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Event venues that will go down in history!

Historic venues exude charm, character, and a sense of timeless elegance that modern venues don't offer. These venues offer a backstory and heritage to inspire your delegates. You can incorporate the venue's history into your event, making it more engaging and educational for attendees. This storytelling aspect can add depth and intrigue to your event's theme or purpose.

Heritage venues can also add prestige and significance to your event. It can elevate the perceived importance of your event and impress attendees, sponsors, and stakeholders.

 

From a 900-year-old moated castle to King Henry V111 Tudor warship and venues that are literally fit for a king! -Can we tempt you with a private dinner in the venue where HRH King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla were married?

 

If you want your next event to be memorable and go down in history, we hope you can draw inspiration from our curated list of conference and event venues below.

 

All this is possible in South East England, less than 2 hours from London.

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Action Stations

Portsmouth

Hampshire

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Housed in the magnificent Boathouse No.6 in Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, Action Stations offers a wide range of facilities for conference and event organisers. The combination of a spacious auditorium, Horizon Suite and open plan first floor make it a truly unique and versatile venue. The 275 seated auditorium and 100 seated Horizon suite both come complete with video conferencing systems, perfect for hybrid events. Both spaces also feature full sound system, radio microphones and lectern. Clients can opt to add on the open plan first floor as a networking or exhibition space.

Bodleian Libraries

Oxford

Oxfordshire

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The Bodleian Libraries provide a spectacular setting for all corporate and private events, including lectures, presentations, drinks receptions, dinners and awards ceremonies. The Divinity School is one of the oldest surviving purpose-built rooms in Oxford University. This hall was designed to impress and celebrate the University as a centre of great learning and importance. Over the road, Blackwell Hall, is a bright and airy atrium space with a colonnade overlooking Broad Street, a smooth stone floor, high ceilings and a visible gallery of books. The Bodleian Libraries continues to impress as some of the most beautiful event spaces in Oxford today.

Bombay Sapphire Gin Distillery

Near Winchester

Hampshire

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Now home to the Bombay Sapphire Distillery, Laverstoke Mill in Hampshire is in a conservation area and records show there was a mill on the site as far back as 903 AD. Bank note paper for the Bank of England was produced here from the early 1720s all the way through to the  1960s. As well as the iconic glasshouses, there are 3 listed buildings on the site, one of which – the Entrance Hall - can be used as an event space.

Situated only 60 miles from London and less than an hour by direct train from London Waterloo – it is a versatile and unique space suitable for corporate events and meetings, private parties, and intimate gatherings.

As the home of all Bombay Sapphire gin, we include within our competitive delegate rate an experience at the distillery and a complimentary cocktail.

5 spaces | Capacities of up to 200 theatre style

Brighton Dome & Corn Exchange

Brighton

West Sussex

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Rich architectural features combined with stylish 1930s art deco detail and floodlit contemporary spaces make Brighton Dome an impressive setting for any conference or event. Originally built as the Prince Regent’s Royal riding house in 1805 Brighton Dome combines the best of Brighton’s past, present and future establishing itself as one of the South Coast’s premier event venues. Offering a choice of five venues catering for 20 – 1700 people and boasting both Grade I and II listed heritage, Brighton Dome is ideally situated amidst the Royal Pavilion Gardens within the heart of Brighton’s dynamic cultural quarter. Ensuring ease of access for guests, Brighton Dome is just a ten minute walk from Brighton Station and only 30 minutes by rail or road to Gatwick International Airport.


5 Meeting Rooms | Max Theatre Capacity 1,700

Burley Manor Hotel

New Forest

Hampshire

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Burley Manor Hotel is set in the heart of the New Forest and is an ideal country retreat. Burley Manor’s 800 year old estate boasts two rustic barns, 8-acres for on-site team building, stunning Mediterranean food, 40 boutique rooms and beautiful wellbeing treatment centre. The superbly converted barns are simple, yet quirky with a rustic country feel, perfect for relaxed informal gatherings or lavish formal dinners. With lots of natural light and uncovered rustic oak-tables, the event spaces lend themselves perfectly for any kind of meeting, brainstorming session or training day from between 4 and 120 people.

2 Spaces | Max Capacity Theatre Style 100 | 40 Bedrooms

Chichester Cathedral

Chichester

West Sussex

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Whether you are looking to host a medieval banquet for up to 100 in our stunning Vicars Hall, or a networking drinks reception in the beautiful eastern arm of the cathedral, flooded with natural daylight through the floor to ceiling arched windows, Chichester Cathedral has a host of historic spaces available for hire.   Host your next Gala dinner, concert or event in the cathedral nave and wow your delegates from start to finish.  This 900 year old Cathedral combines the unique architecture from its early life,, alongside world famous contemporary artworks.  At your request we can cater for all tastes when it comes to food, choose from working lunches to full three course dining - whatever suits your business needs.

5 Spaces | Capacity of up to 120 guests | 8 Bedrooms | 2 Self Catering Apartments

Cliveden House

Maidenhead

Berkshire

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Cliveden is unique. One of the world's finest luxury hotels, this grand stately home is set in the heart of the Berkshire countryside, surrounded by 376 acres of magnificent formal gardens and parkland with panoramic views over the River Thames.  From the French Dining Room to the Waldo's, the Motor House or Cellars Dining Room the 8 meeting/event spaces are each full of their own character, charm and history.  The standards set 100 years ago by Lady Astor are still rigorously maintained today ensuring the highest quality meeting or event is achieved and every delegate leaves being inspired, rejuvenated and with a story to tell.


8 Meeting/Event Spaces | Maximum Capacity Theatre Style 50 | 48 Bedrooms

Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower

Portsmouth

Hampshire

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For a unique conference venue or beautiful dining space, consider the exclusive hire of this stunning 18th century Grand Magazine, a gunpowder store originating from 1771. The space boasts a magnificent vaulted ceiling and beautiful Georgian wood floors that are perfect for receptions or large gatherings.

God's House Tower

Southampton

Hampshire

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God's House Tower is one of Southampton’s newest hire spaces, and a unique venue in one of the city’s most important historic monuments. Standing at the entrance to Southampton's Old Town, this 700 year old building has been renovated to create a new arts and heritage centre which can be hired exclusively for corporate events, parties, launches and meetings, or on a room-by-room basis.    With four events spaces available set in the heart of the city it is situated just 20 minutes walk from Southampton's train station. 

4 Events Spaces | Max Capacity Theatre Style 60

Guildhall Windsor

Windsor

Berkshire

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This elegant grade 1 listed building, designed by Sir Thomas Fitch and completed 1689 is steeped in history and a dominant feature of the town.  Set among the splendour of historic Windsor with its easy access, famous visitor attractions and superb shopping and dining offer, Windsor Guildhall is an ideal venue for meetings, gala dinners and weddings. There are two rooms available.  The imposing Council Chamber houses a fine collection of royal portraits spanning the years between Queen Elizabeth I and HM Queen Elizabeth II.  The Chamber also features two impressive solid brass chandeliers, each weighing over 6cwt, which are on permanent loan from HM The Queen. The intimate Ascot Room was chosen by HRH Prince Charles for his civil ceremony in 2005 and again later the same year by Sir Elton John for his civil partnership. Whether you are searching for a venue for a wedding or family celebration, gala dinner, drinks reception or meeting, Windsor Guildhall is sure to impress. 


2 Function Rooms  Max Capacity 100 Theatre Style

HMS Warrior

Portsmouth

Hampshire

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The pride of Queen Victoria’s fleet, HMS Warrior offers an iconic and unforgettable backdrop for your event. Launched in 1860, her timber frame tells over 150 years of history and is awaiting your occasion to become part of it. HMS Warrior has a variety of spaces perfect for a variety of occasions from weddings and private dining through to corporate hire from 20 to 240 guests.

Hever Castle

Hever

Kent

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With its two unique venues, Hever Castle is a beautiful choice for your next meeting or event.   The private Astor Wing was added to the castle in 1904 and provides an impressive Tudor style meeting or event space for up to 60 delegates, with 28 five star bedrooms.  Steeped in history the space has state of the art audio visual equipment and is ideal for a private meeting or dining experience, exclusive use residential stays’ and celebrations. The Guthrie Pavilion can be found in the castle's Italian Garden, combining a peaceful retreat with a contemporary space for up to 200. With a championship golf course and well-being centre. swimming pool and outdoor space for activities, Hever Castle offers delegates history and heritage, inspiration and rejuvenation  in abundance.

2 Spaces | Max Capacity Theatre Style 200 | 28 Bedrooms

Leeds Castle

Maidstone

Kent

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Elevate your meetings and conferences to new heights at the historic Leeds Castle. Set amidst the idyllic Kent countryside, this historic venue offers an unparalleled backdrop for impactful and productive events. From intimate boardroom sessions to grand conferences, their flexible and well-equipped function rooms cater to every requirement. Enjoy the seamless integration of modern technology in an atmosphere of timeless elegance. Take advantage of expert event planning and attentive service, ensuring that every detail is meticulously executed. Delivering a seamless blend of professionalism and tranquillity, Leeds Castle is the ultimate choice for unforgettable and successful meetings.

Mercure Dolphin Hotel

Southampton

Hampshire

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A stunning grade II listed 4-star hotel located in the heart of Southampton – offering a modern and contemporary feel, while retaining its traditional appeal. Situated in the heart of the city, Mercure Dolphin Hotel is the oldest hotel in Southampton and is steeped in tradition and packed full of character and history. The hotel offers guests a truly memorable experience. The hotel has two meeting rooms which both offer tonnes of natural daylight and are of a good size with high ceilings, providing the perfect venue for any meeting or event.

2 Meeting/Event Spaces | Maximum Capacity Theatre Style 100 | 99 Bedrooms

National Museum of the Royal Navy Galleries

Portsmouth

Hampshire

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The National Museum of the Royal Navy has 3 truly unique gallery spaces, ideal for corporate events, reception drinks, conferences and private dining experiences. Storehouse 11, home to the Nelson and Princess Royal Galleries, is steeped in naval heritage fully equipped with modern audiovisual equipment this is the perfect location for corporate events and meetings. The Victory Gallery houses our ornate collection of original naval figureheads and artefacts from HMS Victory. Split across two-levels, this space also has a balcony tucked away on the top level, with looks out into Portsmouth Harbour ideal for networking drinks and canapes.

Oakley Hall Hotel

Basingstoke

Hampshire

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Built in 1795, Oakley Hall has a distinguished and fascinating past. The author Jane Austen was a friend of the Bramston family – the then owners – she was a frequent visitor to Oakley Hall and it is mentioned fondly in Austen’s letters to her sister Cassandra.  The 18th Century Georgian manor house is a beautifully contemporary and elegant venue, with 8 stunning function spaces illuminated by striking chandeliers and 50 luxurious bedrooms including the charming Garden Cottage.


Adjoining Oakley Hall’s splendid Grade II listed Manor house, the stunning Garden Pavilion has recently opened.  One of Hampshire’s finest, most glamorous yet versatile conference and function spaces, it is capable of varying configurations, with a day conferencing capacity of 400 delegates.


9 meeting spaces | Max Capacities 106 Main House |  400 in Garden Pavilion | 50 Bedrooms

Portsmouth Guildhall

Portsmouth

Hampshire

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Step back in time and host your conference or event in the historic Portsmouth Guildhall. Completed in 1890 by architect William Hill, the building was originally named the Town Hall and drew inspiration from Hill's earlier design of Bolton Town Hall. Renamed the Guildhall in 1926, the building suffered catastrophic damage during WWII but survived thanks to the resilience of Portsmouth and its people. Rebuilt and reopened in 1959 by HM The Queen, the Guildhall is now a leading conference and concert venue. Experience the city's indomitable spirit at the Portsmouth Guildhall.

Princess Royal Gallery

Portsmouth

Hampshire

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With capacity for up to 100, the Princess Royal Gallery at Portsmouth Historic Dockyard boasts spectacular views of both HMS Victory and across Portsmouth Harbour. The space comes complete with historic naval objects and paintings as points of interest for your guests. Opened by Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, the Princess Royal, this venue offers a large flexible space that can accommodate meetings, conferences, receptions and private dinners during both during the day and evening.

Reading Town Hall

Reading

Berkshire

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Reading Town Hall enjoys a long and illustrious history. It consists of four buildings built in the 18th and 19th centuries. In 1786 the oldest building - the Victoria Hall - opened as a purpose-built town hall designed by Charles Poulton. Reading Town Hall survived the threat of demolition in the 1970s and was comprehensively refurbished in the late 1980s. It has undergone further changes to meet modern requirements and now hosts a leading conference and banqueting venue, Reading Museum, and the Berkshire Coroner's Office. The Town Hall is also the visitor hub for exploring the historic Reading Abbey Quarter with The Pantry cafe.

Royal Adelaide Hotel

Windsor

Berkshire

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Welcome to The Royal Adelaide, an independent family owned boutique hotel in Windsor. This elegant and historic property dates back to the 1800s and is situated in a coveted location opposite the famous Long Walk and a short stroll from Windsor Castle, Windsor and Ascot racecourses, local shops & restaurants. Named after Queen Adelaide, the hotel can trace back trading as far back as the 1830s.

Royal Engineers Museum

Gillingham

Kent

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The Museum makes an ideal location for meetings, seminars, conferences, networking events and dinners.  The Field Marshals’ Room is well-equipped for training sessions or business meetings with wifi, built-in projection and large screen.  The room also houses the regalia of the four Royal Engineers who attained the rank of Field Marshal giving it a distinctive ambience and dignified grandeur that will contribute to making your meeting memorable.   

 

Hiring the Courtyard Gallery for a private event opens up a plethora of possibilities for an imaginative occasion. The large exhibits including armoured vehicles, a Harrier Jump Jet, V2 Rocket and a large section of the Berlin Wall provide a stunning backdrop for a networking event, canape reception or a dinner in unique surroundings.  Should you wish, we can also arrange for guests to have a private viewing of all, or part, of the Museum.

Royal Holloway

Windsor

Surrey

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Royal Holloway University was founded in 1886 by Thomas Holloway, a self-made multi-millionaire. The flagship, Grade 1 listed Founder’s Building boasts flamboyant Victorian architecture, making it one of the most impressive university buildings in the world. Within the building, the Picture Gallery houses one of the finest collections of Victorian art the country has to offer. It provides a perfect space in which to host a reception or banquet of up to 120 people and is also suitable for meetings and small exhibitions. Curator lectures and guided tours can also be arranged.

Southsea Castle

Portsmouth

Hampshire

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Henry VIII's Southsea Castle is the ideal venue for an event in a fantastic historic setting by the sea. Dating from 1544 the Castle has various spaces to hire including use of the historic Bailey and Ramparts. The Castle Keep is perfect for smaller events (max capacity 60) and the on-site Marquee offers options for larger numbers (max capacity 200). The Castle has its own restaurant, The Courtyard, providing all catering options across the site including a Rooftop Bar.

The Castle Hotel

Windsor

Berkshire

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Located right in the heart of Windsor, directly opposite the elegant Windsor Guildhall and a short walk from Windsor Castle, you will find the town’s most historic hotel; The Castle Hotel, part of Sutton Hotel Collection. With a history that spans nearly 500 years and holder of a Royal Warrant, we have the largest conference and meeting spaces in the heart of Windsor for up to 400 delegates and can be reached by train from London in just under an hour. For those travelling by car, we have an onsite car park that allows easy access to the conference centre.

The Friars Aylesford Priory

Maidstone

Kent

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This is the home of the Carmelite Friars and they have been here since 1242. They were forced from their Priory in 1538 but returned 400 years later in 1949. You will find one of the finest Medieval courtyards in England and a 17th Century thatched barn. It has provided a hostelry for pilgrims since the late 1200's. When the Carmelite family returned in the mid-20th century, they restored the chapels and gardens. Well worth a visit is a look inside the

The Old Ship Hotel

Brighton

Sussex

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The four-star Old Ship Hotel is an historic Georgian hotel that overlooks Brighton beach. Just a 5-minute walk from Brighton Pier, Brighton Pavillion and The Lanes, parts of the hotel date back to 1559 and it features 10 flexible meeting rooms, including the historic Paganini and Regency Rooms, and can seat up to 250 delegates theatre style in the largest room. Close to Brighton mainline train station and only 31 miles from London Gatwick Airport it has excellent transport links, 154 bedrooms (49 with sea views), private dining opportunities in the 400-year old cellars and is the perfect South Coast conference destination.


12 Function Rooms | Max Theatre Capacity 250 | 154 Bedrooms

The Queens Hotel Portsmouth

Portsmouth

Hampshire

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The Queens Hotel sits on the edge of Southsea Common just a few minutes’ walk from the beach. Within walking distance is the D-Day Museum and Historic Dockyard, home to the Royal Navy and attractions such as HMS Warrior, HMS Victory and The Mary Rose. Originally built in 1861 by Augustus Livesay, Southsea House was first constructed as a large private home for Sir John and Lady Morris. The house was situated in an almost identical position to the front half of the existing hotel, but was at that time surrounded by woodland – stone woods – and the Royal Albert Yacht Club. In the latter part of the 19th century, around 1865, during a boom in construction and tourism in Southsea, the house was converted into a hotel by William Kemp Junior. The Queens became one of the first hotels in Portsmouth. The current owners took over in April 2017 and commenced a painstaking, multi-million pound restoration and redevelopment of the hotel to return her to her former glory.

University of Reading | Venue Reading

Reading

Berkshire

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The Meadow Suite which is a multi-functional airconditioned room located in the traditional setting of Park House, Whiteknights and boasts plenty of natural daylight. This modern room can be customised to meet your requirements and is suitable for all types of events, including training days, workshops, day meetings, and residential conferences. The Meadow suite comes fully equipped with AV & presenting technology including 4 large screens.

Weald and Downland Living Museum

Chichester

West Sussex

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The Weald & Downland Living Museum is set in 40 acres of the beautiful South Downs National Park in West Sussex. Our collection includes over 50 historic buildings dating from 950AD to the 19th century, re-erected from their original sites in the South East England, together with period gardens, transitional farm animals and a mill pond. The unique site makes the Museum a wonderful location for conferences, team building days and client hosting events. The exhibit buildings range from a reconstruction of a Saxon Hall House to working buildings of the late 19th century.

Winchester Cathedral

Winchester

Hampshire

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Fifteen centuries of English history lie behind the iconic Winchester Cathedral. It stands at the heart of historic Winchester, once the seat of Anglo-Saxon and Norman royal power.   Alongside the Cathedral itself the extensive grounds offer a variety of alternative venues to suit the size and style of your event as well. Their friendly and professional event team is always here to help, both with the planning and on the day and can put together a bespoke event package to suit a wide range of budgets.

5 meeting spaces | Capacities of 80 theatre style

Winchester Guildhall

Winchester

Hampshire

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Guildhall Winchester is a magnificent Victorian building situated in the heart of Winchester, and one of the largest and most flexible meeting spaces in Hampshire.  Only an hour away from London, 11 miles from Southampton Parkway Airport and a short walk from the Train Station, the Guildhall is an historic part of the Winchester, boasting an attractive and convenient location with City Centre car parks and a range of hotels in close proximity.  With 14 flexible and varied venue spaces, choose from the King Charles Hall built in 1871, the Mayors Parlour –housing photographs of Mayors dating back to 1900, or the quirky Courtyard with low ceilings and pillars used as the cells of a police station in 1873.

11 spaces | Capacities of up to 520 theatre style

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