20 amazing venues you didn't know you could hire

It’s no secret that the UK has some pretty incredible venues. From London’s best cool and trendy spaces to stunning country houses for hire all over the UK, there's certainly no shortage. It doesn’t matter if you’re planning a banquet or corporate away day; you'll find plenty of choice in every department and in practically every location. Many of these locations are well-established in the hospitality industry, and knowledge of them is, for the most part, commonplace. But what about the venues you didn’t know you could hire? Finding one is a surefire way to impress your guests and give them an experience they won’t forget. Luckily for you, we’ve done the hard part of actually finding them.

You'd be amazed at the number of iconic venues that can be hired privately. They include museums, stadiums, boats, palaces and even castles. In order to spread the word, we’ve compiled a handy list of some of our favourites. Each one is brimming with interesting spaces in which to host all kinds of events. Why not host your next meeting overlooking a Medieval moat, or head to the epicentre of English cricket for a spot of team-building? You can even dine under spectacular rockets and the starry universe, or have a drinks reception metres away from the crown jewels.

Many venues on this list are so well-equipped for events that they tick every box we could think of. That means they can host private dinners, parties, product launches, meetings, conferences and more. Some can even accommodate thousands of guests; others offer unrivalled views of London’s skyline. So, have a browse and see what catches your eye, then hit ‘book now’. That will take you through to the venue’s page where you can check all the nitty-gritty (like capacities and prices) before making an enquiry. Whatever the style of your event, everyone will be surprised, awed, and thoroughly impressed by these amazing, under-the-radar venues. 

London venues you didn't know you could hire

Here are some places in the capital that you've probably heard of, but didn't know you could hire. We’re talking iconic landmarks and major institutions, all of which are household names.

The Golden Hinde, London Bridge

What: Most people know The Golden Hinde as the faithful reconstruction of Sir Francis Drake's famous 16th-century galleon, moored on the South Bank as a floating museum. It’s one of London’s most unusual venues for hire, hosting it all from birthday parties and corporate receptions to immersive brand launches. Guests can explore all five decks, enjoy drinks on the open-air upper levels or dine by candlelight in the Hold. Better still, the team actively encourages themed entertainment, making this one of London's most memorable venues for anyone wanting to swap predictable event spaces for a genuine swashbuckling adventure.
Most unique feature: Exclusive hire of an authentic Tudor galleon, complete with five decks and candlelit dining below deck.
Where: St Mary Overie Dock, Cathedral Street, SE1 9DE
Book now: The Golden Hinde

Lord’s, St John’s Wood

What: Known around the world as the Home of Cricket, Lord's isn't just reserved for Test matches and Ashes drama. Beyond the famous pitch sits one of London's most versatile collections of event spaces, ranging from the magnificent Long Room and historic Pavilion to sleek contemporary conference suites overlooking the ground. Whether you're organising a gala dinner, awards ceremony, conference or summer party, there are spaces for everything from intimate private dining to 900-guest receptions. Add behind-the-scenes tours, cricket experiences or drinks in the MCC Museum, and you’ve got an event no one will forget.
Most unique feature: The chance to host dinner inside the legendary Long Room, which hosts some of the MCC’s finest artworks.
Where: Lord's Cricket Ground, NW8 8QN
Book now: Lord’s

Tower of London, City of London

What: The enduring emblem of London’s rich, albeit turbulent history, The Tower of London is home to the Crown Jewels as well as other relics like the armour of Henry VIII. Equipped to host everything from grand galas to networking events, the venue has a selection of different spaces. The New Armouries offer a more light and bright setting, while The White Tower is a prime location for a medieval feast of up to 90 guests. Be sure to add on a tour too, that’ll really add to the immersion. If it’s a safe bet to house the royal jewels, you can guarantee your event is in the most capable hands.
Most unique feature: Banquets inside the White Tower, where guests can dine within nearly 1,000 years of royal history surrounded by medieval architecture.
Where: Tower Hill, EC3N 4AB
Book now: Tower of London

Royal College of Music, Kensington

What: For most Londoners, the Royal College of Music is synonymous with world-class performances and training generations of celebrated musicians. It also happens to be an exceptional venue for events. From elegant wood-panelled reception rooms to grand concert halls with remarkable acoustics, the building accommodates all styles of events, and you can even hire its fascinating museum for intimate events surrounded by centuries of musical history. If that's not enough, student performances can be arranged, allowing your guests to enjoy live music in one of the country's most prestigious conservatoires.
Most unique feature: The option to include live performances by Royal College of Music students during your event.
Where: Prince Consort Road, SW7 2BS
Book now: Royal College of Music

Westminster Abbey, Westminster

What: Royal coronations, weddings, state occasions and some of Britain's most significant moments in history? It may come as a surprise, Westminster Abbey is also available for private events. Drinks receptions can take place high above the Abbey floor in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries, while dinners unfold beneath medieval vaulted ceilings in the Cellarium, where 14th century monks stored their provisions. During summer, the ancient Cloisters and 900-year-old College Garden provide spectacular settings for large-scale receptions and gala dinners.
Most unique feature: The Cloisters, perched high above the Abbey with views across the Nave, and the displays in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries.
Where: 20 Dean's Yard, SW1P 3PA
Book now: Westminster Abbey

ABBA Voyage, Stratford

What: You probably associate ABBA Voyage with one of London's hottest tickets, and you’d be right. This is where digital avatars and cutting-edge technology recreate the Swedish pop icons at their dazzling best. What isn't quite so well known is that the purpose-built arena also offers stylish private hire spaces for corporate entertaining and celebrations. Think exclusive lounges, private dance booths, premium hospitality and bespoke food and drink packages along with the show itself. If fun is the main objective, along with creating a lasting impression, combining immersive entertainment with polished hospitality is something few venues can match.
Most unique feature: Your own private dance booth overlooking one of the world's most technologically advanced live music experiences.
Where: ABBA Arena, Pudding Mill Lane, E15 2RU
Book now: ABBA Voyage

Mansion House, City of London

What: Few venues in London, if any, are more extravagant than Mansion House. The Grade-I listed mansion was built in the 18th century and now is the home and office of the Lord Mayor of the City of London. Facing Bank tube station, the venue couldn’t be more well connected to the rest of the capital. Choose from the various rooms and spaces, each different from the next but all similarly lavish. Private dining is also available here, making it an unforgettable setting for an intimate meal with friends, family or colleagues.
Most unique feature: Private access to the official residence of the Lord Mayor of the City of London, including opulent Georgian state rooms rarely seen by the public.
Where: Walbrook, EC4N 8BH
Book now: Mansion House

Guinness Open Gate Brewery, Covent Garden

What: Most people visit the Guinness Open Gate Brewery for a pint brewed just metres away, but descend beneath the brewery and you'll discover event spaces to make anyone jealous. The atmospheric Guinness Vaults are a firm favourite, pairing exposed brickwork with digital screens to form a cool backdrop for conferences, launches, parties and receptions. Whether you're hiring the Bottle Room for a large celebration or the more intimate Barrel Room for networking, guests can enjoy exclusive small-batch beers alongside thoughtfully curated menus from the brewery's kitchens.
Most unique feature: Underground event spaces with immersive floor-to-ceiling screens beneath London's only Guinness brewery.
Where: 1 Mercer Walk, WC2H 9FA
Book now: Guinness Open Gate Brewery

London Transport Museum, Covent Garden

What: Everyone knows the London Transport Museum for its collection of iconic Tube trains, red buses and transport memorabilia, but once the daytime visitors have gone home, the galleries transform into a brilliantly unusual backdrop for dinners, receptions and networking events, with historic vehicles providing the scenery. Right at the heart of central London, on the famous Covent Garden Piazza, there are different spaces to choose from: The Cubic Theatre and Foyer (with tiered seating for up to 80) and The Museum Galleries, which host 600 for standing events or 230 for seated banquets.
Most unique feature: The restored vintage Tube trains, buses and iconic London transport memorabilia.
Where: Covent Garden Piazza, WC2E 7BB
Book now: London Transport Museum

Hampton Court Palace, Hampton

What: Henry VIII probably wasn't thinking about conferences when he finished building Hampton Court Palace, but today this extraordinary royal residence hosts everything from lavish dinners and weddings to meetings, summer parties and product launches. Those seeking a venue fit for royalty should look no further - because it literally is. Whether you're planning a black-tie gala or a corporate away day with a difference, your guests can explore magnificent Tudor architecture, historic courtyards and beautifully landscaped gardens before gathering in one of the palace's spectacular event spaces.
Most unique feature: The chance to host an event in the very palace once occupied by Henry VIII.
Where: East Molesey, KT8 9AU
Book now: Hampton Court Palace

UK venues you didn’t know you could hire

Outside the capital, you'll find a whole host of famous places in which to party, celebrate, and gather, from royal castles and grand cathedrals to libraries and distilleries.

Winchester Cathedral, Winchester

What: The seat of the bishop of Winchester, most visitors come to Winchester Cathedral to admire its magnificent Gothic architecture, medieval craftsmanship and links to figures including Jane Austen (she’s buried here in the north nave aisle). But this historic landmark has also hosted some of the UK’s finest events. From elegant dinners and drinks receptions to conferences and concerts, the cathedral offers a range of atmospheric spaces, including the vaulted Undercroft and versatile Wessex Centre. This is an opportunity to experience an example of this country's finest architecture in an entirely different way.
Most unique feature: Host an event in Europe’s largest Nave, dating back to the 11th century.
Where: The Close, SO23 9LS
Book now: Winchester Cathedral

National Space Centre, Leicester

What: From inspiring the next generation of astronauts to functioning as one of the UK’s most imaginative, immersive event venues, the National Space Centre wears many caps. Conferences, gala dinners and product launches take place beneath towering rockets, while exhibitions and networking events unfold among interactive space galleries. The venue's standout feature, meanwhile, is its cutting-edge planetarium (the largest in the UK), where presentations can be delivered beneath a spectacular domed screen that surrounds guests with the night sky. Add fantastic team-building activities, from space mission simulations to brain-teasing workshops, and you’ve got a multifaceted venue for every kind of occasion.
Most unique feature: Immersive rocket simulations, and the UK's largest planetarium screen.
Where: Exploration Drive, Leicestershire, LE4 5NS
Book now: National Space Centre

Warner Bros. Studio Tour, Hertfordshire

What: Who doesn’t want a little movie magic at an event? Whether it's dinner beneath the wings of a suspended dragon, cocktails on Platform 9¾ or networking inside the Great Hall, enjoy exclusive access to some of the franchise's most recognisable sets. Flexible hospitality packages, behind-the-scenes experiences and cinematic surroundings make it an exceptional choice for corporate entertaining, celebrations and once-in-a-lifetime occasions. You can even add on tours and explore Diagon Alley.
Most unique feature: Dinner inside the iconic Great Hall from the Harry Potter films.
Where: Studio Tour Drive, Leavesden, WD25 7LR
Book now: Warner Bros. Studio Tour London

Leeds Castle, Kent

What: There aren’t many venues that tick as many boxes as this. Leeds Castle has a golf course, helipad and even a moat! Inside you’ll find The Castle dining room, filled with tapestries and Chinese porcelain, which can seat up to 30 around one large table. The Maiden’s Tower, meanwhile, is well-suited to product launches, meetings, seminars and presentations, even boasting its very own accommodation and garden. Larger spaces include the wooden beam-lined Fairfax Hall, which can host up to 200 guests.
Most unique feature: A genuine medieval moat surrounding the castle.
Where: Maidstone, ME17 1PL
Book now: Leeds Castle

The Snow Centre, Manchester and Hemel Hempstead

What: Business meetings don't usually involve snowball fights, but that's exactly what makes The Snow Centre so memorable. With venues in both Manchester and Hemel Hempstead, these indoor alpine destinations combine modern conference facilities with real snow slopes for team-building days unlike any other. Swap presentations for ski lessons, snowboarding or downhill doughnut rides before regrouping in the cosy Lodge Bar and Kitchen overlooking the slopes. It's an ideal choice for companies looking to reward staff or inject genuine fun into an away day without leaving the UK.
Most unique feature: Team-building activities on real indoor snow.
Where: 7 Trafford Way, Trafford Park, Sale, M41 7JA; St Albans Hill, HP3 9NH
Book now: The Snow Centre Manchester; The Snow Centre Hemel Hempstead

Winchester Science Centre, Winchester

What: Science museums are usually somewhere you take the kids, but Winchester Science Centre has quietly become one of Hampshire's most original event venues. Exclusive hire offers access to interactive exhibition floors, outdoor spaces and a standalone planetarium, creating endless opportunities for memorable conferences, awards ceremonies and parties. Organisers can even add live science demonstrations or immersive planetarium shows to the schedule. It's educational, certainly, but above all it's enormous fun.
Most unique feature: Spectacular immersive shows, and the impressive planetarium.
Where: Telegraph Way, SO21 1HZ
Book now: Winchester Science Centre

Bodleian Libraries Divinity School, Oxford

What: The Bodleian Libraries have shaped academic life in Oxford for centuries, welcoming everyone from world leaders to literary legends. But you too can hire these extraordinary spaces for private events. The breathtaking Divinity School, famous for its intricate stone ceiling and appearances on the big screen hosts dinners and receptions, while neighbouring historic rooms allow events to flow effortlessly between speeches, dining and drinks. For seminars and presentations, just look to the Sir Victor Blank Lecture Theatre, which seats up to 117.
Most unique feature: Entertain beneath the spectacular fan-vaulted ceiling of the 15th-century Divinity School.
Where: Broad Street, OX1 3BG
Book now: Bodleian Libraries - Divinity School

Bombay Sapphire Distillery, Hampshire

What: Bombay Sapphire's gin is recognised around the world as one of the best, most reliable spirits, but surprisingly few people realise its award-winning distillery doubles as a spectacular event venue. Set within a beautifully restored paper mill beside the River Test, it offers spaces for everything from conferences and private dinners to cocktail receptions and summer parties. The real showstoppers are Thomas Heatherwick's striking Glasshouses, home to the ten botanicals used in Bombay Sapphire gin. Add cocktail masterclasses, tastings and beautiful riverside surroundings, and you've got an event venue that's every bit as distinctive as the gin itself.
Most unique feature: The Glasshouses, filled with the ten botanicals used to make Bombay Sapphire gin.
Where: London Road, Whitchurch, RG28 7NR
Book now: Bombay Sapphire Distillery

Ashmolean Museum, Oxford

What: Home to one of Britain’s greatest collections of art and archaeology, after closing, the Ashmolean becomes a must-have venue for private events. Guests can dine among classical sculptures, gather beneath grand architectural details or head upstairs to the Rooftop Restaurant for views across Oxford’s dreaming spires. From intimate boardroom meetings to larger receptions, the museum offers a range of spaces that balance cultural significance with contemporary hospitality. It’s a setting that feels refined rather than formal, making it ideal for events with a sense of occasion. A night at the museum? Sounds perfect.
Most unique feature: Drinks receptions among centuries-old Greek and Roman sculptures after the museum has closed.
Where: Beaumont Street, OX1 2PH
Book now: Ashmolean Museum

The Grand Pier, Weston-super-Mare

What: Everyone knows Weston-super-Mare's Grand Pier as a classic British seaside attraction packed with rides, arcades and nostalgic charm. What comes as more of a surprise is that it can also host everything from conferences and gala dinners to large-scale corporate events. Event spaces range from elegant Edwardian function rooms overlooking the sea to an enormous hall capable of accommodating thousands of guests. Best of all, it comes with some of the country’s best-value corporate and celebration packages, including food, drink, hire, and entertainment all rolled into one.
Most unique feature: Access to a traditional seaside pier where guests can step straight from a gala dinner into go-kart races or mini golf.
Where: Marine Parade, BS23 1AL
Book now: The Grand Pier

If your guest list is reaching the thousands, you might want to take a look at these marvellously massive venues in London. Or, if the idea of an event at Lord's whet your whistle, peruse the capital's superb sporting venues for the complete list. Alternatively, if you're keen on incorporating unusual entertainment, look no further than London's finest venues with activities.