The Pilgrims Rest is 600 years old this year. Rather like a ship we refer to our wonderful building as a “She”. Much more than just bricks and mortar (or in her case, sandstone, lathe and plaster), The Pilgrims Rest has a real soul and, although this might sound strange, it is true; you can literally feel if she is happy or sad - as if she is taking on the spirit of her visitors. This is why weddings bring out the very best in this grand old lady and she comes to life when laughter and happiness floods through her walls. It is true to say that she has seen more than her fair share of life over the centuries - good and bad. Visitors have come and gone, from the original pilgrims to Battle Abbey in the 15th century, right up to brides and grooms in the 21st. She has hosted gatherings from medieval banquets to 1920’s tea dances with tankards of ale and glasses of champagne happily consumed beneath her eaves. Her doors have been temporarily closed in the last few months but seeing as she was around during the black plague and Spanish flu I doubt this is for the first time. We are just a small part of her history - a chapter - and in centuries to come another custodian of The Pilgrims Rest may well write about the time when COVID-19 meant she had a little rest for a few months. During this time her gardens have been tended and she has been fluffed and polished. The time for resting is over and although weddings are not yet taking place, couples are still getting engaged and planning their wedding days. Countless weddings this year have been postponed and, with our 3d virtual tours well under way new bookings for 2021 and 2022 are still coming in. It seems that nothing can stand in the way of true love. As they say, “You can’t keep a good man (or woman) down” which seems particularly true of engaged couples.
So, we are waking up our old lady and re-opening her ancient doors for appointments. Come and see for yourself why The Pilgrims Rest is such a unique venue and become another chapter in her history… For more information please email venue@pilgrimrestbattle.co.uk or call 07552873448
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We all love to have something to look forward to, whether a summer holiday or the perfect wedding day. Whatever the dream, it is the planning of, and the run up to it, that is all part of the fun. In recent weeks, people have seen their holidays cancelled and wedding plans ruined. For couples who have saved for months and even years, they have had to watch their wedding days come and go; the doors to their venues closed, wedding rings still in their boxes and not a trace of confetti blowing in the wind. Across the country, thousands of weddings have been postponed over the last few months with couples and venues like ours finding new dates to hold weddings. Happily, with a new wedding date planted firmly in the diary, previous disappointment can quickly evaporate and excitement resumes - a new wedding dream shining brightly at the end of the COVID-19 tunnel. With a new date can come new ideas - both creative and practical. It is easy to get swept along in the wake of Pinterest weddings so, for those who have nagging doubts about their initial choices, this is their chance to take a step back, carefully reflect and decide what is really important on their day. Small weddings have always had an appeal for some, but “Micro” weddings are now gaining increasing popularity. Lockdown has made couples realise whom they have missed and are now radically cutting their guest lists. Fewer guests means you are able spend the day with the people you really love rather than those you feel you ought to ask. An added bonus is that smaller weddings simply cost less, freeing up more budget to spend on something totally extravagant or not spend at all.
Some wedding dates have been postponed to a different season and it is great to see so many couples embracing the chance to have some fun with decoration and colour - peonies are being swapped for pumpkins; cherry blossom for twigs; bunting for baubles. Your wedding plans may have changed a little but change is often as good as a rest. Talking of rest, The Pilgrims Rest is a venue unlike any other. Beautifully furnished and with two separate dressing rooms, it includes seasonal decorations in the venue hire. From furs for the benches to pea-lights and wood for the fires, all you need to do is add your own personal touches. 600 years old this year, The Pilgrims Rest is truly magical and perfect for weddings all year round. We now offer a 3d personalised virtual tour and will be opening our doors for booked individual appointments. For more information please call The Pilgrims Rest team on 07552873448 or email venue@pilgrimsrestbattle.co.uk Photographs by Tali - Photo & Film |
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