Regent’s Conferences & Events has been named the winner of Best Outdoor Space at the 2019 Academic Venue Awards.

The venue offers a unique private outdoor space within Regent’s Park, comprising of four acres of lush foliage, shrubs, flowers and trees which create a magical setting for parties of up to 1,200 guests. This summer alone has seen 13,000 guests visiting the York Lawns for weddings, family fun days, corporate summer parties, team building events, conferences, graduation and garden parties, demonstrating the tremendous versatility of the venue.

Innovative catering, first-class customer service and impeccably kept grounds with an ivory-lined marquee for the summer months have all helped attract a wide variety of creative events to the York Lawns, from wellness retreats and petting zoos to bootcamps and funfairs.

For an events venue so reliant on its environment, the four acres of outdoor space is a pivotal driver of Regent’s’ green credentials. While the main lawns are kept immaculately tidy throughout the year, biodiversity is largely encouraged in a designated section of the gardens, where the grass is left long and fallen Autumnal leaves are blown into the wild area. Aside from accommodating a variety of events for guests on the lawns, one of the venue’s hospitable initiatives extends to a bug hotel, a log pile built up for endangered stag beetles to feed off the deadwood.

Work is undertaken to ensure that any chemicals used in the gardens are biodegradable, and an efficient irrigation system is in place to minimise water waste. In addition, any garden waste is used to create compost. Anything that has to be cut down is re-used for nutrients and protection on the soil over winter.