Ceremonies at the museum take place in the beautiful and unique Durbar Hall. It was built in 1886 for the Indian & Colonial Exhibition, where it formed the centrepiece of an Indian palace and was used for receptions by the Prince of Wales, later crowned King Edward VII. Designed by architect Sir Caspar Purdon Clarke and carved by Mohammed Bakhsh and Mohammed Juma, it took only 9 months for the master-woodcarvers to complete its stunningly intricate carvings.
After the exhibition, the Durbar Hall was purchased by Lord Brassey. The wooden panels were installed in his London home 24 Park Lane, on the site of the present London Hilton, then donated to Hastings Museum in 1919. The Durbar Hall was installed on its current site at John’s Place in 1932.
This unique Hall is set on two floors with a lantern roof. The stairway, with arched balcony from the upper floor, offers a dramatic entrance to the ground floor. The wall panels are carved in teak and deodar cedar and are accompanied by glowing stained-glass windows, creating an intimate and flexible space for your special occasion.
Experience
No. of Weddings Hosted
More than 50
Public Liability Insurance
Yes
Overview of Hastings Museum & Art Gallery
Venue Type
Museum
Attraction
Reception Capacity
76
Usual Access Time
10:00 AM
Usual Finish Time
05:00 PM
Ceremony & Reception
Wedding Licence
Confetti Permitted
Sound System Available
Venue
Exclusive Use
On-Site Parking
Disabled Access
Grade I/II Listed Building
Food and Drink
Alcohol Licence
Pricing for Hastings Museum & Art Gallery
Packages
(total price)
Prices Start At
£450
Maximum Price
£700
Number of Guests Included
76
Tressell Package (Ceremony Only - £475)*
Baird Package (Ceremony + Refreshments + Upgraded seating - £700)*
* All packages are subject to change due to the museum’s exhibition and event programme. Please discuss with the Senior Visitor Services Officer when arranging your ceremony.