The space

Tucked into the peaceful East Sussex countryside near Hailsham, this charming cottage at Pekes is made for a hen weekend that balances celebration with proper downtime. Sleeping up to 6 guests, it suits smaller bridal groups who want their own private base, beautiful surroundings and access to resort-style extras without losing the relaxed feel of a country stay.

The setting is a real highlight: 30 acres of gardens, lawns and parkland, giving your group plenty of room to stretch out, take photos, sip something chilled in the sunshine or enjoy a slow morning after a big night. The cottage comes with its own private space for relaxing, while shared estate facilities include an indoor heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi-style hot tub, sauna and tennis court, available on a rota basis.

This is a great option for hens who want more than just a place to sleep. You can build the weekend around garden drinks, a BBQ evening, pool time, cosy fireside chats, country walks and easy trips into nearby towns for dinner, cocktails or activities. It feels sociable and celebratory, but still calm enough for the bride-to-be to genuinely switch off.

Inside the house

Inside, the cottage is comfortable, characterful and set up for a small group stay. Sleeping arrangements are flexible for up to 6 guests, with a double bedroom, twin-style sleeping options and additional sofa bed or Z-bed style accommodation depending on the specific cottage arrangement. This makes it well suited to a hen group of close friends, bridesmaids or family members who are happy with a relaxed, shared-house set-up.

The main living area gives you a cosy hub for the weekend, with comfortable seating, a TV and an open fire or wood-burning stove style feature in the wider Pekes cottage collection. It is the kind of space that works well for low-key hen games, a movie night, opening gifts for the bride, or gathering everyone together before heading out.

The kitchen and dining areas are practical for group meals, grazing boards, brunches and pre-night-out drinks. Expect fitted kitchen facilities, a proper dining table and all the essentials for self-catering, so you can keep things easy and flexible across the weekend. Free fast Wi-Fi is included, and the dining table or quiet corners can double as a workspace if anyone needs to check in with life admin before the celebrations begin.

Outside, the private garden area gives the group a lovely extension of the living space. With a BBQ and fire bowl available, you can plan an easy alfresco dinner, toast marshmallows, or sit out under the stars after a day of activities.

Hen weekend highlights

The shared indoor heated swimming pool is a major bonus for a hen group, especially if you want a weekend that includes a little pampering without needing to book a full spa hotel. Add in the Jacuzzi-style hot tub and sauna, and you have a lovely spa-style setup for a slow Saturday morning or a chilled pre-dinner reset. Facilities are shared on a rota basis, which helps keep things organised and gives your group dedicated time to enjoy them.

For activity-loving hens, the tennis court brings a fun, competitive edge to the weekend. Plan a bride versus bridesmaids doubles match, create a mini tournament, or keep it casual with a quick game before lunch. While there is not a separate games room listed, the spacious lounge and dining areas work brilliantly for classic hen party games, quizzes, craft sessions, cocktail making or a relaxed evening in.

The garden is another standout feature. It is ideal for welcome drinks, picnic-style brunches, group photos, flower crown making or simply giving everyone space to spread out. The BBQ makes hosting simple, particularly for groups who prefer a sociable night at the house rather than a formal restaurant booking. Pets are welcome in parts of the Pekes cottage setup too, which may be useful if the bride wants to bring a much-loved dog along for the countryside chapter of the celebrations.

This is not a loud party pad; it is better suited to thoughtful hen weekends with good food, laughter, swims, garden time and a few special plans woven in.

Location & getting around

The cottage is set near Chiddingly and Hailsham, giving your group a rural East Sussex base with useful links to towns, coast and countryside. Hailsham is close by for supermarkets, cafés, pubs and practical supplies, so stocking up for brunches, BBQ food and drinks is straightforward.

For a livelier evening, Eastbourne is roughly a short drive away and offers seafront bars, restaurants, theatres, beach walks and classic coastal hen weekend options. Lewes is also within reach for independent shops, pubs, wine bars and pretty streets, while Brighton is a bigger night-out choice for groups happy to travel a little further for cocktails, clubs, bottomless brunches and seaside energy.

If the bride prefers daytime activities, the surrounding area gives you plenty to work with: countryside walks, vineyard visits, spa-style time back at the cottage, coastal trips, afternoon tea, paddleboarding or beach time in warmer months. Having a car or pre-booked taxis is recommended, especially for evenings out, as the cottage has a country setting.

Enquire today

If your hen group is looking for a stylish countryside stay near Hailsham with a pool, hot tub, sauna, garden, BBQ and space to properly relax together, this East Sussex cottage is a lovely choice. Send an enquiry with your preferred dates, group size and plans for the weekend, and the host can confirm availability, sleeping arrangements and any details you need before booking.