A sensational wedding venue nestled on the border of the South Downs National Park. Exclusively yours, the venue offers a beautiful collection of barns, shepherd huts, lodges and landscaped gardens that blend rustic charm with modern elegance.

Setting

Surrounded by the rolling hills of the South Downs National Park, Alfriston Gardens is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty, close to the charming historic village of Alfriston.

This versatile exclusive-use venue offers an idyllic rural setting for couples seeking ‘something old and something new’. Whether your wedding theme is fusion, fairytale, traditional or anything in between, the events team will collaborate with you to create the wedding of your dreams, no matter the scale or style.

Designed by RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medallist Juliet Sargeant, Alfriston’s two-acre gardens offer a stunning backdrop for your special day. Carefully planted to remain lush and vibrant throughout the year, the gardens are the perfect setting for your drinks reception and provide an abundance of picture-perfect photo opportunities.

With two beautiful events barns and onsite accommodation for up to 58 guests, Alfriston Gardens is the ideal countryside retreat for couples looking for a wedding venue that blends natural beauty and versatility.

Ceremony

For your ceremony, Alfriston Gardens offers two distinct options. With its civil ceremony licence, the historic Century Barn offers a unique blend of 17th-century architecture and modern elegance. A recent addition to the barn is a beautifully designed mezzanine, featuring reclaimed vintage theatre seating. This stylish lounge space not only provides guests with a comfortable retreat but also an exceptional view of the ceremony unfolding below.

Or, if you’d prefer to be outside on a glorious day, you can exchange your vows amidst the beautiful gardens, with guests seated on the lawn, either side of a bespoke aisle designed for your grand entrance.

Reception

Following the ceremony, guests can enjoy a drinks reception outside, surrounded by mature floral borders and trees, or in the welcoming Oak Lodge while the Woodland Barn is prepared for the Wedding Breakfast and evening celebrations.

The Woodland Barn has been seamlessly integrated with the historic Century Barn using traditional building techniques and materials. Measuring an impressive 24 x 8 metres, it is perfect for hosting weddings for up to 155 guests.

Natural lighting from the skylight floods the space, while a bi-fold glass wall opens onto the decking and gardens, creating a seamless indoor/outdoor experience. Both barns feature bespoke lighting, air conditioning, heating, and a PA and sound system. Additionally, a state-of-the-art catering kitchen and a spacious bar ensure that every detail is meticulously covered for your wedding breakfast and evening reception.

For more intimate weddings, the Oak Lodge is a perfect choice, comfortably seating up to 70 guests and featuring a bougie bar and spacious events area.

Accommodation

During the core development phase of Alfriston’s recent £5 million transformation, the venue’s lodging capacity was expanded to provide exclusive-use accommodation for up to 58 guests. The lodges and charming shepherd's huts are all onsite, allowing couples to have their family and friends close by, before retiring to the serenity of their own luxurious private honeymoon cottage, Lavender Lodge.

Lavender Lodge

The lodge features a stunning open-plan living and dining area, centred around an impressive stairwell adorned with the iconic bees of renowned jewellery designer Alex Monroe. A fully equipped kitchen offers the flexibility to self-cater or, even better, to hire a private chef to do the work for you.

The luxurious bathroom, with sweeping views of the South Downs, and the master bedroom create a restful countryside retreat. Downstairs, you'll find a super king sofa bed and a modern wet room, making it an excellent choice for sharing with a family group or your wedding party. The inclusive design also ensures comfort and accessibility for guests with mobility challenges, creating a welcoming space for everyone.

The Shepherd Huts

Nestled within the wildflowers of Alfriston Gardens, the Shepherd Huts are perfect for guests looking for something a little more adventurous. Each of the nine en-suite double huts combine rustic charm with modern comforts, offering a cosy, fully insulated space. Guests will wake up to the tranquil beauty of nature just outside their door.

Vine Lodge

Vine Lodge is a contemporary haven designed to complement the picturesque South Downs landscape. With its living roof and ten modern bedrooms, including four family rooms, it provides a luxurious yet environmentally sensitive accommodation option.

Oak Lodge

Oak Lodge features a master suite with a stunning bespoke bathroom, as well as two twin and two double bedrooms, all of which are ensuite. The lodge is the perfect place to unwind, offering a multifunctional space on the ground floor where breakfast is served.

Food & Drink

At Alfriston Gardens, the first-class dining experience is as bespoke as the venue itself. Special menu and wine tastings, designed to feel like an intimate dinner party, let you savour the flavours of your wedding day in advance. The venue’s catering partner, Black Pepper Hospitality, will collaborate closely with you to craft a personalised menu, guiding you through each course, ensuring every detail delights both you and your guests.

Whether you prefer a formal dinner, a relaxed buffet, or specialised options like vegan or kosher cuisine, every dish is thoughtfully prepared using the freshest local ingredients and served with care by an expert hospitality team.

Sustainability

Alfriston Gardens is dedicated to sustainability, prioritising the conservation and protection of the stunning East Sussex landscape. The team works tirelessly to minimise the venue’s environmental impact, continually seeking eco-conscious solutions, such as installing specialist low-lighting for outdoor areas to protect the South Downs, an International Dark Sky Reserve.

During the core development phase, Alfriston Gardens implemented newt-fencing to safeguard the endangered Greater Crested Newt, in collaboration with Ecology Partnership Ltd. The project also included bat and bird boxes, a hibernaculum to provide refuge for insects year-round, and a living roof on the Vine Lodge to seamlessly integrate the structure into the natural surrounds, while offering additional habitats.

The gardens are designed to blend harmoniously with the countryside. Thoughtful planting supports local wildlife habitats, and areas of wild gardens have been preserved to promote the growth of vital species like bees and butterflies, enriching the broader ecosystem. These sustainable efforts earned Alfriston Gardens the National LIS Award for Best Development in 2023.

Local Area

Alfriston Gardens is situated just three minutes’ drive from the scenic village of Alfriston. A popular destination due to its beautiful medieval High Street containing a surprising variety of shops and ancient buildings. At the foot of the South Downs, Alfriston Gardens enjoys panoramic views across rolling hills, rivers and woodland. Even the Long Man of Wilmington is visible from the Shepherd Huts.

With a plethora of country walks and pubs on your doorstep and even an award-winning Zoo next door to entertain the kids, there is much to love about the local area around Alfriston Gardens.

Getting There

Alfriston Gardens is ideally situated between Brighton and Eastbourne, easily accessible just off the A27 with quick connections to Gatwick and London via the A23. The venue is a short 13-minute drive from the seafront and only 30 minutes from Brighton.

For added convenience, Alfriston Gardens is a three-minute drive from Berwick train station and provides generous parking for up to 50 vehicles.