Step Back in Time with Historic Venues
Historic venues offer an unmatched charm, character, and timeless elegance that modern spaces simply can’t replicate. With rich backstories and unique heritage, these venues provide an inspiring backdrop for your events, adding depth and intrigue through their history. By weaving the venue's story into your event, you create a more engaging and educational experience for your attendees.
These heritage venues also bring an air of prestige and significance, elevating the importance of your event in the eyes of attendees, sponsors, and stakeholders alike.
Imagine hosting your event in a 900-year-old moated castle, dining aboard King Henry VIII’s iconic Tudor warship, or celebrating in the very venue where HRH King Charles III and Queen Camilla tied the knot.
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Meeting Spaces 4 | Theatre Capacity 180
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5 Meeting Spaces | Theatre Capacity 150
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3 Meeting Spaces | Theatre Capacity 120
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Meeting Spaces 4 | Theatre Capacity 180
Discover Featured Venues
Whether it’s a private dinner, a conference, or an unforgettable celebration, historic venues in South East England provide the perfect stage to make your event truly memorable.
Explore our curated selection of venues below—all within two hours of London—and let history set the tone for your next event.
Historic Venues Across the South East
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Kent Event Centre
Maidstone
Kent
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The Kent Event Centre opened at the Kent Showground, Detling in 1991 and has grown ever since with the development of new modern purpose-built event spaces. All the profits from the Kent Event Centre go to the registered charity; Kent County Agricultural Society. Formed in 1923 the Kent County Agricultural Society aims are to improve and promote agriculture, forestry, horticulture, allied industries, rural crafts and the breeding of livestock, across Kent. In addition to making several awards each year, the society is best-known for organising the annual Kent County Show but also the Heritage Transport Show and Living Land, a free one-day event aimed at educating young children in the areas of farming, agriculture, countryside and healthy eating. Being part of a charity, the Kent Event Centre understands the importance of giving back that’s why we offer discounts and support to other charities, associations and agricultural businesses.
The Mary Rose Museum
Portsmouth
Hampshire
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Built, raised and housed in Portsmouth the Mary Rose Museum is an iconic venue steeped in history. Displayed in an award winning museum surrounded by her Tudor collection, discover the story of those who lived and worked on board. Make your occasion one that will go down in history!
Milton Hill House
Abingdon
Oxfordshire
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Milton Hill House is a beautiful Georgian manor house surrounded by 22 acres of tranquil parkland.
Historic owners and visitors include, the Singer Family, King Henry VIII and Queen Elizabeth II.
In more recent history the property has been used as training facilities for WHSmith and Esso.
The Old Crown Coaching Inn
Faringdon
Oxfordshire
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Oliver Cromwell himself stayed at The Old Crown Coaching Inn during the civil war. During the Wars of the Roses, the Crown Bar displayed a Red Rose in the windows, with the original windows still present in the bar. The history of Faringdon is fascinating with The Old Crown Coaching Inn playing a significant role in both civil wars. In the 16th Century All Saints’ Church, built on a Saxon worship site, was central to the life of the monks in the area life and their tunnel network. The tunnels extended to what is now The Old Crown Coaching Inn, where monks are rumoured to have discreetly entered the bar to enjoy drinks covertly and utilised certain rooms designated for ladies' services. Within Faringdon historical timeline, a sizeable tunnel, likely not built by monks but accessible today through 7a Marketplace, features medieval shops and a well. It may connect to Swan Lane, with a suggested link to a 1960s-discovered tunnel behind the Old Police Station on Coach Lane, heading towards the church. You can see part of one of these tunnels form our snug bar.
Chapel House Estate
Ramsgate
Kent
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Chapel House Estate, with its rich history spanning over 700 years, is a testament to timeless elegance and heritage. The centerpiece, a 732-year-old converted Chapel, exudes historic charm, providing a captivating backdrop for weddings and events. The Estate's historic elements are woven throughout its architecture and surroundings, offering guests a glimpse into the past while celebrating in the present. From the meticulously preserved Chapel to the traditional barns and lush gardens, every corner of Chapel House Estate tells a story of centuries-old craftsmanship and enduring beauty.
De Vere Wokefield Estate
Reading
Berkshire
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A Mansion House hotel in Berkshire There has been an estate at Wokefield since the first house was built in the 1560s for the wealthy Plowden family. Set in 250 acres of Berkshire parkland, its history is etched in the different architectural features that greet you throughout. Now De Vere Wokefield Estate, the 376 bedroom hotel has been completely transformed following a £20 million restoration throughout: whether you choose to stay at Wokefield Place, Wellington Lodge or the estate’s historic Mansion House.
Weald and Downland Living Museum
Chichester
West Sussex
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The Weald & Downland Living Museum is set in 40 acres of the beautiful South Downs National Park in West Sussex. Our collection includes over 50 historic buildings dating from 950AD to the 19th century, re-erected from their original sites in the South East England, together with period gardens, transitional farm animals and a mill pond. The unique site makes the Museum a wonderful location for conferences, team building days and client hosting events. The exhibit buildings range from a reconstruction of a Saxon Hall House to working buildings of the late 19th century.
Royal Maritime Hotel
Portsmouth
Hampshire
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The Royal Maritime Hotel is steeped in history, and, as a former sailors’ home the maritime theme is captured in the hotel’s décor with wartime navy memorabilia, artifacts, paintings and relics that reflect its past. The hotel is now a registered charity with its surplus income going to support the needs of UK veterans. The hotel's has a library that host several maritime publications dating back to the 1800s. As the former Sailors' Home it was set up to look after sailors and mariners who were "between ships". The hotel has been visited several times by Royalty such as Queen Elizabeth 11 and King George and Queen Victoria. The guests book with their signatures exists to this day, dating back to 1863. The hotel building did not make it through World War II unscathed. On 10th January 1941, half the building was bombed, only for the remainder to be destroyed two months later on 10th March. However, the hotel was not abandoned. The Royal Navy built it again reopening on 4th March 1952.
The Castle Hotel
Windsor
Berkshire
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Located right in the heart of Windsor, directly opposite the elegant Windsor Guildhall and a short walk from Windsor Castle, you will find the town’s most historic hotel; The Castle Hotel, part of Sutton Hotel Collection. With a history that spans nearly 500 years and holder of a Royal Warrant, we have the largest conference and meeting spaces in the heart of Windsor for up to 400 delegates and can be reached by train from London in just under an hour. For those travelling by car, we have an onsite car park that allows easy access to the conference centre.
National Museum of the Royal Navy Galleries
Portsmouth
Hampshire
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The National Museum of the Royal Navy has 3 truly unique gallery spaces, ideal for corporate events, reception drinks, conferences and private dining experiences. Storehouse 11, home to the Nelson and Princess Royal Galleries, is steeped in naval heritage fully equipped with modern audiovisual equipment this is the perfect location for corporate events and meetings. The Victory Gallery houses our ornate collection of original naval figureheads and artefacts from HMS Victory. Split across two-levels, this space also has a balcony tucked away on the top level, with looks out into Portsmouth Harbour ideal for networking drinks and canapes.
Royal Holloway
Windsor
Surrey
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Royal Holloway University was founded in 1886 by Thomas Holloway, a self-made multi-millionaire. The flagship, Grade 1 listed Founder’s Building boasts flamboyant Victorian architecture, making it one of the most impressive university buildings in the world. Within the building, the Picture Gallery houses one of the finest collections of Victorian art the country has to offer. It provides a perfect space in which to host a reception or banquet of up to 120 people and is also suitable for meetings and small exhibitions. Curator lectures and guided tours can also be arranged.