About Pekes

Pekes is an early Tudor tile-hung manor house (c.1470), garden and park with a self-contained Edwardian Wing and two separate houses surrounding it at a little distance; it has been in our family since 1908. The Manor House retains many of its original features including its 16th century kitchen, its Tudor beams and ornate Elizabethan fireplace etc, and though everything has been modernised over the years it has kept its old charm and welcome. Surrounding it are lawns and gardens (including an old walled garden which grows fruit, vegetables and chickens), and around it lie miles of almost unchanged East Sussex countryside of small farms and lovely old woods. It still feels like a home, and we love welcoming people to it.

Pekes, near the village of Chiddingly on the edge of the Sussex Weald, is just inland from the South Downs National Park. The sea at beautiful Cuckmere Haven and historic Pevensey beach is only 12 miles away, the historic town of Lewes is 9 miles, and Brighton and Eastbourne are a little further off. There are many beautiful local places to walk or cycle along, and many historic houses and interesting locations including Battle and the memories of 1066.

Pekes was purchased by Terence Bourke in 1908 and he considerably restored and added to the old place. His daughter Jasmine and granddaughter Eva continued this process, and now Pekes and its houses are warm and comfortable homes from home for anyone wanting an outstanding place to visit locally, to rest and recuperate, or to have an amazing Wedding Reception or a Reunion or a Party. It offers perfect Group Accommodation. We have lots of on-site facilities, including our indoor heated swimming pool, our Jacuzzi and Saunas, our hard surface tennis court, and our own walled garden. Above all, it’s in its own estate up a long private drive well away from the road, is very quiet, and is in the middle of beautiful farming land and countryside.

With Eva’s passing in 2022, Pekes is looked after by other members of the same family and we still like to feel that Pekes is ‘Distinctly Different’, and we hope that you will come and find out why.

The Family

Since 1966, Pekes Manor has been awarded Grade II Listed status by Historic England.

(Ref 1043270, National Grid Reference TQ5555213050)

  • star rating  Fantastic place 5 ⭐ - I have been visiting this place once a year, for four years running now, with a large group of friends from work to let our hair down.
    We have... read more rented both the main house, the wing and the smaller property at the back of the house.
    Nothing but good things to say, fantastic hosts, beautiful grounds and the perfect way to relax. No doubt we will keep going back until we’re too old to do so!! 5⭐

    avatar thumb Zoe B
    July 1, 2025

    star rating  Wonderful stay - A wonderful stay at Pekes, we had the Manor House, wing and cottage and had the most fantastic time. Wonderful facilities and the grounds are stunning. The pool and hot... read more tub are a great addition. The house has lots of charm. Can’t fault it!!!!

    Thankyou to Kildare and his wonderful team!

    avatar thumb josaraclarke
    July 1, 2025

    star rating  Fantastic Customer Care - Due to COVID, we unfortunately weren’t able to stay. But wanted to review as the host was so kind and helpful with getting my money refunded. Was so impressed and... read more happy with the customer service. I will look to book in future when things get back to some normality and restrictions are lifted.

    avatar thumb Karl
    October 1, 2020

    star rating  Charming Oast House - Our family of seven, two adults, three children and two grandmas, stayed in the Oast House for a week. The house was immaculately clean with large living areas, well equipped... read more kitchen and very comfortable bedrooms. The beds were exceptionally comfortable. Oast house is an old house with charm and character but some of us complained about the old plumbing and the low pressure in the bathrooms. It didn't bother me, it was part of the authentic experience.
    The secluded private garden at the house is very large, plenty of space to play around for the kids. We had our own Jacuzzi. It needed a clean but someone came straight away to do that.
    The swimming pool at the estate is a few meters away, it was nice and warm, very good for playing around and even for a swim.
    The kids enjoyed spending time at the playground and there is a tennis court to use as well.
    There are lots of walk from the house and plenty to do in the area with a short drive away.
    Overall, it's a really nice place in a beautiful setting. We'd be back again.

    avatar thumb Travel299816
    July 1, 2020
  • star rating  Dreamy stay - My daughter and her friends spent 4 days in Pekes Last house and they said they will forever remember this place. The hot tub outside in the greenhouse is a... read more bliss, the house is cozy and really comfortable with everything one would need. The huge green space at the back makes you feel out of the world, the barbecue space is fantastic.
    Couldn't have chosen a better place.

    avatar thumb Elisa M
    July 1, 2020

    star rating  Pekes is a gem of a find. - What a gem.

    We held a birthday party weekend for our mum and her friends in The Manor House and also hired The Wing and the Gate house.... read more
    What a privilege. The Manor House is full of charm, character and romance. The kitchen has every utensil, plate, bowl and serving dish you will ever need.
    The place was spotless and inviting.
    The pool, warm and lots of fun.
    There is a games room with lots of equipment needed.
    Gorgeous from both the outside and inside. Local areas to walk and run.
    People have not stopped talking about Pekes houses.
    The hosts are friendly and accommodating. Cannot wait to return.
    Thank you for such a beautiful venue.

    avatar thumb alexanddave
    February 1, 2020

    star rating  Beautiful house out in nature - I stayed here with 11 friends for a hen do and we had a wonderful time.

    The house is beautiful and has everything you could ever need. We... read more particularly enjoyed the board room (where we hosted a quiz) and the hot tub and the pool.

    There’s a nearby pub (The Gun) which has an excellent selection vegan and gf friendly food (as well as all the usuals).

    Best of all the management were very responsive to emails and helpful. And even came round to check we had everything we needed.

    Couldn’t recommend highly enough!

    avatar thumb Chloe G
    February 1, 2020

    star rating  Half Term Escape!! In the Sussex Countryside - So me being me, I asked for a split venue holiday and Pekes Manor were happy to oblige. 3 days in one of the properties, Gate House and 3 days... read more in Tudor View. To the kids it was like 2 holidays in one. So I could earn those valuable family points!!!!

    Well starting with the Gate House, what a beautifully quaint, traditional home. This is a perfect venue to spend time with the kids and our young four legged friend. The gardens are well fenced when we need to throw the excited one out for his own space!!! The property is perfectly set out for a small family who get on well.! Thankfully I had booked the bigger venue for the next few nights stay.

    To clarify, my children are lovely and I have the perfect family. But after 3 days with them in a confined space, I need a bit of R&R. So off to the heated swimming pool it is, topped off by the Jacuzzi and Sauna. All of which are available to guests of Pekes Manor.

    So we have just moved in to Tudor View, and we love it! The layout is quirky! Tho when I leave for work at 5am tiptoeing thru the kids bedroom to get to the kitchen, I am not sure how that will go down with the missus when I wake them up!!! I will update shortly!!!!

    You will love it here!!!

    avatar thumb Ben C
    October 1, 2019
  • star rating  Wedding venue - We hired the whole of the estate for our wedding in July. From the moment we booked until we left Kildare and his team were so helpful and kind. Our... read more wedding was amazing and all 140 guests kept commenting on how beautiful the whole site is. Each house was fabulous with the Manor House in particular being stunning. The swimming pool, sauna and hot tubs were the icing on the cake. Pekes manages to get the perfect balance of feeling homely and relaxed with the right amount of luxury. I can’t recommend Pekes enough!!

    avatar thumb Travel50553
    July 1, 2019

    star rating  Wonderful family celebration home - We celebrated a joint 70th birthday by hiring Pekes Manor, the attached Wing and the adjacent Tudor House for three generations of 8 adults and 8 children from 1 to... read more 13.
    We had an amazing time using the wide range of facilities set in lovely grounds. The staff were very friendly and addressed immediately the one or two small issues we had.
    Would highly recommend.

    avatar thumb Joofsh
    July 1, 2019

    star rating  Beautiful house out in nature - I stayed here with 11 friends for a hen do and we had a wonderful time.

    The house is beautiful and has everything you could ever need. We... read more particularly enjoyed the board room (where we hosted a quiz) and the hot tub and the pool.

    There’s a nearby pub (The Gun) which has an excellent selection vegan and gf friendly food (as well as all the usuals).

    Best of all the management were very responsive to emails and helpful. And even came round to check we had everything we needed.

    Couldn’t recommend highly enough!

    avatar thumb Chloe G
    February 1, 2020

    star rating  Half Term Escape!! In the Sussex Countryside - So me being me, I asked for a split venue holiday and Pekes Manor were happy to oblige. 3 days in one of the properties, Gate House and 3 days... read more in Tudor View. To the kids it was like 2 holidays in one. So I could earn those valuable family points!!!!

    Well starting with the Gate House, what a beautifully quaint, traditional home. This is a perfect venue to spend time with the kids and our young four legged friend. The gardens are well fenced when we need to throw the excited one out for his own space!!! The property is perfectly set out for a small family who get on well.! Thankfully I had booked the bigger venue for the next few nights stay.

    To clarify, my children are lovely and I have the perfect family. But after 3 days with them in a confined space, I need a bit of R&R. So off to the heated swimming pool it is, topped off by the Jacuzzi and Sauna. All of which are available to guests of Pekes Manor.

    So we have just moved in to Tudor View, and we love it! The layout is quirky! Tho when I leave for work at 5am tiptoeing thru the kids bedroom to get to the kitchen, I am not sure how that will go down with the missus when I wake them up!!! I will update shortly!!!!

    You will love it here!!!

    avatar thumb Ben C
    October 1, 2019

Pekes Houses & Estate Maps