Historic venues Archives | Page 2 of 4 | Westminster Venue Collection

‘Get Christmas Licked!’ Venue Showcase

Posted on 1st August 2015 by engineroom

Throw on your reindeer antlers and trot on down to 10-11 Carlton House Terrace this September, for festive frolics and good fun with more than 35 of Westminster’s finest venues. This year, Christmas cheer and creative, seasonal theming bring together a selection of unusual, historical, modern and exciting events destinations to inspire and entice.

Special offers, arts and crafts workshops, competitions and giveaways will all serve to introduce you to our wealth of individually unique central London properties, whether it’s late Christmas and New Year parties and drinks receptions you’re looking to organise, or forward planning for conferences, product launches, fashion shows, awards dinners, concerts and more into next year and beyond.

Meet friendly teams from luxury hotels, private members clubs, concert halls, museums and attractions, river boats, modern and traditional conference centres, historic institutes and societies. Enjoy one-on-one discussions in a dedicated and relaxed environment and fill your little black book with great new contacts, venue ideas, theming notes and confirmed diary dates for the personalised venue tours you’ve been able to organise with your new connections.

The Westminster Collection’s annual venue showcase is free to attend, subject to qualifying criteria. Register now! We look forward to seeing you in September.

{10-11} Carlton House Terrace to open new event space The Library

Posted on 24th July 2015 by engineroom

{10-11} Carlton House Terrace is currently undergoing exciting summer refurbishments, with the creation of a new event space, The Library. This room will pair perfectly with the Reading Room adjacent and will feature book lined walls with bright windows overlooking the Mall, St James’s Park and Horse Guards Parade. Events held here will take on an air of royal and parliamentary London, ideal for meetings of up 30, dinners of up to 60 and receptions up to 100 guests, available to hire from mid September 2015.

The Wolfson Room, our largest event space, is undergoing a major refurbishment to remove the currently fixed stage, lectern and screen and replace with sleek, custom-made portable options, providing modern audio visual equipment for conferences and corporate events, accommodating up to 140 in theatre style seating. Upon removal of the equipment, the room will lend itself perfectly to dinners of up to 100 and evening receptions of up to 200. The floor to ceiling windows along the room offer spectacular views of the Royal Park, the Mall, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye.

To celebrate these new and improved facilities, the team are planning an evening party for early October where regular and prospective event organisers will be able to view their upgraded facilities and join them for some delicious food and drink.

If you’d like to register your interest in attending this event, please email [email protected] and further information will be sent soon.

Westminster spotlight: Embankment & Westminster

Posted on 8th June 2015 by engineroom

Westminster and Embankment are your iconic ‘picture postcard’ London – the London that’s famous worldwide, with its bounty of landmarks like Big Ben, Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey and the sprawling banks of the river Thames to admire. It’s where Britophiles and curious tourists flock to sample quintessential Britain. You feel like you’re somewhere buzzing and important when you’re in Westminster; it’s the political decision making hub of the UK. So where better to do business or to host an event that catapults a brand to centre stage?

Historical Haunts…

House of Commons
Perhaps one of London’s most recognised venues is the House of Commons. Unrivalled in its political history it has been a British institution since the 11^th Century and is just as impressive today as it has ever been. The House of Commons offers a choice of seven event rooms, with one of the most popular being The Churchill Room (aptly named as many of his paintings hang on the walls) which can seat up to 100 guests for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Recess dates have been announced with new availability between 18 September – 9 October.

Nearest tube: Westminster (5 min walk)

Central Hall Westminster
Ideally located opposite Westminster Abbey is the Grade II listed Central Hall Westminster. Well known as a film location and boasting Europe’s largest domed ceiling, the venue is quite a spectacle. In December 2014 the venue played host to a sold-out concert spectacular which saw Adam Lambert take to the stage with the almighty Queen, showcasing the venue’s vast versatility. With its 22-room portfolio and dedicated team of professionals Central Hall can accommodate between 100 and 2000.

Nearest tube: St James’s Park (4 min walk), Westminster (8 min walk)

The Supreme Court of the United Kingdom
The grandiose Supreme Court of the United Kingdom sits amongst some of the most iconic sights in Great Britain, yet its Gothic architecture means it is impossible to overlook. Packed full with period features such as majestic ceilings, intricate carved beams and an abundance of exquisite stained glass, the venue is oozing with character. The Supreme Court accommodates up to 100 guests for a seated dinner and viewings of the court rooms and Law Library are available on request.

Nearest tube: Westminster (6 min walk)

One Great George Street
A magnificent four-domed Edwardian building sits in the heart of London called One Great George Street, a stone’s throw from Parliament Square. The venue offers a choice of 19 event spaces for between 60 and 400 guests with many of them offering interconnecting doors, allowing you to combine a corporate event with social entertaining.

Nearest tube: Westminster (5 min walk)

8 Northumberland Avenue
Few venues can boast a more central location than 8 Northumberland Avenue, just paces away from Trafalgar Square, however, the venue does not compromise space for location. Boasting a stunning ballroom which English Heritage has described as ‘the grandest example of a Victorian ballroom in existence’, with capacities of up to 500, in addition to five smaller meeting spaces, this Grade II listed building combines your practical needs seamlessly with outstanding aesthetics.

Nearest tube: Charing Cross (3 min walk), Embankment (4 min walk)

Broadway House
Seasoned professionals in delivering proficient, effectual events such as press conferences and ministerial meetings, Broadway House is perfectly equipped to meet even the highest of standards. It sits adjacent to St James’s Park station and here technology is paramount throughout the venue, which offers 12 varying event spaces with tailored packages for up to 100 guests.

Nearest tube: St James’s Park (1 min walk)

St James Court
A mere stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace is St James Court hotel, a discreet Victorian masterpiece radiating warmth and sophistication. St James Court offers 17 meeting and conference suites which all come with wireless internet, state-of-the-art technology and video conferencing making it the perfect place to hold a corporate event.

Nearest tube: St James’s Park (4 min walk)

Meetings for Modern Minds…

etc.venues Victoria
If you are looking for a clean lined, ultra-modern, sophisticated events space then you need look no further than etc.venues at One Drummond Gate in Victoria. Easily accessible and sitting adjacent to Pimlico tube station, the venue is a perfect fit for meetings, conferences and corporate events. The largest space accommodates up to 250 guests and all spaces are equipped with high spec AV kits. Designed to create an engaging and comfortable environment, all the event spaces feature natural light, meaning your event remains as productive and inviting as possible.

Nearest tube: Pimlico (2 min walk)

QEII Centre
A venue that combines a flawless reputation for delivering incredible corporate events with the chance for some sunshine is the QEII Centre. The opportunities within this venue are truly vast and the beautiful interior ensures a slick and professional atmosphere at all times. When the sun does decide to make an appearance, the QEII Centre has some lovely outdoor space, including The Green at the front of the Centre, overlooking Westminster Abbey, where drinks and food can be served. The inside space can accommodate up to 1,300 people in the largest room and there is also a wide range of smaller rooms so you can choose the perfect space for your event, whether it’s an awards ceremony, a conference, a product launch or a sit-down dinner.

Nearest tube: Westminster (8 min walk), St James’s Park (4 min walk)

Church House Conference Centre
An award-winning venue with proven success hosting large scale events such as product launches and award ceremonies, Church House Conference Centre offers its guests a multitude of layout options and their state-of-the-art facilities means that creating the perfect staging, lighting and sound for your event is well within their capabilities. The event spaces can hold more than 600 people and clients can choose from 19 spaces.

Nearest tube: St James’s Park (7 min walk), Westminster (10 min walk)

St. James Theatre
St James Theatre holds the title for being the first newly built theatre complex in central London for nearly 30 years. Despite being in its infancy (in theatre terms) the venue has a fantastic reputation and provides a creative and unusual backdrop for many types of event. St James Theatre can accommodate up to 312 guests and the live entertainment space provides an intimate setting for team building days, product launches, small presentations, away days or creative workshops. Take advantage of a Laurent Perrier Champagne reception with 20% off for all events booked before the end of July.

Nearest tube: Victoria (6 min walk)

Hospitable Hotels…

Conrad London St. James
A central London hotel boasting everything (and more) that you would expect from the luxury brand, Conrad London St James guarantees high end execution for all their events. If your event calls for something a little quirkier, then the Emmeline Lounge could tick all your boxes. Named after the 19th Century British political activist Emmeline Pankhurst and showcasing mind-warping, multi-dimensional art, the lounge is ideal for intimate or relaxed business meetings and brainstorms, especially if you love a themed afternoon tea.

Nearest tube: St James’s Park (1 min walk)

St Ermin’s Hotel
An extensive £30 million pound investment has transformed the four star St Ermin’s Hotel into a contemporary and stylish location for a variety of different events. Priding itself on professional and efficient service, the venue boasts 15 event spaces including three Caxton environments and the antique, book-lined Library.

Nearest tube: St James’s Park (3 min walk)

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel London – Westminster
Accommodating a multitude of needs, DoubleTree by Hilton sits a walkable distance from both quirky, creative South Bank and London’s financial district. A clever mix of state-of-the-art technology and contemporary comfort, DoubleTree by Hilton truly has something for all. They offer customisable event spaces for up to 200 guests, with a logistics team on site to ensure your event runs without a glitch.

Nearest tube: Pimlico (9 min walk)

House of Commons Terrace Pavilion open for summer bookings

Posted on 6th May 2015 by engineroom

Offering uninterrupted views of the River Thames and the famous skyline of the South Bank, the House of Commons‘ Terrace Pavilion provides a unique location for your summer reception.

The principal function rooms on the upper floors of the New Palace of Westminster include the Members’ and Strangers’ Dining Rooms and the Pugin Room, designed by Charles Barry in a generalised ecclesiastical style and Augustus Pugin, whose inventive genius for adapting gothic forms created the elaborate interiors. Individually, these spaces can host up to 170 guests for lunch or dinner and 200 guests for a reception or when combined the spaces will accommodate 300 standing guests.

The lower floor offers four smaller private dining rooms and the Churchill Room, so named as many of his paintings hang on its walls. These individual rooms can seat between 10 and 100 guests for lunch or dinner or 25 to 100 for standing receptions. Outside on the Commons Terrace is the Terrace Pavilion, a purpose built marquee, which can accommodate up to 200 guests for standing receptions and opens out onto the eastern river frontage of the Palace overlooking the River Thames.

The House of Commons has an enviable reputation for delivering first class catering and services. Whatever your occasion, they will work with you to create an experience to remember whether it is a showcase dinner or corporate event, planning your party or wedding, finding the ideal venue, or a drinks reception or working lunch. As one of the world’s most iconic buildings, no other venue in the world is more instantly recognised than the Palace of Westminster. It is impossible to walk through its corridors or dine in its imposing function rooms without a deep sense of awe.
It is a unique venue and a very special place. The team invites you to share it with them for your own special occasion.

To enquire about hosting your next event at the House of Commons, click here.

Westminster spotlight: Mayfair & Belgravia

Posted on 6th May 2015 by engineroom

Whether greasing your fingers at trendy munch spots Burger & Lobster or Goodman, or indulging in refined gourmet dining at the likes of Le Gavroche, Benares or Munaro are your personal style, you’ll be spoilt for choice in the well-heeled Westminster districts of Mayfair and Belgravia, which encircle iconic Buckingham Palace and border Hyde Park.

Refined London at its best, these enchanting streets house private estates, secluded gardens, luxury hotels and private members clubs aplenty, creating a destination for designer brands, wealthy residents, fashionable foodies and classy events.

Here are our favourite Mayfair and Belgravia haunts perfect for everything from drinks parties and standing receptions, to product launches, film screenings, private dinners and conferences:

BAFTA 195 Piccadilly
Nestled in the heart of Mayfair above the hustle and bustle of one of London’s busiest streets is BAFTA, home to some of film and television’s most iconic histories. The venue has five event spaces that are all available for exclusive hire, and at certain times of the year the venue can be hired as an entirety allowing the ultimate atmosphere of exclusivity. Accommodating numbers between 50 and 350 BAFTA offers a real versatility for a wide range of events. Within the Princess Anne Theatre space is an incredible state of the art cinema system which can play anything from timeless classics to the latest 3D blockbuster.

The Athenaeum Hotel
Combining the comfort of a family run business with the elegance of a 5* central London location is The Athenaeum Hotel. Located just a stone’s throw from Green Park and adjacent to Buckingham Palace, the venue’s location is truly spectacular. The events spaces range from 20 to 100 delegate capacity making it ideal for more intimate and personal occasions and with fresh fruit, unlimited bottled water and plasma TVs included as standard, The Athenaeum really does go the extra mile to ensure your event runs flawlessly. The venue has also launched a ‘Pick and Mix’ offer for meetings packages allowing you to receive a day delegate rate of £75pp and to enhance your package with a complimentary extra including a complimentary glass of champagne after your event. For more information please visit www.athenaeumhotel.com/events/meetings/piccadilly-pick-n-mix/

The Royal Air Force Club
Opened in 1922, The RAF Club is ideally located along the edges of Green Park. A beautiful and historic building, it seamlessly combines fantastic history with contemporary facilities and interiors. Not to be missed at The RAF club is the incredible Badge Corridor containing an unrivaled selection of original squadron badges. The event spaces can accommodate between 20 and 200 guests all with complimentary WiFi and audio visual equipment.

The Chesterfield Mayfair
The Chesterfield Mayfair is a secluded and exceptional hotel with six events spaces catering for 50-150 guests, with an elegant yet welcoming home-away-from-home atmosphere. The Conservatory Room boasts marble floors, floor-to-ceiling windows and can seat up to 40 guests. On booking your event you will be assigned your own personal events manager who will guide you through the entire process and allow you to relax and enjoy every moment.

The Royal Institution of Great Britain
Grade I listed and established more than 200 years ago The Royal Institution of Great Britain, has history at it’s very core and has been at the forefront of scientific discovery, innovation and communication for two centuries. Sensitively restored it boasts a 440-seat theatre which is available for exclusive hire and throughout its collection of event spaces there are capacities for between 30 and 600, meaning there are endless possibilities when booking an event at The Royal Institution.

The Lansdowne Club
If exclusivity is what you are looking for then The Lansdowne Club in the heart of Mayfair has plenty to offer. Built in 1763 before being converted into a social club in 1935, it is now an exclusive members club offering a variety of options for your central London event. Perfect for business or pleasure the spaces on offer can cater for between 50 and 200 guests in a variety of seating styles. The spectacular library seats up to 100 guests and showcases jam-packed bookcases covering the walls, providing a unique vocal point for your event.

The Caledonian Club
Originally built for Hugh Morrison, a wealthy politician and land owner in 1891, The Caledonian Club is a little piece of Scotland in the heart of Belgravia. Showcasing their versatile events spaces, all with a quintessential Scottish flavour, the venue can accommodate between 50 and 250 guests. Function guests access the event using an exclusive private entrance meaning your event has an air of sophistication from the moment your guests arrive.

Imperial College London (Knightsbridge)
Variety is in no short supply at Imperial College London as it offers more than 200 unique events spaces in the cultural heartland of Exhibition Road. Available for as few as 20 or as many as 620 guests, the options truly are plentiful. The venue is centered in an historic location, surrounded by historic heavyweights such as The Victoria and Albert and Natural History Museums. The Queen’s Lawn space, available for up to 700 people, can be hired as a stand-alone space or paired with The Queen’s Tower which is accessible using a marqueed walkway onto the lawn, bringing the outside in and allowing a spacious and airy feel. Booking a summer party before 15th May entitles you to 15% off with BBQ menus and Pimm’s on arrival. Find out more and visit www3.imperial.ac.uk/conferenceandevents/specialpromotions/summerparties

Summer venues: rooftops, gardens, terraces

Posted on 14th April 2015 by engineroom

As summer approaches and the capital steps outside and into the sun, rooftops, gardens and courtyards across London come to life. Sitting in the warm summer sun with a cocktail in hand is the perfect way to inject a little sunshine into your event. There is no shortage of exquisite outdoor locations in London but to make it even easier to find your ideal al fresco venue here’s our pick of spot on summer venues:

Nothing says ‘summer’ quite like being on the water and HQS Wellington provides the perfect combination of outdoor and indoor space, allowing your event to flow seamlessly regardless of the unpredictable British weather! Wellington is a unique London venue for any functions which benefit from the backdrop of its wonderful collection of marine antiques, including priceless paintings and model ships. It has four hireable events spaces suitable for meetings and dining, including the open-air ‘Quarter Deck’, ideal for summer cocktail parties, receptions and barbecues. From small meetings in a boardroom to a whole ship event, flexibility is a key attraction of this venue. It is licensed for weddings, with a highly personal, professional and innovative conferencing, event and wedding service provided on board by The Cook & Butler.

A venue that combines a flawless reputation for delivering incredible corporate events with the chance for some sunshine is The Q EII Centre. The opportunities within this venue are truly vast and the beautiful and astounding interior ensures a slick and professional atmosphere at all times. When the sun does decide to make an appearance The QEII Centre has some lovely outdoor space where drinks and food can be served. The inside space can accommodate up to 1,300 people in the largest room and there is also a wide range of smaller rooms so you can choose the perfect space for your event.

Ideally located opposite Westminster Abbey is the Grade II listed Central Hall Westminster. Well known as a film location and boasting Europe’s largest domed ceiling, the venue is quite a spectacle. With its 22 room portfolio and dedicated team of professionals Central Hall can accommodate a wide range of events. The lesser known area of the building is the beautiful sun terrace where you can watch the sun go down behind London’s iconic skyline.

Perhaps one of London’s most recognised venues is the House of Commons. Unrivalled in its political history it has been a British institution since the 11^th Century and is just as impressive today as it has ever been. The House of Commons offers a choice of seven event rooms, with one of the most popular being The Churchill Room (aptly named as many of his paintings hang on the walls) which can seat up to 100 guests for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Most suitable for the warmer months is the stunning Terrace Pavilion, a purpose built marquee perfect for all conditions, complete with panoramic glass doors allowing guests to take full advantage of the spectacular sunshine.

No.11 Cavendish Square is a beautiful Grade II listed building nestled amongst the townhouses of central London. The venue has been sympathetically enhanced allowing it to cater for all types of events whilst still maintaining its original and charming features. The venue boasts a variety of rooms for both larger and more intimate events but perhaps most notably for the upcoming summer months is The Garden Room. Available for exclusive hire for up to 100 guests for a standing reception, it’s not only a beautifully bright space but it can also be hired with the adjoining courtyard allowing your guests to move freely between the two.

A mere stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace is St James Court hotel, a discreet Victorian masterpiece oozing with warmth and sophistication. St James Cou rt offers 17 meeting and conference suites which all come with wireless internet, state of the art technology and video conferencing making it the perfect place to hold a corporate event. The hotel also offers a unique and secluded garden courtyard, complete with stunning flowers and tranquil water features allowing a place to recharge and recoup at any time of the day.

The summer months enable us to step outside, walk around and see a little more of what London has to offer. We hope that something in our top six summer hotspots has caught your eye and that the sun stays out long enough for you to experience them all!

Central Hall Westminster appoints new Director of Sales and Events

Posted on 31st March 2015 by engineroom

Former head of hospitality at English Heritage, Neil Parry, has joined Central Hall Westminster as its Director of Sales and Events. This newly created role comes as the venue celebrates significant success achieved in the last two years.

Parry’s previous roles include general manager at London Aquarium, trade marketing manager at London Zoo and trade marketing manager at The Tussaud’s Group. He held his most recent role at English Heritage since 2008.

“I have been very fortunate in my career to have worked at some great venues and buildings,” said Parry, “so to get the chance to work at Central Hall Westminster with all its associated history and iconic status is an amazing opportunity for me. I am really looking forward to joining the team and continuing to deliver the huge success they have already achieved.”

Commenting on the appointment, Paul Southern, managing director at Central Hall Westminster, said: “We’ve had some great results at Central Hall over the last couple of years and I’m delighted that we can reinvest this success by growing and developing our team. Neil will bring a wealth of experience to the venue and I’m looking forward to him taking the venue in new, bold directions.”

The appointment of Parry comes together with the promotion of Maria Schuett to the newly created role of head of marketing. Schuett joined Central Hall as marketing manager in 2011, a role in which her achievements included the venue’s rebranding, the launch of a dedicated mobile website and a win at the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute Awards for ‘Best Internet/Media Campaign of overseas business in China’.

Schuett also developed the award-winning ‘Meet The Future’ campaign, a multi-faceted campaign that culminated in a dedicated event technology conference, helping the venue achieve a 53% increase in turnover in the 2013/14 financial year.

Commenting on her promotion, Schuett said: “I am passionate about the Central Hall brand and my industry. I am grateful to be working with such a forward-thinking team and venue that can help to shape the industry’s journey into the future with a real educational drive to progress and facilitate change.”

Southern added: “Maria’s enthusiasm and passion for her role is infectious and has played a big part in helping our venue achieve some of its best results on record. I’m delighted that we can recognise her achievements with this newly created role.

Central Hall Westminster (CHW) is central London’s largest purpose built conference centre, combining historical elegance with cutting-edge technical capabilities. The unique Edwardian landmark building, situated adjacent to Westminster Abbey, has engaged high profile conferences, special events and local business meetings since 1912. It has 22 event spaces available for hire.

Westminster spotlight: Magnificent Marylebone

Posted on 16th March 2015 by engineroom

Majestic Georgian squares and terraces, Edwardian and Victoria mansion flats and pretty mews houses marry with fresh-off-the-catwalk fashion boutiques, bustling independent coffee shops and luxury hotels to create the animated and cosmopolitan neighbourhood of Marylebone.

For a zone one, central London destination, Marylebone’s cosy village vibe creates a charm that sees it consistently one of the most sought-after places to live in the capital. Its venue scene is exciting too with a treasure trove of knock-out spaces available to hire and theme for parties, dinners, meetings, conferences and other events. Here are 5 of our favourites:

Weave off Oxford Street in the direction of Regent’s Park and discover four fabulous venues a stone’s throw from the cut-and-thrust shopping strip.

No.11 Cavendish Square, bordering the gated public garden behind John Lewis, is one of the few venues in London with outside space of its own. Marvel at the lush green ‘living wall’ and candle-lit water feature in the courtyard garden while you perch on high stools with a glass of something tasty in your hand. It’s a treat of a space for drinks receptions and alfresco dining in the warmer months, linking with the ever-stunning Orangery, the Grade II listed townhouse’s light-flooded room popular for wedding receptions, dinners, exhibitions and networking events.

Some 30 event spaces, with capacity for up to 300, flood four floors within this contemporary venue, which maintains many of the period features installed when it was built during the reign of King George III. Several large lecture theatres, break-out rooms, board rooms and conference suites combine high specification AV technology with service and facilities worthy of sought-after AIM Gold accreditation.

On the opposite side of the gated garden is 20 Cavendish Square, home of the Royal College of Nursing with its fine Georgian mansion exterior and recently refurbished interiors. The new RCN Library and Heritage Centre is a great space for members and the public and includes a cafe, library, seminar room, archive centre and merchandise shop, while the 14 conference and meeting rooms offer bright and airy spaces for all types of corporate and private events. The Council Room is particularly beautiful with its intricate 1930s glass dome ceiling, connecting with Cowdray Hall to create an ideal space for evening drink receptions.

Further towards Regent’s Park, on peaceful Duchess Mews, is 2014’s ‘Best Conference Venue for up to 350 delegates’, as named at last year’s Conference Venue & Supplier Awards. Cavendish Conference Centre enjoys a great reputation for customer service and has been designed and built with the business user in mind, featuring state-of-the-art audio visual equipment and bright, spacious and modern facilities.

The bright, tiered auditorium seats 250 guests and is as well suited to exclusive use as it is to corporate AGMs, multi-day government conferences or evening training seminars. The accompanying Whittington Suite can be split into four sections and can comfortably host table-top exhibitions, while two additional break-out rooms, named after Great Portland Street and the neighbouring Harley Street in medical heartland, can host hot fork buffets, drinks receptions and workshops.

Take advantage of Cavendish Conference Centre’s regular special offers and incentives, such as 25% off Monday and Friday events.

Stroll up onto Portland Place, and you’ll find RIBA Venues at number 66. As the conference and events arm of the Royal Institute of British Architects, it’s no surprise that this architectural gem boasts an array of stand-out Art Deco inspired features, some of which have provided the backdrop to films and fashion shows.

Ascend the grand marble stairs, dine by candlelight in the Florence Hall surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows and exceptional craftsmanship, or enjoy drinks and canapés on one of three roof terraces. Top floor rooms offer sensational panoramic views of London, while elsewhere you can find a range of hireable spaces, from a small boardroom for eight to a large conference for 280, dinner for 250 or a drinks reception for 400.

Since the extension of the BBC building, the area has buzzed with A-list celebrities, some of whom have dined in the RIBA restaurant – Andrew Lloyd Webber, Bob Geldof, Dermot O’Leary, Dom Joly, Ewan McGregor and Ryan Reynolds to name but a few. RIBA is also a regular host to exhibitions featuring world-class architecture drawings, models and photographs, which provide interesting eye candy to guests attending events at RIBA Venues. Venture inside and you’ll discover a book shop, a café and one of the finest architectural libraries in the world.

Perched on the outer westerly edge of Marylebone district, a few minutes from Marble Arch, is the Victory Services Club, a prestigious Military Members Club for retired and serving members of the Armed Forces. Famed for outstanding service and AIM Gold standard facilities for meetings and events, this historic home of hospitality, which counts the Duchess of Cornwall as its patron, has 8 rooms available for hire for everything from reunion and regimental dinners, to major conferences, business launches, concerts and wedding receptions.

A recent partnership with a hotel agency allows the VSC to help clients source affordable hotel rooms for delegates and clients holding events on-site.

The Westminster Collection brings together some of the finest and most unusual venues right across the City of Westminster, all located in zone one. Explore the venues we represent here, or use our interactive map to search by location.

World War I poster campaign art: A lecture at Army & Navy Club

Posted on 12th December 2014 by engineroom

Join David Bownes, Assistant Director of Collections at the National Army Museum, for a fascinating insight into the uses of posters during the First World War. This special World War I lecture takes place on Thursday 5th February 2015 at 18.30 at the Army & Navy Club in London.

The Great War coincided with a golden age for this relatively new art of advertising. Throughout the conflict striking and colourful poster art was used to recruit soldiers, promote investment in the war, keep up morale and, of course, to vilify the enemy.

Don’t miss this unique evening. Tickets must be pre-booked. Please contact Elana Kruger, email [email protected] or phone 020 7827 8031.

BAFTA draws crowd for annual Westminster venue showcase

Posted on 13th October 2014 by engineroom

Friday 10th October saw more than 150 event buyers gather at BAFTA 195 Piccadilly to discover and network with dozens of central London’s best event venues, brought together over breakfast by London venue marketing consortium The Westminster Collection (TWC).

It was TWC’s annual venue showcase, Destination Westminster, held once a year to create an opportunity for people who organise events to enjoy productive, face-to-face conversations with venue representatives from some of London’s finest historic institutes and societies, dedicated conference venues, river boat venues, luxury hotels, museums, tourist attractions, private members clubs and concert halls.

Guests in attendance came from a mixture of integrated marketing agencies, event agencies, charities, embassies, government organisations, law firms, accountancy firms, retailers and tour operators.

BAFTA 195 Piccadilly took the opportunity to showcase its bright and airy David Lean Room and Foyer Bar, as guests posed for twitter and Instagram photos alongside iconic BAFTA masks and enjoyed indulgent, sweet and savoury breakfast treats including cinnamon toast with roast banana on a chocolate milk shot, and spinach, potato and goats cheese tortilla with smashed avocado.

Guests then loaded up their pick ‘n’ mix bags with breakfast themed treats from the sweetie bar before seizing the chance to make like the stars by taking their seats in BAFTA’s illustrious Princess Anne Theatre. Here they watched short screenings of candid interviews with Hollywood film stars including the late Robin Williams and Tom Hanks, as well as British talents Idris Elba and Ricky Gervais.

Speaking of the event, Allyson Hargreaves, board director for The Westminster Collection says, “We always look forward to this event. It provides great sales leads for our venues and we hope serves to raise awareness of the excellent, free venue finding and event enquiry tools The Westminster Collection offers to event planners via our website. There are few events that offer such an intimate opportunity to network and have meaningful business conversations in a relaxed environment.”

Tag: Historic venues