22 Oct The Best Wedding Venues in East Sussex
Steeped in history and home to Ashdown Forest, the High Weald Area of Outstanding National Beauty, and the South Downs National Park, East Sussex offers an unending array of picture-perfect vistas.
Just an hour or so from London, this beautiful part of the country is dotted with historic country houses, rustic woodland barns, and traditional Oast houses, and with many miles of stunning coastline to the south, East Sussex really does have something to offer every happy couple.
Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club
Image Credit: Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club
Feel like the Lord and Lady of the manor as you exchange your vows in this stunning Neo-Gothic, Grade II listed mansion house.
Located in the heart of East Sussex, Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club is set on 186 acres of private grounds and is surrounded by the ethereal beauty of Ashdown Forest, famed for being the inspiration for A. A. Milne’s stories of Winnie The Pooh.
With a choice of stunning period rooms to choose from, Ashdown Park Hotel is perfect for small intimate weddings, and the venue is licensed for both civil ceremonies and partnerships.
Choose from the converted chapel with its vaulted ceiling in the Richard Towneley Suite, or enjoy the informal and relaxed atmosphere of the Summer House.
With the capacity to seat up to 150 guests, this beautiful venue offers sweeping lawns, walled gardens, carp-filled lakes, and woodlands that create the perfect backdrop for your wedding.
View Ashdown Park Hotel Wedding Film >
Wakehurst
Perfect for stylish and sumptuous celebrations this Grade II listed mansion is set within a conservation area, and the stunning gardens at Wakehurst are managed by the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, adding instant prestige to your wedding day.
Immersed in history, you and your guests can enjoy the use of the wood-panelled Dining Room, the Gallery, and the Library, and the charming sweeping staircase that greets you at the entrance is the perfect spot for your formal photos.
With a choice of gorgeous gardens to choose from and views out over the Mansion Pond, this historic country house can cater for small groups and intimate weddings of up to 180 people or offer extra space for as many as 300 guests in the upscale and beautifully dressed outdoor marquee.
Pelham House
Pelham House in Lewes, East Sussex is a stunning wedding venue that combines historic elegance with modern sophistication. A Grade II‑listed townhouse dating back to the 16th century, it blends Georgian architecture with stylish contemporary design.
You get exclusive use of the house and its beautifully manicured private gardens—perfect for an outdoor ceremony under the gazebo, framed by views across the South Downs. The indoor Goring Room provides a refined setting for more intimate vows or cooler-weather weddings.
With 29 ensuite bedrooms, including a luxury Pelham Suite, you and your guests can stay onsite for the night, making it feel like a full getaway. The venue’s in-house chefs create bespoke menus featuring seasonal, locally sourced food, and there’s a fully licensed bar for your reception.
Pelham House also has dedicated prep spaces—the Dressing Room and Campion Room—that are light-filled and perfect for morning-of photos. The experienced events team ensures every detail is thoughtfully handled, making your wedding day elegant, private, and unforgettable.
View Pelham House Wedding Film >
Braxted Park Hotel
Buxted Park Hotel in East Sussex is a superb wedding venue, offering timeless elegance wrapped in country‑house charm. Set within 312 acres of lush parkland with rolling hills, lakes, and manicured gardens, it provides stunning backdrops for every part of your day.
The venue features a variety of sophisticated spaces: the light‑filled Orangery, a grand Ballroom with chandeliers, a cosy Library, and the even more intimate Coat of Arms Lounge, giving couples flexible options for both ceremonies and receptions.
With on-site accommodation of around 40 rooms, including beautiful suites, Buxted Park allows you and your guests to stay overnight, turning your wedding into a full weekend retreat. The in-house culinary team designs bespoke wedding breakfasts using high‑quality, seasonal ingredients, ensuring an unforgettable dining experience.
What makes Buxted Park truly special is its blend of historic grandeur and relaxed countryside serenity. Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering or a larger celebration, their dedicated wedding‑planning team helps personalise every detail, making your day elegant, warm, and deeply memorable.
Watch Buxted Park Hotel Wedding Film >
The Sussex Barn
The Sussex Barn, set in the rolling countryside of Hellingly, East Sussex, is a delightfully rustic and intimate wedding venue. Housed in a Grade II‑listed farm barn, it blends character, history, and countryside charm.
Licensed for civil ceremonies both inside the barn and out in the courtyard, the venue offers flexibility for couples who want to tailor their day. With space for up to 120 guests, it strikes a perfect balance between cosy and celebratory.
One of its biggest strengths is exclusivity: couples get access to both the barn and courtyard a day ahead and the day after, allowing time to personalise the space exactly how they imagine. The enclosed courtyard is ideal for drinks receptions, BBQs or relaxed evening moments under the stars.
Because it’s a working farm, the Sussex Barn feels authentic and down-to-earth rather than overly polished. The family-run team prides itself on bespoke service, working closely with couples to design a wedding day that really feels their own.
Overall, as a historic yet flexible venue with warm, personal service and countryside splendour, the Sussex Barn offers a truly memorable location for meaningful weddings.
View the Sussex Barn Wedding Film >
Pangdean Old Barn
Pangdean Old Barn, nestled on a working farm just north of Brighton in the South Downs National Park, is a truly exceptional wedding venue. At its heart is a majestic oak‑framed barn built in 1720, lovingly restored to host up to 190 guests in a warm, atmospheric space.
Couples benefit from exclusive use of the venue, meaning the barn, stable, flint-walled garden and courtyard are all theirs for the day. The venue offers licensed civil ceremonies in multiple locations — the Old Barn, the smaller Stable, or even outdoors beneath a Mulberry Lodge surrounded by apple trees.
The venue’s countryside setting also contributes to its charm, offering beautiful views of the South Downs, peaceful lawns for lawn games, and cozy corners for socialising. In the evening, the barn transforms into a magical party space — its high beamed ceiling adorned with fairy lights, a built-in stage for live bands, and no strict noise restrictions.
Overall, Pangdean Old Barn beautifully marries rustic historic character with flexibility and heartfelt, personalised service — making it a standout choice for couples looking for a relaxed but elegant country wedding.
Watch Pangdean Old Barn Wedding Film >
Saltmarsh Farmhouse
Saltmarsh Farmhouse is a truly enchanting wedding venue nestled in the heart of the Seven Sisters Country Park, East Sussex. Housed in a Grade II-listed 16th-century farmhouse, it offers a charming blend of rustic elegance and historic character.
The venue is licensed for weddings and civil partnerships, with the flexibility to host ceremonies in several beautiful spaces: the Garden Room (complete with its own bar), the cosy Friston Room with a log fire, or even more expansive celebrations in the Walled Garden.
With exclusive use, couples and their guests can make the most of the farmhouse, gardens and outbuildings, creating a truly personal atmosphere. The venue’s location in the South Downs delivers breathtaking photo opportunities — from the walled garden to the rolling countryside.
Saltmarsh also offers boutique accommodation, with six ensuite rooms featuring charming period features and views across the park. The in-house catering team crafts bespoke menus using locally sourced ingredients, ensuring food is as memorable as the setting.
Overall, Saltmarsh Farmhouse delivers a romantic, flexible, and characterful backdrop for weddings — ideal for couples looking for a tranquil countryside escape with real personality.
Watch Saltmarsh Farmhouse wedding film >
Swallows Oast
This sumptuous banquet hall was originally built in the 1830s and is situated just outside the picturesque town of Ticehurst in East Sussex.
With enough interior space to comfortably seat up to 130 guests, Swallows Oast wows with oak-beamed ceilings, a traditional minstrels gallery, and exposed brick walls.
First-class catering can be prepared on-site, and the Swallows Pavilion sits majestically in the ground of the Oast House, making it perfect for outside weddings.
Licensed to hold civil weddings, the Swallows Trail weaves its way through the pretty country garden offering plenty of tranquil spots for picture-perfect photography, and with a beautiful honeymoon suite, you can both enjoy the tranquillity of this peaceful haven at the end of an exciting of the day.
View Swallows Oast Wedding Film >
Blackstock Country Estate
Image Credit: Anthony Hazelden Photography
This award-winning wedding venue is situated in the pretty village of Hellingly, and with a choice of two beautifully converted cosy barns to choose from, it is an idyllic location for a romantic country wedding.
Dating back as far as the 16th century, the Blackstock Country Estate is licensed for civil ceremonies and can hold up to 120 people.
Surrounded by 70 acres of breathtaking countryside, the estate is the perfect place to celebrate with friends and family, and with bespoke catering, floristry, and other services available, you will want for nothing on your big day.
Featuring vaulted ceilings and oak beams, the barns offer a stunning backdrop for your rustic country wedding, and with views out across the South Downs National Parks, there are ample opportunities for stunning wedding photos to keep your memories alive forever.
View Blackstock Country Estate Wedding Film >
Saltcote Place
Located just under an hour from London in the pretty town of Rye, Saltcote Place is an unusual and beautiful wedding venue that has the capacity to seat up to 200 guests.
This award-winning country mansion is a multi-award-winning wedding venue, prides itself on offering bespoke intimate civil ceremonies and receptions.
Specialising in outdoor weddings, you can enjoy a romantic ceremony in the warmer weather or celebrate with your guests in the purpose-built marquee.
With accommodation available close by for the wedding party, this is a truly romantic setting for intimate weddings that offers far-reaching views and beautiful formal gardens.
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