Wedding Magician at The Ashes Barns, Endon

The Ashes Barns in Endon is one of my favourite venues to perform at, and I've been fortunate enough to entertain guests there many times over the years — right from when it first opened its doors as a wedding venue. It's a truly special place, and I always look forward to going back.

About The Ashes Barns

Set across fifty acres of stunning Staffordshire Moorlands countryside, The Ashes Barns is a Grade II* listed barn wedding venue just off the A53 in Endon. The site comprises a fine H-shaped 16th century country house, a large 15th century stone barn, a 17th century ceremony barn and a historic bull pen — together forming the finest group of historical farm buildings in the Staffordshire Moorlands.

The venue is exclusively yours on your wedding day, licensed for civil ceremonies and partnerships for up to 150 guests. It's family-run, beautifully maintained, and the team there are among the most professional and welcoming I've worked with anywhere in the country.

The Ashes has won multiple awards including Best Wedding Venue (West Midlands) in 2013, Best Wedding Venue (National Winner) in 2014 and Best Countryside Wedding Venue (West Midlands) in 2015 at the Wedding Industry Awards — and it's easy to see why.

Why The Ashes Barns Works So Well for a Magician

Not every beautiful venue suits a close-up magician, but The Ashes is one of the best-designed venues I know for wedding entertainment. Here's why:

• The flagged courtyard — between the two magnificent stone barns is a lovely courtyard area where guests gather for drinks after the ceremony. This is the perfect setting for mix-and-mingle magic. Guests are relaxed, standing in small groups, drinks in hand — exactly the conditions where close-up magic has the biggest impact.
• The Country House Lawn — in good weather, guests often spill onto the lawn with incredible views across the countryside. I can move freely between groups, performing for everyone without disrupting the flow of the day.
• The East Barn — the wedding breakfast barn is stunning, with warm stone, polished oak floors and exposed beams. During the meal, I perform table magic between courses, keeping energy levels high while guests wait for their food.
• Separate spaces — the fact that the ceremony, drinks reception and meal all happen in different spaces creates a natural journey through the day. This means I can perform in each area without guests feeling like they've seen everything already.

When to Have a Magician at The Ashes

Over the many weddings I've performed at The Ashes, the timings that work best are:

• Drinks reception (1–2 hours) — the period after the ceremony while photos are being taken is the golden window. Guests are in high spirits, the courtyard or lawn is buzzing, and close-up magic gives everyone something amazing to talk about. It fills what can otherwise be a lull in the day.
• Wedding breakfast (1–2 hours) — performing between courses during the meal keeps the energy going. At The Ashes, the layout of The East Barn makes it easy to move between tables without disrupting the service.
• Evening reception — if you have evening guests arriving, a burst of magic as they arrive helps integrate them into the party atmosphere and breaks the ice brilliantly.

The Venue and Its Surroundings

The Ashes sits at the foothills of the Peak District National Park, surrounded by wheat fields, bubbling brooks and rolling countryside. The venue itself features an idyllic pond and lake, an apple orchard, and lush lawns with views across the surrounding Staffordshire landscape. It's a photographer's dream — and the rustic charm of the listed stone barns creates a warm, relaxed atmosphere that couples and guests absolutely love.

The venue also offers on-site accommodation including the beautiful Country House, the Coach House and a charming Shepherd's Hut, so your nearest and dearest can stay the night and make a proper occasion of it.

Despite the rural setting, The Ashes is easily accessible — directly off the A53 with Stoke-on-Trent just a few miles away and good links to the M6. Guests travelling from Cheshire, Derbyshire, Shropshire or further afield will find it straightforward to reach.

A Regular Performer at The Ashes

I've been performing at The Ashes Barns since it opened, and it's a venue I know inside out. I understand the timings, the layout, and exactly where and when magic has the most impact during the day. The events team there know me well, and we work together seamlessly to make sure the entertainment fits perfectly around the rest of your wedding day.

Having performed at so many Ashes weddings over the years, I can confidently say it's one of the finest wedding venues in the Midlands — and one of the best I've ever worked at for close-up magic.

Book a Wedding Magician for The Ashes Barns

If you're getting married at The Ashes Barns in Endon and you'd like an award-winning wedding magician to entertain your guests, I'd love to hear from you. I offer a free, no-obligation quote and I'm always happy to chat through how magic can work at your specific wedding.

Get A Free Quote

You can also email me at nick@witnessthemagic.co.uk.