FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do you have a wedding licence?
Yes, we are licensed with Hastings Registry Office. You would need to give notice to your local council and contact Hastings Registry office to book the ceremony.
Hasting Registry Office contact details:
03456080198
ceremonieshub.east@eastsussex.go.uk
Do you have any local churches?
Yes, we have a few churches locally including;
St Mary The Virgin C of E
Battle Baptist Church
Our Lady Immaculate & St Roman Catholic
The Pilgrims Rest is only a short drive from Crowhurst, Netherfield, Mountfield and Catsfield churches.
When can we visit The Pilgrims Rest?
We hold viewing days throughout the year at The Pilgrims Rest. Please have a look at our website for the dates of the open days on the contact us page. Viewings are by appointment only.
For couples who have already booked their wedding we have specific supplier viewing days so you can bring in your suppliers for a site visit to measure, look at the space etc. These viewing days are held on the 1st Tuesday of each month. Viewings are by appointment only.
Where can we park?
There are three main car parks in Battle - the Battle Abbey car park next to The Pilgrims Rest which is privately owned by English Heritage. There are also two public car parks - Mount Street car park and Market square car park. There is some free parking in Mount Street car park at the bottom of the car park on the rougher ground. Market Square car park has overnight parking at rear of the car park near the primary school. It is possible to find free parking in the town near Mount Street and surrounding roads.
When can we set up and clear up?
If you choose to have a Bells and Whistles wedding we allow access to the venue to set up the afternoon before the wedding. Clear up is from 9am -11am the day after the wedding to collect any personal effects and clear any bottles & rubbish. Please note, there is no access before or after these hours. The Less is More wedding has access to set up in the morning but everything must be removed by the end of the hire period. This also applies to our Beyond the Moon wedding. We ask that all caterers and suppliers set up the afternoon before the wedding for Bells and Whistles weddings.
How many people can we have in the venue?
Our capacity is 50 people for the seated ceremony & sit down dinner. Up to an additional 40 guests can be invited for the evening reception . The venue numbers must not exceed 90 people.
Do you have accommodation on site?
There is plenty of accommodation within walking distance of The Pilgrims Rest but no accommodation in the building itself. We are fortunate to be situated in Battle itself and close to local hotels and bed and breakfasts. We also can recommend many beautiful places to stay a short drive from Battle including glamping sites.
Please note The Bryant Dressing Rooms and The Fitzherbert Dressing Room will be ready for you to both change and have hair and make up preparations on the morning of the wedding. Access from 9am.
Do you allow confetti?
We do allow dried rose petals confetti or rice paper confetti but paper and foil confetti (even if biodegradable is not allowed due to the time it takes to biodegrade).
Do you charge corkage?
No, we do not charge corkage!
Can we bring our own decorations?
We do include our professionally styled seasonal decorations but you can also bring you own decorations. Due to the historic importance of the building all decorations need to use the fixtures provided. Any additional lights or electrical equipment used must be PAT tested (or under one year old) or battery operated. Balloons of any type are not allowed as impossible to retrieve from the vaulted Great Hall ceiling if they escape!
Do you allow fire pits?
There are three working fires at The Pilgrims Rest and we provide the wood for these for you. We are unable to have outside fire pits.
Do you allow real candles?
Real candles are allowed in the bar area and the dining room. If your ceremony is conducted by Hastings registrars then we have battery operated candles for the ceremony as this is a condition set by Hastings council.
Do you have disabled access?
Due to The Pilgrims Rest historical age we have limited disabled access - please enquire for more information on this.
Do you offer package deals?
The Pilgrims Rest is a dry hire venue with lots of lovely extras, fully styled and furnished to need little extra decoration. We do not offer packages giving you the choice and flexibility to have your wedding just how you choose. We do, however, know some great local suppliers who we can introduce you to.
Do you have recommended suppliers?
Yes, we do have a fabulous group of suppliers we are happy to recommend - all of whom have serviced a wedding at The Pilgrims Rest at least once.
Are we able to use our own suppliers?
We do allow couples to use their own suppliers. We just ask that all new suppliers carry out a site visit. Any new supplier must be fully insured and all the equipment brought into the building must be Pat tested. All documentation must be given to The Pilgrims Rest by the suppliers one month prior to the event.
Does the venue allow smoking?
Smoking is strictly not permitted inside The Pilgrims Rest. However there is a specific smoking area located at the front of the venue near the entrance and ashtrays are provided.
Does the venue allow pets?
We do allow pets but ask that they are well behaved and clean. No pets are allowed upstairs. Any dogs mess must be picked up and removed from site.
Is there public transport near The Pilgrims Rest?
The Pilgrims Rest is a short walk from Battle train station which as direct links to London Charing Cross and Hastings. There is a bus stop near the venue. There are also many taxi firms in the local area.
Do you offer exclusive use?
Yes, always. The venue hire price includes exclusive use of the venue.
Is there a breakages deposit?
A £500.00 Breakages & Damages deposit is required 4 weeks before the event. This will be returned provided the venue is left damage free with no breakages.
Do we need to take our rubbish?
Yes, we ask that couples collect and dispose of all of waste left following the wedding. Most caterers will take food waste for a catered event (subject to catering company - please check with your suppliers directly). There will be a charge for any rubbish left on site.
Do we need to hire in furniture for our event?
No, we have created The Pilgrims Rest as a wedding venue that is fully furnished and decorated. All you need to do is add any personal touches you choose.
Do we need to hire cutlery and tableware?
Yes you do. We do not include any crockery, cutlery or glassware. We can recommend equipment hire companies that can provide these services. Most of our recommended caterers can organise this for you.
Do you have a wedding licence?
Yes, we are licensed with Hastings Registry Office. You would need to give notice to your local council and contact Hastings Registry office to book the ceremony.
Hasting Registry Office contact details:
03456080198
ceremonieshub.east@eastsussex.go.uk
Do you have any local churches?
Yes, we have a few churches locally including;
St Mary The Virgin C of E
Battle Baptist Church
Our Lady Immaculate & St Roman Catholic
The Pilgrims Rest is only a short drive from Crowhurst, Netherfield, Mountfield and Catsfield churches.
When can we visit The Pilgrims Rest?
We hold viewing days throughout the year at The Pilgrims Rest. Please have a look at our website for the dates of the open days on the contact us page. Viewings are by appointment only.
For couples who have already booked their wedding we have specific supplier viewing days so you can bring in your suppliers for a site visit to measure, look at the space etc. These viewing days are held on the 1st Tuesday of each month. Viewings are by appointment only.
Where can we park?
There are three main car parks in Battle - the Battle Abbey car park next to The Pilgrims Rest which is privately owned by English Heritage. There are also two public car parks - Mount Street car park and Market square car park. There is some free parking in Mount Street car park at the bottom of the car park on the rougher ground. Market Square car park has overnight parking at rear of the car park near the primary school. It is possible to find free parking in the town near Mount Street and surrounding roads.
When can we set up and clear up?
If you choose to have a Bells and Whistles wedding we allow access to the venue to set up the afternoon before the wedding. Clear up is from 9am -11am the day after the wedding to collect any personal effects and clear any bottles & rubbish. Please note, there is no access before or after these hours. The Less is More wedding has access to set up in the morning but everything must be removed by the end of the hire period. This also applies to our Beyond the Moon wedding. We ask that all caterers and suppliers set up the afternoon before the wedding for Bells and Whistles weddings.
How many people can we have in the venue?
Our capacity is 50 people for the seated ceremony & sit down dinner. Up to an additional 40 guests can be invited for the evening reception . The venue numbers must not exceed 90 people.
Do you have accommodation on site?
There is plenty of accommodation within walking distance of The Pilgrims Rest but no accommodation in the building itself. We are fortunate to be situated in Battle itself and close to local hotels and bed and breakfasts. We also can recommend many beautiful places to stay a short drive from Battle including glamping sites.
Please note The Bryant Dressing Rooms and The Fitzherbert Dressing Room will be ready for you to both change and have hair and make up preparations on the morning of the wedding. Access from 9am.
Do you allow confetti?
We do allow dried rose petals confetti or rice paper confetti but paper and foil confetti (even if biodegradable is not allowed due to the time it takes to biodegrade).
Do you charge corkage?
No, we do not charge corkage!
Can we bring our own decorations?
We do include our professionally styled seasonal decorations but you can also bring you own decorations. Due to the historic importance of the building all decorations need to use the fixtures provided. Any additional lights or electrical equipment used must be PAT tested (or under one year old) or battery operated. Balloons of any type are not allowed as impossible to retrieve from the vaulted Great Hall ceiling if they escape!
Do you allow fire pits?
There are three working fires at The Pilgrims Rest and we provide the wood for these for you. We are unable to have outside fire pits.
Do you allow real candles?
Real candles are allowed in the bar area and the dining room. If your ceremony is conducted by Hastings registrars then we have battery operated candles for the ceremony as this is a condition set by Hastings council.
Do you have disabled access?
Due to The Pilgrims Rest historical age we have limited disabled access - please enquire for more information on this.
Do you offer package deals?
The Pilgrims Rest is a dry hire venue with lots of lovely extras, fully styled and furnished to need little extra decoration. We do not offer packages giving you the choice and flexibility to have your wedding just how you choose. We do, however, know some great local suppliers who we can introduce you to.
Do you have recommended suppliers?
Yes, we do have a fabulous group of suppliers we are happy to recommend - all of whom have serviced a wedding at The Pilgrims Rest at least once.
Are we able to use our own suppliers?
We do allow couples to use their own suppliers. We just ask that all new suppliers carry out a site visit. Any new supplier must be fully insured and all the equipment brought into the building must be Pat tested. All documentation must be given to The Pilgrims Rest by the suppliers one month prior to the event.
Does the venue allow smoking?
Smoking is strictly not permitted inside The Pilgrims Rest. However there is a specific smoking area located at the front of the venue near the entrance and ashtrays are provided.
Does the venue allow pets?
We do allow pets but ask that they are well behaved and clean. No pets are allowed upstairs. Any dogs mess must be picked up and removed from site.
Is there public transport near The Pilgrims Rest?
The Pilgrims Rest is a short walk from Battle train station which as direct links to London Charing Cross and Hastings. There is a bus stop near the venue. There are also many taxi firms in the local area.
Do you offer exclusive use?
Yes, always. The venue hire price includes exclusive use of the venue.
Is there a breakages deposit?
A £500.00 Breakages & Damages deposit is required 4 weeks before the event. This will be returned provided the venue is left damage free with no breakages.
Do we need to take our rubbish?
Yes, we ask that couples collect and dispose of all of waste left following the wedding. Most caterers will take food waste for a catered event (subject to catering company - please check with your suppliers directly). There will be a charge for any rubbish left on site.
Do we need to hire in furniture for our event?
No, we have created The Pilgrims Rest as a wedding venue that is fully furnished and decorated. All you need to do is add any personal touches you choose.
Do we need to hire cutlery and tableware?
Yes you do. We do not include any crockery, cutlery or glassware. We can recommend equipment hire companies that can provide these services. Most of our recommended caterers can organise this for you.
