Summer is upon us and with it, summer party season arrived! If you’re looking for a new way to spice up your summer party this year but aren’t quite sure how to do it, then keep on reading, we’ve got just the thing.
In London there’s no shortage of historical venues, so we have compiled a list of our favourite summer party venues packed with history and mystery, so you can take your pick! Picture guests wandering down hallways lined with portraits or sipping champagne on the steps to a grand, old house. And what better excuse to throw a themed party than stepping back in time? The options are quite literally endless!
Here at eve, we love planning summer parties as much as guests love attending them. So have a read through some of our top picks for dreamy historical summer party venues, and let us know which one you’ve got your heart set on.
One Birdcage Walk
A stunning central location over-looking St James’ Park, One Birdcage Walk is a historical landmark in London and the perfect summer party venue in the city. Elegant and grand, but not overstated, this stunning venue was built in 1899 in the popular Queen Anne style.
Complete with an electric lift and a telephone, some of the world’s most cutting-edge tech at the time, One Birdcage Walk was considered a technological marvel- and that statement still rings true today. With fantastic AV facilities, you won’t be disappointed!
Full to the brim with elegance and charm, befitting the period, this is a gorgeous choice for a summer party in an iconic London location. Wood-panelled walls, gold chandeliers, ornate ceilings, and huge windows flooding the rooms with natural sunlight, we’re all drooling!
The large marble hall is a dream spot for a summer drinks reception with ample space for a bar and tables for guests to pop their drinks down and have a chat. What’s even better, this space will be naturally cool, even in the height of summer! The marble walls naturally conduct heat differently from other surfaces, like wood, so this space will be cool and refreshing, even on a hot summer’s day.
For a slightly more intimate summer affair, the beautiful Elizabethan style library is a perfect choice. Lined floor to ceiling with bookshelves full to bursting with books and a sweet wrought iron balcony around the second story.
Surrounded by iconic London landmarks like Buckingham Palace, Nelson’s Column, Westminster Abbey and the Cenotaph, One Birdcage Walk is the perfect location for guests to get out and explore London in all its glory or for those heading out for some post-summer party entertainment on the town.
Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA)
Jump back in time with a throwback summer party at RIBA. Built in the 1930s this venue is still packed with classic period features, even the gents still has its original 1930s fixtures!
In classic Art Deco style, RIBA encapsulates bright light, geometric shapes, and versatility- the perfect combination for a summer party! Your guests will wander around in awe at the fantastic architecture, designed by architect George Grey Wornum. Why not embrace the style and design, and throw a themed 1930s summer party? Think flapper dresses, string pearls, bowler hats, and pleat-front trousers and you’ve got yourself a unique 1930’s summer party theme well underway!
In terms of event spaces, RIBA doesn’t disappoint! Guests can enjoy a relaxed environment in the light-filled Florence Hall and wander out onto the leafy first-floor terrace to enjoy the summer weather.
Worried about the stress of planning a summer party? No need to fret, RIBA has an award-winning team on-site ready to get planning so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy watching the summer party of the season unfold.
RIBA is in a fantastic part of London, right in the heart of the equally historic Marylebone. Just a ten-minute walk from Oxford Circus tube station, it’s well connected and easy to get to.
BMA House
Located in the midst of Tavistock Square, BMA House is a historic London summer party venue you won’t want to miss out on! This beautiful Grade II listed building, designed by the great Sir Edwin Lutyens, world-renowned as the greatest architect since Wren, so it must be remarkable! Opened by King George V, it’s certainly a venue fit for royalty.
BMA House has not just one, but two stunning outdoor event spaces perfect for a summer party. The first is an elegant courtyard, surrounded by the beautiful red brick walls of the house. With the capacity for 300 guests it’s a gorgeous space for a tasteful summer drinks reception in London. The circular driveway and ornamental fountain at the centre creating an elegant backdrop and will certainly leave guests in awe at their surroundings (and just think about all the Instagram opportunities!).
The second is the Garden at BMA House, every bit as stylish and sophisticated as the building itself- most likely as it was also designed by the gifted Sir Edwin Lutyens too! Picture your guests wandering through the gardens, enjoying conversation, and sipping champagne, pausing to take in the central water feature… sounds like the perfect summer party setting doesn’t it! The Garden has space for 90 guests so it’s the perfect choice if you’re looking for a more intimate summer party location.
Just a ten-minute stroll from Kings Cross St Pancras with national and international rail routes to Europe, BMA House is an ideal choice for guests travelling into London from further afield or even outside of the UK!
Dartmouth House
If history isn’t quite enough and you’re looking for somewhere with an air of celebrity about it then stop right there. Dartmouth House is the one for you! Pictured on some famous sets like House of Cards, Sherlock, and Mr Selfridge you and your guests will in fabulous company!
Swathed in opulence and elegance, Dartmouth House was built in the mid 18th Century in the Rococo style popular in Paris at the time. The romantic architecture and marble courtyard makes it a picture-perfect setting for a summer party or soirée in London.
Dartmouth House has had a long and impressive history, with many career changes under its belt. From a private residence to military hospital, to the English Speaking Union, it’s certainly got some stories and seen some impressive people walk through its doors. And if that doesn’t get your guests talking, the celebrity WOW factor certainly will!
To really personalise your event, the marble courtyard can be branded and dressed to fit whatever theme takes your fancy. Choice from a selection of catering options from classy canapés to street food stalls, to complement your event perfectly. Dartmouth House’s postcode is as impressive as its architecture, situated on the prestigious Charles Street just a stone’s throw from Berkley Square.
Chiswick House & Gardens
Elegance, grandeur, timeless romance, all wrapped up in 65 acres of landscaped gardens hidden away in the heart of West London (now that’s something you didn’t expect to hear!). Built in the 18th Century, Chiswick House and Gardens is a beautiful location, considered to be unique for the period, as architects William Kent and Richard Boyle (the third Earl of Arlington) threw out the popular baroque style and instead opted for a more continental design inspired by their recent travels. Chiswick House is quite literally the picture-perfect summer party location, with bundles of outside space and stunning architecture, what more could you possibly want?
The gorgeous conservatory is set amongst the peaceful Italian Garden, perfectly juxtaposing the grandeur of the 18th Century Villa. As guests wander through the gardens they will see formally landscaped roses, wisteria, and many other colourful and exotic blooms. The beautiful 19th Century glasshouse is a simply stunning addition and the perfect set-up for a dreamy summer party. Filled with natural daylight, and with all the comforts of indoor catering and preparations, this will be a summer party setting straight out of a movie set!
The Gardens are bursting with romance, complete with the Classic Bridge and orangery, just think of the photo opportunities! Everywhere you go at Chiswick House and Gardens, the backdrop is perfect for capturing memories you’ll cherish for years to come. Looking like it’s stepped out of a fairy-tale, if you’re in search of a timeless location to fulfil your every Bridgerton ball fantasy, then you’ve found yourself a diamond.
At eve, we’ve been there and done that when it comes to WOWing your guests. So if you’re hunting for the perfect summer party venue in London, then you’ve certainly come to the right place! Get in touch with our experienced events team today and we’ll help you find the summer party venue you’ve been dreaming of!