London, the UK’s glorious capital city, is a meeting planner’s dream!
With literally thousands of venues to choose from, ranging from conference venues, training centres and academic venues to stately houses, sporting venues and exhibition centres, there is literally a venue to suit everyone regardless of whether you’re hosting a conference or meeting, wedding or teambuilding event.
A prime location for both business travellers and tourists alike, London is without doubt not only a global centre for commerce and industry, but also for culture, gastronomy, shopping and entertainment. A city steeped in rich history but also on the cutting edge of the modern age, London is a cosmopolitan, multi-cultural hub offering beautiful historic venues to contemporary design-specific conference centres and even unique and unusual venues.
An easily reached destination by road, London also has 9 mainline train stations plus 5 international airports making it an obvious choice for international delegates, and once there the world’s largest underground subway system, London Underground, makes getting around the city effortless for all.
With meeting spaces and conference suites across the whole of the city the only problem is being spoilt for choice! Those looking for designated conference venues in particular would do well to start with the Olympia Conference Centre, Earls Court Conference Centre, The Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre and ExCel London, all of which are renowned for being exceptional conference centres, exhibition centres and banqueting suites. However alternatives include 15 Hatfields Conferences and Events, the multi award-winning IET London Savoy Place and the Business Design Centre, all of which offer flexible meeting rooms and conference spaces, training and exhibition centres.
Those seeking an academic venue have a wealth of universities and education establishments to choose from including the unusual and unique Imperial College London Conference and Events or the historic venues of the University of Greenwich or Queen Mary University of London, all being well equipped for meetings and conferences of all kinds.
Those hosting large-scale events or wishing to take in the sporting venues London has to offer again have many options which include the world famous Wembley Stadium as well as Chelsea Football Club, the Emirates Stadium, Lord’s Cricket Ground and The Kia Oval to name but a few. All offer first class facilities, banqueting suites and conference centres in landmark settings.
With culture being synonymous with the city and its nightlife, arts institutions also offer outstanding meeting rooms and facilities such as the National Theatre at the heart of the South Bank of the river, the Dominion Theatre, The Barbican and Sadlers Wells, all unique venues with a range of meeting spaces, banqueting suites, training centres and exhibition spaces, and of course The O2 Arena, a world-class venue able to cater for up to 20,000 delegates.
Countless museums and galleries such as the National Maritime Museum, The Science Museum, The British Museum and BMA House offer excellent conference centres with banqueting suites in bothhistoric venues or modern unusual venues to suit all tastes.
Those looking to fully indulge in the London experience and the city’s Royal heritage for their meeting, conference or event can choose from historic venues such as the Tower of London, The Royal Horseguards and One Whitehall Place, Alexandra Palace beautifully set within 196 acres of parkland, or Kensington Palace, a beautiful stately house with banqueting suite and a truly unusual venue. Less well-known but equally stunning are the Georgian Grade II listed stately house Beauberry House, the picturesque Cannizaro House set on the edge of Wimbledon Common and Gilwell Park Conference Centre with training centre, meeting spaces and banqueting suite all set in a striking 108 acre woodland estate.
Modern venues such as the eye-catching Laban centre in South East London and Kings Place offer high spec facilities whilst unusual venues such as London Zoo, The London Wetland Centre, HMS Belfast and belowzero Icebar will all ensure that your event or conference are a truly memorable experience!
Iconic London hotels such as The Ritz and The Dorchester offer luxurious surroundings to their meeting rooms, conference suites and exhibition centres, but award-winning hotels such as the Park Plaza Victoria, Radisson Blu Portman Hotel, The Tower, Lancaster London and The Chesterfield Mayfair are also able to cater for any occasion, conference, meeting or private event.
London has it all!