Brides can now get hitched in a barn once owned by serial bridegroom King Henry VIII following a £1 million renovation.

The Great Barn at Headstone Manor, Harrow re-opened this month as an events and wedding venue after an eight month programme of extensive restoration and refurbishment costing nearly £1 million.

The Grade II* listed building was constructed in 1506 when the whole Manor was owned by the Archbishops of Canterbury.

After King Henry VIII acquired it during the Reformation, it passed into the hands of Lord North before it became part of a privately owned working farm.

In the 1930’s the local authority took it over and ownership transferred to the London Borough of Harrow in 1965.

After 500 years, the future of the Great Barn and the other three historic buildings at Headstone Manor looked bleak as urgent repair works were needed to stop them falling into ruin.

But now the building has been restored to its original former glory as part of a three year programme of regeneration for the museum, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Harrow Council.

Jo Saunders, heritage and museum manager, said: “We really look forward to opening The Great Barn’s massive doors to the public and make this unique building available for community events and weddings.

“This is just the start of a thrilling three year programme of regeneration for the museum, supported by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Harrow Council which will see all of the buildings brought into self-supporting use.”

The whole roof has been repaired, external doors replaced along with sections of the external boarding, and heating, a new kitchen, cloakrooms and lighting have been installed.

The timber-framed barn’s vaulted structure remains largely as it was built, standing at nearly 48 metres long, 8 metres wide and over 9 metres high.

Now licenced for civil ceremonies, the first wedding at the Great Barn takes place on November 7.

At a glittering reception for supporters of the Great Barn at Headstone Manor, Cllr Sue Anderson said:

“This site is steeped in history and the character of the building is a significant part of Harrow.

“I am looking forward to the reactions of the local community when they see the changes that have been made to the Great Barn and I am sure that it will become one of the most popular settings for weddings and events in London.”