PRIVATE HIRE
We host a wide range of private events: milestone birthdays, anniversary dinners, christenings, family reunions, hen parties, wakes and memorials, corporate away days, proms and more. The barn seats up to 250 guests for a formal dinner and holds more for standing or less formal events. The late bar licence runs until 2am and there is no set curfew.
Private Hire Venue in Herefordshire
Lyde Court is a 17th-century stone barn on the Duchy of Cornwall Estate, two miles from Hereford city centre, available for exclusive private hire throughout the year.
At a Glance
- Up to 250 seated, more for informal events — Duchy of Cornwall Estate
- 17th-century stone barns — unspoilt in 400 years
- No set curfew — bar licence until 2am
- On-site accommodation — Oast House, en-suite rooms, camping
- 2 miles from Hereford city centre — free on-site parking for all guests
- PA system, stage and barn lighting included
- In-house catering — from formal dinners to pizza shed and BBQs
Spaces Available
The 17th Century Stone Barn
The heart of the venue. An L-shaped 17th-century stone barn across two floors, with vaulted ceilings, elm beams, a dedicated stage and dancefloor at one end and a quieter mezzanine at the other. Seats up to 250 for a formal dinner. The layout allows the event to flow — dining, dancing and a quieter retreat all under one roof.
The Willow Lawn
A peaceful lawn adjacent to the main barn, ideal for outdoor drinks receptions, garden parties, children’s activities or a relaxed summer gathering. Protected by the barn on one side, open to the Herefordshire countryside on the other.
Front Lawn and Courtyard
The main approach to the venue, with panoramic views across to Dinmore Hill and the Malvern Hills. Used for welcome drinks, outdoor ceremonies, confetti moments, lawn games and summer celebrations. The natural backdrop for most outdoor photography.
The Rose Garden
A semi-covered space with its own enclosed garden — a useful buffer between barn and outdoor spaces, and a popular spot for more intimate gatherings, a separate children’s area, or a catering station. It provides a degree of shelter when the weather is uncertain without bringing everyone indoors.
Catering
All catering at Lyde Court is produced in-house by our own team, using locally sourced Herefordshire ingredients wherever possible.
Formal Sit Down Dinners
From two-course suppers to five-course celebration dinners, our kitchen can produce a full formal meal for up to 250 guests. Menus are tailored around your event, budget and dietary requirements. We have experience with everything from traditional Herefordshire fare to contemporary sharing-plate formats.
Relaxed dining — BBQs, buffets and hog roasts
For less formal events — a summer birthday party, a casual family reunion, an end-of-season celebration — we offer buffet spreads, Herefordshire hog roasts and outdoor barbecues. These work particularly well when guests are using both the barn and the outdoor spaces.
The pizza shed
One of our most popular summer options. We operate a wood-fired pizza shed on site, serving freshly made pizzas to guests in the barn or on the lawn. It works brilliantly as an informal evening addition to a daytime party, as the main catering for a relaxed outdoor event, or as a late-night food option after a formal dinner.
Private Events We Host
We host a wide range of private events at Lyde Court. Each has its own dedicated page with more specific information.
See our Parties page.
Intimate dinners to full celebrations. See our Anniversaries page.
Family gatherings, all sizes welcome. See our Christenings page.
Dignified, warm, flexible catering. See our Wakes & Memorials page.
Overnight stays, activities, full catering. See our Hen Parties page.
Meetings, away days, team building. See our Corporate Events page.
On-Site Accommodation
One of the practical advantages of Lyde Court over a town-centre venue is that your guests can stay on site. No coordinating taxis. No early departures. No designated drivers. The party can run until 2am and anyone who wants to sleep it off is already home.
The Oast House sleeps guests in a mix of family rooms and dormitories — up to 66 guests in total across all accommodation. The Bridal Suite and three VIP en-suite double rooms are available for the host or key guests. Camping pitches and caravan hook-ups are also on offer for those arriving in campervans.
Accommodation can be priced separately from the venue hire and is available on the night of your event. Contact us when you enquire and we will confirm what is available for your chosen date.
Why Lyde Court for Private Hire
No set curfew. Bar until 2am.
Most function venues in Hereford operate with an 11pm or midnight close. Lyde Court has a bar licence running until 2am. If your event is in the evening, it runs until your group is ready to stop.
A venue that needs no transformation
Stone walls, elm beams, hundreds of candles, arrow-slit windows — the barn provides a backdrop that most venues spend significant budget recreating with hired decoration. The neutral palette means your chosen colours work; nothing clashes with what is already there.
On-site food and drink — no hidden extras
We offer in-house catering and bar are in-house, with the option to use an external caterer.. Everything is discussed and agreed in advance so your final bill matches your quote.
A setting with genuine history
Lyde Court is part of the Duchy of Cornwall Estate and dates back to the 14th century. The barn itself is 17th century and has been minimally altered in 400 years. For events where the setting matters — milestone birthdays, landmark anniversaries, significant celebrations — the venue carries genuine weight.
Easy to reach, easy to leave
Two miles from Hereford city centre. Free on-site parking for all guests, with overnight parking for those staying over. For guests coming from outside Herefordshire, the A49 provides straightforward access from Shropshire, Worcestershire and South Wales.
Enquire About Private Hire
Tell us about your event — date, approximate guest numbers, event type and any specific requirements — and we will come back to you with availability and a tailored quote. Tours of the venue can be arranged at any time of day.