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Weddings

About

On Hitched.co.uk since 2022

Last update: November 2023

Situated in the beautiful and historic town of Battle in East Sussex, Battle Abbey School is a uniquely magnificent wedding venue that doesn’t compromise on perfection. Memories of your special day will remain with you forever, and the Battle Abbey School team wants to do their part to make every moment breathtakingly magical.

Facilities and Capacity

Battle Abbey School is a licensed venue that provides all the space and flexibility you need to stage a complete wedding celebration. There is a recommended minimum of 75 day guests, and the Abbey has a maximum capacity of 250 people. An atmosphere of elegance and sacred majesty pervades the place, and from the top terrace, you can look down upon the site of one of the most famous events in English history. The wood-panelled Duke’s Library is Battle Abbey’s principal indoor event space and seats 150 ceremony guests or up to 120 for your wedding breakfast. The Abbey grounds are ideal for large garden parties and your evening entertainment.

Services Offered

Battle Abbey School averages 17 weddings per year, which means they have the time and resources necessary to help you plan the wedding of your dreams. If there is something you have your heart set on, don’t feel that you have to hold back. They pride themselves on their flexibility, and they are only too happy to create a bespoke package for you. Packages include exclusive use of the venue and its grounds. They can also serve everything from a barbeque or hog roast to a five-course sit-down meal. Their dishes are all prepared on-site using fresh and, where possible, locally sourced ingredients. Even the very best pictures don’t do the venue justice, so please don’t hesitate to contact the Battle Abbey School team to arrange a visit.

Frequently asked questions

Venue type:

In the country
Castle
Stately home
Historic
Landmark
Unique weddings

Ceremony options:

Chapel or temple on-site
Civil ceremony licence

Dining options:

Seated meal facilities
Corkage option
Alcohol licence
Buffet meal facilities
In-house catering

Evening entertainment:

Dance floor
Entertainment licence
Live band facilities
Evening reception facilities
DJ facilities

Venue staff assistance:

Wedding coordinator

Other features:

Exclusive use
Accessible facilities
Car parking
Confetti permitted
Changing room for wedding guests
Pet-friendly
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5.0 out of 5 rating
14 reviews
  • Quality of the service
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Response time
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Professionalism
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Value for money
    5 out of 5 rating
  • Flexibility
    5 out of 5 rating
100% Recommended by couples
Lucy
Lucy P. Sent on 04/09/2022
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect wedding venue

We couldn't have wished for a better location for our wedding than Battle Abbey School. It has a wonderful sense of history and learning and an atmosphere where the past and the future come together. We got married in the centuries-old Abbot's Hall overlooked by a monumental painting of the Battle of Hastings, then had drinks and ice creams overlooking the battlefield followed by dinner in the wood-panelled school library and dancing back in the hall, with cheese and cake available in a separate bar area. It was very convenient to have everything in one overall location but also interesting for the guests to move through the various beautiful settings, with so much to discover along the way.

We booked the venue just over six months before the wedding, so had a relatively short lead-in time, but we never felt under any pressure to make decisions or meet tight deadlines. Instead the organisers calmed our nerves, put us at our ease and worked to accommodate all our requirements. Debbie Grant, the event manager, was so lovely to deal with - professional and efficient but also warm and friendly throughout. And all the staff were brilliant, right down to the students who helped serve the meal, which wasn't straightforward given the number of guests we packed in! All the food was delicious too, from the canapés to the mountain of cheese in the evening. We were so impressed to come back the next morning and find everything pristine, all our things packed up ready to collect and the rooms all set for the event due to take place that day. They all worked so hard to make it work - a very tight ship!

Overall we thought the venue was good value. Inevitably it ended up being quite expensive given we had over 150 people, but we found ways to save money, like supplying our own wine and making our own cakes, and reducing the options for the main meal (which also saved us having to chase everyone for menu choices). The cost of the venue hire was significantly cheaper than a lot of less attractive, characterful places. It's not easy to find somewhere to accommodate 150 people for the ceremony and the meal as well as the party, but we didn't feel like we had to compromise on anything with Battle Abbey - we wouldn't have picked anywhere else.

We were grateful to English Heritage as well, who made us feel so welcome and, in return for a donation, supplied some fantastic volunteers to give talks for the guests about the history of the place and provided weapons and helmets etc for a bit of dressing-up. It was a truly unforgettable day - thank you to Debbie and all the team for making it so special.
K
Kyle Sent on 08/09/2021
5 out of 5 rating

Fantastic historical venue

Thank you so much for helping us to organize everything on our wedding day and for providing all the excellent food. It was a very special day and the restrictions didn’t impact on the day at all. Our guests were greatly impressed with the venue and your brilliant catering team. And also the magnificent ‘Cheese wedding cake’!

I recommend Battle Abbey to anyone for their special day.
A
Adam Sent on 08/03/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect venue, great food and plenty of charm

We had an itinerary of several venues, the first being Battle Abbey, once we got there we decided there and then it was the one!

The venue is very impressive with plenty of spots for taking fantastic photos, no matter the weather. All of our guests were made to feel welcome were looked after by the professional staff.

The food was one of the highlights for us, Aaron suggested an impressive vegetarian menu and everybody loved the meal. Drinks were very reasonable and there is a well stocked bar.

We would definitely recommend this venue if you are looking for the wow factor at a budget, and for complete peace of mind as everything was taken care of from start to finish. Special thanks to Aaron, Danial and Geoff for making our special day.
S
Stephen Sent on 11/02/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Timeless

Battle Abbey School and its incredible staff were heaven sent for our wedding in October 2019. We could not have asked for more welcoming and helpful people to make our big day the best day of our lives. We came across Battle Abbey during one of the wedding fairs it was hosting, and as we walked in we knew instantly that we were meant to say our vows under an incredible painting, lit by the sun streaming through stained glass, warmed by a roaring fire and surrounded by history and the magnitude the Abbey holds. Our guests’ reaction to the venue was wonderful and every picture our photographer captured is filled with beauty and love, with a timelessness that only the Abbey could provide. Every moment in the lead-up and on the day has been so special and felt so personal to us – we wouldn’t have changed a thing! Thank you so much.
L
Lamiah Sent on 11/02/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Incredible

My Husband and I got married at Battle Abbey on the 24th October 2019 and what an absolutely beautiful day it was; it did rain quite heavily but Battle Abbey was the perfect backdrop come rain or shine. As a child, I always imagined that I would get married in a castle when I grew up… Battle Abbey truly was the castle of my dreams. The Abbot’s Hall was the most traditional, stunning yet unique room for our ceremony. The large painting above us made everything that little bit more spectacular. The staff at Battle Abbey are incredible! Nothing was ever too much to ask and they all made the process from our initial wedding enquiry to the day of the wedding smooth and hassle-free. Our favourite meals were even added on to their already extensive list of meal choices with no problems. All of our guests commented on how delicious their three-course meal was! Battle Abbey’s grounds are just simply gorgeous. We had some truly stunning photographs taken throughout our day and will treasure them forever. I highly recommend Battle Abbey as a wedding venue! We could not have had a better day.
J
Jane Sent on 11/02/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing Day

We could not have picked a better venue for our wedding, it was just perfect. We had the most amazing day and cannot thank Aaron and the team enough, nothing was too much trouble. The venue is just magical and after we saw it we knew that no where else would compare. Our day couldn’t have been any better, all the guests complimented the food, it was just all outstanding. Aaron’s attention to detail ensured that everything ran smoothly and we cannot praise him and the staff enough. If you are considering Battle Abbey for your wedding – book it – it will be the best decision you could make – the venue is just beautiful and the staff could not be more helpful.
E
Elizabeth Sent on 11/02/2020
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect

Battle Abbey school was the perfect venue for our wedding. Atmospheric and enchanting, all the guests commented on its beautiful uniqueness. Aaron and James were so professional and accommodating to anything we wanted to do on the day, no request was too much. They were flexible and helpful, responding quickly to any queries we had. The day ran completely perfectly and all staff were hard-working, helpful and friendly. They even helped tidy up and sort our things afterwards. They went above and beyond to make sure the day was special and it really was. Thank you.
V
Vicky Sent on 08/01/2016
5 out of 5 rating

Amazing!

An amazing venue amazing people amazing food and amazing staff! Look no further you need to book here for your wedding !!
Cant fault them, it was the perfect day, they look after you from day one! Book your wedding here !!
S
Sammie Sent on 08/01/2016
5 out of 5 rating

Fantastic venue fantastic staff

I’ve lived in Hastings my whole life so when my wife suggested looking at Battle Abbey as a wedding venue it was a no brainer.. We walked in and instantly knew we wanted to get married here. You don’t need to sell you the venue.. It’s where the Battle of Hastings happened! James was fantastic answering all our questions and making us feel relaxed (which quite a few venues don’t do!) He did everything he could to make sure Battle Abbey School was within our reach and shared some ideas of things we could do. We then were introduced to Aaron and it was then that our wedding really took shape. From the first day we met him he worked so hard to ensure everything was organised and in place ready for the big day. Then came the big day and Aaron truly was spectacular, we wanted our wedding to be relaxed and chilled out but it took a lot of hard work from Aaron and his staff behind the scenes to ensure this happened. I really can’t praise Aaron any higher, all of our families said the same he was a fantastic man who we owe for us having such a great day!
G
Georgina Sent on 08/01/2016
5 out of 5 rating

A magical day

We cannot praise the staff enough, the communication leading up to the wedding was great, the professional manner that was shown by Aaron and his team was fantastic! All of our guests commented on the setting, food and service which was all excellent! Battle Abbey and the staff made our wedding day truly magical, we cannot thank them enough.
A
Andy Sent on 08/01/2016
5 out of 5 rating

Stunning

We can not praise this venue highly enough!! Obviously the venue in itself is absolutely stunning and for us was a truly wonderful venue and setting to hold our special day. However, the staff are also want makes this venue exceptional. Even from the start, meeting James who took his time to show us around and advised us that they could be as flexible on meals/seating as needed, was a refreshing change from some of the other places we visited. Afterwards we just dealt with Aaron who simply is an absolute star and a real pleasure to deal with! Aaron and his staff on the day were also remarkable and every single one of our guests commented on how professional, efficient and engaging they were. Everything about this venue and staff are amazing – we would recommend them to everyone wanting a memorable and faultless wedding day!!
J
James Sent on 08/01/2016
5 out of 5 rating

Kindness, Flexibility and Support

We would love to thank Battle Abbey for hosting our wedding and the absolutely incredible job they did before and during the big day. From the moment we visited the Abbey we knew we wanted it to be our wedding venue but their kindness, flexibility, and support was what made it the perfect reception. From the very beginning they helped us fit everything we wanted in to ensure the day was truly memorable. They allowed us to make the day our own and were brilliant at working with Dominique and her mechanical organisation. The staff were a credit to the school and were extremely professional even while being harassed by my brother. Truly words do not do justice to how thankful we both are. We wish them all the best of luck.
K
Kate Sent on 08/01/2016
5 out of 5 rating

Perfect

Our wedding at Battle Abbey School was perfect and everything we wished it to be. We were keen to find a venue which was historical and not a standard conference hall. The school is very flexible on the menu and drinks and this allows you to plan the day exactly how you want it, rather than fitting in with set packages. Everyone remarked on how light and airy the hall and the library was and we had a lot of scope to decorate the venue how we wanted to. All the way through the planning the catering manager answered our questions and helped us with our decisions. Everyone said how nice the food was and what a fantastic atmosphere had been created. On the day everything ran like clockwork and the team at the school worked so hard behind the scenes to make sure that the day was fantastic.
A
Ann Sent on 08/01/2016
5 out of 5 rating

Booking Battle Abbey School was the best

I don’t even know where to begin in my praise for Battle Abbey School as a wedding venue! We originally had booked somewhere else but had to pull out quite late in the day due to being misled about costs and poorly treated. Therefore, we were very anxious booking somewhere new at relatively short notice and having had a previous bad experience. However, we need not have feared – booking Battle Abbey School was the best wedding planning decision we made! Aaron and his team at Battle Abbey were incredible – friendly, patient, helpful and fun. The communication was excellent throughout and we were able to have everything we wanted for our big day. The day itself was perfect, it all ran smoothly, the food was exceptional and the staff were courteous and helpful without exception. And all of this in addition to it being in a truly beautiful setting! We had so many compliments on the venue, particularly the food and the friendly staff. The chocolate brownie pudding has been mentioned by more than a few of our guests! It is also worth mentioning that ours was a winter wedding, and a concern we had was keeping people warm – but with underfloor heating, heavy curtains on the windows and a beautiful open fire nobody felt the chill. We just can’t praise Battle Abbey School enough – if you are considering it for your wedding our advice is GO FOR IT! We would do it all again in an instant. Thank you to everyone there who made it possible for us to have such a perfect day – we will remember it forever.
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Battle Abbey School Real Weddings

Lilly & Joe
51 photos · 28/05/2023
Justine & James
12 photos · 22/07/2022
Alan & Tina
47 photos · 14/07/2022
Robert & Evelyn
98 photos · 07/04/2022

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High Street TN33 0AD Battle (East Sussex)
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