UK’s Best Historic & Heritage Venues

Why choose a historic or heritage venue?

Many of the UK’s most spectacular wedding and events venues are historic buildings and heritage sites. These have only become more popular with time. There is something timeless and infinitely romantic about getting married in a venue steeped in history. Meanwhile magnificent architecture, period features and lavish interiors add grandeur and glamour to any event. For corporate events and conferences, these esteemed venues imbue your event with additional significance and authority. What’s more, many of these historic venues have been sensitively restored to boast state-of-the-art technology. Hence additional renovated facilities can support the most ambitious event plans. 

Why choose Social Pantry to cater your event at one of these sites?

Social Pantry is an accredited caterer for over 40 leading UK venues. These include English Heritage sites, national galleries, museums, and cultural institutes. Social Pantry also caters dry hire and private venues. Our dedicated event planners know these venues inside out. Social Pantry is experienced working with the challenges and opportunities they present. A local, seasonal, sustainable approach to food means we go the extra mile to source ingredients from small-scale suppliers, farmers and makers in the areas surrounding our venues – favouring regional specialities, revitalising local culinary traditions and supporting local businesses. We coordinate closely with venues and a range of industry experts to deliver exceptional events in heritage and historic settings that could not be replicated elsewhere. We also work to preserve these places of cultural significance for future generations. This is a vital part of our social and environmental sustainability programme.

Our venues

Blenheim Palace

Blenheim Palace is a magnificent country house in Woodstock. It boasts impressive Baroque architecture, set amongst 2000 acres of idyllic landscaped parkland and formal gardens. It offers six opulent event spaces, ranging from intimate to grand.

The Palace is fully licensed for civil ceremonies and partnerships whilst also being popular for prestigious events. The magnificent Great Hall provides a spectacular banqueting venue. Likewise, The Long Library – one of the longest rooms in any British stately home – is unrivalled for long-table dinners. 

Celebrate and host in lush surroundings with champagne and canapes on the South Lawns. Then move into “Clementine’s on the lawn” – a stunning glass marquee, perfect for elegant, seated dinners or wedding receptions. For a more relaxed yet equally rapturous experience, Social Pantry can create a festival-like dining experience. Think luxury food stations, gourmet barbecue and open-air cooking. 

Hence, it’s impossible not to get swept up in the magic and wonder of this opulent and expansive venue!

Somerset House

Somerset House sits on the banks of the Thames. One of London’s former riverside palaces, it has been transformed into the UK’s largest cultural and arts hub. This iconic Neoclassical building hosts renowned public events – from art exhibitions to summer gigs and a winter ice rink. It is also available for private hire. 

12 flexible indoor and outdoor events spaces present limitless opportunities for all manner of events. Think intimate dinners in the heritage Navy Board Rooms. Grand receptions for 1,500 in Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court. Somerset House also provides an idyllic wedding venue. The Portico Rooms offer a stylish space with stunning views of the River Thames and Fountain Court. The Embankment Galleries provide a distinctive and dynamic event space originally functioned as a barrel-vaulted barge house. 

Bespoke catering that communicates Somerset House’s history is a unique way to root your event in time and space. You can guarantee a truly unforgettable experience. 

Chelsea Physic Garden

Chelsea Physic Garden is London’s oldest botanical garden. A secret oasis of tranquillity, natural beauty, and heritage. The spectacular yet understated Garden is an outstanding and adaptable outdoor wedding and party venue with optional marquee hire. It provides a magical setting and idyllic photographic opportunities. 

The garden is home to a collection of 5000 rare, beautiful and botanically significant plants. Moreover Social Pantry can reflect and incorporate these into menu planning and event styling for a truly unique, local and sustainable wedding or event. Additionally, The Gallery room offers an elegant indoor space overlooking the gardens available all year round. It is ideal for corporate away days, team building events, lectures and presentations. It can accommodate 60 guests seated theatre style, drinks receptions for 80 standing, or 40 guests for a sit down meal. 

The Garden has wide-reaching impact around the world coupled with the feel of a magical secret garden. It is equally suited for prestigious impact-led events and intimate private gatherings.

Guildhall

Guildhall is a Grade 1 listed landmark situated in the heart of the City of London. Journey through over 800 years with its awe-inspiring history and architecture as the world’s leading international and financial business centre. Guildhall is also the city’s only surviving secular medieval building. Within the walls of this national treasure lie nine unique and impressive spaces. All of these are now used as function rooms. 

The Great Hall has hosted the annual Lord Mayor’s Banquet since 1502. It has capacity for receptions of up 50 900 guests. The Old Library and adjoining Print Room is ideal for gala dinners and award ceremonies. Maximum capacity 670 guests. Meanwhile the traditional stone Livery Hall accommodates up to 300 guests. This old historic museum has a unique modern feel and renovated features. Moreover for something out of the ordinary, the City’s Roman Amphitheatre has been painstakingly restored. Experience the city’s oldest and original entertainment space in luxury.

Guildhall is a grand setting guaranteed to impress. It has been the venue of choice for majestic banquets in honour of visiting Heads of State and other dignitaries. It has also hosted royal occasions and receptions for major historical events.

The Old Sessions House

The Old Sessions House is a magnificent Grade II listed eighteenth century courthouse. Recently restored to splendour, it is easily one of the most iconic buildings and breath-taking venues in London. The raw aesthetic character of the building is preserved in its grand stone exterior and statuesque original period features. Inside, grandiose mezzanine areas, lavish spiral staircases encircling glittering chandeliers, a restored glass atrium and resplendent dome roof aexude luxury and drama. 

Six unique event spaces popular with high end clients and celebrity clientele are available for private hire. Think dinners, black tie events, seated dinners, theatre style meetings and parties for up to 236 guests. The grand courtroom can accommodate up to 160 guests and is perfect for intimate fairy-tale weddings and more elaborate, conceptual affairs. 

Moreover, the addition of Sessions Arts Club – the decadent and sexy, highly sought-after restaurant reflecting a collaboration between chef Florence Knight and artist Jonny Gent – has further established Old Sessions House as a fine dining destination. However, for private events, exclusive use and bespoke catering, Social Pantry is delighted to be an accredited caterer for Old Sessions House. Social Pantry’s refined, elegant catering, which plays close attention to provenance, heritage, and storytelling can be fully realised in this one-of-a-kind venue. 

Two Temple Place

Two Temple Place is one of London’s hidden architectural gems – a stunning Neo gothic mansion combing the grandeur of a London mansion with the intimacy of a private home to provide an opulent yet welcoming setting in which to host all manner of events. Weddings, private parties, gala dinners, charity events and fashion shows are just some of the uses for this rich historic venue. 

Thoughtfully connecting spaces allow you to curate a unique and dynamic experience moving throughout the Grade II listed building. Furthermore, the income generated through private events supports a growing programme of free cultural and community participation activities. Hence, combining with catering from Social Pantry – an industry-leader in ex-offender employment and social and environmental sustainability – makes Two Temple Place a venue with impressive social sustainability credentials as well as breath-taking interiors and architecture. 

Social Pantry’s showcase event at Two Temple Place with Fischer Productions featured dramatic food stations and an opulent banquet designed to reflect the building’s rich history.

English Heritage

English Heritage is a registered charity that cares for over 400 historic buildings, monuments and sites. Social Pantry is delighted to be accredited caterers for a selection of sites available for private hire. This covers everything from weddings to gala dinners; TV, film and photoshoots; corporate away days; press events; parties and more. The venue’s history and location also provide springboards for styling and menu design. You can expect a fully-integrated and highly memorable experience.

Venues include:

These include castle venues such as Old Wardour in Wiltshire. The romantic ruin of a castle with idyllic tumbledown walls is the perfect fairy-tale setting for wedding, filming and photography.  Moreover, Pendennis Castle, Cornwall, is an atmospheric Tudor fortress. An enchanting place to exchange wedding vows with capacity for ceremonies of 120 guests.

Furthermore, Rangers’ House is an authentic Georgian backdrop plays a starring role in Netflix’s popular television series, Bridgerton. This iconic dramatic setting is suitable for the most splendid events. Meanwhile Kenwood is one of London’s most elegant mansions. It boasts graceful white stucco exteriors and world renowned art collection. For events and parties of up to 200 people, the Kitchen Garden tipi provides a charming oasis of private space. It creates an unforgettable setting for any event or team-building exercise.

Wellington Arch is one of the capital’s most iconic landmarks. Plus it won the Most Unusual or Unique Venue – up to 250 reception at the London Venue Awards 2019. Wellington Arch was also a finalist in the Best Private Dining Venue category for the Hire Space Awards. Located at Hyde Park Corner, it has the historic looks, elegant stylings and spectacular views of the London skyline. 

Furthermore, Eltham Place, hidden away in South London, offers one of the most spectacular dining spaces in the entire collection. The magnificent medieval Great Hall opens directly onto lawns surrounded by Eltham’s 19 acres of beautiful gardens.


To find out more about any of these venues and to discuss your event requirements, please get in touch! Keep an eye on our venues page as we regularly add new venues to our books!

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