The Setting
Located in the heart of Markbeech; round the corner from Cowden, up the hill from Hever, between Gatwick and Tunbridge Wells, deep in the Weald, near to London, on the Kent/Sussex/Surrey border…
Falconhurst is situated in the High Weald of Kent, on the Kent/Sussex/Surrey border. It is approximately one hour by car from central London, 20 minutes from Tunbridge Wells, East Grinstead, Sevenoaks and the M25, and 30 minutes from Gatwick Airport. There is a direct, hourly service from London Bridge (Victoria on Sundays) to Cowden Station taking approximately 45 minutes with free parking at Cowden. Falconhurst is a 15 minute walk along The Station Path through the woods, 20 minutes by road or 5 minutes in the car.
There are masses of interesting houses and gardens to visit including Hever Castle, Penshurst Place and Chartwell. The beautiful surrounding countryside, ‘Pooh Bear Country’, is perfect for walking and riding.
The Vibe
Falconhurst is the place to come for a truly special and personal wedding with its gorgeous gardens, extensive views towards Ashdown Forest and beautiful local country church within walking distance. Your caring hosts will guide you towards your happy day.
The lawns at Falconhurst are ideal for placing all kinds of marquees. Whether it is a bohemian yurt, a vintage traditional canvas or a modern frame tent. The gardens are lovingly tended by an enthusiastic team with wonderful billowing borders, pergolas awash with roses and generous wide gravel paths.
Whilst you are at Falconhurst with your families, they want you to feel that the venue is yours. Guests may enjoy all the grounds, explore the woods, introduce themselves to their friendly Gloucester Old Spot pigs or chickens roaming in the orchard, use the tennis court and swim in the pool (bring your own lifeguard!).
A typical reception might start with guests strolling across the field, or through the woods along The Church Walk, from the Church towards the walled garden and being greeted with a delicious Pimms, after chatting and meeting up with old friends and family, you will then slowly move through a heart shaped oak gateway into a rose filled walkway towards a marquee perfectly placed to enjoy the evening sun and distant countryside views across the hills.
They have lots of experience in hosting events and are able to put you in touch with caterers, marquee companies and all the other people you need to make your day the day of your dreams. They can do it all for you and take the strain, but they think that if you choose Falconhurst, it is because you want something different and unique and only you can do that.
Their aim is for you to experience a happy and relaxed family wedding in beautiful surroundings. They never do more than one wedding a week (and limit themselves to a handful each year) which means that you have time to decorate the marquee to your heart’s delight and time to dismantle it slowly. It’s fun to do this with friends and family and they encourage that process, often joining in and supplying tea, biscuits and cake to keep up energy supplies!
For freshening up during the day, and perhaps your wedding night, they can offer The Willow Room, a delightful ensuite bedroom with four poster bed overlooking the garden.
Ceremonies
Their pretty local church in Markbeech is a short walk away and can be reached either by car, walking through the woods along the ‘Church Walk’, or across Church Field enjoying distant views towards Ashdown Forest. The church holds 120 people, more if some are children, or standing. The Rector, Wendy Izod, is enthusiastic and welcoming to couples wishing to have a church wedding.
Also nearby, and within the same parish, are the churches of Hever and Four Elms.
There are Registry Offices only 20 minutes away in either Tunbridge Wells or Crowborough. Alternatively a popular venue for civil ceremonies is Salamons near Tunbridge Wells.
If you would like to share the ceremony with all your friends and family at Falconhurst, then we suggest a humanist wedding. Most couples opting for this choose to be married quietly at a Registry Office then employ a Celebrant to conduct the service of their choice at the wedding venue.