Questions

Tilgate Park is set in more than 200 acres of lakes and ancient woodlands. Our fully licenced Wedding Garden has been developed from one of our formal gardens, whereas The Barn provides an indoor venue for weddings. Additionally, our large marquee creates a spacious venue for the larger wedding.

Animal lovers can experience a unique animal photo session at Tilgate Zoo, whilst the other guests entertain themselves with a walk around the rest of the zoo.

Tilgate Park has always held a special place in the hearts of residents in Sussex and we know that you will agree when you visit us for a viewing.

The Wedding Garden ceremony location can host up to 100 guests.
The Marquee and The Barn capacity can be adjusted depending on if you have a DJ with a dance floor, a designated catering space, a photobooth area, etc.
Generally, The Marquee can host up to 150 guests seated at round tables. The Barn can host up to 80 guests seated at round tables.
Each area has a designated outdoor space with picnic tables.

Yes. The Wedding Garden, The Barn and the marquee are all licenced.

If you are choosing a civil ceremony, you will need to check that a registrar is available by completing a form on the ‘Book a registrar’ page on the West Sussex County Council website or by emailing ceremonies@westsussex.gov.uk or calling 01243 642122.

There are registrar fees payable directly to them and you will legally be required to give notice. They will guide you through it all.

Yes and as these ceremonies don’t require a licence, you can choose other locations around the park. So, if you want to be married in the pinetum or on the peace garden bridge, we can make that happen for you.

Although the venue is not flat, there are routes to all areas that are wheelchair and pushchair friendly. There are disabled parking bays close to the zoo and The Barn.

If you are choosing to have both your ceremony and reception with us, the day before your ceremony you are able to come to the venue and set up anything you wish in the marquee or The Barn. The day after your ceremony is also included to do any clearing up. You will also have exclusive use of the venue after a certain time.

Power is accessible in all areas, and fresh water is available in The Barn.

Both the marquee and The Barn have their own sound system, so if you choose to have a DJ, they can connect to our system. Alternatively, if you wish to have a playlist, you can also plug in and play.

Two members of staff will be available throughout your day.

Yes. Every wedding is unique and, as a dry hire venue, we give you the free choice to style it exactly as you wish, with any supplier that will make your dream wedding a reality.

Safety is our priority, so to give you the peace of mind to relax and know that your guests are in safe hands, we insist that all caterers are registered with Environmental Health and hold a minimum 3-star food hygiene rating. You can choose any caterer for any cuisine, so if you like barbecue or pizza, fine dining or curry, the choice is yours! The caterer will usually take care of all the licensing for alcohol and provide cutlery, crockery, and glassware.

Suppliers will have access to electricity, water, parking, and the venue manager if they have any questions. A venue manager will greet your suppliers upon arrival and will be available until the end of the hire period on the day. Included in your package is the right to roam around the park for photos on the day of your wedding as well as exclusive access to the Walled Garden after a certain hour.

We have a number of suppliers who understand the park and what’s possible. Find out more on our suppliers webpage.

If you choose to book a registrar, we recommend booking a later timeslot so that you have more time in the morning to relax and get ready. Your caterer, stylist, florist, and other suppliers may arrive from 8.30 am.

Your guests can party on until 11pm and we request carriages are prompt at 11pm.

Your caterer and other suppliers can stay until midnight to tidy and clear away. Please note that any late departure will incur additional charges. However, we can arrange for them to return and remove their equipment the next morning. Anything left overnight is at their own risk, and we will not take any responsibility for any lost, stolen or damaged items.

There will be two members of staff available during the day to guide suppliers in and generally maintain the venue. We do not supply a master of ceremonies or any form of usher. You are more than welcome to designate or hire your own person.

Yes. We have allowed a section within our wedding agreements for you to nominate a person who can make decisions on your behalf if you wish. This could be a wedding planner, relative, or friend. Please note, they may make decisions that incur additional charges, so it is important that they know what your budget is and what you want to have on the day. We may ask you to confirm by email that you accept any additional charges from the changes they make.

Public toilets are available in the Walled Garden and if hiring The Barn, there are unisex toilets and a disabled toilet. A hoist assisted toilet is available within the zoo.

You are welcome to hire additional portable toilets if you want the convenience of them nearer to a marquee in The Arena.

Smoking is permitted in a designated smoking area within The Arena and in the courtyard of The Barn. We respectfully ask that there is no smoking in the Wedding Garden.

You are welcome to use fresh or dried petals as confetti, but we ask that you refrain from any other type of confetti or glitter cannons as we have to protect the wildlife in the park.

We recommend that when you tell your guests this, you offer to supply the confetti for them on the day. This also gives you the opportunity to colour match the confetti to your styling.

With a zoo on site, we cannot allow either. However, if you would like to use handheld sparklers, you may do so at your own risk.

Two wedding carss and two registrars will be given a reserved parking space in the area adjacent to the Walled Garden. All suppliers will be shown where to park in the staff parking area within our working yard.
Your guests will be able to park in one of the free car parks, on the street or in one of the pay and display car parks. If they choose a pay and display car park, they are responsible for ensuring they display a valid ticket for the correct duration.

Assistance dogs are allowed, specifically for the purpose of accompanying the person they are supporting. We require a form of official documentation stating that they are an assistance dog. They should also have the appropriate harness and lead. Unfortunately, emotional support dogs are not included. We request that no other animals are brought within the Walled Garden. Dogs can be brought to other areas of the park.

If you are arranging a horse drawn carriage, we can allow them to come up to the Walled Garden gates.

If you are planning a proposal, engagement or any other photo shoot in the park that is not part of a wedding that is booked and paid for, please apply for a filming and photography licence by emailing weddings@crawley.gov.uk.