Abbey Hall is the perfect location for a special event - birthdays, weddings, dance, music, drama or just socialising.
The acoustic is excellent and we have hosted many intimate concerts with harpsichord, piano or reggae. Seating space is 85 and standing 120.
Seating for dining is optimum 80-100, and we have fantastic local caterers who can work with us to staff, prepare and serve delicious food and wines. We also work with local hire companies for any special equipment or services required.
We have produced photoshoots, fashion shows, ballet festivals, music evenings, charity events, weddings and corporate functions and all have different and exciting challenges.
An exceptional evening’s entertainment by candlelight. Fine dining, wining and a fantastic performance by Wild Arts led by Orlando Jopling.
Our audience of 60 enjoy a magical evening of music by the wonderful trio of Clio Gould, Meghan Cassidi and Orlando Jopling. We were overcome by the virtuoso and intimate performance in our romantically candlelit Hall.
Terence Blacker and Louis de Bernieres performing their hilarious double act in a candlelit Abbey Hall
Terence rocks the joint with a fabulous solo performance. March '18
Charmaine Copper plays harpsichord for a magical evening with Ian Kelly introducing the story of Casanova, the ballet, performed by Northern Ballet.
The White Company held their retail managers' UK conference here. A 2 day event with full catering, fashion show and dance party.
Our annual Xmas Fair attracts visitors from near and far for a feast of vintage clothing, floristry, decorations, presents and good food and coffee.
Christmas parties at Abbey Hall are always magical.
Summer celebrations enjoy the unique setting and create special memories.
100 people were captivated by Harpsichord and Sopranist for a romantic evening of Handel's Journey Through the Enlightenment.
Cool and calm space for relaxation.
Local reggae band Inner Heart played for Gary's birthday dance party.
Local blues Band The Hedonists play for Patricia's birthday bash.
Paul McClure helps celebrate Ben’s birthday bash…
…and it goes with a bang!
Wild Space choreographer Robert Binet created the site-specific ballet Terra Incognita in July 2016. Over 3 days, featuring the best virtuoso ballet dancers from around the globe, Robert entranced the audience with original and sensational performances - moving around the Hall from upper gallery to ground floor and out into the water meadows at sunset.
Daytime workshop with Floral Artist Brigitte Girling to explore the beauty and potential of natural wedding decorations.
The amazing Pianofield play and project with dancers.
John Gleeson’s new play delights the audience and stars Brian Hewlett
Weddings at Abbey Hall are always memorable. We have the space to create the mood you are looking for - from rural charm to rustic cool.
There is no limit to the imaginative format of your wedding:
across the meadows is our beautiful church, there is the historic castle and the Town Hall is licensed for civil weddings, or perhaps under the glorious oak tree behind the Hall.
Together with our favourite caterers, we can provide unique ingredients to make the day go to plan.
Laura and Doug were our first couple. A glorious summer day walking from the castle top to the wonderful celebrations at the Hall.
110 guests and teepees in the meadows.
Kisten and John flew half of Ireland over for their amazing, relaxed wedding. The Hall was transformed to create a beautiful family occasion complete with blessing, lots of champagne and some great dancing.
Kerry and Matt tied the knot at Eye Town Hall and then held a blessing under our beautiful oak tree. A very special weekend and lots of fun!
Ashley and Nick tied the knot in Eye Town Hall and celebrated here
with friends and family from all over the world.
A memorable occasion for all.
Laura and Adam enjoyed the finest weather in the romantic surroundings of Abbey Hall
They were our first couple to tie the knot in our beautiful church in Eye just across the meadows.
The personal touches by friends and family made the wedding an occasion never to forget.
Abbey Hall is a Scheduled Ancient Monument and we have worked closely with English Heritage to repair and revive the original Bake and Brew house built in 1583.
We have respected the original building and materials and applied new ideas and techniques to create a mesmerising mixture of old and new, which exudes the romantic values of the site and has a cool and modern sense of purpose.
Our kitchen workshop is equipped with electrical, fire and water services and provides a flexible space for caterers to create their magical menus. We have an optional catering tent for gas cooking.
Abbey Hall is situated on the site of a c11 Priory on the outskirts of the beautiful market town of Eye, Suffolk.
Set in 10 acres of water meadows leading to the river Dove and beyond to the magnificent Church of St Peter and St Paul, the landscape is a tranquil example of the English Picturesque.
We are directly on the ancient Michael and Mary ley line, which runs from the Suffolk coast to Glastonbury and St Michael's Mount, so the spiritual peace is complemented by the most amazing sunsets.
The historic town of Eye is a thriving market town with a great pub, post office, bank, butchers and all the shops you need. There are lots of options for accommodation nearby and transport links are good for roads or rail. Diss is 3 miles away, with 1.5 hour links to London Liverpool Street. We are just off the A140 20 miles from both Ipswich and Norwich.
Early summer roses fill the courtyard with fragrant colour.
Our lovely Abbey Hut shares the south field with views across the meadows to the church, and is available to rent on Airbnb.
Early spring often sees the meadows flooded - an opportunity to swim!
We always enjoy spectacular sunsets over the church and meadows.
Our house has been built adjoining the main Hall and complements the ancient monument with simple and modern architecture.
We have created open spaces that enjoy the luxury of devotion to purpose. Clean lines and very efficient ground source heating and extensive insulation make the house very economical to run and very cosy to live in.
The house is adjacent to the Hall and reuses derelict farm buildings.
Abbey Hall is on the site of the former Benedictine Priory of St Peter built in 1011. The former Abbey Farm Barn was Listed at Risk in 1974 and has been under the watchful eye of English Heritage and Suffolk Archaeology. The Barn was used as a working dairy, then livestock farm until falling into disuse, when we bought it and proposed the development of the house and reviving the "Barn" as an open space for events and exhibitions.
We worked with local builders James Newstead and Julian White to create the house and barn. For more than 5 years we worked together to form a unique understanding of what we wanted and what was achievable - and we are still friends!
Following many years of careful navigation of heritage, archaeology and building control, we have successfully restored the buildings to create a unique place that breathes through 1000 years.
The roof was thatched until destroyed by fire around 1910.
The Benedictine Priory was built in 1010 as a twin sister to the Priory in Bernay, France.
Working closely with Suffolk Archaeology, we have charted the origins of the building and carefully respected the medieval structures.
Our scheme to restore and enhance the harmonious setting and natural environment.
The first task was to remove the steel shelter and repair broken brickwork.
This is before... after is below.
R&J Hogg went to work on clearing the way to the rebuild.
The concrete milking parlour was added in the 70's and deemed to be of no architectural value although it was listed by being attached to the Scheduled monument!
The huge area of cattle sheds were dismanteled and used to build the structure of the timber extension and vegetable garden.
Tons of concrete was crushed and reused for foundations of new buildings.
As well as professional builders, the whole family put a lot of work into the project!
James the Digger was amazingly flexible and we installed the ground source heating system in the water meadows.
Something had to give!
We extended and insulated the milking parlour to create the second floor bedrooms.
The skylight was an essential feature in bringing the light into the dark space.
Of course, it was not straightforward as we found rotten timbers and crumbling structures.
This is a small part of the detailed work and specifications we prepared with English Heritage. Laura was a saint!
