Greentrees Estate

Greentrees Estate is a private estate in Balcombe, near Haywards Heath in West Sussex. It covers about 170 acres of woodland, lake and deer park and is hired for exclusive weekend weddings.

Why it suits LGBTQ+ couples

Greentrees Estate is a strong fit for couples who want a full weekend with their people and nobody else on site. You take over the estate from Friday to Sunday, with the guest cottages, the ceremony spaces, the lake and the gardens all part of your hire. That gives you time to enjoy the whole weekend rather than a single afternoon. The estate is also close enough to London and Gatwick for guests travelling from further away.

Ceremonies

The Grand Oak Hall is licensed for marriage ceremonies and has a vaulted ceiling, oak beams and folding doors onto the walled gardens. Outdoors, you can marry at the Folly, which looks across the woodland, or beside the lake. The estate states a ceremony capacity of 220.

Receptions and food

Dinner for 220 is served in a sailcloth marquee beside the lake, and the walled gardens are used for drinks. The estate works with preferred catering partners and runs its own fully stocked bar in the evening. You may bring your own alcohol for the Friday, the welcome drinks and the Saturday drinks reception. A dry-hire option is available if you would rather manage the suppliers yourselves. The evening bar is licensed until midnight.

Staying

Eight en-suite cottages around the Grand Oak Hall sleep 20 to 25 guests. The Oak Suite has a getting-ready space, a sauna and a wood-fired hot tub. Check-in is from midday on Friday and check-out is by midday on Sunday.

Getting there and the area

The estate is on the High Street in Balcombe, RH17 6JZ, about an hour from London and ten minutes from Gatwick Airport. Direct trains from London run to Haywards Heath and Crawley. There is on-site parking for around 50 cars.

Good to know

• Licensed until midnight, with a later finish available on weekend hire.
• The estate has room for up to 250 guests standing.
• Dry hire is available for couples who want to choose their own suppliers.