BEST WEST SUSSEX WEDDING VENUES

Midhurst and the surrounding area has become very popular for weddings, perhaps the most sought after and best location in the whole of West Sussex..

It is quite easy to see why. The town of Midhurst has everything you could want: a central country location with fast roads east and west and north to south. Gatwick and Heathrow airports are within easy reach. For those travelling to Midhurst by public transport the nearest stations are Haslemere 15 minutes to the north or Petersfield 20 minutes to the west.

There are four hotels either within Midhurst itself or within 3 miles of the town. There are in addition numerous quality B&B's in and around the town and in local villages like Elstead.

As weddings are social events par excellence and guests make the most of the opportunity to meet old friends and make new ones, often arriving early or staying for a few more days, the amenities for relaxing comfortably are important and this is where Midhurst scores. A stone's throw from the Spread Eagle - illustrated above - is a cobbled square and the Old Town Hall Coffee House where on a warm day you can sit outside for as long as you wish watching the world go by. This is the centre of informal social life in Midhurst. Country folk, though reserved, are friendly and generally welcome visitors and enjoy a chat - provided the visitors make a point of breaking the ice.

You'll probably be surprised at the number of cyclists and mountain bikers swishing by, and booted walkers marching around examining the old buildings and enjoying the fresh air (and sunshine!). Midhurst is a very sunny place. H.G.Wells said this:'Midhurst has always been a happy place for me.I supposed it rained there at times but all my memories of Midhurst are in sunshine' For detailed information on Midhurst go to Midhurst Pages, the town and community website.

There are five places that do civil weddings; and there is the Parish Church adjoining the cobbled square mentioned above. One of the most romantic - and least known - is The Walled Garden at Cowdray. Adjoining the Castle Ruins this former Tudor Garden has been restored recently. It is a stunning venue for a wedding, surrounded by historic buildings of great beauty. The Castle Room overlooks the Ruins;and the Courtyard Room is ideal for music and dancing with good acoustics.It has a civil wedding licence.

The Spead Eagle' s Jacobean Hall has its own garden at the rear. The Angel Hotel's famous view of the Cowdray Ruins is from their large garden at the rear of the main building whilst their 'Garden Room' has its own lawn for a marquee. At The Walled Garden a marquee may be erected on the central lawn. For details of exactly what's on offer go to their respective websites.

If you intend to stay a while after the wedding and enjoy Midhurst you may wish to eat out. Within Midhurst there are two mid-rank but good restaurants of their type: Prezzo's for pasta in West Street and Loch Fyne for fish in North Street. Going for the very best cuisine try JSW of Petersfield and Cassons of Tangmere. For other options use The Good Restaurant & Good Food Guide which is sponsored by a local kitchen-bathroom company, Violet Designs.

Here are some more pictures of the venues: Spread, Tithe Barn & The Walled Garden at Cowdray