Historic UK event venues

BLENHEIM PALACE
One of the UK's most impressive palaces - and the only one not owned by the Royal family - Blenheim Palace offers an extravagant getaway for groups of between six and 300, whether for a meeting in one of its seven stately rooms, dinner in the Great Hall or team-building activities amid the 2,100 acres of Oxfordshire parkland. The former birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and now a World Heritage site, Blenheim Palace remains an enduring favourite with corporates such as Allianz Insurance, Vodafone and Yakult. Caroline Clayton, team leader at CWT Meetings & Events, explains its attraction. "Blenheim Palace is very versatile and impressive but with fair rates," she says. "The venue works well for all types of events, but it worked particularly well for us because we were able to take over the whole palace exclusively to organise an annual winter conference, dinner and team-building event for a large telecoms client."

DUNDAS CASTLE
Scotland boasts more than its fair share of castles, but Dundas is arguably one of the most prestigious and also one of the easiest to reach, given its location eight miles west of Edinburgh. The castle is a five-star, exclusive-use venue and offers 14 rooms, as well as a choice of five conference and banqueting spaces. The largest of these, the Pavilion, is a permanent marquee in the grounds that can seat up to 180. For more intimate meetings of up to 60, there are a couple of boardrooms, while the Stag Chamber in the 15-century Auld Keep provides a memorable location for a medieval banquet. Local DMC Hello Scotland recently picked Dundas Castle as its venue for a residential gala dinner for a Dutch car manufacturer. "The client was looking for a truly quality Scottish experience and the association of Scotland with castles, heritage and luxury all pointed towards Dundas as an ideal choice," says project manager, Claire Scott.
Web: www.dundascastle.co.uk

KENSINGTON PALACE
Situated in the heart of west London, Queen Victoria's birthplace has eight indoor spaces for private hire. Of these, the Orangery is the biggest, holding up to 300 for a reception. Larger groups can host their event in a marquee in the gardens, following in the footsteps of the Periodical Publishers Association (PPA), which held a garden party there for 600 in May. Corporates hosting an event here in the next six months have the chance to make history by booking one of the Victorian Garden Rooms (the Red Saloon, Teck Saloon and North Drawing Room), before they're permanently closed to private hire in March 2010. "We plan to revitalise the building," explains Kensington Palace events manager Charlotte Winship. "A new entrance will be created on the East Front and there will be two new events spaces - the Queen's Wing and the Entrance Hall." They will cater for up to 170 and 200 people respectively, although the Entrance Hall will be available for evening hire only.
Web: www.hrp.org.uk/KensingtonPalace

CARDIFF CASTLE
Situated in the heart of Cardiff, the site has been in use for 2,000 years, but it now combines a historic setting with 21st-century facilities and has attracted corporates including Lloyds TSB, Glaxosmithkline, Airbus and the BBC. The castle's star attraction is the medieval-style Banqueting Hall - complete with wood panelling and chandeliers - which can host 80 guests for a seated dinner or up to 100 guests for a reception. Alternatively, groups can follow in the footsteps of CWT's pharma client and hold a Welsh-themed evening in the Undercroft, which seats up to 100 diners. For larger functions, the new, glass-fronted Interpretation Centre - with breathtaking views of the city from the roof terrace - can hold 200 for a drinks reception. There's no accommodation on site, but beyond the castle's heavily fortified walls, there's a huge choice of hotels available.
Web: www.cardiffcastle.com

BLAIR CASTLE
Nestled in the Scottish Highlands, Blair Castle is a popular tourist attraction and home to Europe's only remaining private army. But owner, the Atholl Estate, is ramping up its corporate offering with the opening of the state dining room for private groups. This elegant, airy room - lined with white frescoes and offering far-reaching views - can seat up to 50 for dinner or 150 for a reception. The largest available space at the castle though is the ballroom, seating up to 220 and adorned with 175 pairs of stag antlers. "The Ballroom is excellent for gala dinners for large groups. The room is grand with a true Scottish feel," says CWT Meetings & Events destination manager UK Clare Slattery. There's no accommodation on site, but Blair Castle has partnered with the Dunkeld Hilton hotel, located 30 minutes away, in the past.
Web: www.blair-castle.co.uk