People have sometimes had issues finding Roundhill Barn. Please give visitors and suppliers these directions: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BdUCp4qTVGZdszjyYpbmp71ZJPniklz2/edit?usp=drive_link&ouid=110283036142949609002&rtpof=true&sd=true
The barn is not a registered address which means it has no postcode (see the directions section for more).
It is not connected to a mains power supply or mains water. Electricity is provided by solar PVT panels and batteries with a back-up diesel generator. See section on Power Supply for more information.
Drinkable water is sourced from a 70m borehole and filtered. It is of high quality and tastes excellent with no additives.
Because this is a working farm dogs are not permitted on site, except assistance dogs. If despite this the situation arises that a guest has brought a dog please ensure they’re kept on a lead at all times.
Roundhill barn is on a working farm: please ensure all guests understand and abide by the Countryside code: respect everyone, protect the environment, leave no trace.
As an off-grid venue in the middle of farmland there are some risks to be aware of here
Risks and responsibilities | Kelston Roundhill and Roundhill Barn
It is possible to drive right up to the barn to make deliveries or drop off mobility-impaired visitors. They would then just need to walk a few metres. If wheelchair access is required please notify us in advance so we can supply a ramp for wheelchairs over the barn entrance threshold. There is one large toilet with a handrail (but it takes two large steps to access it) and one step-free toilet with handrail.
Roundhill Barn is a non-denominational "safe space" where people of all faiths or of none, as well as any gender, race or orientation are welcome. It is ideally suited to retreats, reflection and spiritual refreshment for people of all faiths or of none.
One way or another Kelston Roundhill has always been and will always be a sacred spot. We’re not aware of any records surviving from Celtic or Roman times, but in recent years we’ve welcomed CofE groups for awaydays and evensong, Quaker days of quiet, school Ascension Day assemblies, Buddhist monks and Rastafari.
They come either informally as walkers on the hill, or by invitation and booking in advance for awaydays, worship and memorial events in Roundhill Barn. Pilgrims are always welcome. And it’s a perfect location for private reflection of all sorts.
But we must remind visitors to seek permission in advance for any proposed group event on the land. That isn’t simply as a matter of courtesy; bear in mind this is a working farm on private land. For barn hires we’re very open to hosting multi-faith and interfaith events, and welcome people of any faith or none. But Roundhill Barn has a certain ethos with which fundamentalism, evangelism or missionary zeal are not compatible. If your organisation practises intolerance or discrimination on any of the protected characteristics set out in the Equality Act 2010 please find a different venue.
We advise a site visit before booking: contact Billie (WhatsApp message) on 07871 693689 to arrange. If you decide you want to book please confirm dates and costs with Clare Diacono clare@roundhillbarn.com. She will send you a contract for e-signature and a deposit invoice. You need to pay this within two weeks to secure your booking. The remainder of the hire fee is due two weeks before the event, as well as a security deposit of £1000. The security deposit is returned to you after the event (within two weeks) minus any deductions for generator usage (£15/hr incl) and any litter, damage or breakages.
The barn can accommodate 80 formally seated, slightly more with less formal seating and up to 120-150 standing. You can extend numbers by installing a stretch tent or marquee. You will need to organise that yourself.
You get exclusive use of the barn and immediate surroundings for the hire period. The hire fee excludes generator use cost and any breakages or damage. This includes a parking area plus a post event clean. For a list of everything included with the barn please see our inventory.
There are 2 small fridges in the barn. If you plan to hire a fridge trailer please note this will require additional generator power. Additional toilets may also require additional power. See the FAQs about power below.
Soap, washing up liquid and basic cleaning sprays are provided, also some toilet paper, tea-towels and hand towels (which can be left dirty in the barn; we will wash). You are welcome to use our vacuum cleaner and mop. For larger events it’s advisable to bring extra supplies. We do not offer catering, staffing or ancillary services. We don’t mind suggesting suppliers but we do not operate an “approved suppliers” arrangement. We have a Suggested Suppliers List of suppliers who previous clients have used and are familiar with the venue.
We do not offer wedding or party planning services. For such events it's a ‘dry hire’ - we give you the keys and let you get on with it. We have a Suggested Suppliers List of suppliers who previous clients have used and are familiar with the venue.
For corporate hires we can offer a bespoke level of service and arrange catering etc. Please enquire.
The courtyard in front of the barn is 320 sq m.
Internal floor space is 87m², and the courtyard 360m² (see floorplan).
Click here for internal measurements
Click here for external dimensions
For photos, please see our gallery
Roundhill Barn is not a “licensed premises”. If you host an event there it’s fine to provide alcohol for your guests free of charge, but any event that involves selling alcohol (or selling late night food) needs either a licensed person or a temporary event licence from B&NES Council.
Please arrange with Billie the time you wish to check in/out. Check-in available from 10am. Checkout by 10am Monday for a weekend hire or 6pm for a single-day hire. If you need extra cleaning time you may need to add an extra day to your hire period.
Any equipment you bring or hire in must be delivered and removed from site within the contracted hire time. If equipment or rubbish is left on site after checkout, a penalty fee will be deducted from your security deposit. Please refer to your contract for details.
The barn has solar powered underfloor heating. The main hall area also has 2 log burners. The site comes with hot water heated from solar thermal energy. This is supplemented with any solar thermal energy that accrues during the hire period. Should further water heating be necessary that can be automatically provided by an LPG boiler.
Yes, there are 2 log burners that you can use & sometimes we have wood you can use (extra cost) or we can organise a delivery of logs from the local farmer (extra cost). You may also bring your own firewood to use. Please ensure the fires are extinguished before leaving the barn
The Barn does not have any council services. We therefore require that you remove all rubbish from the site before you check out and “leave no trace”. There are 2 mixed waste bins on site - these are for our cleaning waste and if used by guests, we will deduct the collection charge from your security deposit. Please note, food waste and glass must not be put in mixed waste bins. Most guests choose to hire bins - see our suggested suppliers for some possible options. Please note, if litter is left behind we do charge for removal so do check the grounds thoroughly for confetti etc.
There are two toilets in the barn - one with handrail up two steep steps and one step-free toilet currently without a handrail. If you need additional toilets these can be hired in (see suggested suppliers). We recommend for parties over 80 people that additional toilets are hired.
Please bear in mind more elaborate toilets sometimes require mains power and water supply; it’s better to choose simpler self-contained portaloo-style or compost toilets that do not need external water or electricity. Toilets requiring electricity to power a pump and light may be suitable but please advise your supplier of the 5kW maximum draw. Toilets with hot water will require additional generator hire.
Please see the inventory for a list of everything inside the barn: Inventory
For some table arrangement & layout ideas, please see our gallery
We ask that you be mindful of and respectful to nearby villagers and do not play amplified music outdoors after 11pm. Indoor music inside the barn is fine.
Please see the suggested supplier list for hire companies.
The barn has basic industrial-style lighting. You can add outside lights e.g. festoon lighting. Check the suggested supplier list for suggested suppliers (some marquee companies offer this as well).
No. The Old Barn is situated on a working farm. Fireworks cause issues with wildlife, livestock and neighbours, and present fire risk in dry periods.
Please only light fires in the designated fire pits and ensure all fires are supervised and extinguished when you leave. Fire-pits must only be used in the specified areas.
Please only light fires in the designated fire pits and ensure all fires are supervised and extinguished when you leave.
Biodegradable confetti only please (tissue or rose petals). If you leave behind metallic, plastic or other non-biodegradable confetti that means loss of deposit because it’s nigh impossible to “leave no trace”.
Roundhill barn has a no smoking policy in all areas of the building.
There is parking for 50 cars in single file to the right of the track in the field just below the Barn. Deliveries and mobility-impaired guests can just go right up to the barn to drop off.
See the suggested suppliers list for taxi companies who are happy to drive up the track. Other taxi companies may or may not drive up to the top of the track to collect. You may be advised to arrange your own minibus service for guests as some taxi companies refuse to drive to the farm because the track has been affected by poor weather conditions in the past.
We do not offer or recommend accommodation beyond camping (see below) but there are plenty of options locally. There are a couple of suggestions on the suggested supplier List
Yes we have one 12m diameter and twelve 5m diameter levelled sites - you can also use the rest of the land which is gently sloping. If needed, you can pitch tents in front of the barn as well. If you would like to hire bell tents, we have six x 5m diameter bell tents for hire. There is space for campervans to park immediately to the right of the barn as you enter the barn curtilege (and on the grass in dry weather) but please note there is no power hook-up.
We have five 5m diameter bell tents for hire, which we put up and take down for you. Cost: £160 per tent. These are approx the size of an 8 man tent and can fit 2 double airbeds comfortably either side of the main pole. They do not have to be sited within the campsite area. The tents are supplied unfurnished without bedding but there are mattresses in the store room you can use. If you or your guests would like to hire tents, please let us know 4 weeks prior to your event so we can add it to the final invoice.
For additional tents, please see our list of suggested suppliers for some companies you may wish to use.
The barn is not a registered address which means it has no postcode (see the directions section for more).
It is not connected to a mains power supply or mains water. Electricity is provided by solar PVT panels and batteries with a back-up diesel generator.
Drinkable water is sourced from a 70m borehole and filtered. It is of high quality and tastes excellent with no additives.
Roundhill Barn is off-grid: there's no mains electricity or water, so you need to tread lightly. Drinking water is supplied from a bore-hole. Electricity and hot water comes from hybrid PVT solar panels and a back-up generator. We offer two levels of power:
Light touch 100% renewables eco-event. This gives 16kwh of solar generated power from battery. In winter months or poor weather, the hybrid option below is available. Using solar power, the maximum draw of 5kw at any one time. This is sufficient to power:
LED festoon lighting & fairy lights
Music (PA system or DJ or a small band)
Toilets (providing no hot water)
Hybrid option for events drawing significant power. This is for events using external equipment. If you bring refrigeration, toilets which use power, incandescent lights or other equipment using significant power on site, you will need generator power. The cost is £15/hr. There will be separate 13A and 16A plug sockets powered up while the generator is running.
If your event depends on plant and equipment that requires significant energy consumption (refrigerator trailers, toilet units with heated water/lighting, incandescent lighting rigs, electric heaters, cookers, friers, electric pizza ovens, coffee machines or similar) yours is a hybrid event and you will need to plug appliances directly into the generator. If you try to run such equipment from the battery there will be a power cut.
If your power usage exceeds 15kva or 60 Amps you will need to hire in an external generator.
The generator is under warranty and regularly serviced but Kelston Tump LLP is not in a position to guarantee that it will always work. In the event it fails there is a small backup diesel generator.
We advise that perishable foods are kept refrigerated off site until needed, especially in hot weather, to avoid running the diesel generator overnight and for long periods simply to power refrigeration.
We cannot guarantee to restore a 240v electricity supply in the event of generator failure. This may take two working days.
If you run out of solar power, the generator will charge the batteries to restore power to the barn. You can plug appliances directly into the on-site diesel generator. Use of the generator is charged at a cost of £15/hour incl of VAT. The cost of any generator use will be calculated and deducted from the monies held as Security Deposit.
The site manager has remote access to heating and electricity controls and heating and hot water will be automatically controlled during your stay.
The barn user has access to a dashboard inside the barn which shows you the state of the batteries and power use at any time.
The barn has solar powered underfloor heating. The main hall area also has 2 log burners. The site comes with hot water heated from solar thermal energy. This is supplemented with any solar thermal energy that accrues during the hire period. Should further water heating be necessary that can be automatically provided by an LPG boiler.