Best riverside venues for hire in London

The refurbished Savoy Place offers increased capacity and cutting-edge tech. The Riverside Room and Maxwell Library both come with fine views over the Thames, whilst the Johnson Roof Terrace is made for summer parties with a spanning space for al fresco events of up to 200.

Once home to royalty, Hampton Court Palace is a truly unforgettable venue. The site has played host to lavish celebrations over the centuries, from gala dinners to festive banquets and historic meetings. State rooms, grand staircases, cobbled courtyards and riverside views make the venue one of the country’s most impressive palaces.

For more than 20 years, Le Pont de la Tour has been serving up its classic French cuisine and front-row Thames views. The interior is inspired by a ship’s dining room, while a covered terrace is perfect for alfresco entertaining. Seafood-leaning menus feature the likes of poached lobster or crab salad, with an extensive wine list to wash everything down.

In the Royal Festival Hall on the South Bank, Skylon makes the most of its position with floor-to-ceiling windows looking out over the Thames. The spacious venue offers three distinct sections with a raised bar separating the relaxed brasserie from the fine-dining area. Menus of modern British cuisine are on the cards here.

Steeped in a rich history, each of the rooms at the Tower of London’s has its own story: the White Tower houses the armour of Henry VIII, while the Medieval Palace makes a great summer party space. Plus, with picturesque views of the Thames, this venue really has everything.

This island venue is about as riverside a location as you could hope for, offering scenic views from every angle. Located just outside of Surbiton, Raven’s Ait is a truly unique spot that provides a complete escape for your event. The Marquee here sits against the banks of the river and has space for a party of up to 250.

Found across levels 34 to 52 of The Shard, Shangri-La Hotel is an event space that justifies superlatives. The Ren Ballroom can accommodate up to 140 guests in its glamorous space with floor to ceiling windows that offer eye-catching views in all directions. 

Events in this British landmark’s historic spaces will resonate with groups both large and small. Situated on a Unesco World Heritage site, the Houses of Parliament confers memorable events for guests across its varied spaces. Right next to the Thames, the all-weather Terrace Pavilion marquee offers close-up views of the river.

This bastion of British produce is popular with City folk who pop over the river for superior steaks and rotisserie-style cooking. Interiors are smart but cosy, and guests can enjoy views over Tower Bridge. Exclusive events can be held in the bar and grill and in summer, receptions can spill out onto the riverside terrace. 

For a cosy canalside venue in North London, look no further than Beit el Zaytoun. This restaurant combines a vibrant conservatory-like dining area complete with floor to ceiling windows and plush greenery to go alongside menus of Mediterranean fare that makes for a delightful evening.

This impressive riverside venue boasts seven unique spaces, alongside a pledge of sustainability with its ‘green packages’ available for your upcoming event. The River Room is the best spot for Thameside views, offering a sleek, blank-canvas option for up to 180 guests. 

The views at Swan, Shakespeare’s Globe are appropriately dramatic from this waterside location. The bright, top-floor Balcony Room is a private space that looks out to the river and St Paul’s Cathedral, while a level below, the River Room showcases the Thames through double-aspect windows. 

The South Bank’s National Theatre is home to the Buffini Chao Deck, an exclusive events space with a wrap-around terrace that boasts views across the Thames and beyond. An idyllic backdrop to pop open a bottle of bubbly and watch the sun set across this iconic Skyline. 

One of the big openings of 2017, this South Bank venue at the top of the Sea Containers building turned heads with its 2,300 square metres of event space and killer river views. The Cucumber restaurant is the standout space, but those cityscape vistas get even better on the roof terrace.