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The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Up to 400
Moderate

About The Historic Dockyard Chatham

If you’re looking for a show-stopping venue in Kent with centuries of character and a choice of flexible event spaces, The Historic Dockyard at Chatham delivers. Set among 400 years of maritime history, this extraordinary 80-acre estate offers a stunning backdrop for weddings, corporate events, team-building days, exhibitions and private parties.

The venue can host up to 400 guests and boasts an impressive selection of spaces. Choose from the grand No.3 Slip Mezzanine, perfect for exhibitions and large-scale celebrations, or the Royal Dockyard Church, ideal for performances, staff training or lectures with tiered seating for up to 250. For a more modern feel, the Orientation Gallery hosts 150 for drinks and canapés with access to the latest exhibitions.

Smaller gatherings can take place in elegant Georgian-style rooms like the Ballroom or Sunne Room, both seating 40, or the more intimate Temeraire and Revenge Rooms. For something truly unique, enjoy private dining for 20 in the Captain’s Cabin aboard HMS Gannet or host up to 150 on the deck for a memorable drinks reception.

For meetings, the tech-ready Fitted Rigging House is ideal with two adjacent rooms and video conferencing capabilities. The Mess Deck offers flexible space for up to 240 and is particularly popular for winter events. Expect modern facilities, Wi-Fi, a dance floor, AV equipment and exclusive hire options throughout, perfect for those looking to host large events. Many spaces are fully accessible and the dedicated team is on hand to help plan your event whether it’s a summer garden party, awards ceremony or baby shower.

With a unique blend of heritage, flexibility and visual impact, The Historic Dockyard Chatham is one of Kent’s most unforgettable venue hire options.

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Venue Facilities
Dance floor
Disability access
Entertainment included
Exclusive Hire
Family friendly
Garden or courtyard
High speed wifi
Late license
Parking
Screening room
Shared parties
Team building facilities
Video conferencing

Good to know

Delegates/Guests
Up to 400
Venue Hire Cost
Moderate
Event Type
Anniversary party, Awards ceremony, Baby shower, Birthday party, Bridal shower, Conference, Corporate event, Corporate party, Drinks reception, Engagement party, Exhibition, Filming/photography location, Garden party, Hybrid event, Meeting rooms, Summer party, Team building
Venue Type
Bar, Boat, Hall, Museum, Restaurant, Warehouse
Venue Style
Blank canvas, Cool, Corporate, Creative, Fun, Historic, Industrial , Light and bright, Outdoor, Quirky and unique, Traditional, Waterside

The Historic Dockyard Chatham is featured in

Special offers for The Historic Dockyard Chatham

Offer

£1000 off your 2026 Wedding

Expires on 1 January, 2027

You can be married in the next six months… and for less than you think.

To celebrate the first couples choosing to start the next chapter of their lives at The Commissioner’s House, we’re offering £1000 off our 2026 wedding dates.

Book either our Bowline or Reef package for any date prior to 31 January 2027, to take advantage of this celebratory offer.

The Bowline Package - As our traditional, all inclusive wedding package, the Bowline Package offers everything you need for a classic wedding day. Providing a complete and elegant framework for you to shape your perfect day while still allowing flexibility to personalise your celebration, our Bowline Package

The Reef Package - Moving away from a traditional wedding breakfast and instead offering a free-flowing food and drinks menu, the Reef Package captures the joyful spirit of bringing people together. It focuses on creating a relaxed and sociable celebration where guests can move freely between the gardens and the house, enjoying food, music and shared moments throughout the day.

 

Reach out today to request a viewing and start planning your day.

Videos and 360 tours

Venue Hire at The Commissioner's House
Corporate Events at No.1 Smithery

The Historic Dockyard Chatham Events

FreeThe Dockyard Business Club
Event
The Dockyard Business Club

14 Oct 2026

Join us for a morning of connections, coffee, and great conversations, plus speakers that will deliver the quick wins in mindset, strategy & business tools. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, this event is the perfect opportunity to meet new people and expand your circle.

Don’t miss out on this chance to connect with others in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. We look forward to seeing you there. 

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FreeAutumn Wedding Showcase
Open Day
Autumn Wedding Showcase

25 Oct 2026

Step inside The Commissioner’s House at The Historic Dockyard for our Autumn Wedding Showcase.

At the heart of our historic estate The Commissioner’s House has held centuries of celebrations, laughter and love stories, and is waiting for you to tell yours. Our meticulously restored house becomes your home for the day, offering an elegant canvas for each chapter of your wedding – whether you’re looking for an intimate ceremony, or a reception fit for a commissioner.

Explore our newly restored venue, gaining inspiration for your wedding day as you walk through our historic hallways – all brought beautifully to life for the Autumn season with venue styling from Idyllic & Co. You’ll have the opportunity to chat with our team about your future plans, sample canapes from our seasonal menu, alongside exploring everything The Commissioner’s House has to offer.

Sunday 25 October
By appointment only: During our showcase appointments a member of our team will guide you through the venue, answering any questions and discussing your plans. To ensure a bespoke experience for each couple, we will be in touch upon appointment booking with a few short questions to help us guide your tour.

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£70Haunted Supper
Halloween events and parties
Haunted Supper

30 Oct 2026

Three courses. Dark tales. One unforgettable evening at The Commissioner’s House.

There are plenty of stories at the Dockyard. Some are stranger than others. On the eve of Halloween, step inside the newly restored Commissioner’s House, Britain’s oldest intact naval building, for a very special dinner after dark.

Take your seat in the elegant Sunne Room and enjoy a seasonal three-course dinner. Between courses our storytellers will introduce you to some of the people who once lived and worked at the ‘yard, along with strange and unexplained happenings that have become part of Dockyard legend.

One tells of a young servant girl whose sweetheart was lost at sea. Unmarried and carrying his child, she waited for a man who would never return. Some say she can still be seen on the servants’ staircase, gazing wistfully towards the river.

These tales haven’t been invented for Halloween. They are stories drawn from the history of this remarkable place, personal encounters, curious happenings and moments that have lingered in the memory long after they occurred.

This isn’t an evening of jump scares or staged frights. Settle in over dinner and let our storytellers take you into the Dockyard’s past, in the very place where some of that history unfolded.

It’s an evening for good food, good company and a little intrigue … with just enough darkness to make you wonder what might be waiting beyond the windows.

Your evening includes
- Cocktail on arrival
- A seasonal three-course dinner in the Commissioner’s House
- Storytelling throughout the evening about people who lived and worked at the Dockyard
- Tales of strange and unexplained happenings
- An intimate, after-dark experience on the eve of Halloween

Come with friends or make a night of it with your partner. Enjoy dinner. Hear the stories. Soak up the atmosphere. And when it’s time to leave the Commissioner’s House, and step out into the Dockyard, you may find some of those stories stay with you.

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£28Festive Afternoon Tea
Christmas events
Festive Afternoon Tea

13 Dec 2026

An exclusive Christmas afternoon tea at The Commissioner’s House
Treat yourself this holiday season and dine like a Commissioner during an exclusive Christmas afternoon tea service at The Commissioner’s House. Expertly designed by our head chef and freshly prepared with festive flavours, sample delicate finger sandwiches, luxurious cakes and savouries, alongside classic plain and fruit scones, served with clotted cream and homemade preserve.

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£90Shared Christmas Party Night
Christmas events
Shared Christmas Party Night

12 Dec 2026 until 13 Dec 2026

Perfect for teams of 8 to 10, our shared Christmas party night at The Commissioner’s House provides your group with a grand celebration at one of Kent’s most significant venues. This festive evening is filled with seasonal food, festive drinks and a DJ to keep the party going into the night.

When you join our shared Christmas party night at The Commissioner’s House, your guests are welcomed into an atmosphere that’s rich with character and warmth. Your party begins with a specially designed cocktail, where friends, colleagues or clients can mingle in the cosy bar. As the evening unfolds your guests will be delighted by our festive three-course menu, freshly prepared with seasonal ingredients.

Later into the night, the dance floor fills as our DJ builds the perfect atmosphere for celebration as your guests are free to explore the space and move easily between our exquisitely decorated rooms, whether that’s the impressive dining spaces, intimate and characterful lounge bar or grand ballroom.

From £90 pp + VAT

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The Historic Dockyard Chatham Rooms

Fitted Rigging House - Room 1

Fitted Rigging House - Room 1

24
Meeting
40
Standing
36
Banquet
40
Theatre

The Fitted Rigging House comprises of two adjacent meeting rooms, which can be hired individually or together if a breakout space is required. Kitted out with the latest technology, you can present easily with our moveable screens and even connect with those joining your meeting virtually using our video conferencing kit.

Enquire about this room

The Royal Dockyard Church

The Royal Dockyard Church

198
Meeting
250
Standing
120
Banquet
220
Theatre

The Royal Dockyard Church is a purpose built theatre space, seating up to 200 guests in tiered seating. Including a stage and presentation equipment, it’s an ideal venue to accommodate your next big staff training day, lecture, theatre performance or to host a multi-day conference.

Enquire about this room

No.1 Smithery Oritentation Gallery

No.1 Smithery Oritentation Gallery

150
Standing
150
Banquet

The expansive No.1 Smithery was begun in 1801 to help meet the Dockyard’s growing need for ironwork. After a major redevelopment, the building now offers modern museum galleries, temporary exhibition galleries and flexible event spaces. If you are looking for something more modern, the Orientation Gallery can accommodate up to 150 guests standing for drinks and canape receptions, presentations and includes access to our latest temporary exhibition.

Enquire about this room

The Ballroom

70
Meeting
70
Standing
40
Banquet

Flooded with natural daylight, the Commissioner’s House Ballroom is an ideal training room for corporate away days, training sessions and product launches. Located on the ground floor, it provides easy access for all delegates and gives you the change to enjoy the patio and gardens also.

Enquire about this room

The Sunne Room

The Sunne Room

30
Meeting
70
Standing
40
Banquet
70
Theatre

With views overlooking Commissioner’s House Gardens, and the River Medway, the Sunne Room provides a warm and welcoming space. This traditional Georgian style room is ideal for board meetings, breakfast meetings, team building and private dining events and gives easy access to additional breakout spaces on the same floor.

Enquire about this room

Revenge Room

Revenge Room

12
Standing
12
Banquet

The Revenge Room is located at the front of Commissioner's House and overlooks the River Medway. It offers natural daylight and is the ideal spot for a small meeting, breakout room or private dining space.

Enquire about this room

No.3 Slip Mezzanine

No.3 Slip Mezzanine

400
Standing
240
Banquet
400
Theatre

During the Napoleonic Wars, the Royal Navy began building covers over its slipways and docks used for shipbuilding to protect the ships’ timber hulls. The oldest of the surviving slips, 3 Slip offers a unique spaces that can be hired for large events such as fairs, exhibitions and award ceremonies. No. 3 Slip is your event space with a difference; located on a mezzanine floor above a museum gallery space, your guests will be mesmerised by the buildings unique structure.

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The Mess Deck

The Mess Deck

200
Meeting
240
Standing
160
Banquet
200
Theatre

Meals on the Mess Deck are a regular occurrence for the Royal Navy. Our Mess Deck might not be at sea but it’s function is no different and it provides a modern, flexible function space. Available January and early February, this stunning venue is one of a kind and can accommodate up to 240 guests seated for dining. It’s perfect for a winter wedding reception, birthday party or a private dining experience to reward your clients or staff.

Enquire about this room

HMS Gannet

HMS Gannet

150
Standing
20
Banquet
70
Theatre

If you want to wow your guests, this is the perfect event space for you. HMS GANNET was built on the River Medway at Sheerness in 1878. Designed to patrol the world’s oceans, she ‘flew the flag’ protecting British interests around the world, including the South Pacific, the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. Seating up to 20 in the Captain’s Cabin for a private dining experience or up to 150 on the main deck for drinks and canapes, this venue is ideal for drinks receptions, product launches, private dining and evenings with entertainment.

Enquire about this room

Fitted Rigging House - Room 2

24
Meeting
40
Standing
36
Banquet
40
Theatre

The Fitted Rigging House comprises of two adjacent meeting rooms, which can be hired individually or together if a breakout space is required. Kitted out with the latest technology, you can present easily with our moveable screens and even connect with those joining your meeting virtually using our video conferencing kit.

Enquire about this room

The Orangery

The Orangery

120
Standing
120
Banquet
70
Theatre
Room size: 175m²

Featuring floor to ceiling glass walls that bring in both sunshine and views of our landscaped gardens, The Orangery provides a refined space for private dining experiences, starlit business receptions and summer parties.

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Ramillies

Ramillies

12
Meeting
Room size: 38m²

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Bellona

Bellona

10
Meeting
Room size: 25m²

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Victory

Victory

Room size: 28m²

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Leviathan

Leviathan

10
Meeting
Room size: 25m²

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The Joiners Shop Meeting Room

10
Meeting

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The Commissioner

The Commissioner's House

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Location

Main Gate Road, Chatham, Kent, ME4 4TZ

01634 823800

Website

Testimonials for The Historic Dockyard Chatham

EventAUGUST, 2026

I just want to start by saying a massive Thank You to you and our team. Friday was exceptional in every way, the venue, the food, to the tours and without doubt to your amazing staff. Anna-Marie was first class, nothing was too much bother for her, and she made sure that every aspect was perfect. Her team were wonderful and the event ran perfectly because of the effort they put in, not only front of house but behind the scenes too. Every single guest loved it, especially the food ( which was truly delicious) the venue itself was set up perfectly and the attentiveness of the staff was perfection. Thank you again to everyone involved, We will be back!

Phil

EventAPRIL, 2026

Thank you so much for all that you did to make sure that our event last evening was really enjoyable and that it went without a hitch. Please could you thank your wonderful staff for their care and attention to detail, making sure that everything ran smoothly, they are so very professional. Once again, a huge thank you.

Ann

ExhibitionJUNE, 2025

I just wanted to say thank you to you and the team who oversaw the event on Tuesday.  The venue looked great, the acoustics were just right, and lunch was lovely too.  I know some of the stall holders were impressed by the size and versatility of the building and were considering future events there, and we look forward to our October event with you. Thanks again to all the team.

Michelle


FAQs

Does The Historic Dockyard Chatham have AV equipment available for events?

Yes AV equipment is available.

Does The Historic Dockyard Chatham have accommodation on site?

Although there is no onsite accommodation, we have great relationships with local hotels (some within walking distance), and we would be happy to help you arrange rooms.

How late can events at The Historic Dockyard Chatham go on to?

12am (Midnight)

Can external caterers be used at The Historic Dockyard Chatham?

We have great in-house catering options available, and therefore do not allow external catering for events.

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