Old Suffolk Barn”

  1. Pingback: Suffolk Barn – The Perfect Wedding Venue – A Gallery Of Images – Anything Except Housework

    1. Thankyou Robyn – I appreciate your visit here and your comment. It would have been hard not to get good pictures there as the setting was so beautiful!

  2. A Brilliant Review, this looks like a wonderful place and I love the idea of Herbs on the table. Suffolk Barns are on my wishlist for a visit now.

    1. Thank you Corinne – I appreciate your visit so much. I need to get on over to you next! I have been so bad at visiting. And thanks for the George Carlin memory – it made me smile.

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