The Setting
The Pilgrims Rest is a 600 year old, Wealden Hall house, full of rustic charm – perfect for exclusive use weddings and receptions all year round. Situated in the heart of East Sussex in the medieval town of Battle, The Pilgrims Rest is a truly unique historic venue; beautiful yet affordable; stunning yet relaxed.
Battle is an easy drive from London and the south coast and trains run from Charing Cross via Tunbridge Wells. There is plenty of accommodation a short walk from The Pilgrims Rest and also in the surrounding rolling hills of Sussex.
The Vibe
Voted ‘The Best Wedding Venue in Sussex’ Muddy Stilettos Awards
The Pilgrims Rest is an architectural gem but more than just a beautiful old building, this grand old lady has historic soul. She has hosted celebrations from medieval banquets to Georgian balls, Victorian luncheons to Edwardian tea dances. Over the centuries flagons of ale, goblets of wine and flutes of champagne have been consumed beneath her eaves to the sounds of merriment and laughter flooding through her walls.
The Pilgrims Rest is a stunning venue all year round. When the sun is shining your guests can relax in her pretty cottage and sunny walled gardens, and as the evenings draw in, stoke up the fires, light some candles, then watch as she sparkles into life.
All three reception rooms boast inglenook fireplaces. With endless historic features from ancient beams to linenfold doors, witch’s marks to ward off evil spirits and a secret tunnel hidden under the Great Hall fireplace that runs beneath the Abbey walls, The Pilgrims Rest is truly unique.
Nobody likes last minute panics on the morning of their wedding which is why they offer access to the building the afternoon before to set up. On the morning of your wedding, a member of their team will have both the Bryant and the Fitzherbert dressing rooms ready for you from 8.30 a.m.
The Great Hall seats up to 50 for your ceremony. With its huge inglenook fireplace, oak floors, vaulted ceiling and ancient pargetting walls, the Great Hall is a very special place to make your vows. Following your ceremony, you and your guests can enjoy your drinks reception in the pretty cottage and walled gardens. As the evenings draw in, you may prefer to congregate by the fire in the cosy Webster Bar.
The Dining Rooms complete with oak floors, beams and linenfold doors can seat up to 50 guests. While you are having your meal, their team will quietly set up The Great Hall ready for dancing. If you would like to invite more guests in the evening, they can accommodate up to 90 people in the building.
The Pilgrims Rest is essentially a dry hire venue but one with a difference. Rather than offering a blank space where everything needs to be hired in to make it beautiful, they have carefully designed and furnished the building to help keep your wedding costs down. Four times a year their styling team creates a new seasonal look for the building to help make your day as relaxed, and affordable, as possible.
The Pilgrims Rest is the perfect backdrop for your wedding day. They offer you the flexibility to choose your own caterers and suppliers, or even do the whole thing yourselves with the help of friends and family. Alternatively, you might prefer to use suppliers from their “Tried, tested and trusted” list. They simply provide a beautiful wedding venue and a little hand holding, with exclusive use, no corkage charges and lots of added extras.
The Pilgrims Rest… be a part of her history.