Historic venues

Once home to royalty, including Henry VIII, Hampton Court Palace is an unforgettable venue. It's magnificently played host to lavish celebrations over the centuries, from gala diners to festive banquets and historic meetings. Originally a dining room for members of Henry VIII’s court, the Great Hall makes a grand setting for banquets. Elsewhere, state rooms, grand staircases, cobbled courtyards and pretty gardens make the venue one of the country’s most impressive palaces.

Venue review of Banqueting House

Venue review of Kensington Palace

Venue review of Kew Palace

Venue review of The Tower of London

This King’s Road venue’s illustrious past is apparent the moment you walk through its marbled foyer. The Main Hall is a classic late-Victorian design: its ornate arched ceiling and marble columns form a dramatic backdrop for drinks receptions and dinner dances. The same space affords sizeable conferences and lectures added gravitas, while the Small Hall’s minstrels’ gallery and collection of oil paintings make it a characterful spot for a gala dinner.

Surrounding a Georgian manor house, Tracy Park’s two championship courses rate as among the most challenging parkland courses in the south west. A renovated driving range and high-spec practice green help everyone get their eye in. Its high ceilings and handsome furnishing, make the house good for group dinners. The Carriages Bedroom Block has four-poster beds and views across the courses.

Venue review of Lythe Hill Hotel

Venue review of Old Thorns

Venue review of Castlemartyr Resort

Set in a whopping 600 acres of parkland, The Grange is one of the UK’s best examples of neoclassical architecture. Indoors the ‘distressed’ interiors provide a characterful backdrop for a range of events spanning large corporate presentations to high-concept parties and dining. The stand out space has to be its award-winning theatre, which comes with a range of reception rooms handy for pre-event drinks or breakout sessions. Also of note are its outdoor spaces, which includes a string of attractive porticos, along with as many sweeping terraces around the house.

The Prince Consort Rooms is the modern facet to the Honourable Artillery Company’s venue collection, which also includes the Armoury House. Built in the shell of the venue’s original Victorian drill hall, the space comprises two areas, the East and West Albert Rooms – which can be used separately or in combination. Both have top-drawer AV facilities, and are equally suited to conferences, dinners and small-scale exhibitions.

Venue review of The HAC

A Grade II-listed country-house hotel, Inglewood Manor is laden with period features. The oak-panelled Executive Room is a handsome setting for any business-first occasions as well as private dinners – ditto the high-ceilinged Ledsham Room. We’re fans of the purpose-built Burton Suite, with its French doors opening on to expansive gardens. The 38 acres of grounds are made for teambuilding activities, while barbecues can be fired up on the terrace.

The 400-year-old Queen’s House sits pretty in the middle of Greenwich’s National Maritime Museum’s grounds. We love the Great Hall (whose dimensions form a perfect 40ft cube) with its gold-leaf ceiling artwork by Turner Prize-winning Richard Wright. For more intimate events, consider the striking Orangery & South Parlours. After-dinner entertainment might be hosted in the Undercroft, while guests can spill out onto the lawns in good weather.

Venue review of Cutty Sark

Venue review of National Maritime Museum

Venue review of The Royal Observatory

In tranquil Dean’s Yard, next to Westminster Abbey, this Grade II-listed building was a stand-in base for the House of Lords during WWII. Today, it offers a wide range of event spaces, blending original character (oak panelling, raw stone, feature windows) with advanced technology – its upgraded Assembly Hall features a 4K projection system. That sense of occasion required for awards ceremonies and gala dinners is found here in abundance.

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Home to one of London’s oldest livery companies, Saddlers’ Hall is constructed in the classical style, with period details and furniture. Events from conferences to AGMs, large drinks receptions and banquets can be held in its rooms. The highlight is the Great Hall, with exquisite stained-glass windows and a musicians’ gallery. Multiple breakout spaces provide extra conferencing facilties, while the secluded courtyard can be used for alfresco summer entertaining.

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The award-winning Middle Temple Garden is among Zone 1’s best-kept secrets. Amid the handsome red-brick buildings that define Middle Temple Hall, relaxed Fountain Court – a good spot for a pop-up bar – gives way to clipped lawns stretching towards the Thames. There’s space for a marquee, or alfresco receptions can be combined with dinners in one of the hall’s stately indoor spaces. When you’re finished, Temple tube station is a three-minute walk away.

Venue review of Middle Temple Hall

The latest addition to the Camm & Hooper stable, this thoroughbred Leadenhall venue was built in the 1920s for a New York bank. From the uplit columns and marble of the Main Hall to the ornate feature window of the Director’s Observatory, the neoclassical grandeur is still there. Find your way to the secluded Archives for meetings around an original fireplace, or head down to the speakeasy-style Grace Below for atmospheric drinks receptions.

Venue review of Banking Hall

Venue review of Six Storeys on Soho

Venue review of Tanner Warehouse

Venue review of Victorian Bath House

The former residence of prime minister William Gladstone is now home to the British Academy, which under its venue moniker, 10-11 Carlton House Terrace, offers 11 rather grand event spaces for hire. Period features contrast with abstract art and up-to-date tech, providing rooms ready for modern business needs. In 2016, the venue added the book-lined Lee Library to its lineup of spaces, which lends its regency character to evening dinners.

Venue review on 10-11 Carlton House Terrace

The size and character of this Greenwich venue, along with its fascinating range of artefacts, make it ideal for large, upmarket events. The Upper Deck, a dramatic gallery in the glass-roofed Neptune Court, is made for gala dinners and awards ceremonies. Elsewhere, the Sammy Ofer Wing works well for standing receptions, allowing guests to enjoy the surrounding exhibition areas. The AV-ready Leopold Muller Lecture Theatre is the spot for conferences.

Venue review of Cutty Sark

Venue review of The Queen's House

Venue review of The Royal Observatory

The Fishmongers’ Company was granted its first royal charter by Edward I in 1272. Its splendid Greek Revival-style livery hall is rather more recent, built in the 19th century. State-of-the-art AV in the headline space, Banqueting Hall, makes conferences seamless, while the nearby Court Dining Room is a fine spot for private dinners, offering Thames views. Summer events are best held in the Court Room, which has access to a large terrace.

The events appeal of the Science Museum is obvious. Where else can you dine next to the Apollo 10 command module or mingle under the first plane to cross the Atlantic? Daytime conferences are well catered for in the Imax Theatre. For evening events, we like the Exploring Space gallery with its rockets, satellites and landers. Recent additions include Mathematics: The Winton Gallery and Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery – both bookable for events and private views.

Venue review of Making the Modern World at the Science Museum

Venue review of Illuminate at the Science Museum

Venue review of IMAX at the Science Museum

Venue review of Wonderlab: The Equinor Gallery at the Science Museum

Home of Greenwich Mean Time, the Royal Observatory’s credentials speak for themselves. Designed by Sir Christopher Wren, the venue has a variety of spaces with river views: The Octagon Room in Flamsteed House can be hired for a reception or dinner, the modern Planetarium is available for private hire, while The Foyer works well for larger dining events. The Observatory’s team of astronomers and horologists can even be on hand to add a little context.

Venue review of Cutty Sark

Venue review of National Maritime Museum

Venue review of The Queen's House

No.11 Cavendish Square occupies an elegant Grade II-listed Georgian townhouse with four floors of event space. The ground-floor Green House offers a verdant spot with a central champagne bar and AV kit for meetings. The venue’s standout space, though, is the light and modern Orangery, which is flanked by a tranquil courtyard garden. The hi-tech Burdett Theatre is the spot for important presentations.

Venue review of Summer parties at No.11 Cavendish Square

Venue review of The Green House at No.11 Cavendish Square

Venue review of The Orangery & Courtyard at No.11 Cavendish Square

Dating from 1672, this City venue has all the historic character of a traditional livery hall. The oak-panelled Great Hall, with its beautiful 18th-century candelabrum, suits receptions and dinners. The more intimate Court Room suits smaller parties and has a stately home feel, with portrait-lined walls and stained-glass windows. Next door, the bright Parlour is great for smaller meetings or as a breakout space. An elegant courtyard makes summer entertaining possible, too.

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Affectionately known as The Rag, this private members club in St James’s has been a hub for officers in the British Armed Forces since 1837. It makes the most of its heritage: military artefacts are displayed throughout, and event spaces are enhanced by period details, chandeliers and fireplaces. Conferences are best held in the bright Pall Mall Room, while the elegant Drawing Room makes an atmospheric spot for private dinners.

The old home of Frederic, Lord Leighton – Victorian painter and former president of the RA – this museum is one of London’s hidden gems. Tucked away behind a rambling red-brick exterior, statement backdrops abound here. Among them, the domed interior of Leighton’s Studio is a striking spot for dinner parties, while cocktail receptions can be held in the opulent Arab Hall – the museum’s centrepiece, designed to house the artist’s priceless collection of 16th- and 17th-century Islamic tiles and the house’s central fountain. Private events must take place in the evening as Leighton House is open to the public during the day.

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Groups can now dine at the painter’s own dining table – only used once since 1896. Up to 16 diners can be accommodated, with the evening including pre-dinner drinks in the Arab Hall, followed by a tour of the house. 

Well known in the film industry as a picturesque backdrop, Compton Verney came to public attention when it opened as an art gallery in 2004. The Grade I-listed Georgian mansion is also available for events from small board meetings to exclusive-use parties and product launches. Its stand-out space is the exquisite marble-floored Adam Hall, while breakout activities can be laid on within its 120 acres of Capability Brown-designed parkland.

The 16th-century Lygon Arms Hotel has retaken its place as a centrepiece of the dreamy Cotswolds village of Broadway. A sensitive multimillion-pound upgrade has refreshed the spa, improved the accommodation and added a new culinary destination, the Lygon Bar & Grill. The grill’s wood panelling makes an atmospheric spot for large-scale dinners. Smaller groups should gather in the Cromwell Room for cosy meals around an Elizabethan fireplace.

In a neoclassical Mayfair townhouse, the Lansdowne Club matches a storied history to modern event facilities. A vaulted gold-leaf ceiling makes the Ballroom a remarkable space for gala events. The Shelburne Room is augmented by a private anteroom and bar area for catered events. For smaller meetings and private dinners, there’s the elegant Findlay Room. The club has a rich fencing tradition and the sport can be incorporated into teambuilding days.

Home to the British Academy, this charming St James’s property offers a range of rather grand event spaces. Period features contrast with abstract art and up-to-date tech, providing rooms ready for modern business needs. The venue has just completed the refurbishment of its Lecture Room and Wolfson Room. Both have benefitted from an updated colour scheme, while the former has a new stage, making it the best spot for important presentations.

Venue review on British Academy

Built in the 1530s for one of Elizabeth I’s courtiers, Seckford Hall has been a leading country-house hotel since the 1950s. Beyond its imposing Tudor façade lie three flexible meeting spaces. For presentations and large events, the Great Hall has its own bar and a minstrels gallery. Elsewhere, the Mulberry Suite and Boardroom are better suited to smaller groups for events, meetings and private dining. An excellent on-site restaurant and 32 bedrooms make overnighters a cinch.

Described as a tiny ‘doll’s house’ of a royal residence, Kew Palace has been gracefully restored to its state when George III lived there. Inside, a clutch of spaces for hire includes the understated but atmospheric King’s Dining Room (where the Queen celebrated her 80th birthday), which holds up to 30 dinner guests looking across the Great Lawn. Receptions for up to 40 standing guests can also be catered for in this space. In the summer, the Queen’s Garden and its adjoining Physic Garden – holding up to 40 people – make a beautiful spot for a garden party or alfresco cocktails. In addition, the newly restored Royal Kitchen (complete with original ovens and fireplace) and its gardens are open for receptions, while Queen Charlotte’s Cottage, located deep within Kew Gardens, provides a charming backdrop for private dining for 24. Group tours can be arranged, and there’s a new meeting room for 10 delegates in the Royal Kitchen.

Venue review of Banqueting House

Venue review of Hampton Court Palace

Venue review of Kensington Palace

Venue review of The Tower of London

Set in 574 acres of parkland and gardens, Hylands Estate is a 300-year-old property with restored architecture offset by bright, modern interiors. A popular wedding venue, it’s also suited to conferences, gala nights, away days and product launches. We like the Grand Pavilion, with its own courtyard – not to mention the ornate, baroque-style Banqueting Room. Elsewhere, the Hanbury Suite’s large oval table marks it out for board meetings and presentations.

Claridge’s is a byword for timeless glamour – whether you’re dining in Michelin-star Fera or sipping champagne in the bar. Things are no different in the five-star hotel’s event spaces, some of which have been recently refurbished. The listed Ballroom’s chandeliers and silver palate add elegance to dinners and conferences, while its reception makes pre- or post-event drinks easy. Our favourite room is the French Salon – quite the spot for long-table business meetings.

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Venue review of The Berkeley

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Venue review of The Connaught

Dating from 1670, Skinners’ Hall is home to one of the City’s ‘Great 12’ livery companies, combining stately halls, elegant chambers and homely rooms. Guests enter across a paved courtyard before heading, perhaps, to the Great Hall for a banquet, the Old Court Room for a private dinner or the handsome Court Room for a board meeting. The Roof Garden, with its elegant fountain, suits summer entertaining, while the Outer Hall’s roaring fire makes it a fine choice in winter.

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Commissioned by James I in 1622 as an entertaining space for court masques, Banqueting House dazzled London’s high society when it opened. You can almost feel the spirit of courtiers who partied beneath the magnificent Rubens-painted ceiling of the Main Hall. This space is an awe-inspiring sight when set for a candle-lit dinner, but the room is also perfect for receptions of 500 and awards dinners for 380 guests. Once enjoyed as a drinking den by James I, the vaulted Undercroft below is an atmospheric space for a cocktail reception or after-dinner party. A list of approved suppliers provides everything from flowers to furniture.

Venue review of Hampton Court Palace

Venue review of Kensington Palace

Venue review of Kew Palace

Venue review of The Tower of London

Just off the Strand, the stylish Georgian home of the Royal Society of Arts is a highly versatile venue. Its Great Room – think domed-glass ceiling and period paintings – has movable seating that enables it to host events ranging from conferences to gala dinners. The striking and spacious Vaults can also be used for drinks receptions, meetings and dinners. In total, the venue has 11 spaces to choose from, and all come with the latest AV kit. It's also worth noting that the venue has a new coffee shop, Rawthmells that's ideal for casual business meetings.

This grand Georgian venue has five function rooms and fine views towards the Tower of London. There’s a distinctly nautical feel to the decor, which features maritime paintings, ship models and the brass bell from the royal yacht Britannia. Our choice space is the Court Room, with a ceiling fresco by Pre-Raphaelite artist William Holman Hunt. Pick the Library for banquets and take the adjoining Pepys Room as an entertainment space.

Each of the Tower of London’s function rooms has its own story: the White Tower houses the armour of Henry VIII, while the Medieval Palace makes a great summer party space. The Martin Tower, which used to be home to the Crown Jewels, is available for intimate dinners, and New Armouries: Banqueting Suite is your best bet for conferences. A private view of the Crown Jewels or a Yeoman Warder tour are popular add-ons.

Venue review of Banqueting House

Venue review of Hampton Court Palace

Venue review of Kensington Palace

Venue review of Kew Palace

The King’s Fund (aka No. 11 Cavendish Square) occupies a Georgian townhouse with four floors of event space. The Burdett Suite, with adjoining catering space, is the spot for conferences. The standout room, however, is the bright Orangery flanked by the tranquil Courtyard Garden. The newest addition is the Green House: a light, verdant room for receptions. Two more lecture theatres can host presentations, while the President’s Room suits meetings and private dinners.

Venue review of No.11 Cavendish Square

Venue review of The Orangery & Courtyard at No11

Venue review of Christmas at King's Fund

History fans will love this Grade II-listed building and ancient monument. It’s well suited to dramatic banquets, presentations, receptions and wine tastings, with a host of attractive function rooms to choose from. The Livery Hall is the largest space, featuring 16th- and 17th-century armour, George II chandeliers and a Men-At-Arms candelabrum. For smaller events, consider The Library with its quiet, cosy atmosphere and ornate mahogany bookcases.

Built by Sir Christopher Wren after the Great Fire of London, St Andrew Holborn is now a popular location for events, with a series of spaces to hire in the church, courthouse and crypt. The church itself is an atmospheric backdrop for dinners and concerts, while the crypt is a dramatic subterranean space for receptions. There’s also plenty of straight-up meeting space, while catering can be provided by the in-house team or from preferred suppliers.

Set in nine acres of Sussex parkland, this attractive Elizabethan manor house is tucked away in a charming Tudor village. Some guest rooms have four-poster beds; all are adorned with antiques. For meetings and events, the oak-panelled Burrell Suite is a charming space, while the terrace and gardens can be used for teambuilding. The property’s attractive fine-dining restaurant can be hired exclusively for private dinners and receptions.

Thirty-five minutes west of London, historic Hedsor House is a popular filming location and an outstanding venue for exclusive hire. At the heart of this Georgian manor house is its Italianate, domed Centre Hall, a towering spot for drinks receptions. The more expansive Ballroom is a luxurious place for gala dinners and conferences, while the South Lawn is a fine summertime setting. Teambuilding activities on Hedsor’s 100-acre estate include clay pigeon shooting and 4x4 off-roading.

Built by architect John Gibson in the mid-19th century, this striking City venue lends its neoclassical charm to business events and parties. The Main Hall, with its marble columns and crystal chandeliers, is a natural choice for formal dinners and Christmas parties; it also doubles as a popular place to host trade shows and conferences. The art deco-style Garden Room is a relatively modern edition, and opens out onto a spacious outdoor space.

Renowned for its social work, music and architecture, this iconic church can also be hired for events. Its seven spaces range from meeting rooms to an underground crypt whose vaulted ceiling creates a special atmosphere for receptions, dinners and launches. St Martin’s Hall, with its double-height ceiling and oak-panelled walls, is a standout space for formal functions and conferences. The venue also has an in-house catering team and a 2am licence.

Venue review of The Crypt at St Martin-in-the-Fields

Set in tranquil Kensington Gardens, Kensington Palace became a royal residence in 1689. It was designed by Sir Christopher Wren, who was commissioned by William and Mary to create a retreat from Whitehall, and has hosted the courts of countless kings and queens over the centuries. This heritage is reflected in the grandeur of the event spaces. The bright Orangery combines with a marquee to hold up to 1,000 guests, while the Queen’s Gallery – with its rich 17th-century interiors and secluded Sunken Garden – holds 170 for pre-dinner drinks. There is also modern reception space for up to 300 guests in the clean-lined Hub on the ground floor.

Venue review of Banqueting House

Venue review of Hampton Court Palace

Venue review of Kew Palace

Venue review of The Tower of London

With smart interiors of light wood, exposed brick and glass, the Orangery is the most striking event space at multipurpose venue No.11 Cavendish Square. Full of light by day – thanks to its glass roof – and beautifully lit at night, the space hosts events ranging from lunches and dinners to receptions and networking. Summer events can spill out into the tranquil courtyard garden, which has a living wall and an attractive water feature.

Venue review of No.11 Cavendish Square

Venue review of Summer parties at No.11 Cavendish Square

Venue review of The Green House at No.11 Cavendish Square

One of the ancient Inns of Court, Middle Temple stands apart for its unspoilt main Hall, featuring 16th-century heraldic panels, stained-glass windows and a splendid hammer-beam roof. The cosier Prince’s Room comes with an original fireplace and oak-clad walls, while the Queen’s Room has generous garden views (its lawns make a fine spot for summer drinks). Board-level meetings work well within the stained-glass confines of the Parliament Chamber.

Venue review of Middle Temple Garden

Tucked away in a garden square off London Wall, the red-brick Barber-Surgeons’ Hall occupies one of the City’s prettiest locations. Its centrepiece is the wood-panelled Great Hall, a bright space with elaborate ceilings and huge windows. The Reception Room, Court Room and Charter Rooms are just as well turned out and show off artefacts from the livery company’s long history. A terrace overlooks peaceful grounds and a medicinal garden.

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Tucked away in a six-acre garden close to the City, the Honourable Artillery Company is a hidden gem. On the north side of its lawns sits 18th-century Armoury House, where the standout space is the oak-panelled Long Room with its minstrels’ gallery. Elsewhere, there’s the more contemporary Prince Consort Rooms, which our own marketing team booked for a recent SquareMeal Tasting event. The garden can be hired for summer events.

Venue review of The Prince Consort Rooms at the HAC

This Grade I-listed building is made for conferences and gala dinners. Stone columns and period chandeliers define its Great Hall, dating from 1753. With a statement marble chimney piece, the Drawing Room is a destination in its own right, and can host receptions ahead of dinner in the stately Dining Room. Drinks can also be taken in the octagonal court rooms, while tours of the former police cells and dungeons are an unusual add-on.