As most of you well know, finding a venue in a city that’s nowhere near your office can be a challenging task, to say the least. That’s why I felt it was vital to attend the PA Life networking event at Stanbrook Abbey in Worcestershire. Well, that and the fact that the pictures of the property are so inspiring I just had to take the opportunity to see it in person.
I caught an early afternoon train to Worcester Foregate Street station and easily found myself a taxi just outside when I arrived. From there, the abbey is only about 15 minutes away. That’s perfect for those times when Mr P wants to put on a dinner for his business clients in the historic West Midlands city.
The property was home to a small group of Benedictine nuns until 2009, when they sold it and moved to Yorkshire in favour of a more eco-friendly abbey. It’s now owned by Amazing Venues, who has done some brilliant work with the listed building. The company runs seven very unique venues around the UK, from a former fort to grand Scottish castles.
Stanbrook Abbey has been open for private and corporate events since September 2012 and I think it’s spectacular to see how much work has been put into it in just three years. Each room, from the magnificent Great Hall, with its vaulted ceilings and beautiful stained-glass windows, to the new permanent marquee, is individually designed and has its own charm.
My personal favourite is the Thompson Dining Room, named for the famous furniture maker Robert Thompson, who crafted the stunning woodwork featured throughout the room, complete with his signature – small mice carved into the design. This space would be perfect for an upscale gala dinner.
The venue currently features five luxurious bedrooms in its attached manor house, but renovations are being made to the former nuns’ quarters located on the upper floors of the abbey in order to offer a further selection of 52 rooms by the end of the year. Plus, work has started on an addition to the property – a modern, glass-walled event space that is set to be complete around the same time.
Aside from the great venue, it was lovely to meet fellow PAs from the area and some even came from as far as Surrey and Bristol. I’m sure the representatives from Amazing Venues could hear the gears working in our heads as we walked into each room and started imagining the possibilities.
For a venue that’s out of the ordinary, I think Stanbrook Abbey has a lot to offer. Have a look at the website at amazingvenues.co.uk/venues/stanbrook-abbey/discover-stanbrook-abbey/.
This blog originally appeared on the PA Life Club site. To read more of Penelope Alice’s blog entries and get access to a range of fantastic benefits, including discounts and special deals at dozens of selected retailers and venues, as well as exclusive monthly competitions, networking events and 50% off PA Life’s new training courses, click here: palife.co.uk/pa-life-club
