About Thief Hall

About

Did you know Thief Hall has its very own Happily Ever After? Our cottages aren’t the only part of Thief Hall to have a story. Thief Hall as you know it today was dreamt up and built by our own Jess and Phillip Barker. However, it wasn’t built overnight - let’s go back to the beginning, a little south of Yorkshire, to the small Essex village of Finchingfield to discover Thief Hall’s very first love story…

Until the age of 21, Jess show-jumped horses professionally from her family owned yard where she lived with her parents and sister. She knew nothing else but horses and had hardly attended school. In 2001, she was invited to train with the Barker family here in Yorkshire for a few weeks, to ride, learn and train with Paul Barker, an extremely successful show jumping rider. During her time in Yorkshire, she came to learn from the famous show jumping family and even gained her HGV licence too. This is where  she also met Phillip, Paul’s brother and the farmer of the Barker family.

Jess stayed in Yorkshire for 8 months before heading back home to Finchingfield. However, after harvest was complete that year and only 4 weeks had passed with the new couple apart, Phillip realised he had met the love of his life and drove the 4 plus hours down to Essex to bring Jess back to Yorkshire. It’s the rule, every true love story needs a knight in shining armour – however, there was no white stallion or Black Bess on this occasion!  This is a love story about a Yorkshire farmer after all so it was an old battered peugeot with its front doors tied together with billy band (yes across the front passengers legs) and the cassette tape stuck in the radio on repeat playing “Oh Micky your so fine by Toni Basil” again and again, so the choice was silence or this earworm on repeat!  A very down to earth mode of transport and when you get to know Phillip absolutely no surprise at all!  

After proposing at Blackpool Pleasure Beach on the Big Dipper (yes on the Big Dipper itself) because Phillip couldn’t see himself on one knee in front of a crowd so found a way around that spectacle and as he got the ring out and they were racing down the huge rollercoaster with Jess screaming “Don’t you DARE drop that ring!”. It obviously worked out okay in the end and they were happily married only 7 months later – June 2006 in a marquee wedding on his parent’s farm (where our couples go for woodland pictures today).

 Jess soon missed the adrenaline of show jumping and needed something to get her teeth into, so she looked for her next project….

Together, Jess and Phillip put in for planning permission to renovate Phillip’s farm buildings on Thief Hole Lane to build their own home. When this planning application was turned down for residential use, Jess was devastated. Little did she know at the time, this was the best thing that could have ever happened. Despite the council turning down residential planning permission, they did approve planning permission for holiday cottages. 

And so began the building of Thief Hall.

In true Barker style they didn’t do things by halves, and during the first building project of the first four cottages, Jess and Phillip’s daughter, Clara was born in 2007.  By the time they were ready to open the holiday cottages, they were moving house themselves and Jess was also pregnant with their son James. They opened Thief Hall Holiday Cottages in July 2009 and Jess now had enough to keep her out of trouble. Looking after Clara, James, a new business to run, even still show jumping and not to mention supporting Phillip with his farming accounts and even driving the odd tractor.  The magic of a real life fairytale!

Clearly this wasn’t enough and life evolved with the cottages, family and extra jobs, as Jess became the Recruitment Director for Premier Cottages and joined the chaos of adding a network marketing company into her life, she found no time for the horses and had to give up her love of show jumping for her new life in business. At least her adrenaline itch was now being well and truly scratched! Premier Cottages & the network marketing taught her so much and there have been a lot of ups and downs between, including health worries, writing a book and so much more. In October 2015, Thief Hole Cottages grew into the Thief Hall you know today with the remaining farm buildings being developed into this wedding venue with four cottages turning into six.  The marriage license was applied for, giving the opportunity to couples wanting to get married on site in their very own wedding village!  

Together it has been a journey that has been the best thing that could have happened for Thief Hall as a business and as a result has created everything we all offer to you today….

Giving our incredible couples the chance to create their very own Happily Ever After.

Meet the Team

Our team of coordinators includes Hannah, Katy, Kate, and Ella. Along with Jess, they are here to help and support all of our couples all the way through their wedding planning process 24/7 with any of their questions or concerns. They will also be your wedding coordinator on the day of your wedding to ensure your wedding weekend goes as smoothly as possible which means you can party away without having to worry about a single thing.

 

Glamping Pods

Meet our six glamping pods with a difference…..
They each come with a separate theme and sleep up to 4 altogether with a king bed and bunk bed, perfect for families with children.

Thief Hole Barn

Whether you’re looking to take some time out with family, find the perfect setting to celebrate an occasion, are looking for an adventure break or a corporate retreat, Thief Hole Barn provides a stunning location. Enjoy breathtaking sunsets from the courtyard, spread out on the huge L-shaped sofa in front of the wood burning stove and enjoy the calm and serenity of country living.

Swift Nick Cottage

Offering spacious living for up to four adults and two children, Swift Nick is the perfect hideaway for any family or group. Easy access and a sloped ramp make Swift Nick ideal for those requiring versatile, easy living in an idyllic ground floor cottage. Whether you want to cosy up by the fire in Winter or enjoy the sunshine on the terrace in Summer, Swift Nick offers a luxurious holiday home away from home in the tranquillity of the countryside.

Turpin Cottage

Nestle yourself away in this beautifully converted cottage and enjoy splendid views of the North Yorkshire countryside. A haven of countryside charm and cottage comfort, Turpin Cottage is a fantastic location for some well-deserved time out for you and your pet. With a spacious feel and high beamed ceilings you cannot fail to appreciate its original character.

Fawkes Cottage

This sensitively renovated barn conversion oozes charm and character whilst providing contemporary home from home living for two adults and children. The perfect retreat for a romantic break, family holiday, or countryside escape, Fawkes Cottage balances five star luxury with everyday comforts including your very own private hot tub!

Millington House

The heart of the six cottages with dining facilities for up to 20 guests. This cottage is perfect for any celebration, party, family get-together or just a group wishing to get away from it all.

Bateman Byre

This one bedroom cottage is named after the Yorkshire witch Mary Bateman and with the original character of the barn you cannot fail to appreciate the old with the new. The fully fitted kitchen is well equipped with washer/dryer, dishwasher, fridge/freezer, and every other item you would expect. Why not enjoy watching the sunset from the hot tub!

Download our wedding brochure

 

What we offer

Thief Hall is a barn conversion restored in stunning style, offering a blank canvas venue with open beams and a clean modern finish. Thief Hall is surrounded by the beautiful rural countryside of North Yorkshire, the perfect backdrop for your special day! Included with the venue you will receive:

Exclusive 3 day hire
Accommodation for 2 nights for 60+ guests
6 cottages, 5 with hot tubs
6 Glamping Pods
Wedding planning support throughout
Wedding coordination on your day
Fully licensed to hold civil ceremony weddings
Fully stocked and staffed bar
Outdoor Weddings available
No restrictions or stipulations
Tables, chairs, linen and more!
Marquees Permitted