Fitzleroi Barn

About the venue

A 16th-century timber-framed barn on a working arable farm near Fittleworth in the South Downs. The first wedding held here, in 2000, was the owners' own. Couples get exclusive two-day hire, four licensed ceremony spaces, dinner for up to 150, no corkage and a split-level Hayloft suite.

The first wedding ever held at Fitzleroi Barn was the owners' own, back in 2000. Julia and Mark liked how the day worked so much that they opened the 16th-century timber-framed barn to other couples, and they still run it as a family venue.

The barn sits on a working arable farm near Fittleworth, inside the South Downs National Park. Wheat, maize and occasionally barley grow around it, and the stables keep a few horses. Couples can even bring their own horse by prior arrangement.

Only one wedding is booked at a time. Every hire covers two days, so the day before is yours for styling, supplier set-up and a ceremony rehearsal, with lunch in the courtyard if the weather plays along.

There are four licensed ceremony spaces. The Main Barn, the rose-lined Courtyard and the Meadow, which looks out over the Downs, each take about 120 guests, and the softly lit Long Room suits around 60. Celebrant-led and humanist ceremonies are welcome too.

The Main Barn seats up to 150 for the wedding breakfast and then clears for the evening dancing. A marquee can go up in the Courtyard for extra covered space. Catering comes from the venue's list of recommended caterers, and an outside caterer can be approved for a £300 coordination fee.

Drinks are refreshingly simple. Fitzleroi is strongly against corkage, so you can bring in as much alcohol as you like, or book a fully stocked staffed bar through the venue's partner. The bar closes at 23:45, with last orders at 23:30.

The newly renovated Hayloft is a split-level suite next to the barn. It works as the getting-ready room in the morning and the couple's retreat at night. Five deluxe double bell tents with their own toilet and shower facilities can be added for close family.

The whole site is step-free with accessible toilets. There is plenty of hard-standing parking, and coaches or even double-decker buses can reach the barn easily.

16th-century timber-framed barn on a working farm in the South Downs National Park

Exclusive use with two-day hire, including the day before for set-up

Four licensed ceremony spaces: Main Barn, Courtyard, Meadow and Long Room

Wedding breakfast for up to 150 in the Main Barn

No corkage, with an optional fully stocked staffed bar

Recommended caterers, or approved outside caterers for a £300 fee

Split-level Hayloft suite for getting ready and the wedding night

Five deluxe double bell tents for close family