Business Details
Exquisite Historic Venue in East Sussex
Firle Place, established in 1473, has been a cornerstone of English heritage and hospitality for over five centuries. Nestled within the serene South Downs of East Sussex, our stately home and expansive 7,000-acre estate have welcomed distinguished guests, from historical aristocracy to modern filmmakers and event planners. The Gage family, stewards of this remarkable property since the 16th century, continue to curate exceptional experiences through meticulously maintained spaces for weddings, private hires, and exclusive tours. Our dedication to preserving the estates grandeur while offering contemporary flexibility ensures every visitor enjoys timeless elegance paired with modern convenience. The houses acclaimed collection of Old Masters, including works by Van Dyck and Reynolds, and its picturesque grounds provide a backdrop of unparalleled beauty.Our team combines generational expertise with personalized service, ensuring seamless execution of weddings, film productions, and events of all scales. Beyond hospitality, Firle Place actively supports local biodiversity and community initiatives, reinforcing our commitment to sustainability and heritage preservation. With flexible booking options, including guided tours for house visits and bespoke arrangements for filming locations or corporate events, we cater to diverse needs while maintaining exacting standards of excellence. From intimate tea room gatherings to large-scale celebrations at New Elms Barn, our venues embody a philosophy of creating memorable, immersive experiences rooted in centuries of tradition.
Services
Weddings
Filming Locations
Private Hire
House Openings
Tea Room
Group Tours
New Elms Barn Events
Property Rentals
Biodiversity Programs
Local Community Support
Highlights and features
- We offer exclusive access to a 550-year-old family-owned estate with unparalleled historic ambiance
- Our experienced team manages weddings, film productions, and events of all scales with precision
- The estate features diverse spaces including a stately home, restored barn, and extensive grounds
- We maintain exacting standards through continuous preservation of heritage and natural landscapes
- Comprehensive on-site facilities include catering, accommodation options, and production support
Services
Weddings
Firle Place offers exclusive wedding venues across its historic estate, including the stately home and New Elms Barn. Couples can choose from indoor grandeur or romantic outdoor settings with South Downs vistas. The team provides comprehensive coordination for ceremonies, receptions, and photography, ensuring seamless celebrations. All weddings include access to our estates timeless ambiance and tailored catering options.
Filming Locations
Our 7,000-acre estate provides diverse filming backdrops from Tudor architecture to pastoral landscapes. With over five centuries of heritage, the venue has hosted productions needing historic authenticity. The dedicated team facilitates shoots year-round, offering green rooms, production offices, and flexible space arrangements while maintaining the estates preservation standards and visitor experience.
Private Hire
The estate offers versatile spaces for private events, from corporate functions to family gatherings. New Elms Barn provides a rustic-chic venue for celebrations, while the main houses elegant interiors suit prestigious occasions. Bespoke packages include catering, decor coordination, and access to estate grounds, ensuring memorable experiences tailored to specific event requirements.
House Openings
Seasonal guided tours showcase Firle Place Places historic collections, including Old Masters and Svres porcelain. Weekday visits feature expert-led explorations of architectural evolution from Tudor to Georgian eras. Weekends offer free-flow access during special openings, allowing visitors to appreciate the estates cultural heritage while enjoying curated educational experiences about its five-century legacy.
Tea Room
The estates seasonal tea room serves locally-sourced light lunches, cream teas, and specialty cakes with terrace views. Traditional afternoon teas require advance booking, combining historic ambiance with contemporary culinary standards. The venue provides a welcoming space for visitors to relax while maintaining accessibility for all guests regardless of house tour bookings.
Questions
When is the house open for public tours?
Guided tours run Monday-Wednesday 12:00-16:00 until 22nd October. Weekends feature free-flow visits on Sundays. Check our website for seasonal closures and special event schedules.
Does the estate offer accommodation for guests?
While we don't operate hotels, our estate includes New Elms Barn for event stays. Periodic rental properties appear on OpenRent, and local partner accommodations provide nearby options for visitors.
How accessible is Firle Place Place for visitors?
The estate provides free visitor parking at designated areas. Glynde Station (1.5 miles) and Lewes Station (5 miles) offer rail access. Local taxi recommendations available from our concierge team.
Reviews (7)
Pot Bat
Oct 26, 2021
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Beautiful house. Expensive to visit and can be completed in half a day. Staff are very informative and provide detailed information about the history of the house and grounds.
Jane Duffield
Sep 30, 2021
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Firle place is an excellent location for pre-wedding shoots and for wedding ceremonies and reception... it's absolutely grand and the managers and firle family is very nice and helpful #FIRLEPLACE.
Sara Callarman
Sep 25, 2021
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Fabulous place . Interesting history and knowledgeable stewards. Great exhibition of Regency clothing made entirely of paper and embroidery
Sooze
Sep 15, 2021
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Beautiful Country Manor House & Gardens, stunning views & lovely tea rooms that you can sit inside or outside on the terrace. You don't need to purchase entry to the house to use the tearooms, it's a choice you can make later if you wish to. Very pleasant afternoon out with my daughter. Toilets are on the ground floor too just at the end of the tearooms. Highly recommend
Karen Noonan
Aug 25, 2021
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This was a lovely place to spend the afternoon and enjoy afternoon tea. Reasonably priced with lovely walks and a children's play area just a short walk through the grounds.
Tom Waller
Nov 22, 2019
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International sleddog championship and Christmas fair. Despite all the rain and mud it was an amazing event set in beautiful grounds. Really well organized and so many fantastic stalls and things to do. Bailey's coffee, mulled wine and cider all a delicious must, and you'll find it hard to decide what to eat with so many scrumptious treats to choose from. The racing itself was incredible and something you'll remember forever. And as for things for the little ones to enjoy, well santa riding through by dog sled and lots of beautiful huskies to to stroke and get pictures with will surely be enjoyed
Alan Burford-Salter
Aug 14, 2019
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It's an art gallery, if you like that, a beautiful country house set within The South Downs National Park, also the focus of a community which lives and works on the Firle Estate. Opening times are July to September and the events really are worthwhile visiting, the whole family can join in. This remains to be the much loved home of the present Lord Gage, the 8th Viscount, and his family. Not forgetting, you can chart its history, there are Connoisseur Days, Group visits, a Tea Room where one can relax on the terrace. Also, Weddings, Private Functions & Hiring, Shooting and much more.
Firle Place
Firle Place
