The Most Beautiful Event Spaces For Hire in London
Recommended by one of London’s best event photographers
Having been an event photographer for the past decade I have been fortunate enough to shoot in some of London’s most incredible spaces. When it comes to organising a private event or corporate event we are spoilt in London and have some of the most beautiful historic and cultural landmarks in the world to choose from. As an event photographer and luxury event photographer I have gained a great understanding of how different spaces complement different brands and their events. This wealth of knowledge enables me to recommend the most beautiful and suitable event spaces in London to brands and private parties alike. Whether it's an awards ceremony, a product launch, a conference, a birthday party or an elegant corporate gala, my experience in these settings through photography helps me understand the ambiance, lighting, and overall aesthetics that will enhance a brand's event, making it truly unforgettable. Although by no means an extensive list, below you can find some of my favourites and some explaination as to why you should be considering organising your event at these amazing event hire spaces.
The Natural History Museum Event Photographer | Hintze Hall
It would be remiss of me to not mention The Natural History Museum first on this list. One of, if not the most famous museum in the world hosts regular corporate events, private events, dinners and more. There are a few spaces to hire in the Natural History museum but undoubtedly the crown jewel is the Hintze Hall where Hope the Blue Whale soars majestically overhead. It’s not simply the presence of the world’s largest airborne sea mammal that should galvanise you to book…
Majestic and Mysterious
Hidden inside the numerous archways Palaeontological oddities wait to shock, amuse and amaze your guests. Almost all of us have had some sort of interaction with this cultural and historical landmark whether it was from a school trip or when your parents helped you develop a core memory by exposing your young nervous system to an actual T-rex. The real point is that you’ve probably walked down this hallway, but have you done it whilst quaffing a chalice of Veuve Clicquot yet? I jest, however, people come from all around the world just to see these ancient wonders and the opportunity to align your brand to it’s majesty shouldn’t be overlooked.
The Old Royal Naval College | The Painted Hall
From the ancient to the sublime. The Natural History Museum isn’t the only venue with a scintillating ceiling. The Painted Hall in the Old Royal Naval College is sometimes referred to as Britain’s answer to the Sistine Chapel. The absolutely awe-inspiring 40,000 square ft roof of the Painted Hall contains over 200 figures including King’s Queens and mythological creatures. It’s one of the few times I’ll admit that photos just can’t really do it justice. Go and see it and you’ll have a hard time deciding not to book it for your corporate event on the spot.
candles not included
The Most Beautiful London Venue to Host a Large Dinner?
Dinner for 200 anyone?
These photographs were from an event I shot as a luxury event photographer for Burberry and Velvet Living and it was a privilege to capture such iconic brands amongst such storied heritage. It’s hard to imagine a better pairing than the Hall's grand architecture and 70ft tables covered in nearly 10,000 roses! Although this is the only event I have photographed in the Painted Hall I know companies and individuals have hosted conferences, private events and of course weddings transforming any event into a distinguished affair. Choosing the Painted Hall for your event envelops your guests in luxury and history and the ornate décor set the stage for a breath-taking experience and definitely make a lasting impression.
Occasionally I write silly things but really I’m an event photographer and I’d love to capture your event for you.
Petersham Nurseries Richmond | Greenhouse
A slight change of tack here as I take you to one of my favourite intimate settings in London. If you’re looking for a beautiful event space to hire in London for a private event, birthday party or even a beautiful intimate venue to hire in London for a brand then you should really consider Petersham Nurseries’ Greenhouse. It hasn’t been open for very long and I was fortunate enough to be one of the first photographers to shoot here but it really is stunning and hard to believe that you’re still in London.
Beautiful Greenhouse in a British Garden
My particular favourite is the Greenhouse at Petersham Nurseries in Richmond. Winding your way through the gorgeous Petersham nurseries you arrive at an elegant archway leading to quintessentially British garden and tucked away and 0ut of view is the most beautiful greenhouse space nestled between beds of strawberries, cabbages, leeks and tomatoes and all of the other amazing greenery that is organically grown there.
The Best Dinner Setting in London?
At this particular event I was fortunate enough to have the same dinner as the guests (albeit in the offices at the back) and the food was just incredible. Hardly surprising given that the produce from this wonderful place is sold to some of London’s top restaurants but still, it stood up to any of London’s greatest dinner spots and had the setting to match.
By night the space was transformed from a picturesque walled garden to London’s most beautiful intimate candlelit space for hire and the ambience was accompanied by a jazz trio. They drank and ate to the wee hours and I can’t imagine a more beautiful and unique private space for hire in London.
I took all of these photos for happy client’s and would love to discuss capturing your event too
The National Portrait Gallery | Various
The National Portrait Gallery is one of the world’s most famous galleries and only recently reopened it’s doors to the public after a three year revamp. I was lucky enough to be one of the photographers who captured the reopening.
There was a lot of excitement surrounding the long-awaited reopening of one of the world’s most magnificent galleries. Collections updated, revamped display areas, walls painted and a drastically renovated and modernised reception area. It has been transformed from a slightly outdated gallery to a truly inviting and engaging space and the National Portrait Gallery would now be an ideal venue to hire for a brand or private event. Like many of the amazing London event spaces to hire in this list it offers a sophisticated setting that seamlessly blends culture, history, and art and naturally creates visual narratives that will undoubtedly add depth and charm to any occasion.
A clean and minimalist new entrance hall helping to modernise the National Portrait Gallery (right)
One of the new more modern spaces showcasing more contemporary artists (below)
Lots of different spaces to choose from
Truth being told, so far, this is the only event that I’ve captured at the National Portrait Gallery but I am determined to capture some more. There are extensive and varied spaces to choose from. Even on opening night, which filled the whole building twice over, left some of the event spaces they have on offer unused; including this stunning and newly renovated outdoor garden.
Interested in hiring me to capture you event? See below
The Tate Modern | The Tanks
Lurking deep within the Tate Modern is an enormous circular event space which used to be filled with oil! If you had to imagine what a nuclear bunker or perhaps a soviet era rocket launch pad then it might look like this. Being a conference photographer, awards photographer and event photographer at the Tate Modern you are simply in awe of the scale of everything. Below I even took a photo for my own keepsake of the scale of the dinner preparations.
Looking to make an impression.
The Tanks certainly isn’t for all companies and event organisers. The brutalist architecture of the event space and indeed the size, makes it perfect for larger institutions looking to make an impression. However, it must be remembered that it is in the Tate Modern, an art powerhouse in the global contemporary art space, and as such has also played host to numerous incredible artists and sculptors. Although the relentless onslaught of the saturated uplighters seems to endure for now, I think with some creative lighting or even candlelight (which I’m not sure I’ve seen here) it could give off an entirely different atmosphere.
Raffles London at the OWO | The Lawrence
I have done a previous couple of posts about being an event photographer at Raffles London at the OWO but it’s good enough to mention a few times. I’ve also talked previously about being the first photographer to ever capture a candlelit dinner here. If Tanks at the Tate is the king of corporate then Raffles London is the queen of luxury. I’ve been a conference photographer and a private event photographer at Raffles and it does both equally well providing a grandeur befitting of the style of the space. You can see a little more about this beautiful venue for hire within this blog but a full article by clicking the image below.
Every room could be an event space for hire
This please is the reception. I doubt they offer it as an event space but anywhere else they would, I mean look at it! The whole of Raffles is full of decadence and there are many rooms and restaurant I’m looking forward to capturing in, in the near future.
The Grand | 9 Northumberland
8 Northumberland is situation just off Trafalgar Square and a short walk over the bridge from Waterloo station making it perfectly situated for access to Greater London and beyond. I have been an event photographer at many of London’s best event spaces and for a large awards ceremony as a dry hire this is certainly up there. You are greeted at the entrance to the attached ‘The Grand Hotel’ a Historic London Hotel with beautiful marble columns lining a decadent hallway. Sneaking left you go through a dimly lit corridor just long enough to build the tension before arriving to the high vaulted arch-lined event space.
Customisable Event Space
This is one of the more customisable event hire spaces in London. I have seen all kinds of interesting conferences, awards ceremonies and more designed in this beautiful canvas. Having been a 8 Northumberland event photographer I think this is probably my top pick for corporate functions and events. I have written quite a more extensive article about this space and why I think it’s the perfect place to organise a Corporate Event, Conference or Award Ceremony. You can read that here
The Tower of London | Reveller
Slightly more contentious one here but I will explain. The Reveller building itself is necessarily the most beautiful but I don’t think anyone can argue that Tower Bridge is the most beautiful bridge in London (well perhaps Chelsea, thoughts?). With panoramic views of Tower Bridge and The Tower of London I felt quite spoilt being an event photographer and awards photographer at the Reveller and Tower of London.
More Coming Soon…
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