P.O.A
Up to 60
On-Site
Exclusive Use
Wedding Licence
shortlisted
An intimate 600 year old Wealden Hall House in the heart of East Sussex. We offer exclusive use, no corkage charge and the flexibility and choice to create a wedding - just how you want it.
Features & Capacity
Overview
Venue Type
Wealden Hall house
Dining Capacity
60
Reception Capacity
100
Bridal Suite
Changing Only
Usual Access Time
08:00 AM
Usual Finish Time
12:00 PM
Venue
Bridal Changing Facilities
Exclusive Use
Grade I/II Listed Building
In-House Wedding Coordinator
Open Flame Permitted
Outdoor Reception Space
Pet-Friendly
Ceremony & Reception
Church Within Walking Distance
Confetti Permitted
Wedding Licence
Food and Drink
Alcohol Licence
No Corkage Charge for Own Alcohol
External Catering Permitted
Full Description
The Pilgrims Rest is an East Sussex wedding venue full of rustic charm - perfect for exclusive use weddings and receptions all year round.
Licensed for wedding and civil ceremonies, it is a venue that gives you the flexibility to create your wedding day just how you want it. Whether you choose to have a DIY wedding, a fully caterered wedding or anything in-between our wedding coordinator will be there on the day to hold your hand and ensure your wedding runs seamlessly.
We have designed and furnished the building so that it needs little decoration but one that you can make your own. With no corkage charges and no hidden extras, The Pilgrims Rest is a wedding venue that is beautiful yet affordable; stunning yet relaxed.
The Pilgrims Rest is however more than just a beautiful old building. Having opened her doors to visitors and pilgrims to Sussex since C1420, this grand old lady has historic soul. She has hosted celebrations from medieval banquets to Georgian balls, Victorian luncheons to Edwardian tea dances.
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. At The Pilgrims Rest we are always looking to help our couples have a wonderful day and keep their costs down, so with this in mind we are lucky to offer two dressing rooms for grooms & brides; both designed to be the perfect backdrop for your pre-wedding photos. Rich, cosy and quintessentially British, we absolutely love it and so do photographers. The Pilgrims Rest is a truly unique Sussex wedding venue. When the sun is shining your guests can flood out into the beautiful tended rose and walled gardens. As the evenings draw in, stoke up the fires, light some candles then watch as she sparkles into life.
The Pilgrims Rest...be a part of her history.
Open days:
Sunday 22nd March
Saturday 25th April
Personal Message from the Manager
Name of Wedding Contact: Amy
Hello, I am Amy. I love working at The Pilgrims Rest as we are a small, happy team. The venue is stunning and full of incredible architectural features and love how flexible it is. It is such a joy to meet so many creative and interesting couples. They all put their own spin on the venue whether great or small. Every wedding is so different which makes my job great fun. I look forward to meeting you!
Experience
Year Business Was Established
2016
No. of Weddings Hosted
More than 50
Public Liability Insurance
Yes
No. of People In Team
4
Reviews
(56)
Emma and Ivan
Married in February 2020
March 2020
Thank you so so much!
Thank you so so much for making our wedding day so amazing and special. It was absolutely perfect, you and your whole team worked so hard all day/evening. We are sad its all over!
Alistair & Mark
Married in December 2019
March 2020
it was everything we wanted and more!
We held our Wedding at The Pilgrims Rest on 23rd December. We were looking for a smaller, intimate venue for our wedding and this was the first place we looked at and instantly fell in love with it! It’s just perfect! Beautifully decorated throughout - other than us adding additional flowers to the dinning table - it was ready to go, including fur throws, candles, seasonal flowers and decorations... it was everything we wanted and more!
The two dressing rooms are beautifully decorated and were ideal for us both getting ready together - yet separately - at either end of the building - ideal for photos too!
The two Amy’s went out of their way to make us feel relaxed and couldn’t do more for us on the day.
Being able to stock our own bar and get our own caterer meant we were able to keep the costs down and have our day exactly as we wanted.
An ideal venue for photo opportunities as it’s packed full of character and adjacent to Battle Abbey.
We couldn’t recommend it more!!!!!
Thanks for your good wishes. We had a wonderful time on Saturday and so many people commented on how lovely the venue was. Thanks also to you and to Amy Lou for all your help, both in the run up to the wedding and on the day.
Lyn and Steve
Married in December 2019
March 2020
Thank you so much for everything!
We couldn't recommend the Pilgrims Rest highly enough and will treasure the memories we have made there for the rest of our lives.
Thank you so much for everything!
The Baileys xx
Gemma & Andy
Married in December 2019
March 2020
Thank you so much for everything you did for us
Thank you so much for everything you did for us - on the day, and for the 20 months before with all the prep! I will leave a proper review once I'm back on my feet, and it will be glowing!
Emma & Stuart
Married in November 2019
March 2020
It was a truly magical day!
We held our wedding at the Pilgrims Rest on 23rd November and it was a truly magical day.
The venue is stunning and was absolutely perfect for our intimate day with family and our
closest friends, all of whom commented on how beautiful and perfect the surroundings were.
Originally, before we even knew about the Pilgrims, we were due to get married at a different venue but the property was sold to new owners and they cancelled our wedding with just 3 months to go 😲.
We were completely lost as to what to do next but then stumbled upon The Pilgrims and completely fell in love with it - we were so lucky it was available on our date too! In hindsight, this was by far the more superior setting for our special day so we're now actually grateful that the last venue cancelled on us!!
One of the best things about the Pilgrims are Amy and Amy Lou, for sure. From the moment we got in touch (in a panic!!), they made us feel calm, really looked after and that genuinely nothing was too much trouble.
We were made to feel so special and supported which considering the amount of weddings they must help to organise, made it all the more impressive to us. They both went out of their way to make whatever we wanted to happen on our special day possible and for that we will be forever grateful.
Sara & Neil
Married in November 2019
March 2020
We had a wonderfully memorable day, thank you!
We celebrated our wedding at The Pilgrim's Rest in November this year. Not only is the venue wonderful and one of a kind (all of our guests commented on how beautiful and unique the space was) but the staff at the Pilgrim's Rest help make your day brilliant. Amy, Amy Lou and Anita were really helpful, have loads of experience and had solutions for every situation. The philosophy of the venue is wonderful as well - you can tailor the event to you as much as you'd like, with your choice of caterers, celebrants, decorations, bands etc. No obligation to choose from a list of vendors, but Amy and Amy Lou will provide you with recommendations of vendors to make life easier if you'd like. We had a wonderfully memorable day, thank you!
Location & Contact Details
Address
1 High Street, Battle, East Sussex, TN33 0AE, England
Travel Notes
We are right next to Battle Abbey behind the pretty rose garden - you can't miss us! There are plenty of hotels and B&Bs within walking distance of the venue - some with parking. The train station is about a 10 minute walk away which goes from Charing Cross and Tunbridge Wells in one direction and Hastings in the other. East Sussex has no motorways which is what makes it particularly beautiful. Take the A21 from the M25, go straight on and you will arrive in Battle. Turn left at the roundabout with King Harold's sculpture and when you see the gate house of Battle Abbey turn right. We are right next to it.
Nearest Town
Battle
Nearest Motorway & Junction
A21
Nearest Train Station
Battle Train Station
Nearest Airport
Gatwick
Press & Awards
(2)
Press & Awards (2)
Margots Wedding
Preferred Supplier List
(12)
FAQ
(10)
Describe the best wedding that happened at your venue?
All our weddings are so different which is what we love about our venue. By being so flexible couples are able to have their wedding just how they want it and really enjoy themselves on the day.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Keep the guest list small and of people who matter to you.
What’s your favourite personal touch you’ve seen at a wedding?
It would definitely have to be one of our bride's dog walking her up the aisle.
Describe your venue in 5 adjectives.
The, Best, Venue, In, Sussex!
Where’s the best photo spot at your venue?
The window overlooking The Abbey in the Bryant Bridal Room has wonderful light and beautiful old windows. With such an amazing historic building there are lots of great backdrops for photographs from old sandstone walls to stunning panelling.
Have you had any celebrity guest or wedding at your venue?
Yes, but that would be telling!
What’s your favourite canapé?
An old timer - devils on horseback
What’s your favourite midnight treat?
Chocolate of any type
What is your venue's most unique feature?
The vaulted Great Hall for the ceremony and then dancing with its inglenook fireplace.
What part of your business are you most proud of?
It is hard to pick one part. Our team are incredible and nothing is ever too much trouble and the building itself is extraordinary. We are very lucky to have both.