Firle Place hosts Christmas parties in the halls of a Tudor and Georgian manor in the South Downs, with in-house catering and ten bedrooms for staying over. As a Christmas party venue in East Sussex, it's hired exclusively, so the house and grounds are entirely yours, and London is about an hour away by road or rail.
Firle Place dates back to the 16th century and holds one of the most significant private collections of art and antiques in southern England, from Van Dyck and Gainsborough paintings to Sevres porcelain in Chippendale cabinets. Drinks receptions take place in the Great Hall beneath one of Van Dyck's grandest works, with space for about 120 seated or 150 standing, while the Billiard Room hosts formal dinners. Larger parties of up to 300 guests move to the Georgian Riding School, a covered building that's stood for two centuries.
Food comes from the in-house Firle Kitchen, whose chefs cook to the season and to your brief: a banquet under the chandeliers, generous sharing plates or canape and cocktail receptions. Ingredients are drawn from the estate where possible and from producers in the surrounding countryside, and the drinks list can draw on wine and beer made at the estate's own winery and craft brewery.
Many groups choose to stay over rather than travel home. The ten bedrooms in Firle Place have been restored in keeping with their age, with four-poster beds, original works from the family collection on the walls and views across the gardens and parkland to the Downs. Bigger groups can spread out across the wider 7,000-acre estate, which takes in country inns, holiday cottages, luxury hotels and glamping.
Teams making a day of it can add activities before the party, from clay shooting and archery to off-road driving, foraging and guided walks, with the estate team building the programme around your group.
Firle Place looks stunning at Christmastime but the team welcome personal touches, too, and you can happily add name cards, flowers, crackers and special touches.