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The UK’s Most Exclusive Event Venues Explored

March 1, 2022 by The Cocktail Service

Selecting the right venue for your event can be a tough decision, particularly in areas like London and Edinburgh, where there are so many great options to choose from.

Knowing more about the exclusive venues in the UK can help you pick the perfect spot for your occasion and wow your attendees.

With over a decade of experience working at some of the best venues in the UK, we’ve compiled our rundown of the best venues we’ve worked at, and a few which we’ve admired from afar, along with their features and specialties.

Best event venues London

Banking Hall – London

In terms of event venues in London, few match the grandiosity of the main hall at Banking Hall. Built in the 1930s, the architecture and style of the place invokes nostalgia for a bygone age, boasting a unique art déco that is reflective of the period.

This establishment has a large team on-hand, including some outstanding chefs, to ensure guests receive an outstanding level of service. With room to accommodate anywhere from 100 to 800 guests, Banking Hall is well-equipped for most kinds of luxurious events.

You can also take advantage of their conference and wedding packages, as these are reportedly excellent and offer good value for money.

Natural History Museum

This iconic London landmark makes for an elite event space.

With approval to hold civil marriages and civil partnerships in twelve of the gallery spaces, there are options for all party sizes.

For a showstopping backgroup, the Victorian architecture of Hintze Hall seats 450 guests. The Images of Nature Gallery and Darwin Courtyard provide more intimate spaces, which also work well for summer events and weddings.

The Cocktail Service previously provided staff for this exclusive London venue for an event to launch their wedding service. Read More

The Cloisters at Westminster Abbey

An option for the warmer months; this open-air arcade is the perfect option if you want to truly impress your guests. Constructed from sections of French mediaeval monasteries, this venue is strewn with stunning paintings, statues, tapestries and stained glass windows.

With a maximum capacity of 160 seated and 400 standing guests, The Cloisters can handle large-scale events such as galas and weddings, and can make for a memorable experience.

Over its 1000 year lifespan, kings and queens have been crowned here, and it is both a remarkable dining experience and a historical monument. You can even arrange for your guests to be given a private tour of the Abbey as part of your package.

Altitude London

Located in the Grade II listed Millbank Tower, you won’t beat the views from this venue.

With 360° views of the capital, Altitude 360 is a modern and original space. Elsewhere the SKYLOFT offers a popular warehouse style with exposed brick and wooden floors.

Buddha-Bar – London

This impressive establishment stylises itself as a combination of Eastern opulence and Western decadence; giving hosts the opportunity to further customise the venue according to their needs.

The in-house chefs are trained in Japanese and Asian-style cooking, particularly sushi, but you can also organise your own catering. If you’re hosting a large event, Buddha Bar can handle up to 55 seated patrons and 70 standing, making it a great option for corporate dinners and special occasions.

Guests can sample creative cocktail mixes, fine wines and high-quality Asian flavours, whilst the resident DJ keeps everybody entertained. Buddha Bar also promises to deliver an excellent level of service tailored specifically to your event.

Best event venues near to London

Pennyhill Park Hotel & Spa – Surrey

This stunning venue is located within 120 acres of Surrey parkland.

Guests can enjoy Michelin award-winning dining in the Latymer restaurant, and there are an abundance of event spaces from the small and intimate classical library to the extravagant Balmoral room.

Eastwell Manor – Kent

This prestigious location resembles something out of a fairy tale. Located in ‘England’s Garden’, Eastwell Manor hopes to leave guests feeling renewed after experiencing their award-winning food, health spas and picturesque environments.

Whether you’re organising an extravagant wedding or an impactful business meeting, Eastwell Manor is equipped to facilitate a memorable experience. Guests also have access to an all-weather tennis court and a croquet lawn, perfect for breaking the ice before meetings or, indeed, winding down.

Cliveden House – Berkshire

Cliveden House is a specialist romantic retreat for those who want to get away in style with a loved one. Being originally built by the 2nd Duke of Buckingham for his lover, the Countess of Shrewsbury, this location and its current owners uphold its romantic history and reputation.

Couples can enjoy 5-star food in the visually impressive dining room, followed by champagne and cocktails in the Library Bar – not to mention access to their exquisite spa facilities throughout the stay.

Best event venues in the West of England & South West

Euridge Manor – Wiltshire

A TCS bartender sets up a themed bar at a private event at Euridge Manor

This luxurious private country house is available to hire for exclusive events large or small.

Tucked away in the glorious privacy of the Wiltshire countryside, Euridge welcomes everything from an intimate soirée for eight, to dinner in the breathtaking Orangery, or larger gatherings in The Ballroom.

Above is an image of one of our elite bartenders setting up a themed bar at a private event at Euridge.

Blenheim Palace – Oxfordshire

With our main HQ located nearby, our team have been lucky enough to work at some fantastic events at Blenheim over the years.

For extravagant opulence, you won’t find a better space than the main hall, whereas The Saloon offers are more intimate dining space. The beautiful Orangery is a bright and vibrant space, filled with natural light.

As well as being one of the best venues for private events in the country, Blenheim also hosts a wide array of public events such as the exclusive Salon Privé motor show.

Kirtlington Park – Oxfordshire

Another stunning Oxfordshire venue which we’ve been lucky enough to work at, Kirtlington is a breathtaking Palladian house with luxurious state rooms which offer a perfect backdrop for the most exclusive events.

De Vere Tortworth Court – Gloucestershire

Situated in the county of Gloucestershire in South West England, this historical manor house combines traditionalism with modern comfort to produce a unique experience for guests.

Perfect for events of all kinds, in addition to breaks and weekend getaways, De Vere has spas, restaurants and function rooms to cater for every occasion. Also, other prime locations, including Cheltenham, Gloucester and Bath, are less than an hour’s drive away from here.

The Frogmill – Gloucestershire

The Frogmill is a lively and classically British establishment that offers fine dining, games rooms and a traditional pub. Perfect for celebrations or energetic meetings, this pub, hotel and restaurant offers a unique and jovial daytime experience

When guests are ready to turn in, they can enjoy the sink-in beds and other unique comforts on offer. The food is also reportedly some of the best in the area, with innovative seasonal dishes available every night.

Gara Rock – Devon

Perched on a clifftop surrounded by idyllic seascapes and country views, Gara Rock is a stunning location that’s perfectly suited to weekend getaways or luxury events.

This coastal hotel boasts a cinema room, spa – including an outdoor jacuzzi, a restaurant with brilliant views and a lounge bar for wrapping up your evenings in style. Gara Rock also promises to deliver a full experience of Devon, helping you design the perfect itinerary of activities and locations.

Best event venues in the Midlands

Holywell Hall – Lincolnshire

Holywell’s tagline is “elegant, relaxed, exclusive” and this majestic Grade II listed Georgian Hall certainly lives up to it.

Guests enter via a long sweeping drive, entering a country estate of endless charm and character. Beautifully maintained grounds make for the perfect event location, with a multitude of indoor options to make for a unique event.

Their bar is also one of the most beautiful things we’ve ever seen!

Compton Verney – Warwickshire

An award-winning art gallery provides a stunning backdrop for weddings and events at this prestigious Midlands venue.

Best event venues Edinburgh

Melville Castle – Edinburgh

Edinburgh is one of the UK’s most beautiful cities, renowned for its wonderful architecture and excellent food and drink venues. Melville Castle is situated just minutes from the bustling centre, giving guests the choice between pristine country views and stunning cityscapes. The luxurious castle is surrounded by a 54 acre estate of wooded parkland on the banks of the river North Esk.

The castle itself is perfect for high-level meetings and corporate events, with 4 meeting rooms and several additional break-out rooms – plus, it’s only a short drive from Edinburgh airport. The castle also specialises in hosting Christmas events, so it’s certainly worth considering if you’re hoping to book around that time of year.

The Caves – Edinburgh

Located in Edinburgh’s Old Town, The Caves is quirky, unique and particularly interesting – perfect if you’re trying to capture a traditional, yet unconventional atmosphere. The venue is a sub-structure of the 18th-century South Bridge, and was historically used for whisky storage.

The building alone will be enough to thoroughly entertain your guests, but the food and drink will ensure they have a night to remember.

The Caves also hosts live music and prominently features a stage in the dining area. If you’re hosting a party, wedding or corporate event, The Caves could make for an exciting, albeit unusual, destination.

Dundas Castle – Edinburgh

Another striking Scottish castle; Dundas is a luxurious 5-star venue that is equipped to impress. It was originally built to be both a home and a fortress, and this is reflected in its extremely interesting architecture.

Now, the venue sells itself as the most spectacular place for hosting weddings, corporate events and celebrations in all of Scotland.

Dundas employs an award-winning team of food experts and highly trained service coordinators, promising to provide a memorable dining experience.

The castle has many function rooms and dining areas, and a huge lawn, all of which you can make use of when designing your perfect event. The team can also customise their pavilion to suit your chosen style and theme.

Most beautiful UK event venue in the North West

Middleton Lodge – North Yorkshire

Middleton Lodge is a fantastic Georgian country estate that has been restored to its former glory through a multi-million pounds restoration process. This historically significant location is now home to one of Yorkshire’s most impressive luxury experiences, hosting weddings, corporate events and other special occasions.

The various sectors of the estate are suited to different occasions. Their gathering spaces, for example, which resemble luxury living rooms, offer both comfort and style, and are great for relaxed meetings. The impressive walled garden area, which evokes a Shakespearean setting, is a dream location for weddings.

Providing bartender hire for the UK’s most exclusive venues

For over a decade, The Cocktail Service has provided unique and unforgettable drinks experiences for luxury events across the UK.

We’ve worked with many of the venues on this list, including Pennyhill Park, The Garden Society, Kew Gardens, Altitude London, Blenheim Palace, and Kirklington Park.

Our elite event planning team handpick only the best staff for your events, ensuring your guests receive world class service.

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