Seminars and company events
Herstmonceux Castle Estate, near Hailsham in East Sussex, hosts conferences, board meetings, workshops and residential away days for groups from 8 to 180 delegates. The castle works day to day as an academic centre, so its meeting rooms are equipped for teaching and presentations, and the estate has experience with training and research events. Gardens, woodland and open countryside surround the building, which keeps a residential event free of city distractions.
The Castle Ballroom is the largest room and takes up to 180 delegates for conferences and presentations. The Fiennes Room suits talks and workshops with up to 100 guests. The Elizabethan Room serves small events, receptions or breakout sessions for up to 30 people. The Boardroom is set for AGMs and board meetings of up to 20, and the Drummers Room takes up to 8 for meetings, workshops and classes. Seven further seminar rooms hold 8 to 28 people each, which helps when a plenary needs several parallel workshops.
All rooms are described as fully equipped with audio-visual equipment. The estate lists high-speed Wi-Fi throughout, portable touch screens, speakers and presentation equipment, and parking on site. A working observatory on the grounds suits multi-day and academic programmes.
Weddings and receptions
The castle runs a wedding offer with indoor and outdoor settings. The Castle Ballroom hosts ceremonies and evening receptions for up to 180 guests, the Bader Room takes ceremonies of up to 100, and the Elizabethan Room up to 30. The Cloisters, an enclosed courtyard within the red brick walls, serve outdoor ceremonies of different sizes, and the period gardens are available for receptions.
Rooms and capacities
Capacities run from 8 in the Drummers Room to 180 in the Castle Ballroom. Ask the events office, open from 8am to 4pm, for layouts and for the capacity of each seminar room. Pricing is on request.
Accommodation
Residential accommodation is available on the estate. Bader Hall, a short walk from the castle, can house wedding guests and delegates, and the castle offers a wedding suite. Wedding guests receive a 10% discount on their stay. The number of bedrooms is not published, so ask for the total before you plan a residential event.
Catering
On-site catering is offered for meetings, conferences, residential stays and weddings. The estate asks organisers to contact the events office for menus and options, so confirm service styles and dietary arrangements when you enquire.
History and setting
The castle is a 15th-century moated building in red brick, set in about 300 acres of period gardens and ancient woodland. It operates as the UK academic hub of Queen’s University Canada, with Bader College on site. A rewilding project across 240 acres of the estate is under way. The estate also opens to day visitors seven days a week, so check that your dates are held for your group.
Getting there
The estate lies in East Sussex, close to Brighton, with easy access from London and the South East. Parking is available on site. Directions are on the estate’s website, and the events office can advise on the nearest rail connections.
