mdem Ltd

The Alfriston, East Sussex

The Alfriston, East Sussex

Hotel Meeting Space Review – The Alfriston Hotel, East Sussex
Part of The Signet Collection | Opened March 2025

The recently refurbished Alfriston Hotel, nestled between Brighton and Eastbourne, brings the relaxed elegance of a private country house to corporate events, with an atmosphere that balances style, flexibility, and hospitality. The meeting spaces here are thoughtfully designed with both aesthetics and functionality in mind, making it an ideal venue for off-site meetings, private dinners, and business retreats.

Meeting Spaces

The Orangery—a multi-functional, light-filled space that seamlessly transitions from a restaurant extension to a private dining room or meeting room. Key features include:

  • A central wooden island on wheels, ideal for buffet service or repositioning as a presentation backdrop (in image below with screen)
  • Integrated AV-friendly layout with space for a screen.
  • Floor-to-ceiling windows with beautiful views, complemented by blinds to reduce glare while keeping the room connected to the outside world.
  • Intimate and stylish, best suited for small to mid-sized gatherings or executive sessions.

Capacities:

  • Dinner – long tables (with island) x 54
  • Dinner – round tables (with island) x 44
  • Drinks reception x 60
  • Theatre style x 60
  • Cabaret style x 32
  • Boardroom x 22
  • U-shaped x 20
Orangery

The Sussex Room offers the hotel’s most versatile and scalable meeting space:

  • Adaptable layout with movable lounge furniture and a portable bar.
  • Dedicated semi-private area perfect for registration, breaks, or networking zones (top right image)
  • Natural daylight with access to a private terrace—ideal for refreshment breaks or breakout sessions during good weather.
  • Plans are underway to add privacy panelling to the terrace area

Capacities:

  • Dinner – round or long tables x 120
  • Dinner dance x 90
  • Reception x 150
  • Theatre style x 120
  • Cabaret style x 56
  • Boardroom x 41
  • U-shaped x 38
Sussex Room
Sussex Room

The overall flexibility of both spaces demonstrates the hotel’s commitment to accommodating diverse event needs—be it a corporate strategy day, creative workshop, or celebratory dinner.

Use the “Get In Touch” button, contact form (scroll down) or email me your venue requirements/brief to helen@mdem.co.uk and I’ll email venue options to your inbox.

Extra Touches & Unique Features

  • The hotel’s informal, home-from-home feel extends into the event areas, supported by warm, welcoming staff.
  • Day delegate rate approximately £85 inc. VAT (at time of writing).
  • There’s such a good indoor-outdoor flow, especially for the warmer months, with easy access to gardens and terraces for breakout moments or informal networking.
  • Accommodation includes 38 individually designed bedrooms, with dog-friendly options, and beautiful details like Pooky lampshades and bespoke bathrooms.
  • Wellness facilities feature lion and lionesses changing rooms, three treatment rooms, heated outdoor pool (usable year-round), and relaxation areas— the pool patio can be used for drinks receptions with exclusive use of the hotel.

Access & Location

Despite its rural feel, The Alfriston Hotel is highly accessible:

  • Train: Direct from London Victoria to Lewes or Polegate (approx. 1hr 15min), then a short 10-minute taxi.
  • By car: 30 minutes from Gatwick Airport; around 1.5 hours from Heathrow.
  • Located via a scenic drive through a historic medieval village in the South Downs, helping to give you that calm, relaxed feeling before you event arrive.

Summary

The Alfriston Hotel is just lovely with its thoughtful meeting spaces, attention to guest experience, and an atmosphere that blends charm with professionalism. Whether you’re planning a strategy day, a team retreat, or a client-facing event, it offers the flexibility and elegance required—with the bonus of country calm and standout hospitality.

And, did I mention the Signet Collections signature Cauliflower Popcorn! Even if you don’t like cauliflower you have to try this dish .. I have the recipe 😁

Ideal for:
Executive meetings • Private dining • Corporate retreats • Wellness + work packages

Let’s talk …

I specialise in venue’s for events.

Drop me the details of your next event(s) and I’ll provide you with some venue options in return.

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Venues own website : https://thealfriston.com/occasions/meetings/