It’s another conference, so just how do you grab the attention of your delegates? The right venue goes a long way to making it memorable. One answer is to think regal, think old! One thing that the UK is full of is fabulous castles and stately homes – a wealth of stunning venues right on our doorstep.
‘Thousands of years of history have left England with a superb legacy of unique venues,’ says Simon Gidman, business visits and events manager at Visit England. ‘What makes England different from other countries is the availability of these venues to the event planner. Buildings of great historical significance, such as Leeds Castle, Blenheim Palace or Chatsworth House, can be used for all sorts of business events and provide a spectacular backdrop. These quintessentially English venues offer today’s event attendees a unique and inspirational opportunity to meet, drink or dine in the same spaces that once witnessed kings, queens, lords and ladies of a bygone age.’
One company that is rapidly snapping up gems (such as Cliveden) and offering superb corporate facilities is Von Essen Hotels. ‘What makes a great corporate event is exceeding expectations and being as flexible as possible to cater for clients’ requirements,’ says Greg Ward, the company’s executive director of sales and marketing. ‘It’s vital that there’s strong communication between the organisers and the venue so that all the elements come together in a seamless and successful way. It’s all about forging a partnership and working as an extension of the client’s team. Also important to event organisers today are impressive grounds, impeccable service and quality food and beverage offerings, as well as innovative and dynamic breakout spaces such as launches on the Thames, treehouses, screening rooms and glasshouses.’
BEST FOR: huntin’, shootin’ ’n’ fishin’
Bovey Castle
North Bovey, Dartmoor National Park, Devon | www.boveycastle.com
The Bovey estate was bought in 1880 by astute businessman William Henry Smith, who built up the bookshop empire WHSmith. His son Frederick decided to build a grand manor house in the style of a Tudor Castle, and today it’s a hard place to beat when it comes to corporate events. You can enjoy morning coffee on a sunny terrace overlooking England’s last true wilderness; a falconry display from the castle’s resident owls and falcons; or a round of golf on a championship course; before a focused meeting in the new state-of-the-art meeting and conference rooms. And when the work’s done, you can look forward to a swim or massage from an Elemis-trained therapist in the spa. There are 80 activities to choose from, including cider making, bee-keeping, clay-pigeon shooting, Land Rover 4x4 off-roading, fly fishing, archery and horse-riding. Or you could opt for the Bovey Leadership Experience, a five-day intensive programme which involves having to survive out on Dartmoor for at least 24 hours.
Memorable events A number of top banks and blue-chip companies having their delegates duck herding and sheep-shearing.
Capacity Holds up to 130 delegates, though it’s perfect for smaller groups too.
Costs Twenty-four-hour delegate rates from £190 (excluding VAT), including dinner, overnight accommodation, breakfast and meeting-room hire. Eight-hour delegate rates from £65 (excluding VAT) including room hire, three servings of tea and coffee, buffet lunch, audio-visual facilities and equipment. Prices are per person.
Links Two hours from London by train to Exeter, or three to four hours by car. There’s also a helicopter pad on-site.
BEST FOR: Marquee events
Osborne House, Cowes, Isle of Wight | www.english-heritage.org.uk
What could be more prestigious than the former home of Queen Victoria and her beloved Prince Albert? Set just outside Cowes on the north coast of an island that harks back to an England of the 1950s, Osborne House and its vast grounds are imposing, to say the least. With space on its own private beach, as well as the expansive Durbar Lawns – and magnificent sea views – this is a hard one to beat for marquees and large-scale outdoor events, from concerts to summer balls.
Memorable events There have been many… The Ellen MacArthur Trust held a charity function where the Red Arrows parachuted in to start proceedings. HSBC’s seminar in the Duchess of Kent Suite had Wimbledon-themed catering – Pimm’s, strawberries and cream. Medina Housing Association’s away day included a private tour of the house and a treasure-house quiz.
Capacity From 80 for meetings or receptions inside the house in the self-contained Duchess of Kent Suite (available for daytime or evening hire), up to 2,500 in marquees – and everything in between.
Costs Prices start from £250 for the smaller rooms inside the house.
Links Fast and frequent ferry services from the mainland, directly linked to the rail network. The ferry company Red Funnel (www.redfunnel.co.uk) operates between Southampton and East Cowes.
BEST FOR: away days in London
Eltham Palace & Gardens, Court Yard, London | www.english-heritage.org.uk
Eltham’s unusual mix of art deco sophistication and medieval grandeur appeals to corporate clients, and it’s conveniently close to Greenwich. Textile magnates Stephen and Virginia Courtauld built their glamorous London showpiece in 1936, next to the remains of a medieval royal palace which was Henry VIII’s boyhood home. Indoor events are held
in the Great Hall, and the 19 acres of landscaped gardens including the South Lawn, sunken rose garden and medieval bridge are perfect for team-building exercises or drinks receptions.
Memorable events Hermès hosted a dinner celebration themed ‘The Beautiful Escape’. The house was transformed into a 1930s Jazz Club with musicians, cocktails and ornate Hermès silk scarves as table centres. Rolex recently held its Christmas party here and decorated Eltham in its trademark
green and gold colours.
Capacity The Great Hall holds 200 people theatre-style, 300 for drinks receptions and 200 for dining. The Art Deco House takes 80 people theatre-style and 60 dining.
Costs Exclusive daytime hire (on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays only)
is £2,500 (excluding VAT).
Links 20 minutes from London Bridge, with two train stations 10 minutes away. Close to the M2/M25 and M20 motorways.
BEST FOR: a chocolate box castle setting
Amberley Castle, Near Arundel, West Sussex | www.amberleycastle.co.uk
If you’re looking for a fairy-tale castle that will really impress, Amberley Castle is a fantastic find. Nearly 1,000 years old, and set in the chalk South Downs, Amberley has the medieval wow factor in spades with a working portcullis and 60-foot curtain walls. For those who stay over, there are 19 sumptuous bedrooms and suites, many with four-posters and all with whirlpool bathrooms. Activities include tennis, croquet on the lawn, an 18-hole putting course, and a thatched-roof treehouse complete with rope bridge.
Memorable events Top companies have come for axe throwing, duck herding, falconry and abseiling down castle walls.
Capacity The boardroom holds up to 28.
Costs From £70 per day-delegate; 24-hour delegates cost from £340-450 (including VAT). Exclusive use costs £10,000.
Links Accessible from London by train in 1 hour