Welcome to Field Place Manor House & Barns
At Field Place Manor House & Barns, we’re more than just a venue – we’re a place where people come together to celebrate life’s biggest moments, build connections and create memories that last a lifetime.
Located in the heart of Worthing, West Sussex, our beautiful Grade II listed Manor House, character-filled barns and stunning gardens provide a unique setting for weddings, corporate events, team building days, birthday parties, school proms and community celebrations. Blending centuries of history with modern facilities, we offer a venue that’s full of character, warmth and endless possibilities.
Bringing People Together
Every event tells a story, and we’re here to help make yours unforgettable.
Whether you’re planning your dream wedding, organising a conference, rewarding your team, celebrating a milestone birthday or hosting a charity fundraiser, Field Place Manor House & Barns offers flexible spaces that can be tailored to suit your vision.
Our experienced team works alongside you from the very beginning, making the planning process simple, enjoyable and stress-free, so you can focus on making memories.
Inspiring Corporate Events & Team Building
Looking for a venue that inspires creativity, collaboration and fresh thinking? Field Place Manor House & Barns is one of West Sussex’s most versatile venues for corporate events.
From conferences, networking events and training sessions to team building days, product launches, awards evenings and company celebrations, our unique spaces provide the perfect environment to bring people together. Whether you’re hosting ten guests or a hundred, we’ll help deliver an experience that’s professional, welcoming and memorable.
Celebrations for Every Generation
Some moments deserve to be celebrated in style.
From elegant birthday parties and anniversaries to unforgettable school proms, family celebrations and festive events, Field Place Manor House & Barns offers the perfect setting for every occasion. Our historic surroundings, beautiful gardens and welcoming atmosphere create the ideal backdrop for bringing family and friends together.
No matter the event, we’ll help make it uniquely yours.
At the Heart of the Community
Community has always been at the heart of Field Place Manor House & Barns.
We’re proud to welcome local businesses, charities, schools, clubs, community groups and residents throughout the year, creating a place where people can meet, celebrate, learn and connect. Our venue is more than just a destination for events, it’s a space where lasting relationships are built and local communities come together.
Whether you’re attending a wedding, hosting a business event or visiting one of our many community activities, you’ll always receive a warm welcome from our friendly team.
Looking After Our Future
As custodians of this historic venue, we’re committed to protecting Field Place Manor House & Barns for future generations.
Sustainability is an important part of how we work. We continually look for ways to reduce our environmental impact, care for our beautiful grounds, minimise waste and make responsible choices across our events and day-to-day operations. By preserving our historic buildings while embracing more sustainable practices, we’re helping to ensure that Field Place Manor House & Barns remains a place for our community to enjoy for many years to come.
OUR HISTORY
Centuries of stories, one remarkable place
A Grand Manor House Dating Back to the 18th Century
Field Place Manor House and Barns is a fine example of an 18th Century English Country House and has a unique and tranquil atmosphere, which has been created by generations of well known Worthing families.
Evidence of history and development can be seen in the present Manor House, which contains beautiful Jacobean oak paneling and carved fireplaces. The splendid carvings in the Oak Room, which is now used for meetings and corporate hire, depict the Cooke family, who lived in the house for over 300 years.
The 1700s
After the Cooke family the Westbrooke-Richardsons owned the house before passing it on to the Henty family during the mid to late 1700’s. The Hentys were a very successful farming family who used some of their wealth to upgrade the house into a fine Georgian residence; they are responsible for the present house frontage.
The 1800s
During the agricultural depression the Hentys’ revenue declined and Thomas Henty, the younger son of Sarah and Thomas, began to write from Field Place to his business contacts in Australia, to enquire about land and prospects there for his family. Eventually, after much planning, Thomas set sail in 1828 with his wife Frances Elizabeth, their children, George, James, Charles, Edward, Jane, William, John, Stephen and Francis. They took with them a flock of Merino sheep, agricultural equipment and staff.
On arrival in Australia the family found life very hard but eventually found success in banking, farming, politics and business. The youngest son of the family, Francis later built a house in 1876 called Field Place in Victoria which still stands today.
The Early 1900s
Towards the end of the 19th century, the house was occupied by Col E W Margerson who also owned Findon Place. In 1909 Alfred Bates purchased Field Place Manor House and spent £250,000 on renovations including the installation of an underground electrical supply. When Bates died in 1945 the Manor House was changed to the Manor Country Club. During the second World War the Manor House and surrounding area was used by the RAF to test early radar.
The Late 1900s
There has been much talk that there is still a network of tunnels under Field Place. The Radar Reunion people would return each year after the war and chat about tunnels as long as six miles. Before D Day, the underground tunnels stored 500 Harley Davidsons before they were sent over to France. One report shows that a Mr John Hammersley had played in the tunnels as a boy in the 1950’s. The tunnels entrance was unfortunately blocked, even to this day we are not sure the whereabouts of the main entrance. Records are protected by the 73 year secrecy rule.
The house then became Flamingo Country Club before the house was bought by Worthing Borough Council in 1956 for £17,500. Improvements were made; the original flint barn dated 1773 was refurbished and was reopened in 1988 as an ideal venue for wedding receptions, seminars, plays and dances. The Manor House was then refurbished in 1989 and this revealed much of the original paneling and stone work.