Thames riverside

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 is a strong point – the fruits de mer platter is a highlight. A wine cellar is used for group tastings hosted by the head sommelier. A glass wall separates it and Salon Privé, an atmospheric private dining space with over 300 bottles on show.

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.

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: a gala dinner in the Members Dining Room, say, or a more intimate gathering beneath the gilt brass and crystal chandelier of the Pugin Room. Right next to the Thames, the all-weather Terrace Pavilion marquee offers close-up views of the river.

It might be best known for its 150-plus arcade games, but Namco Funscape also offers its bowling lanes for private hire. The venue, ideally located on the South Bank within County Hall, is a great spot for Christmas parties, launches and teambuilding events alike. For private parties of up to 500 the Subscape area offers six bowling lanes, a DJ and dancefloor, private bar, access to the American-style pool hall, the Namoke karaoke and unlimited use of the video games. The alley area itself, bathed in ultra-violet light, has non-slip floors, so there’s no need to don a pair of unattractive bowling shoes. There is also the option to purchase tokens for Europe’s fastest bumper cars.

This arched glass atrium in Canary Wharf soars above 682sq m of marble floor with vast windows looking out towards the waterfront. As well as hosting parties, the venue is suited to exhibitions, product launches and automotive showcases. The 4m x 3m LED screen and sound-absorbing acoustics will please conference bookers. The Gallery suspended above the main floor can be hired on its own, and the multimedia Promenade Room will suit smaller groups.

This three-level restaurant at The O2 is most popular with well-heeled hospitality guests, who enjoy its high-grade Argentine steaks and wines before attending a show in the main arena. On the second floor, groups can take over the slick bar area for an exclusive drinks reception, and there’s a private dining room catering for seated affairs, including business meetings. Food and drinks masterclasses make for a fun teambuilding add-on.

Bateaux London offers guests unrivalled views of some of the capital’s top sights, from Big Ben through to Tower Bridge, from its two vessels, the Scandinavian-designed Harmony and the Parisian Symphony. The boats’ picture-frame windows afford fine views, while exclusive cruises, use of a private room or tables at a shared event cater for differing group sizes. Awards ceremonies, drinks receptions and dinner-dances can all be arranged on board.

Bateaux Windsor’s Melody is moored on the Thames just a short walk from Windsor & Eton Riverside station. Step aboard and groups can expect an upscale experience. Three-hour private evening cruises start with a prosecco reception, before guests sit down for a four-course dinner prepared on board, then tea, coffee and petit-fours. Melody can also be hired to make the most of big social occasions such as Henley Regatta and racing at Ascot.

Don’t be misled by the name. The Little Ship Club is well set up for large-scale events. Right next to Southwark Bridge, each of its three big spaces come with show-stopping river views. Large windows define the light-filled Dining Room. In the Clubroom, oil paintings and nautical trinkets speak to a rich nautical history. The Club Library, which can be taken with the adjoining River Room, offers built-in AV that makes it a solid choice for meetings and presentations.

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.

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. Four semi-private dining areas allow groups to take in the atmosphere of the main space. Exclusive events can be held in the bar and grill. In summer, receptions can also spill out onto the riverside terrace. A dedicated events coordinator ensures smooth running.

This four-star hotel punches above its weight with events, offering a host of light, bright and functional spaces for meetings and parties. The Bridge Suite stands out with its floor-to-ceiling windows, delivering direct views of the eponymous Tower Bridge. We like that the hotel’s three main meeting suites can partition into smaller spaces, making multistage events easy. If you’re planning a high-level board meeting, check out the Fearless Suite with its high-back exec chairs

A familiar sight on the Thames, riverboat operator City Cruises combines an impressive sightseeing schedule with custom events and hire packages. Its sizeable fleet, which numbers 11 passenger boats and includes the 595-capacity Millennium Diamond, can be privately chartered for events spanning intimate lunches to lavish cocktail parties. The vessels range in style from sleek and modern to more traditional options, complete with wood-panelled saloons.

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.

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.

The Johnson Roof Terrace at the refurbished IET London: Savoy Place offers up a memorable Thames backdrop for barbecues and summer parties. It makes a fine extension for events taking place in the adjoining third-floor Riverside Room – the place for large-scale networking events, receptions and dinners. Stages and dancefloors are easily set up and, for smaller groups, the room can be split into five spaces. It has its own private balcony too.

Found at the top of The Shard, 244m above the capital, The View is an event space that justifies superlatives: the Renzo Piano-designed building gives guests 40-mile views in all directions. The View has two viewing platforms: Level 69 and Sky Deck on Level 72, which together can hold up its maximum in summer months, or 100 less for the rest of the year. Breakfast events are popular, as are evening networking and cocktail parties as the sun sets.

Just across from Tate Modern, next to the Millennium Bridge, glass-fronted Northbank boasts fine river views from all corners. Its modern British menu has a West Country slant, with the likes of Cornish crab tian and slow-cooked oxtail matched to wines from an eclectic list. The restaurant, with its cool chandeliers and quirky wallpaper, can be hired exclusively or partitioned off for smaller events. In summer, the terrace is a sought-after space.

Fans of Love Actually may recognise this riverside venue from the 2013 rom-com, but when it isn’t appearing in blockbuster films, Westminster Boating Base acts as a memorable events venue. Set in Pimlico Gardens, the riverside space comes with unobstructed views of the Thames through its floor-to-ceiling windows. Standout rooms include the Pavilion, which extends over the river, and the Edgson Room which comes with a full-length covered balcony. Organisers also have free rein when it comes to theming.

Built in 1884 as a French chateau on the Thames, Whitehall Court now houses the Royal Horseguards Hotel and its One Whitehall Place conference and events centre. Highlights include the Gladstone Library – which is much as the old prime minister left it – and its interconnecting Reading & Writing Room, with fine Thames views. Originally a billiards room, the Whitehall Suite offers high ceilings, lots of natural light and more rivery vistas.

For a kitsch, tongue-in-cheek Italian experience, Bunga Bunga Battersea is the place. Four very different areas are available: the colourful restaurant is great for dinners, lunches and parties. Upstairs, there’s the club space and Martini Prosecco Bar, decorated with riviera-style parasols and a surf van. Lastly, the glass-ceilinged L’Osservatorio suits more intimate dinner parties and standing receptions. Plus, there’s a karaoke system for singalongs.

The refurbished Savoy Place offers increased capacity and cutting-edge tech. We like the idea of the Kelvin Lecture Theatre – with its original mahogany panelling – for presentations and product launches. Check out the Turing Lecture Theatre upstairs for a more contemporary feel. Our favourite spaces are the Riverside Room and Maxwell Library, which have fine views over the Thames. The Johnson Roof Terrace is made for summer parties.

'Fifties Hitchcock’ is how the team at The Pearson Room describe its style – all dark wood furnishings, low-hanging lights and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Canada Square. The menu tours cuisines, and there’s a variety of semi-private event spaces to choose from. The largest is The Vault – good for drinks receptions. The Balcony has panoramic views over the square, while the dining room works well for meetings and business lunches.

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.

One of the big openings of 2017, this South Bank venue at the top of the Sea Containers building turned heads with its 2,300sq m of event space and killer river views. The Cucumber restaurant is the standout space, but the private dining room – with its balcony and sight line to St Paul’s Cathedral – is particularly popular. Those cityscape views get even better on the roof terrace. Catering is by Green & Fortune: expect seasonal and locally sourced food.

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.

The views at Swan, Shakespeare’s Globe are appropriately dramatic. The bright, top-floor Balcony Room has a a private balcony 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 Underglobe is exactly where you’d expect to find it. Here, guests can take welcome drinks on a mezzanine level before descending a showpiece staircase to the main space.

The five-strong Thames Luxury Charters fleet celebrates 25 years on the river in 2018. Among its well-maintained vessels are the Elizabethan – a replica of an 1890s, stern-wheeled Mississippi paddle steamer – and the Dixie Queen, which is the biggest floating venue in town. The Edwardian offers guests a more classic British experience, while the three-deck Erasmus is a showcase for chic modernity. All of them can moor at most of the piers in town and just outside, meaning private charters can include time alongside the London Eye, the Tower of London, Maritime Greenwich and more. A long-term partnership with Dish keeps the onboard catering shipshape.

Greenwich Yacht Club claims to be the ‘only venue built in the Thames’. Cross the footbridge (or arrive by boat) to the stilted Clubhouse, and you’ll find a glass-clad event space with big windows framing a view of Greenwich Peninsula. Alternatively, there’s the River Rooms: a standalone venue split into three. Start things off in the bar, proceed to the Banqueting Hall for the main event, and then, if it’s warm enough, finish outside on the decked terrace.

Tower Bridge’s entertaining spaces may come as something of a surprise. A refurb has added a glass floor to the high-level Walkways linking its towers, giving fine views 42m above the river. A great spot for a private party, then. The Victorian Engine Rooms provide an atmospheric setting for drinks and dinner, while the North Tower Lounge works well for intimate lunches or evening events; with full AV, it’s also suited to daytime meetings.

With views of St Paul’s Cathedral and the Houses of Parliament, the RS Hispaniola operates as a sleek restaurant, bar and event space from a permanent mooring on Victoria Embankment. The Main Deck Restaurant serves delicious modern-European cuisine and has a fine wine cellar, while the Upper Deck’s bar can be used for alfresco drinks receptions. Either can be hired exclusively or together for larger events. A private boardroom adapts to meetings or dinners, with AV equipment available.

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’s mid-century look echoes the building’s 1950s architecture. It’s divided into three sections, with a raised bar separating the relaxed brasserie from the fine-dining area – both are popular for semi-private dining. The space can also be be hired exclusively for large dinners. Expect modern British menus.

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.

Undoubtedly one of the most impressive of Etc Venues’ 15-strong portfolio, this riverside property occupies the County Hall building’s third and fourth floors. Hire options span flexible suites, exclusive-use wings and breakout spaces. We like the idea of hosting a conference in the sizeable County Suite before spilling out into the Thames Lounge for a drinks reception. From there, guests can enjoy uplifting views across the river to Big Ben.

The South Bank’s National Theatre can accommodate a wide range of events, from conferences and dinners to product launches and hospitality in its foyers, restaurants and private meeting rooms. The theatre’s exclusive rooftop events space, with views across the Thames and London, is currently being revamped and will reopen later this year. Events packages can be tailored to include performances, backstage tours, workshops and drinks receptions.

This landmark cultural centre comprises the Royal Festival Hall, Queen Elizabeth Hall and Hayward Gallery. While the latter two are being refurbished (they are set to reopen early this year), the Festival Hall is open for business and makes an impressive space for big conferences and product launches. St Paul’s Roof Pavilion on the sixth floor is good for smaller groups, while the Weston Roof Pavilion suits relaxed business gatherings with striking views.

Thanks to an artfully angled glass front, Gaucho Tower Bridge has some special views of the city’s iconic river crossing. The slick steakhouse’s top level – which might just have the best prospect of all – can be hired exclusively from Sunday to Wednesday. Through the week, its Wine Room and Private Dining Room suit smaller functions, which should begin or end with cocktails in the lounge bar. The mainly Argentinian wine list repays investigation.

Italian restaurant group Strada made its name serving fresh pasta and authentically thin and crispy pizzas at a time when they were rarely seen on the British high street. Today, its menus are familiar, but their comforting impact is the same. At the recently refreshed South Bank branch, groups can choose between the main dining room, an outdoor terrace and Foyles, a private area named for the famous bookshop next door.

Gillray’s at the London Marriott County Hall is a British steakhouse through and through – from the chesterfield sofas and oak-panelled walls to the grass-fed English beef on the menu. The main restaurant and bar enjoy stirring views across the Thames to Big Ben. For smaller events, a smart private dining room beckons. Alongside the beef, expect to see the likes of locally sourced fish dishes and the best of Britain’s natural larder.

With a prime location on the South Bank, the Namco Funscape entertainment complex offers more than 150 arcade games, Europe’s fastest bumper cars and its Ping & Pool Hall. Private hire options spread over three floors: teambuilding, drinks receptions and Christmas parties are popular. We’re fans of the Escape Room, where groups solve puzzles against the clock. Elsewhere, a new Boutique Bowling package sees groups take over six revamped lanes.

This Grade I-listed tea clipper ship – the world’s only surviving model – operates as a venue on the Greenwich riverside. In a feat of engineering, Cutty Sark has been suspended so guests can dine and entertain beneath her copper-clad hull. Elsewhere, the ’Tween Deck exhibition space can be used for receptions, intimate dinners or as breakout space. The main deck has superb views, while the mahogany-panelled Master’s Saloon is great for VIP dinners.

Permanently moored at Temple Pier, The Yacht London is a characterful 1927 steam vessel available for hospitality bookings. A 3am licence means parties can last way into the night, while its central location gives views of some of the capital’s iconic landmarks, including Big Ben and the London Eye. The alfresco Top Deck is the place to book in summer, and there’s the option to hire spaces in conjunction with one another.

With retractable floor-to-ceiling windows along its outside wall, this riverside restaurant makes a bright, scenic setting for events. Selling points include panoramic views from Tower Bridge to Canary Wharf and an outdoor terrace for fair-weather drinks. British-leaning menus feature the likes of potted duck, piccalilli and toasted sourdough, followed by roasted cod, creamed king cabbage, bacon and new potatoes. Desserts might include eton mess and lemon posset.

Moored near Temple tube, HQS Wellington offers a memorable backdrop for events. Her prime Thames location gives visitors excellent views of the South Bank, London Eye and river traffic. Its spaces include the wood-panelled Court Room, accessed via an ornate teak staircase; the Model Room, with its collection of antique miniature ships; and the exterior Quarter Deck, which has 180° views. Catering comes courtesy of The Cook & The Butler.

Sitting on the roof of the National Theatre, The Deck has been recently refurbished in time for 2018 summer events. The new space is wrapped in glazed panels, which means panoramic views of London can be enjoyed both inside and out on the terrace. State-of-the-art AV from the theatre’s Sound and Lighting departments means that conferences, away days and product launches will go without a hitch, while an in-house catering team looks after dinners and receptions.