King Charles II founded the Royal Hospital Chelsea as a home for old soldiers and still retains that primary role today, being the home of the Chelsea Pensioner. The impressive Wren buildings represent one of the outstanding glories of English architecture and sit in 66 acres of beautiful parkland - an oasis in the heart of London by the river Thames embankment, but still within easy reach of public transport, shopping in the Kings Road and Knightsbridge and other facilities.
The main facilities on offer are:
Great Hall Dining for 270
Receptions for 400
Chapel Seating for 380
State Apartment Receptions for 180
Lecture facilities for 120
Dining for 80
The Conservatory at Chelsea 400 for a Seated dinner or 500 for BBQs and receptions (12th June - 2nd August)
Christmas Marquee, Razzle Dazzle - 200 to 450 for a Seated dinner or 250 to 700 for standing receptions. Shared nights also available for 10 or more guests
(16th November - 23rd December)
The State ApartmentsThe State Apartments consist of two main rooms, the Council Chamber and an Ante-Room. The Council Chamber is a stunning oak-panelled room designed by Wren and embellished by Robert Adam and still in its original stunning condition. There are a number of fine paintings by Van Dyke, Kneller and Lely as well as important carvings and mouldings by William Emmett, John Grover and William Cleere.
Together with the Ante-Room next door the State Apartments are ideally suited for receptions, dinners, lectures, and press/book launches, photo-calls and filming.
Capacity is up to 180 standing, 80 seated for dinner (round tables) and 120 seated (Lecture style).
Included in the complex there is a fully equipped kitchen and cloakrooms.
Click here to take a virtual tour of the Council Chamber.
The Great HallThe Great Hall was constructed in 1782 and is an integral part of the Royal Hospital. It is 115 feet long and 38 feet wide and is still used as originally conceived by Wren as a communal dining facility for all 350 Chelsea Pensioners.
An impressive mural of Charles 11 dominates one end and on the walls are hung portraits of every monarch since then. On the panelling is recorded every battle and campaign in which the British Army has been involved since 1662 and a number of captured standards are also displayed. There is a small minstrel's gallery over the entrance and a PA system is available.
The Great Hall is available for hire in the evenings only from about 6.30pm and includes the use of the kitchens. It would be ideally suited for banquets and receptions. Seating capacity is 270 and standing around 400.
Click here to take a virtual tour of the Great Hall.
The ChapelThe Chapel was completed by Sir Christopher Wren in 1687 and seats 380. The Chapel enjoys exceptional acoustic quality and is available for concerts and recitals. A Chapel concert can also be enhanced by the use of the Great Hall next door for pre concert, interval and post-performance drinks and buffets.
We provide full professional planning and support to all types of function. The facilities and services that you will use are tailored to individual requirements. Our flexibility and personal service are the key to the smooth running of events and activities of all types.
The Chapel is only available for weddings under certain circumstances.
Chapel Seating for 380.
Click here to take a virtual tour of the Chapel.
The South Grounds and Ranelagh Gardens
The South Grounds and Ranelagh Gardens, re-designed by the eminent landscaper John Gibson in 1860, are used by the Royal Horticultural Society to stage the world famous Chelsea Flower Show here annually between May to July.
Marquees and Garden Parties are permitted throughout the year by private and corporate clients.
From 12th June - 2nd August, The Ultimate Experience will be installing a semi- permanent marquee structure in the middle Ranelagh Gardens, known as The Conservatory at Chelsea, which can be hired on a venue only basis or as a complete party package. This fantastic, purpose-built structure is designed with flexibility in mind, making it suitable for any event brief, from a corporate dinner to a wedding breakfast, a BBQ to a family fun day. With a seated capacity of 400 and standing capacity of 500 this venue is a cost-effective event space for larger events and benefits from its own private garden.
Over the Christmas period, The Ultimate Experience will be installing a similar structure in the south Grounds of the Hospital.
Prepare to be transported back to the jazz age in the sumptuous surroundings of our exclusive marquee. The Razzle Dazzle party will be a stylish affair, which will go off with a real swing!
Guests will be taken back to a time of flapper girls and trilby hats in our jazz club reception, before dinner, which will be a glitzy and glamorous affair in the stunning atmosphere created by our chandelier and starlit dining room. Available for seated dinners and standing receptions, our all inclusive packages help you to celebrate Christmas in style.
Please click here to take a virtual tour to see the venues that you may wish to use.
For further information please contact the Royal Hospital's Commercial Services Department at:
The Royal Hospital Chelsea
Royal Hospital Road
London
SW3 4SR
Telephone: 020 7881 5298 (Mon-Fri, 9-5)
Fax: 020 7881 5319
Email: eventsao@chelsea-pensioners.org.uk
A preliminary site visit is essential and we would be delighted to show you round.