Sports venues for hire

This mini-golf specialist has courses in three London parks. Next door to Go Ape, its Battersea branch is well set up for exclusive-use events. Food comes from a wood-fired pizza oven, drinks from a well-stocked long bar, and there are hardwood floors for dancing. A large outdoor area is heated and the 18-hole, all-weather course itself raises some eye-catching challenges for all levels of player. Watch out, in particular, for some turbulent water hazards.

When it’s not flooded with rugby fans, the England national stadium operates as a venue for corporate and private events. Spaces include the 1,200-capacity Rose Suite and the Live Room auditorium that has retractable tiered seating operated at the touch of a button. The South Stand conference centre got a £300k AV upgrade in 2016, and more recently had a refurbishment of its carpets and a reduction of its pillar sizes. The most unusual space for a sporting venue is the Twickenham Cellar, where 14 guests can feast on seven courses and fine wines. Three VIP areas have floor-to-ceiling windows that maximise views of the pitch, while the England Changing Rooms have been completely modernised. Group tours and guest speakers can also be arranged.

Stamford Bridge sports a long lineup of contemporary facilities for hosting groups. Look first to the newly refurbished (late 2017) West Stand, with its myriad modern event spaces and teambuilding options. The all-new 1905 Club, which replaces Marco Grill, is already proving popular for meetings and dinners on non-match days. Elsewhere, we’re fans of Under the Bridge, a state-of-the-art music venue used for award ceremonies and dinners.

The third of Putt in the Park’s three London venues, this mini-golf course in Acton Park closely follows the group’s successful template. Next to 18 carefully designed holes, there’s a standalone clubhouse serving pizzas from a wood-fired oven and well-turned drinks from a long bar. Hardwood floors make for easy dancing and there’s a heated outdoor area to rest up in. Exclusive-hire packages mean groups get the run of the whole place.

The home of West Ham United and UK Athletics, this impressive 66,000-capacity stadium has a host of modern event spaces to offer, covering business gatherings through to parties and away days. We like the ‘premium’ Arnold Hills room: it’s a good spot for informal meetings or smart receptions with its own bar and a balcony looking out over the pitch. If you need more space, the Great Briton can host flexible, multi-function events.

Yellowave is a beach-sports venue available to hire for group activities. It celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2017 and has six volleyball courts that can be hired hourly – making it a good choice for teambuilding. A coach, with a speciality in volleyball, is on hand to help school participants and organise competitive tournaments for groups. Indoors, the venue’s bright, wood-clad Clubhouse is available for meetings and parties, and has floor-to-ceiling windows that show off a view of the sea and the town’s famous pier. In-house catering comes in the form of beach-appropriate barbecues and beer.

Home to Surrey County Cricket Club and a host to international cricket matches, The Kia Oval is justifiably popular for its excellent event facilities, which include a conference centre and roof terrace. It can take large groups for banqueting and offers plenty of smaller meeting rooms – most offer natural light and have views of the pitch. Hospitality packages on match days are another big draw. We like the roof terrace for a pre-game glass of fizz.

Situated in the South Downs, the Amex Stadium is home to Brighton & Hove Albion FC. Its contemporary lounges all have the latest technology, but very different floorplans. The Mayo Wynne Baxter is the biggest, with a striking floor-to-ceiling glass façade and remarkable double-height ‘wave’ ceiling. All the executive boxes are well set up for board meetings, while the various concourses are easily accessed and suit exhibitions.