With warmer weather on the way, this is the perfect time to start planning your summer events. There is a huge amount of choice across the UK, so PA Life has selected a few options to give you a taste of what’s on offer
Birmingham Botanical Gardens (pictured)
birminghambotanicalgardens.org.uk/venue
Type of outdoor space: The grounds provide an outdoor terrace, gardens and glasshouses themed on different climates, from a tropical rainforest to the arid desert
Maximum capacity: 500 for barbecue receptions
Venue hire rate: From £27.40 per person
Unique selling point: The Birmingham Botanical Gardens offers three striking outdoor spaces that are ideal for summer parties. Guests can view the glasshouses during the event and take in the sights of the beautifully landscaped grounds containing exotic plants from around the world.
BMA House
bmahouse.org.uk
Type of outdoor space: BMA House in London features a stunning Grade II-listed courtyard centred around a unique memorial fountain, as well as an enclosed botanical garden.
Maximum capacity: 320 in the courtyard; 100 in the garden
Venue hire rate: From £2,000, dependent on the space required; discount packages are also available
Unique selling point: The private courtyard and garden offer an exclusive outdoor setting to host memorable summer parties set in the grandeur of historic BMA House.
Bristol Zoo Gardens
bristolzoo.org.uk
Type of outdoor space: The zoo’s 12 acres of gardens are ideal for outdoor corporate away days and team-building activities, available to use from May through to September, plus it offers summer evening barbecues once the day visitors have left.
Maximum capacity: Dependent on the event
Venue hire rate: From £29.50 per person
Unique selling point: The award-winning gardens are home to more than 400 species of exotic animals from around the world. The zoo features a variety of flexible indoor and outdoor spaces for a wide range of functions.
Davenport Green Hall
davenporthall.com/corporate
Type of outdoor space: Located 20 minutes south of Manchester, the estate features a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces to suit different occasions. The White Lounge offers views of the landscaped Japanese gardens and a serene koi carp-filled pool and has an adjoining bar that makes it ideal for post-meeting drinks or a private dining area. The Grand Pavilion, meanwhile, is a vast, adaptable space that can be used for gala dinners and summer parties.
Maximum capacity: 600 delegates
Venue hire rate: Dependent on the event and number of people
Unique selling point: Davenport Green Hall offers an elegant getaway from the busy city centre. The venue is easily accessed from all major northwest motorways, making it a convenient place for event planners to hold a relaxing summer party.
Down Hall
downhall.co.uk/meetings-events/
Type of outdoor space: A four-star country house hotel is the centrepiece of this 110-acre estate. The terrace can be used for summer alfresco dining, with a team of chefs creating bespoke barbecue menus. The grounds provide a tranquil location for team-building activities, which can be tailored to suit business objectives. Plus, the hotel has just undergone a £1.5 million refurbishment, so guests can take advantage of indoor space in case of poor weather.
Maximum capacity: Up to 200 delegates
Venue hire rate: From £49 per person
Unique selling point: Conveniently located on the Hertfordshire and Essex border, with transport links to all major UK cities, Down Hall offers a quiet venue that feels remote while being only 50 minutes from London.
Greenbank Garden
nts.org.uk/Hire-a-venue/Greenbank-Garden/
Type of outdoor space: Greenbank Garden is set within the grounds of a 17th-century tobacco merchant’s stately manor, located just six miles south of Glasgow, and is available from May to September.
Maximum capacity: A marquee provides space for up to 200 people
Venue hire rate: £1,750
Unique selling point: Run by the National Trust of Scotland, Greenbank Garden provides a stunning backdrop for events where guests can explore the sundials, sculptures and fountains.
Mansion House
cardiff.gov.uk
Type of outdoor space: This Victorian property is nestled in private formal gardens and offers a beautiful landscape to hold an outdoor barbecue, plus there’s plenty of indoor space for meetings and dinners.
Maximum capacity: 65 delegates
Venue hire rate: Dependent on the event and number of people
Unique selling point: Located in the heart of Cardiff, Mansion House offers a convenient venue for summer parties and events of all types, yet the beautiful private grounds shield delegates from any external distraction.
Museum of London
museumoflondon.org.uk
Type of outdoor space: The museum’s terrace is set in the tranquil surroundings of a private garden, with a beautiful old horse chestnut tree at its centre. Two individually designed, contemporary rooms offer the ideal location for a summer meeting, conference or dinner.
Maximum capacity: 200
Venue hire rate: Rates available on request
Unique selling point: The museum’s summer party packages include a DJ, your choice of barbecue, hog roast, canapés, or bowl food, plus beer, wine and soft drinks. Guests can take a break from a long day of meetings and wander the galleries to see vast collections from throughout London’s history.
No 11 Cavendish Square
11cavendishsq.com
Type of outdoor space: The venue’s 18th century-inspired orangery and courtyard garden provide the ideal combination of indoor and outdoor space for summer events of all kinds.
Maximum capacity: 200 for a reception; 120 seated
Venue hire rate: From £1,400, dependent on the event
Unique selling point: Built in the reign of George III, No 11 Cavendish Square is a Grade II-listed townhouse, specially designed to cater for large events. The venue offers a mix of traditional and modern meeting spaces that can be tailored to suit your needs.
Regent’s Conferences and Events
regentsevents.co.uk
Type of outdoor space: The spacious private lawns provide an exclusive venue for outdoor summer parties in London. Regent’s packages include ground hire, a lined marquee with lighting in case of wet weather, garden furniture, a two-course barbecue and two hours of unlimited beer, wine and soft drinks.
Maximum capacity: 500
Venue hire rate: Barbecue packages start from £90 per person
Unique selling point: The private lawns of Regent’s University are surrounded by the gardens and lake of Regent’s Park, providing a rare oasis of tranquillity in the heart of the capital.
The Roof Gardens
roofgardens.virgin.com
Type of outdoor space: There are three themed grounds sprawling across 1.5 acres with a flowing stream stocked with fish and wildlife. The Spanish Garden is based on the Alhambra in Granada and has a distinct Moorish twist. The Tudor Garden is filled with evergreen shrubs surrounded by fragrant lilies, roses, lavender and wisteria. Meanwhile, the English Woodland is at its best during the spring months when thousands of narcissus, crocus, muscari and anemones burst into life, plus you’ll find resident flamingos.
Maximum capacity: 500 delegates
Venue hire rate: Dependent on the event; various packages are available
Unique selling point: The Roof Gardens is a modern wonder, with full oak and fruit trees growing in just 1.5m of soil 100ft above London. You can be transported to a whole new world without leaving the convenience of the city.
Royal Ascot Racecourse
ascot.co.uk
Type of outdoor space: As one of the UK’s most iconic racecourses, Royal Ascot offers a high standard of meeting spaces, both indoors and out. You can hold a conference in one of the many spacious rooms and finish the day with drinks or a barbecue on one of the private roof terraces.
Maximum capacity: 900
Venue hire rate: Rates available on request
Unique selling point: Treat your delegates in style at the world-famous racecourse. With so many spaces to choose from, and only a 50-minute drive from London, the venue makes an ideal choice for summer parties and corporate away days.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
rbge.org.uk
Type of outdoor space: The garden provides a number of indoor and outdoor spaces that can accommodate all types of summer events. The Terrace Café offers stunning panoramic views of the Edinburgh skyline, while the John Hope Gateway restaurant is a flexible venue overlooking the Biodiversity Garden.
Maximum capacity: 750
Venue hire rate: Summer barbecues from £22.50 per person
Unique selling point: Located just outside Edinburgh, the Royal Botanic Garden offers a tranquil backdrop for several unique venues. Established in 1670, the property features plants from around the world in impressive glasshouses.
Royal College of Physicians
rcpevents.co.uk
Type of outdoor space: The college’s Medicinal Garden is adjacent to the venue and is suitable for drinks receptions, summer parties and barbecues. It is also a popular location for delegates to take a relaxing break from conferences.
Maximum capacity: 250 people
Venue hire rate: Evening hire from £1,000; barbecue packages are available on request
Unique selling point: Ideal for the budding botanist – or those who simply enjoy nature – the garden showcases plants that have survived since before the extinction of the dinosaurs. Guests can also see traditional medicinal flora from various cultures, labelled and arranged in beds according to their geographical origin.
Smart Live
smartlive.co.uk
Type of outdoor space: Smart Live offers a range of party packages at some of London’s most iconic venues, from Battersea Park to the private gardens of Bedford Square and Building Six, a brand new nightclub at The O2.
Maximum capacity: 3,000
Venue hire rate: From £92 per person, dependent on the venue
Unique selling point: The event company’s summer packages can be tailored to your specific needs and each one offers something different. You can even escape the city centre to the Buckinghamshire countryside, just 26 miles outside of London.
Tanner & Co
tannerandco.co.uk/event-space
Type of outdoor space: The converted warehouse with a courtyard entrance offers an indoor/outdoor venue for a range of summer events. Have a conference inside and finish the day with a barbecue in the garden.
Maximum capacity: 450
Venue hire rate: From £75 per person
Unique selling point: Conveniently located close to The Shard and London Bridge, Tanner & Co’s large event space can be adapted for any event. This year’s theme for summer parties is nostalgia, so expect deck chairs, candy floss and seaside rock for your corporate event.
