Nowhere are the effects of social revolution more evident than in the London events market. From palaces to courtrooms, the bastions of privilege have succumbed to the lure of corporate cash, offering an unparallelled selection of fabulous venues for any event.
Those who fancy a regal setting can dine in Diana's palace at Kensington or take a private tour of the Crown Jewels at the Tower of London, while those with a taste for the arts can book exclusive venues like the Royal Opera House, the Wallace Collection and the Serpentine Gallery. For a more unusual event, the Royal Courts of Justice provides a setting of Gothic splendour, while the National Maritime Museum at Greenwich offers a chance to connect with Britain's sea-faring heritage.
And finally, for something completely different, why not entertain your guests in the middle of Hyde Park Corner, while the royal cavalry pass underneath?
Kensington Palace
Today an elegant and discreet royal retreat in the heart of London, Kensington Palace was for many years at the centre of court and social life: it was the preferred residence of four monarchs, Queen Victoria was born there, and it was the official residence of Diana, Princess of Wales until she died.
In the early 17th century, the palace belonged to the Earl of Nottingham but in 1689 it was bought by William III, who was asthmatic and wanted to move away from the smog of central London. He commissioned Sir Christopher Wren to transform the original building into a house fit for a king, and for the next 70 years it was also home to Queen Anne, George I and George II.
Subsequently handed over to minor royalty, including the young Queen Victoria, the palace is today the official residence of Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, the Duke and Duchess of Kent, and Prince and Princess Michael of Kent; but many of the rooms are available for corporate hire.
Venues range from the magnificent State Apartments, which include the Cupola Room where Queen Victoria was christened, to the Red Saloon, where she addressed the Privy Council on the first day of her reign. Events can also be held in the Duchess of Teck Saloon and the North Drawing Room, while the formal Sunken Garden is ideal for pre-dinner drinks on summer evenings.
For those who fancy a little less opulence and a little more light, the famous Orangery offers large windows, exquisite white panelling and graceful Corinthian columns, all set in its own private gardens. Built in 1704 for Queen Anne, this elegant summer house was once used extensively for court entertainments, and can now accommodate up to 150 for dinner or 300 for receptions (1,000 when combined with a marquee on the lawn).
Details Kensington Palace, tel +44 (0)20 3166 6115, hrp.org.uk/kensingtonpalace.
National Maritime Museum
A short hop down the river from the City and Docklands, Greenwich's manicured lawns feel closer to the freshness of the ocean than the grubby Thames of central London. The area is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, and at its heart sits the National Maritime Museum, a fascinating reminder of Britain's unique place in seafaring history.
As an events venue the museum is highly versatile, with the historic rooms and collection of nautical instruments complemented by more modern spaces such as the Upper Deck. This mezzanine gallery (pictured right) in the centre of the museum has recently undergone an extensive redevelopment and is now home to more than 400 of the museum's most spectacular gold, silver and brass objects.
With space to seat up to 500 guests, the Upper Deck is an ideal venue for gala dinners and awards ceremonies. For added entertainment, an astronomer, horologist, curator, actor or guide can be hired for an evening event.
During the daytime the museum can offer a fully-equipped lecture theatre, while the neighbouring venues at Queen's House and the Royal Observatory – home to the Greenwich Meridian – can also be hired for a variety of day and evening events.
details National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London SE10; tel +44 (0)20 8858 4422; nmm.ac.uk.
Royal Courts of Justice
Being taken to court is most people's worst nightmare, but it's worth making an exception for an event at the Royal Courts of Justice. Built during the reign of Queen Victoria, it was one of England's last great gothic revival buildings, and its location at the end of The Strand makes it convenient for both the City and the West End.
A flexible venue, the Royal Courts can accommodate between 80 and 650 guests, and up to 1,000 for a reception. The magnificent Great Hall is the most imposing space – with gothic arches rising 80 feet from an Italian marble floor, and stained glass windows adding an ecclesiastical touch, it provides a majestic setting for dinners or awards ceremonies, and can accommodate up to 800 guests. Adjoining the Great Hall are the Bear Garden and Painted Room. While not as immediately impressive as the Hall, these rooms are well placed for receptions and can be used individually or together to accommodate over 150 guests.
On a higher level, the Costume Display Gallery is a reminder of the true purpose of the building; the gallery, which overlooks the Great Hall, houses an exhibition of wigs, gowns and other legal paraphenalia. For a more unusual setting, the West Green Building Court Lobby is ideal for small receptions and fork buffets. With a beautiful stained glass window being its main feature this area can hold over 100 guests.
Details Tel +44 (0)20 7947 7326; hmcourts-service.gov.uk/infoabout/rcj/history.htm.
Royal Opera House
Sittingly snugly in the centre of Covent Garden, the Victorian facade of the Royal Opera House has long been one of London's most recognisable landmarks.
The interior, however, was completely transformed in the late 1990s, when the building finally received a much-needed makeover. Millions were spent on updating the technical facilities and enlarging the public spaces, and the remodelled house was for the first time made available for private meetings and corporate hire.
For traditional elegance, the stylish Crush Room is hard to beat. Restored near to its original 1858 design, it boasts high ceilings and features crystal chandeliers and 17th-century Flemish artwork, and can accommodate 160 theatre-style or 44 boardroom-style.
Adjoining the Crush Room, the Conservatory is a relaxed venue that the ROH has billed as a light and airy room reminiscent of the tropics. Its décor and location above the original main entrance of the building make it ideal for relaxed events.
The highlight of the new areas is the Floral Hall, originally part of the Covent Garden flower market, and now an elegant space of arched glass and wooden floors (above). The Amphitheatre Bar and Restaurant enjoys a view over the Floral Hall and comes with a terrace looking over Covent Garden.
Details Royal Opera House; tel +44 (0)20 7212 9660; info.royaloperahouse.org.
Serpentine Gallery
There are few more fashionable event venues in London than the Serpentine Gallery, where neo-classical elegance meets cutting-edge art in the leafy setting of Hyde Park.
Built in 1934 as a tea pavilion, the Grade II Listed building became a gallery in 1970 under the aegis of the Arts Council of Great Britain. Since then, it has hosted exhibitions by the likes of Man Ray, Henry Moore, Andy Warhol and Damien Hirst, and in 1998 completed a £4 million renovation.
In addition, every summer the gallery commissions international architects of worldwide acclaim to design a temporary pavilion for the Serpentine's lawn.
Inside, the gallery is divided into four large rooms, which are available for events ranging from champagne breakfasts to cocktail receptions and dinners. The large central exhibition area with its high domed ceiling and clear walls offers an interesting and decidedly modern space, compared with the more traditional atmosphere of the remaining venues. In the evening, the exterior lighting of the building creates a dramatic entrance for approaching guests.
While generally available in the evenings, the gallery closes in between exhibitions. However, during these periods it may occasionally be available for daytime events (if sufficiently exclusive).
details Serpentine Gallery, W2; tel +44 (0)207 298 1522; serpentinegallery.org.
Wallace Collection
Located in one of the capital's most peaceful squares, the Wallace Collection seems a world away from the crowds of nearby Oxford Street. A tiny gem of a museum, it displays a unique collection of works of art which were brought together in the 18th and 19th centuries by the first four Marquesses of Hertford and Sir Richard Wallace, the son of the 4th Marquess. It was bequeathed to the British nation by Sir Richard's widow, Lady Wallace, in 1897.
While unavailable in the daytime except for corporate members, the Wallace Collection can accommodate up to 400 guests for an evening reception in one of its many rooms, including the famous Great Gallery. Surrounded by the old masters of European art, guests can enjoy an exclusive private tour of the collection before dinner. Located on the first floor, the Great Gallery is limited to just 12 bookings per year. As an alternative, the contemporary Sculpture Garden in the centre of the building makes a great space for relaxed drinks receptions, dinners and award ceremonies.
Details Wallace Collection, Manchester Square, W1; tel +44 (0)20 7563 9507; wallacecollection.org.
Wellington Palace
You can't get more central in London than Hyde Park Corner, where Wellington Arch stands peacefully in its own green oasis as the world whizzes by. Built in 1830, the London landmark has had an eventful history, having variously been relocated, hosted London's smallest police station and recently transformed by English Heritage into an exhibition space and meetings venue.
With just two rooms and a balcony, the venue is decidedly smaller than other London venues and is best suited to more intimate events. At the top of the arch is the smaller Ante Room, while on the floor below the Burton Room houses an exhibition of the history of the Arch and a mezzanine gallery. The two rooms can be linked together to create an unusual space for pre-dinner drinks and receptions.
The Arch's greatest asset is undoubtedly its balcony, which provides unique views over Hyde Park and Knightsbridge. For evening events, the arch can be illuminated to match a particular reception or dinner theme.
While generally only available during the evenings, the Arch can be hired for daytime events on Tuesdays.
Details Wellington Arch, W1; tel +44 (0)20 7973 3292; english-heritage.org.uk/wellingtonarch.
Tower of London
For 900 years, the Tower of London has dominated the City of London and remains one of the capital's most prominent landmarks. During its long history, the Tower has served as a royal residence, fortress and, perhaps most famously, a place of execution.
The Tower's gloomy and glamorous heritage attracts thousands of visitors a day, but when the crowds have gone home the Norman castle can be transformed into a glittering events venue, offering exclusive access to its unique treasures.
The White Tower, with its distinctive turrets, was home to medieval kings and used by later sovereigns for formal and ceremonial occasions. Its first floor is the second-largest of the Tower's events spaces, and can hold 80 for dinner or 250 for a reception.
Other options include the Martin Tower, where guests can be surrounded by diamonds, or the Jewel House, where they can enjoy a private viewing of the Crown Jewels. Also available are Yeoman Warder tours, and an opportunity get a close-up view of the ancient Ceremony of the Key.
For daytime conferences, the New Armouries building offers facilities over two levels. On the first floor, the banqueting suite can accommodate up to 150 theatre-style, while the conference suite on the second floor is suitable for smaller meetings and can be partitioned into a variety of set-ups. Both venues are equipped with internet access.
Details Tower of London, EC3; tel +44 (0)20 3166 6226; hrp.org.uk.
