Pangdean Old Barn Wedding Photography | South Downs Photographer
Natural wedding photography at Pangdean Old Barn in the South Downs near Brighton – rustic-chic barn weddings captured with heart and authenticity.
Set amidst the rolling chalk hills of the South Downs National Park, Pangdean Old Barn is a beautifully restored 18th-century oak-framed Sussex barn wedding venue just outside Brighton. With its dramatic timber beams, wide courtyards, beautifully landscaped gardens and flexible indoor/outdoor spaces, it offers a wonderfully relaxed yet elegant setting for a wedding day. As a natural-light, storytelling photographer working across Sussex and beyond, I love weddings here because the day flows beautifully and the architecture, scenery and atmosphere do the work for you.
Why I Loved Photographing This Venue
What felt immediately special at Pangdean Old Barn is how relaxed and real the day becomes. Guests move easily between the barn, courtyard and lawn; children wander the gardens; golden light filters through oak beams and warms the outdoor spaces in the evening. Photographing at a venue where the structure, character and scenery create their own story means I can focus on capturing real connections, emotion and those authentic in-between moments that make a wedding truly memorable.
Favourite Photography Locations & Highlights
Some of my go-to photography spots at Pangdean Old Barn include:
- The oak-framed barn itself, with its high beams and natural timber — perfect for dramatic bridal portraits and candid moments.
- The landscaped garden and flint-walled courtyards, offering calm and natural-light backdrops for couple portraits.
- Mulberry Lodge and other outdoor ceremony zones, capturing the charm of the South Downs countryside.
- The courtyard at dusk — when the light softens and the barn glows from within, ideal for evening party shots.
These varied settings allow for a full wedding story in one venue — preparation, ceremony, portraits, party — all photographed in a consistent style.
Best Times of Year to Marry at Pangdean Old Barn
Spring brings fresh green fields and soft, pastel light across the South Downs. Summer offers long golden-hour evenings and outdoor garden receptions. Autumn gives rich, warm tones in the under-trees and golden glow through the barn. Even in winter, the historic barn and candle-lit interiors make for intimate, atmospheric weddings. Whatever the season, the surrounding countryside and architecture make this venue shine.
My Approach to Photographing Pangdean Old Barn
I specialise in a documentary-style, natural-light wedding photography approach and Pangdean Old Barn aligns perfectly with this. I work quietly during the day, capturing real smiles, movements and connections. For couple portraits, I use the strong architectural lines of the barn and wide outdoors to create relaxed, genuine images — nothing feels forced. I look for moments where light, texture and emotion meet, whether inside the timber hall or under the open sky of the South Downs.
Best Natural Light Spots at Pangdean Old Barn
- The barn’s large doors and east-facing courtyard allow for soft morning light in preparation scenes.
- The garden lawn faces west/south-west — perfect for pre-dinner portraits as the light turns warm.
- Inside the barn beams, the warm glow from late afternoon lights the space beautifully, creating a mix of ambient and natural light.
- Outdoor ceremony zones and courtyards provide flexible backdrops with flattering light all day long.
Using these zones across your day helps capture consistent, flattering imagery.
What Makes Pangdean Old Barn Unique
A working Sussex barn set in the South Downs National Park, Pangdean Old Barn combines rustic character with flexible elegance. Built in the early 18th century, it features oak beams, bespoke décor included in hire, no corkage fees and a genuinely relaxed but premium atmosphere. Being near Brighton, it offers countryside calm yet is easily accessible — making it a superb choice for modern barn weddings with style.
Couple Portrait Ideas at Pangdean Old Barn
Try stepping out past the flint wall into the rolling South Downs for a dramatic expansive portrait with countryside beyond. Use the barn’s internal beams and uplights for moody, intimate shots just after dinner. Drift into twilight in the courtyard with fairy lights and the barn glowing behind you for relaxed evening portraits. These ideas give your wedding story a mix of rustic charm and modern elegance.
Why Pangdean Old Barn Works So Well for Documentary Photography
Because every element is organic and authentic: a barn with its own character, courtyards that encourage circulation, gardens that invite interaction, and architecture that frames moments naturally. I spend my days capturing un-posed movement, stories unfolding in real time, and the best spaces to let that happen are exactly what this venue offers.
How to Plan the Best Light at Pangdean Old Barn
If you can plan your ceremony for early-to-mid afternoon, you’ll benefit from soft vistas across the South Downs and ample time for portraits before sunset. Use the barn’s open doors for natural light during preparations. For evening portraits, head out to the courtyard or garden with the barn behind you as the last rays fade. A short post-dinner portrait walk in the grounds often results in some of the most relaxed and memorable images.
Venue Info – Pangdean Old Barn
| Location: | Pangdean Farm, Pyecombe, West Sussex, BN45 7FN |
| Venue style: | Restored oak-framed Sussex barn with garden courtyards and countryside views |
| Capacity: | Seated up to around 180 guests (Ceremony ~200) {source: listing} :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1} |
| Typical hire: | Exclusive-use barn weddings, bespoke catering, no corkage fee {source: listing} :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2} |
| Ceremony options: | Licensed Barn, Garden Wedding Gazebo (“Mulberry Lodge”) and Courtyard Areas {source: listing} :contentReference[oaicite:3]{index=3} |
| Website: | pangdean.com |
If you’re planning your wedding at Pangdean Old Barn and you’d like relaxed, natural photography that tells your story beautifully, I’d love to hear from you.
You can explore more examples of my work on the featured weddings page or get in touch through my contact page to check availability.
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