The vision is there: a conference, a corporate team gathering, a product launch or an awards ceremony. But before the invitations go out, a crucial first step awaits – finding the perfect venue. This space sets the stage for your event, impacting everything from atmosphere to logistics, and ultimately its success. But this is where PA Life is here to help. We’re highlighting some of the UK’s best venues to consider below, whatever your event, and whatever your budget…
Finding your perfect venue
South Bank Venues
When you want to give your guests a vibrant summer event in a central London location, there’s nowhere better than South Bank. In this stunning riverside stretch, summer is when South Bank comes alive. Brimming with unique venues, pop-up gardens and rooftop terraces, the area is a buzz of music and entertainment, making it the perfect destination for your event.
Take to the skies with stunning rooftop suites at Sea Containers Events or the Buffini Chao Deck at the
National Theatre. Host your very own garden party at the Queen Elizabeth Hall Roof Garden or in the beautiful surroundings of The Garden Museum. Bring the Caribbean vibes with boozy rum cocktails at Limin – complete with sandy beach or go beyond the conventional with artist-designed spaces at Bankside Hotel. When you want to incorporate some social teambuilding, there’s a host of attractions and venues right on the doorstep. Hire a private capsule on the London Eye, sing your heart out at Lucky Voice karaoke, take on the London Dungeon Escape Room, or hire out American sports bar Passyunk Avenue, complete with baseball batting cages and shuffleboard.
Plan your perfect summer event in South Bank and explore the online directory to find your ideal space. For further information and enquiries, please see: southbankvenues.london
Kia Oval
The Kia Oval is not just one of the most famous cricket venues in the world, it operates 365 days of the year as one of the capital’s leading Conference and Events spaces. With a range of facilities, including rooftop terraces with unbeatable views of the London skyline, private bars, and indoor social spaces, they have a little bit of something for everyone.
Just in time for summer, The Kia Oval is offering Summer Party Packages, available from just £84 per person (inc. VAT). The Summer Party Package has everything you’ll need to impress your guests, including terrace hire for the evening, one hour of summer cocktails, a sumptuous two[1-course street food menu, and when the sun sets, an indoor after-party room complete with a PA system. The Summer Party Package at The Kia Oval is perfect for any occasion this summer.
For further details, contact the dedicated Events team at enquiries@kiaoval.com or phone 0207 820 5670.
Church House Westminster
Set in the heart of the city, Church House Westminster provides the perfect backdrop for joyous gatherings and spirited celebrations. Nestled in the heart of this historic district, Church House effortlessly marries tradition with modern facilities, creating an idyllic setting for unforgettable summer parties.
The lush green gardens of Dean’s Yard surrounding Church House provide a serene escape from the bustling city, offering the perfect setting to enjoy summer events with fresh air and delicious catering options to go with it – provided by in-house caterers Searcys.
The grandeur of the architecture, steeped in centuries of history, imparts a sense of timelessness to all manner of festivities, creating a unique setting that blends English heritage with world class facilities and production capabilities. The spacious interiors and versatile event spaces cater to a spectrum of celebrations, from intimate gatherings to larger formats that require multiple layouts or spaces.
Hawksmoor
In 2006, two childhood friends, Will Beckett and Huw Gott, opened a restaurant serving ‘dictionary thick’ steaks from traditionally reared cattle alongside old[1]school cocktails in, a then unfashionable part of London, and changed steakhouse standards in the UK. Since then, Hawksmoor has grown to include seven restaurants in London, one in Manchester, Edinburgh, Liverpool, Dublin and New York, and soon to follow, Chicago.
Will and Huw’s obsession with flavour and ethics has led them to collaborate with and highlight individuals and companies who share their beliefs, from Brixham fishermen to One Water, while the restaurants’ have also been given the highest rating for sustainability by the Sustainable Restaurants Association.
Hawksmoor is the only hospitality company to have featured in the annual ‘Best Companies to Work For’ list every year for over a decade, and the first UK restaurant group to become a certified B Corp Beyond its incredible restaurants, Hawksmoor is the ultimate destination for any occasions, with award[1]winning bars, private dining rooms and event spaces. In London, Hawksmoor has dedicated private dining and events spaces at Guildhall, Wood Wharf, Borough and Spitalfields. The private dining rooms accommodate between 14 to 24 guests across the three locations – Bank, Shoreditch, London Bridge and Canary Wharf.
Private Dining Room and events enquiries: privatedining@thehawksmoor.com
The Jockey Club
Nestled in the Haldon Hills, Exeter Racecourse merges tradition with modernity, offering versatile event spaces. Established in the 17th century, it’s a resilient cultural icon, now catering to diverse needs beyond racing. Versatility is its hallmark, hosting gatherings from intimate meetings to grand exhibitions. Sustainability is a core value, with the Club committed to achieving Net Zero by 2040 through initiatives like solar panels and a Green Programme.
Its 2,600m2 indoor area, 17 flexible rooms, and outdoor spaces cater to all event requirements, equipped with modern technology and free wi-fi. Collaborating with Jockey Club Catering, they offer locally sourced menus tailored to each occasion. Convenience is prioritised with easy access from the A38, ample free parking, and proximity to Exeter Airport and train station.
Contact jo.kingston@thejockeyclub.co.uk or visit thejockeyclub.co.uk/exeter/venue-hire
Center Parcs
Center Parcs Conferences & Events now has two venues refurbished and open for the first time since the pandemic. With two central locations – Sherwood Forest in the Midlands, and Woburn Forest in Bedfordshire, just an hour from London, – it’s easy for organisers across the UK to book Center Parcs for corporate events. And of course, when delegates arrive, they’ve got everything they need all in one place: a variety of accommodation types, premium events spaces, hundreds of team building activities, onsite restaurants and our award-winning Aqua Sana Spa.
The Venue offers a range of meeting spaces for up to 600 delegates at Woburn Forest and 550 delegates at Sherwood Forest. Each Venue has a terrace with a range of seating options, including wooden booths, as well as some covered areas – making it a lovely space for delegates to relax, network and enjoy the great outdoors, whatever the weather. Being in nature is known to have profound positive effects on our mental health and wellbeing – so having those striking views right outside the window, as well as opportunities to enjoy some recreational time in the forest, is a great way to help delegates feel their very best during an event.
Viva Esprit
As a PA, you are tasked with organising events like the senior leadership conference, annual kick-off meeting, team away day, and company parties, all while managing your day job. Your events must impress and run smoothly, despite all the organisation required. Enter Viva Esprit, your boutique events partner.
We specialise in designing and delivering tailored, stand-out experiences worldwide. We are committed to exceptional hospitality experiences that make guests feel valued and inspired. We work with PAs to elevate corporate events. Our personal approach allows us to understand your needs and goals, infusing your organisation’s life and energy to create truly inspirational events. We bring your event to life with room and stage design, content creation, guest speakers, and video production. Our creative team and partners develop high-quality, event-specific creative content. While we encourage your creative input, rest assured, the heavy lifting is on us.
Offer for PA Life Club members
As an introductory offer to any PA Life Club members, you will receive a 10% discount on our event management fees by quoting PALIFE10* The PA making the booking will also receive a personal gift once the event has been completed and fully paid.
*Ts & Cs apply. vivaesprit.co.uk
These outstanding Venues are also feature in PA Life’s Summer Issue 2024
