To find your perfect haven here’s our selection of the best garden settings to host your event:
The Nash Conservatory, Kew Gardens
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew was founded in 1759 and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.The Nash Conservatory is the oldest of the 19th Century glasshouses at Kew and is of major historical and architectural importance. Originally built in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, the Nash Conservatory was moved brick-by-brick to Kew in 1836. With floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides the Nash Conservatory provides an abundance of natural daylight. The venue is ideal for wedding/civil ceremonies or gala dinners for up to 200 guests.
Clifton Nurseries, Maida Vale
A hidden oasis in the heart of Little Venice, London; Clifton Nurseries is an elegant gardening emporium with a rich history. Home to picturesque glass houses and packed with a rich profusion of plants, flowers and trees, it is a sophisticated evening banquet space or a wonderful setting for cocktails on the terraces.
In winter Clifton Nurseries is a magical place to discover – sparkling with lights, candles and Christmas trees. In summer it’s utterly charming; full of sunshine, flowers and fragrances, with space for a 100 guest reception. Started in 1851, it is London’s oldest garden emporium.
Chelsea Psychic Gardens, Chelsea
Situated in the heart of London, Chelsea Physic Garden has a unique living collection of around 5,000 different edible, useful, medicinal and historical plants. Celebrating the beauty and importance of plants, this ‘hidden gem’ is also a peaceful green oasis in which to enjoy a relaxing stroll and lunch or afternoon tea at the Tangerine Dream Café.
The Garden’s warm microclimate means that many tender plants can flourish including a number of rare and endangered species. It has the largest outdoor fruiting olive tree in Britain and the world’s most northerly outdoor grapefruit tree.
The Physic Garden is the oldest botanic garden in London and was founded in 1673 by the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries for the purpose of training apprentices in identifying plants. It subsequently became one of the most important centres of botany and plant exchange in the world.
Exclusive private hire of the Garden includes use of the Gallery and Reception Foyer. 400 guests standing or 250 seated.
Eltham Palace and Gardens, Greenwich
A unique art deco mansion in a medieval setting. Built for millionaires, Eltham Palace reflects the glamour and allure of 1930s fashionable society.
Stunning interiors and furnishings reflect a masterpiece of design, and combine the cutting-edge designs of ocean-liner style, with French-influenced art deco. After a £1.7 million project, Eltham Palace reopened in April 2015.
The mansion’s backdrop is a royal palace from Tudor times, with a magnificent Great Hall, the childhood home of Henry VIII.
The 19 acres of beautiful gardens blend 1930s and medieval features, including London’s oldest working bridge over the moat. Other features of the stunning gardens include glasshouses with prize-winning orchids and a sunken rose garden and the Rock Garden. Both private and corporate events can be tailored to up to 200 guests.
The Rangers House, Blackheath
Situated on the borders of Blackheath and Greenwich Park, Ranger’s House is an elegant early Georgian villa with graceful panelled interiors. It was built around 1700 as the official residence of the Ranger of Greenwich and is now home to the Wernher Collection, an impressive display of silver, jewels, paintings and porcelain purchased by the diamond magnate Sir Julius Wernher.
The new Walled Garden marquee site is available for celebrations and entertaining located next to the Olympic equestrian site. Nestled within the walls of the private garden, the site is licensed for a marquee for up to 100 guests.
RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey
The Royal Horticultural Society was given Wisley in 1903, although at that time only a small part of the 24-hectare (60-acre) estate was actually cultivated as a garden, the remainder being wooded farmland. The original garden was the creation of George Fergusson Wilson – businessman, scientist, inventor, keen gardener and a former Treasurer of the Society. Today, RHS Garden Wisley’s 200 acres of expertly designed and lovingly tended landscape contain all that is needed to inspire any garden lover. Home to some of the world’s most important plant collections, Wisley is vital to the future of gardening and attracts around 1 million visitors each year.
The stunning Glasshouse is one of many venues set within this expansive estate. It is perfect for drinks or wedding receptions, small award ceremonies or photography shoots. It is a unique space, which provides a breathtaking natural back-drop to any event. The Glasshouse Gallery is also available, and is ideal for pre-dinner drinks receptions or speeches. The Glasshouse can hold 250 for a reception and 110 for a seated dinner.
Woburn Abbey and Gardens, Bedfordshire
The delightful parkland and gardens surrounding Woburn Abbey provide a glorious backdrop and the ideal blank canvas for spectacular and memorable events. The Deer Park is set in over 3,000 acres of luscious parkland, and as its name suggests features a variety of beautiful deer. This makes for unique photography opportunities, adding an extra touch to your special occasion. Many of the features of the Garden today are based on the famous landscape architect Humphry Repton’s designs, along with contributions from Henry Holland and Sir Jeffry Wyattville, and some are new designs created by the current team of gardeners. The gardens provide ample space and picturesque surroundings for a variety of team building activities and events.
Horniman Gardens, Forest Hill
There are three unique spaces available for event hire in the historic gardens of the Horniman Museum. The Museum and Gardens were formally opened to the public on 29 June 1901; a public donation made by the museum’s founder Frederick John Horniman, who also contributed extensively to the collections. The Conservatory, built in 1894, is the largest venue and overlooks the 16.5 acres of award-winning gardens. The Grade II listed space can accommodate up to 120 guests and is available to hire from April to October each year.
The Pavilion is a more modern event space with capacity for 60 seated guests and 80 standing, whilst the Bandstand is suited to more intimate ceremonies or photo opportunities.
The Garden Room at Syon Park, Brentford
The stunning Garden Room at Syon Park is set within the 200 acre grounds of one of the country’s most breathtaking historic buildings. Syon is one of the last great houses of London, and has been in the family of the present owners for more than 400 years. Profoundly historic, the House holds a wealth of art within its grand classical interiors, while the Park and Gardens feel like deep countryside, although barely nine miles from Charing Cross.
Benefiting from the picturesque backdrop of its idyllic surroundings, the Garden Room is the perfect venue for both private and corporate events. It is a purpose-built venue which offers two large spaces with a concealed retractable partition, so you can tailor the venue easily to your requirements. The venue can accommodate up to 600 for a seated dinner or 800 for a standing reception. The venue’s private outside space can also be used in conjunction with the venue, and is ideal for welcome drinks, team-building challenges, barbecues, street food stalls and much more. The venue is available from the beginning of May to the end of September every year.
The Conservatory at Painshill, Surrey
Painshill was built by the Hon. Charles Hamilton between 1738 and 1773. The park, which is situated near Cobham in Surrey is one of the finest remaining examples of an 18th Century landscape park. The Hon. Charles Hamilton was an artist and creative who dedicated himself to landscaping the splendid garden.
The Grade I listed park was awarded the Europa Nostra Medal in 1998, for the “Exemplary restoration from a state of extreme neglect, of a most important 18th century landscape park and its extraordinary buildings.” The park gained additional recognition in May 2006, when it was awarded full collection status for its John Bartram Heritage Collection, by the National Council for the Conservation of Plants and Gardens (NCCPG).
Set within the stunning setting of this 160-acre park, The Conservatory at Painshill has been designed specifically to accommodate a wide range of events. The purpose-built marquee is situated within Painshill’s private walled gardens, creating a breath-takin venue for any special occasion.
Large events can make use of the venue in its entirety; the main space can accommodate up to 320 guests for conferences, weddings, parties and much more. Or, if your event is smaller the space can be adapted – walls can be moved to create a smaller room perfectly suiting your guest numbers.
The venue’s gardens add another dimension to private events, and offer the perfect backdrop for welcome drinks, evening food stalls and barbecues. Here guests can enjoy the idyllic scenery of Painshill’s private walled gardens, a prime example of Georgian heritage.
