Building Exterior
The 1908 extension to East Knoyle Village Hall is a masterclass in Edwardian craftsmanship, commissioned by the Seymour family to elevate a 14th-century farmstead into a grand community landmark. Constructed from local dressed limestone in a rambling L-plan, this main hall sits at a right angle to the original medieval range, characterized by its high tiled roofs and a magnificent five-light segmental-headed window that serves as a focal point for the gable end.
Visitors enter through a traditional timber-framed porch—marked nearby by a stone tablet of the Seymour coat of arms—into a spacious interior that blends historic dignity with modern utility, featuring a professional stage and comprehensive service wings. It is a space designed for scale and light, perfectly complementing the intimate, ancient atmosphere of the adjoining Medieval Room to create a truly multi-layered venue.
Gardens
At the front of the hall there is a picturesque garden, fronted by stone walls, with flower borders and a large lawn which can be used for outdoor events.
If you look at the wall to the left of the timber-framed porch, you can still see a stone tablet carved with the Seymour family arms and the date 1908, marking their patronage of the project.
Main Hall & Stage
The Main Hall stage at East Knoyle is the crowning feature of the 1908 extension, designed to transform a historic space into a functional theater and performance hub. Spanning an impressive 22 feet in width, the stage provides a professional platform that elevated the hall from a simple meeting house to the cultural heart of the village. It is fully equipped for modern productions, featuring integrated dimmable lighting and heavy blackout curtains that allow for atmospheric theatrical performances, concerts, and film screenings. Whether used for a local pantomime, a keynote lecture, or a live band, the stage serves as a dramatic focal point, perfectly framed by the high Edwardian ceilings and the hall's timeless limestone architecture.
Main Hall & Window
The "Great Window": The most striking feature of the addition is the large 5-light window with a segmental head and hoodmould located on the gable end. It floods the hall with natural light, giving it an airy, open feel that contrasts with the thick-walled, cozy atmosphere of the Medieval Room
Main Hall Other Features
The Mystery of the "High Door"
This door was originally the main entrance to the first floor of the 14th-century hall house. Before the building was converted into a village hall in 1908, the "Medieval Room" section actually had two floors. Historical records and a photograph from circa 1900 (which hangs in the hall today) show that there were once external stone steps leading from the ground up to this elevated entrance.
Acoustic Panels
The addition of bespoke acoustic panels to the high, vaulted ceiling of the Main Hall is a brilliant example of how East Knoyle Village Hall marries its Edwardian grandeur with modern functionality. While the soaring ceilings and limestone walls of the 1908 extension are visually stunning, they naturally create a "reverberant" environment—often challenging for clear speech or amplified music.
The installation of these panels has effectively "tamed" the room’s natural echo, transforming it into a premier venue for high-quality sound. By discretely integrating these treatments into the ceiling's architecture, the hall has preserved its historic aesthetic while achieving the acoustic clarity of a professional studio or modern lecture hall.
Main Hall - Set Up
The provided image captures the Main Hall at its most vibrant, configured for a quiz night to demonstrate its full seated capacity. This setup illustrates how the hall’s architectural grandeur—from its vaulted ceilings to the historic stone-mullioned windows—creates an inviting and organized environment for large-scale community events.
Medieval Room
Step back into the 14th century in the Medieval Room at East Knoyle Village Hall. Originally part of the Bishop of Winchester’s medieval manor, this beautifully preserved space offers an atmosphere of "olde-worlde" prestige that modern venues simply cannot match. Whether you are hosting an intimate dinner, a creative workshop, or a heritage-themed meeting, your guests will be surrounded by the very same limestone walls and architectural flourishes that have stood since the Middle Ages.
Medieval Room - Set Up
The Hearth: A magnificent, large open fireplace with a deep chamfered lintel and original bread ovens — the perfect focal point for a cozy gathering.
The Roof: Look up to see the stunning 1908 restoration of the original arch-braced collar roof truss, showcasing the room's medieval skeleton.
The Details: Authentic pointed chamfered doorways and historic stonework that whisper stories of the village’s ancient past.
From its origins as a high-status hall house to its 1908 restoration by the Seymour family, this room is a true Wiltshire treasure. Give your next event a sense of permanence and character in a space that has been at the heart of East Knoyle for seven centuries.
Kitchen Bar
The transition from the modern kitchen to the Main Hall is bridged by a thoughtfully designed servery and bar area, providing a seamless flow for food and drink service during events. This space acts as a functional hub, allowing organizers to serve guests while maintaining the social energy of the hall.
Kitchen
The East Knoyle Village Hall kitchen is a fully equipped, professional-grade space designed to handle everything from light refreshments to full-scale banquet catering. Situated directly adjacent to the Main Hall, the kitchen features a clean, modern aesthetic with ample wooden worktops and integrated appliances that ensure a seamless hosting experience.
Store Room
Behind the scenes, East Knoyle Village Hall is supported by a dedicated store room and a professional-grade AV system, ensuring every event is as technically capable as it is historic. To accommodate a maximum seated capacity of approximately 85 guests, the store room houses an extensive inventory of neatly organized folding chairs and tables that can be deployed or cleared with ease to suit any layout.
Bathrooms
The hall’s facilities are designed with a bright, modern aesthetic that still pays homage to the building’s heritage through charming barn-style planked wooden doors. The Gents' area is equipped with two urinals and private cubicles, while the Ladies' provides two well-maintained toilets, all kept to a spotless standard. Ensuring inclusivity for every guest, there is also a spacious, fully accessible bathroom featuring a baby-changing station and sturdy grab rails, providing clean and comfortable amenities that cater to all members of the community.
Equipment
For high-impact performances and presentations, the hall features a portable AV flight box, which serves as a comprehensive control hub for the venue’s sound and visual requirements. This mobile unit is equipped with a professional Soundcraft mixing desk, allowing for precise audio management during live concerts, theater productions, or quiz nights. Designed for modern utility, the system integrates seamlessly with the hall’s wall-mounted infrastructure, providing the technical backbone necessary to fully utilize the professional 22-foot stage.
Wedding Receptions
