12
Christmas Parties
‘Tis the season…to book
a unique venue
Lisa Hatswell, MD, Unique Venues of London, scans the chimney tops of
London for some unique Christmas venues
hile the
happiest
time of the
year may not be here just
yet, it is certainly time to
start booking for
Christmas events.
From traditional nativity
paintings to a less
traditional 178-metre-long
slide, there are a range of
unique settings in which
you can host a Christmas
party that is guaranteed
to leave a lasting
impression.
Whether you are
looking to organise a
quaint company gathering
or an all-out bash for
hundreds of attendees
this festive season, here
are six stunning
destinations that will
leave guests feeling merry
for months to come:
The National Gallery
A world-famous landmark
that is home to some of
history’s most prestigious
artworks, the National
Gallery is both an elegant
and unusual option for a
Christmas party venue.
For events of 20 to 200
attendees, the National
Gallery is the ideal setting
for drinks, dinner and
dancing the night away
until the early hours.
Guests can begin their
night on the Portico
terrace with eggnog
cocktails while marvelling
at the public festivities in
Trafalgar Square and its
iconic Christmas tree. As
dinner approaches, art
experts will be on hand to
inspire with masterpieces
telling the Nativity story
over the centuries, after
which attendees can dine
among glistening gold
frames and paintings of
ethereal angels and starlit
skies.
Royal Horticultural Halls
The Lindley Hall is perfect
for larger party guest
numbers accommodating
up to 480 for a dinner
dance and 650 for a
standing reception. With
one of the largest
uninterrupted floor
spaces in London, this
blank canvas venue is
perfect for a Christmas
party with a theme: from
the Greatest Showman to
the Great Gatsby, Game
of Thrones to Arabian
Nights, the venue has a
long list of accredited
suppliers that can make
any unique Christmas
party a reality.
Southwark Cathedral
If a dry hire in a marquee
is a repeat of last year’s
option for Christmas party
organisers, then
Southwark Cathedral’s
Garry Weston Library
offers the alternative. The
Library is available for
intimate Christmas
lunches and dinners
throughout December
with Christmas
decorations to warm the
hearts of all those with a
watchful ‘Greta Thunberg’
eye on sustainability.
And at a time when the
Illuminated River project
comes to town, the views
from the Library straight
on to the illuminated
London Bridge itself will
delight guests who will be
pleased to get away from
seeing London through
the plastic panels of a
white canvas.
Kew Gardens
Whether your company
does Christmas by
cosying up for dinner and
a few mulled wines,
networking over festive
treats or dancing the
night away, Kew Gardens
has the right venue.
From the warmth and
intimacy of the Cambridge
www.conference-news.co.uk
Cottage to the aesthetic
of the Nash
Conservatory and the
unlimited possibilities
of the Orangery, these
world-famous botanical
gardens offer a host of
spaces to chase away
those winter blues.
ArcelorMittal Orbit
If you are looking for
both an inspiring setting
and unique venue for a
corporate Christmas
party, the ArcelorMittal
Orbit is sure to make a
huge impression.
As the UK’s tallest
sculpture, it offers
incredible panoramic
views of the London
skyline and is home to
the world’s longest and
tallest tunnel slide,
which guests can enjoy
at the start of the
event.
With a capacity of up
to 270 guests for
standing receptions and
160 for seated dinners,
the ArcelorMittal Orbit
is licensed until 2am
and offers exclusive
Christmas party hire, a
two-hour unlimited
drinks reception and a
DJ to celebrate the
night away.
Tower Bridge
Located right in the
heart of London with
unparalleled views of
the City, Tower Bridge is
the ideal venue for
setting one’s festive
spirits alight.
Event organisers and
their guests will
experience the glitz and
glamour of the
high-level walkways and
enjoy spectacular
panoramic views of the
City while feasting on
exquisite Christmas
menus upon a glass
floor that floats above
the river.
The venue’s cosy
Engine Rooms, which
house the old steam
engines that previously
powered the bridge lifts,
are also a perfect space
for escaping the wintery
chills.