Rural estates and Martyn's Law: how open sites and mixed events fit the rules

Farrer & Co has published a note on how Martyn's Law may affect rural estates. These sites often mix farmland, historic buildings and open grounds, and many host weddings, country fairs, festivals and one-off events. The piece looks at how such varied, sometimes seasonal, activity fits a law built around expected attendance numbers.

Martyn's Law works on how many people may reasonably be expected at a place at the same time. Standard tier covers 200 to 799 people; enhanced tier covers 800 or more, and staff are counted too. For an estate this can vary hugely between a quiet day and a large event, and it raises questions about who is responsible when the estate hosts an outside organiser's event.

If you run an estate or a similar mixed-use site, the key task is to understand how your different activities could bring you into scope. A field used once a year for a large fair is very different from a barn used for regular weddings. Being clear on who controls each event, and how many people it draws, will help you work out which tier, if any, might apply.

There is nothing you must do yet. The duties are expected to commence in spring 2027, with the exact date still to be confirmed, and the SIA's notification process is not yet live. Use the time to map your event calendar, note likely attendance figures, and agree with regular hirers who would take responsibility for readiness at their events.