Geard
A working Hampshire farm with café, barn, historic church crypt and graveyard
Rural farm venue featuring a stylish café, characterful barn with iconic skate ramp, and cosy loft space. Set in the picturesque Hampshire countryside with expansive outdoor areas, including fields, paddocks, and meadows. Nearby historic church with crypt adds unique architectural interest. Located just 12 miles from Winchester.
Tucked away in the peaceful Candover Valley, Geard offers rustic, pared-back spaces to suit a range of different events. At the heart of this special venue is a beautifully converted barn, complete with soaring ceilings, weathered wooden beams, and an iconic skate ramp that adds a playful edge. Originally an agricultural space, the Barn is purposefully raw and undone and retains the charm and character of days gone by. It’s an ideal space for larger soirées.
Next to the barn, the café offers a relaxed atmosphere, is furnished with inviting interiors, and is flooded with natural light. The loft upstairs brings a cosy, intimate feel, perfect for smaller gatherings.
Geard (used as a café) is housed in a former livestock shed dating back to the late 1800s. The space blends rustic charm with modern and classic design elements, offering a stylish, farmhouse-inspired atmosphere. With its light-filled interior, Geard boasts elegant grey-scale barn walls, complemented by matte black accents, Aztec-patterned carpets, and vintage wooden furniture that can be arranged to your taste.
The outdoor courtyard is spacious and a real sun trap in the summer, making it the perfect spot for outdoor events, with views stretching over the rolling Hampshire countryside. Fields and meadows surround the property, giving plenty of scope for shoots in a naturally beautiful setting. Nearby, the historic Church below ground remains and graveyard adds another layer to Geard’s appeal. With its ancient Norman crypt, it’s an ideal setting for ghost walks or events with a touch of the otherworldly.
History and special interest
Situated on a working farm, Geard is part of an estate with over 800 years of agricultural heritage. First recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, the farm's rich history highlights its deep connection to Hampshire's rural traditions.
One of the farm’s most intriguing historical features is the Buried Church of St Nicholas. Built during the Norman era, only its crypt remains, holding original stone coffins. Rediscovered in 1910 by a local vicar, the crypt has since been restored and now hosts two open-air services each year, offering a rare glimpse into the area's medieval past.
The venue itself is housed in a former 19th-century livestock shed built in the late 1800s. In 2020, this historic building was thoughtfully repurposed, preserving its rustic charm while adapting to serve as a modern café and events space. Geard is home to an artisan coffee roastery where visitors can enjoy a truly farm-to-cup experience while sampling the best local provenance.
Today, Geard has evolved into a cultural hub, hosting a diverse range of events from literary talks and book launches to live music performances and supper clubs. This unique venue has been featured in Hampshire Life, Homes & Gardens, and Period Living Magazine.
Facilities
Booking types permitted
Features
Rustic working farm with unique events and outdoor spaces
- Fireplace
- Woodburner
- Exposed beams
- Stone floors
- Old doors
- Exposed machinery
- Garden
- Field and meadows
- Paddock
- Stream
- Ancient trees
- Prehistoric monuments
- Valley views
- Stable
- Church crypt
- Graveyard
Fees
Half Day
From £800
Full Day
From £1200
Fees exclude VAT. Fees may vary depending on spaces required and project scope.
Submit to Storia
Submit your story using the form below. We will review your submission and notify you within two weeks if your submission has been accepted. We may ask for some additional information.
If your story is accepted, we will contact you with a publication date.
Submit your story