Step into history and bring your event to life
An iconic destination for conversation, debates, and influential thinking.
Banqueting House offers an unforgettable setting for corporate events, where guests are welcomed through grand Ionic columns before gathering beneath the magnificent ceiling of the Main Hall. Every arrival, moment and departure is shaped by the building’s remarkable sense of occasion, leaving a lasting impression.
Perfectly suited to high-profile agendas, the space combines historic splendour with contemporary expertise, accommodating AGMs, leadership meetings, product launches, awards ceremonies and international delegations with ease.
Enquire about a venueView our brochure
Please take a look at our 2026-2027 brochure, which has all the information on our venue spaces and hire fees.
Why choose Banqueting House for corporate events?
For over 400 years, Banqueting House has been a stage for leadership, influence and state occasions. Today, it offers a unique backdrop for conferences, awards evenings, product launches and client receptions. The grandeur of the Main Hall combines with the intimacy of the Undercroft to create a flexible environment that can move seamlessly from focused discussion to high-impact hospitality.
Key advantages:
- Two versatile spaces (Main Hall + Undercroft) for plenary, breakouts, and hospitality.
- Capacities: up to 450 for a drinks reception and 350 for dining in the Main Hall; 350 standing and 250 guests for dancing in the Undercroft.
- Available for daytime and multiday hire.
- Late finishes available to 01:00.
- In-house DMX system.
Corporate formats we host beautifully:
- AGMs and leadership meetings
- Product launches and fashion showcases
- Award ceremonies and celebrations
- Conferences with plenary + breakout flow
- International delegation programmes
Spaces for impactful business events
Capacity:
- Up to 400 guests for a seated theatre style
- Up to 280 guests for cabaret style, for a more relaxed event.
The Main Hall
Whether you are looking for a space for an immersive dinner, an innovative product launch or a one-of-a-kind fashion show, the Banqueting House can do it all.
With its soaring columns and the opulent Rubens' ceiling, this hidden gem is available for all-day hire seven days a week.
The Undercroft
Once a secluded royal retreat beneath the Banqueting Hall, the Undercroft provided monarchs with a private space for relaxation and entertainment.
Today, this vaulted chamber offers an atmospheric and versatile counterpart to the grandeur above.
Its distinctive arches and intimate scale make it ideal for networking sessions, partner showcases, lounges, press zones, or post-event receptions.
Capacity:
- Up to 350 guests for a standing reception.
A big thank you to you and everyone involved for a very lovely evening, it was so special to be dining beneath The Rubens Ceiling once again.
What a corporate event looks like here
From first arrival to the final toast, Banqueting House creates a natural rhythm for corporate occasions. The Undercroft sets the tone with a welcoming atmosphere and space to gather, while the Main Hall provides a dramatic stage for keynotes, awards or gala dinners. As the day unfolds, the flow between these two historic spaces allows moments of focus, collaboration and celebration to sit seamlessly together, leaving delegates with an experience as memorable as it is productive.
- Morning: 09:00 arrivals & coffee in the Undercroft
- Late morning: 10:00 keynote in the Main Hall
- Afternoon: 13:00 working lunch + partner showcase
- Evening: 17:30 awards ceremony in Main Hall, followed by 19:00 networking reception in the Undercroft
- Close: Extensions available until 01:00
For the breakout rooms, or additional back of house space's we recommend utilising our adjoining neighbours, RUSI, who's building has direct internal access to Banqueting House. They have an array of meeting rooms available and would be delighted to assit.
Discover more of RUSI'S venue spaces Banqueting House Venue HireThe delegate experience
Banqueting House is designed to make a strong first impression on corporate audiences. Its central Westminster location offers excellent transport links, with nearby parking for those arriving by car. Step-free access and attentive front-of-house staff ensure delegates are welcomed with ease, while behind the scenes, the venue provides a cloakroom and private spaces for VIPs or speakers.
Contact us
If you would like to hire Banqueting House for your next event, please call our team on +44 (0)20 3855 4830 to discuss your requirements.
Alternatively, you can fill out an enquiry form and we’ll get back to you as quickly as possible.
Enquire about a venueApproved suppliers
We work with expert caterers, florists, production and technical teams who know the building and bring big creative ideas safely to life across multiple days. Ask us for recommended partners by format or browse our online directory.
Find out more about our approved suppliersFAQ's for Banqueting House
Specially created for entertaining in 1622, the Banqueting House 'party palace' astounded London society, and it still has the power to dazzle and impress today.
A grade I listed building designed by Inigo Jones for James I, the building was built in the Palladian style and is one of England's earliest classical buildings, the 'crown jewel' being the Peter Paul Ruben's ceiling in the Main Hall.
Underneath the Main Hall is the intimate vaulted Undercroft, enjoyed as a drinking den by James I. It is now the perfect venue for a stylish and imaginative party, drinks reception or intimate dinner.
Banqueting House is centrally located on Whitehall in Westminster near Downing Street, the Houses of Parliament and Trafalgar Square. The following stations are a short walk from Banqueting House:
Westminster station (5-minute walk) for Circle, District and Jubilee lines
Embankment station (5-minute walk) for Bakerloo, Circle, District and Northern lines
London Charing Cross Station (10-minute walk) for National Rail
London Waterloo Station (15-minute walk) for National Rail
For further information, please refer to our Getting Here page.
The Banqueting House can offer spaces for a wide variety of events, including standing receptions, gala dinners, awards ceremonies, brand launches, daytime conferences and more!
The Main Hall and the Undercroft can accommodate the following capacities:
Main Hall: Up to 350 guests for ceremonies, 450 for standing receptions, 350 for seated dining, and 300 for dinner and dance events.
Undercroft: Up to 120 guests for wedding ceremonies and 350 for receptions.
The Banqueting House is a dry hire venue, which includes the exclusive hire of the Banqueting House, including the Main Hall and Undercroft. The Main Hall and Undercroft cannot be hired separately.
Your hire includes an on-site event planner from our team, two security guards, an electrician and a cleaner. We work with a list of approved suppliers for all other elements. Your catering, production, furniture and entertainment costs are additional fees that will be quoted to you by our approved suppliers upon contact. We recommend contacting our approved suppliers as soon as possible to gather all your costs for the event.
We work exclusively with our approved suppliers, and all event elements must be sourced via these.
Please note that we are unable to quote on behalf of our approved suppliers.
Where we would welcome your own suppliers would be for photography, wedding/celebration cakes, and transport, although these must be approved by your event planner.
Yes. For events and weddings, we are able to offer on an exclusive-use basis, giving clients and couples private access to the venue during their event. We are able to offer all-day hire seven days a week to allow all the time you require for your vision.
The venue hire fee for all day hire of the Banqueting House will be £26,000+VAT with guest arrival from 10:00 until midnight.
The venue fee hire fee for the Banqueting House for evening hire will be £18,000+VAT with guest arrival from 18:00 until midnight.
The venue hire fee for the Banqueting House for daytime hire will be £16,000+VAT with guest arrival from 10:00 until 17:00
Early access available from 13:00 charged from £1,000 +VAT per half hour
Add on a time extension until 1am for £2,000+VAT
A time extension past 1am can be considered on a case-by-case basis. Bespoke pricing available upon request
We can offer a time extension to 1 am as standard, and a time extension past 1 am can be considered on a case-by-case basis. Bespoke pricing available upon request
We sadly do not have any additional back of house spaces at Banqueting House. However, we do have a separately managed adjoining building called Sixty-One Whitehall managed by Royal United Services Institute. This building has direct access from our building internally. To check their availability and prices, please do contact Sabrina Downey ([email protected]) for their information.
There is no on-site parking. There is a local public car park at Just Park Westminster and Q-Park Trafalgar, which can be used but is not affiliated with us. Coaches, taxis and cars can drop off on site outside the Banqueting House entrance. Metered coach bays can be found along Victoria Embankment, a short walk from the Banqueting House.
Yes, Banqueting House offers accessible facilities, including lift and ramp access to all the spaces.
Yes, the Banqueting House is licensed for civil ceremonies, allowing couples to hold their entire wedding day in one spectacular historic location.
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Explore what's on
- Events
- Things to see
Open Days
Experience four centuries of art, architecture and history on an Open Day at Banqueting House.
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Dates:
Sunday 01 November and Sunday 20 December 2026.
- Times: 10:00-16:00. Last admission 15:00.
- Location: Banqueting House
- Ticket type: Separate ticket (advance booking required)
- Events
- Things to see
Summer opening 2026
Step inside this summer and immerse yourself in the dramatic history of Banqueting House.
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Dates:
Until 20 September 2026: Thursday to Monday (closed Tuesday and Wednesday).
- Times: 10:00-16:00. Last admission 15:00.
- Location: Banqueting House
- Events
- Tours and talks
Deaf-Led Guided Tours
Discover Banqueting House on a Deaf-led tour with John Wilson and Heritage Interpretation.
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Dates:
02 December 2026
- Times: 14:00
- Location: Banqueting House
- Ticket type: Separate ticket (admission included, advance booking required)
Browse more history and stories
James I and Anne of Denmark
Generous, scholarly James and his cultured wife
The execution of Charles I
Killing of a 'treasonous' King
The story of Banqueting House
Four hundred years of history and the site of a royal execution
Shop online
Charles I Dated Decoration
This exclusive decoration has been created to commemorate the reign of Charles I who ascended the throne 400 years ago.
£50.00
Shop Banqueting House
Discover our wonderful collection of gifts and souvenirs inspired by Banqueting House.
From £4.50