Each week, we pick one of our favourite venues and explain why it’s made the cut
The Palace of Westminster’s gothic façade along the banks of the Thames is an image known the world over. Did you know though that when the
House of Commons is not in session, you can host memorable banquets in one of the 10 spaces available for private hire? Well you can, and the house doesn’t return until 5 September with a sprinkling of other dates in every month until the end of the year.
What’s so good about it?
As the beating heart of UK government for centuries, it’s hard to find a venue with more historical significance from the past and present. A recent conservation project means all the dining rooms have been refurbed too, giving the antique interiors new life. We love the oak-panelled and flock-wallpapered Members Dining Room which is home to a number of fascinating paintings. Elsewhere, the Strangers’ Dining Room has intricate wood carvings and is the spot where MPs normally meet their guests – or strangers to the building.
Why do bookers love it?
The Terrace Pavilion ensures it’s easy to make the most of the riverside location whatever time of year it is. Found on the eastern front, this heated marquee has uninterrupted views of the Thames from the floor-to-ceiling glass doors that open out onto the terrace. Wooden flooring and chandeliers give this newer space the same sophisticated atmosphere you’d find inside the main building.
For more details and to book an event space in the House of Commons, head here