The Ravenswood Wedding Videography

Cinematic Films in the Heart of Ashdown Forest

The Ravenswood is not the kind of venue you forget. Set in 18 acres of private grounds in Sharpthorne on the edge of Ashdown Forest, this 15th century venue — TWIA National Winner 2021 — has four lakes, rolling woodland views, a Baronial Hall, and an outdoor space called the Little Castle that is unlike anything else you'll find at a West Sussex wedding venue. It is historic without being stiff, grand without being cold, and the combination of ancient building and open water landscape produces a quality of footage that is, frankly, exceptional.

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We've filmed at The Ravenswood and it immediately became one of our favourite venues in the county. The number of genuinely distinct, visually interesting spaces within a single site — and the four lakes threading through the grounds — means a Ravenswood wedding film has a visual range that most venues simply cannot offer.

 

Four Lakes, 18 Acres, and Ashdown Forest Beyond

Most venues have grounds. The Ravenswood has a landscape. The four lakes within the 18-acre estate reflect the sky, catch the light through the surrounding woodland, and give the grounds a depth and drama that makes couple portraits here consistently extraordinary. With Ashdown Forest rolling away beyond the boundary, the setting at golden hour is one of the finest we work in anywhere across Sussex and Surrey.

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The venue's own photography spots set up throughout the grounds are a useful guide — but after filming here, we know which corners of the estate catch the light when, and which lakes give the cleanest, most dramatic reflections. That knowledge informs where we take you for portraits without wasting a moment of the evening light.

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The Baronial Hall, the Jacobean Suite, and the Little Castle

Inside The Ravenswood, three distinct spaces serve different parts of the day — the Princess Beatrice Suite, the Jacobean Suite, and the Baronial Hall — each with its own character, each requiring a different approach on camera. The Baronial Hall in particular, with its historic architecture and capacity for 300 evening guests, produces reception footage with a scale and grandeur that hotels twice its price would struggle to match.

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Then there is the Little Castle — an outdoor al fresco ceremony and event space seating up to 150 guests that is completely unlike anything else at a West Sussex venue. The name tells you most of what you need to know: a dedicated outdoor space with the character and presence of a historic structure, set within the estate's grounds and lakes. As a ceremony backdrop on a summer's day, it is remarkable.

 

34 Bedrooms, a Whole Weekend of Celebration

With 34 bedrooms on site — including four-poster rooms, family rooms, and a honeymoon suite — The Ravenswood keeps your guests together long after the day itself ends. That extended, residential quality changes the atmosphere of a wedding in ways that show on film: guests are more relaxed, more present, and the footage of the evening has a warmth and ease that you only get when no one's watching the clock for taxis.

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We work as a two-person team across your entire Ravenswood wedding day, covering every space and every act from preparations through to the last dance. Your finished film includes a 7–9 minute highlights film with licensed music, complete ceremony film, full speeches, first dance in full, and a 1-minute social reel. Drone footage over the 18-acre estate, the four lakes, and the Ashdown Forest beyond is included subject to weather and venue permissions — from altitude, The Ravenswood's position in the landscape is exceptional.

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Frequently Asked Questions — Filming at The Ravenswood

Have you filmed at The Ravenswood before?

Yes — we've filmed at The Ravenswood and know the venue well. You can see examples of our work filmed there below.

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How do you cover three separate function rooms across the day?

With two videographers working simultaneously, we position ourselves to cover whichever space each part of the day is in, moving ahead of the action rather than reacting to it. The Ravenswood's layout is something we've worked through carefully — we know the spaces and plan accordingly.

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Is the Little Castle suitable for a ceremony on film?

It's one of the most distinctive ceremony settings we've filmed in. The outdoor setting, the historic character of the space, and the estate grounds surrounding it create a completely different atmosphere on film to any indoor ceremony and we love it!

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Can you film the four lakes for drone footage?

We hold full CAA commercial drone permissions and will confirm access with the venue. The aerial view of four lakes within 18 acres of Ashdown Forest grounds is genuinely stunning — one of the most remarkable drone sequences we produce anywhere in Sussex.

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Is The Ravenswood a good venue for winter weddings on film?

Exceptionally so. The historic interior spaces, the four-poster accommodation, the evening atmosphere of a venue where guests are staying on site — all of it lends itself to the richness that winter wedding footage needs. Ashdown Forest in autumn and winter has a particular quality that is hard to replicate anywhere else.

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Which package suits a Ravenswood wedding?

We offer a video 'Content Creator' package from just £600, but most couples choose our Platinum Package at £1,800 — two videographers, full day coverage, expertly edited highlights film, full two-camera coverage and edit of the ceremony and speeches, the first dance in full, drone footage, and social reel. Given the range and richness of The Ravenswood's spaces and grounds, the Diamond upgrade extending the highlights to 14–18 minutes gives every part of the day the screen time it deserves.

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How early should we book?

The Ravenswood is a sought-after venue and books well in advance. We'd recommend securing your videography team 9–12 months ahead of your wedding date.