Westminster Venue Collection boasts a wealth of properties with a strong background in academia. Many of these illustrious venues not only boast state-of-the-art meeting and conferencing facilities, but also share links with associations dedicated to improving the world’s knowledge of science, engineering, technology and art.  Here we place the spotlight on six of the most iconic.

Institute of Contemporary Arts
This Central London 18th Century Grade 1 Listed building is home to the Institute of Contemporary Arts, a membership organisation that encourages an understanding of radical art and culture. From its site on The Mall the ICA regularly hosts contemporary art exhibitions, film screenings and events, but also offers a range of flexible spaces for hire, including two cinemas, a theatre, two regency reception rooms and a studio that can be adapted to suit the needs of any event.

IET London: Savoy Place
Savoy Place has been the home of the Institute of Engineering and Technology since 1871 (previously known as the Society of Telegraph Engineers and the Institute of Electrical Engineers) and advancing and sharing knowledge about science, engineering and technology remains at the heart of the IET’s purpose today. A refurbishment of the building, which was completed in 2015, means the venue has a number of improved and enhanced meeting and events spaces, including a new 451-seat theatre, new-styled reception rooms and reconfigured floor space to optimise panoramic views of the Thames.

Imperial College London
This world-class university, founded by Prince Albert, is renowned for its excellence in science, engineering, medicine and business. The campus in South Kensington also offers an extensive array of spaces for hire, from modern 740-seat theatre-style conference venue The Great Hall to the Grade II listed townhouse 170 Queen’s Gate, which boasts a secluded courtyard garden and multiple rooms designed for meetings, executive dining, training sessions and small conferences or symposiums.

Regent’s University London
Originally built for Bedford College in 1849, the campus at Regent’s University was home to a number of educational institutions until it formally became a University in June 2013. It now runs degree courses in many areas including business and management, languages, and fashion and hosts students from 140 different countries. The campus overlooking Regent’s Park also offers a wealth of indoor and outdoor conference and event spaces, from the 370-seat Tuke Theatre, to Herringham Hall, with capacity for meetings of 120 delegates. Four acres of landscaped lawns and a secret garden can be used for summer events, including drinks receptions and team building.

Royal Institution of Great Britain
The Royal Institution’s links with science stretch back to 1799 when it was established to ‘diffuse science for the common purposes of life’ and the Grade 1 Listed building on Albermarle Street in Mayfair was where scientists such as Humphry Davy, Michael Faraday, John Tynda and George Porter discovered 10 chemical elements, won 14 Nobel Prizes, made world-changing discoveries in the laws of electromagnetism and molecular biology, and pioneered public science lectures and science events for children. Today, it is the home of the Ri charity, which works to connect people with the world of science, and boasts eight event spaces for hire, including the Faraday Lecture Theatre, which can accommodate between two and 720 guests.

The Royal Society
Home to the UK’s national science academy, with a fellowship of some 1,600 of the world’s most eminent scientists, including Richard Dawkins, Tim Berners-Lee and the late Stephen Hawking, The Royal Society’s headquarters on The Mall is not only a scientific hotbed, but also a comprehensive meetings and events venue. Twelve rooms, all boasting natural daylight, air conditioning and WiFi, with capacity for between 10 and 800 delegates, are available for hire.