London is home to some of the most famous and renowned museums in the world, with everyone aware of the big ones – V and A, Science Museum, Imperial War Museum to name a few. Less well known are some of the smaller, quirkier museums whose history is just as fascinating, just maybe a little bit more ‘niche’. These museums are often housed in very quirky homes with a sense of history. What’s more many are opening up their unique spaces for hire for events so they are attracting much wider audiences than previously. Here are a few of our favourite London museum event spaces.
Museum of the Order of St John located in Clerkenwell this museum tells the story of the Order of St John right up until the founding of the St John’s Ambulance. The rooms available to hire are steeped in history, with some dating from the 12th Century. A variety of rooms can be used for different functions, including weddings and civil partnerships. Largest capacity is 200 for a reception.
Museum of the Order of St John
London Canal Museum – a unique venue with it’s own mooring (so you can arrive by boat if required) located centrally next to Kings Cross. With exhibits charting the history of inland waterways and the ice industry (including the history of ice cream) it promises a fascinating day out. For events there are galleries on two floors and smaller conference rooms. The industrial brick backdrop and well-lit ice well can add drama to an extra special event, definitely one to remember for your next function.
The Garden Museum – rated as ‘One of London’s Best Small Museums’ by the Telegraph this is a real gem next to Lambeth Palace on the South Bank of the Thames. Established in 1977 it is located inside what was an abandoned church, and has exhibitions on plants, garden tools and plant hunters to name a few. The space for hire is extremely photogenic and green, with a capacity both theatre style and for dining of 120 – this rises to 200 for receptions.
The Magic Circle – not just a museum, this is the home of the Magic Circle society for magicians. Rooms for hire have a magical theme, of course, and include a theatre that can seat up to 150 in what they call one of London’s best kept secrets. The small museum is available for smaller board meetings or can be included in the whole venue hire as an excellent ice breaker. Located close to Euston Station this venue is completely wheelchair accessible.
Natural History Museum – not exactly a shrinking violet in the museum world, with it’s dinosaur exhibits etched into the minds of many generations of children, but this really is such an amazing space to hire it couldn’t be left out! A venue which comes into it’s own for evening parties, guests can dine under Dippy the Diplodocus or travel through the Earth’s core to a party in the Earth Hall. An unmissable venue for award dinners, celebrations or parties.
