Full Venue Hire at 41 Portland Place

Intimate Georgian grandeur with a rooftop Terrace that most Marylebone venues can’t offer — 41 Portland Place sits in the sweet spot between 40 and 150 guests, where the building feels full and purposeful rather than cavernous. Home to the Academy of Medical Sciences, this Grade II* listed townhouse on one of London’s widest residential streets combines original period features with Searcys catering and purpose-built conference facilities, all within an eight-minute walk of Oxford Circus.

The Council Chamber and First Floor at 41 Portland Place

The Council Chamber is the building’s showpiece — ornate plasterwork ceiling, original antique mirrors, marble fireplaces, oil paintings, and large sash windows that flood the room with natural light. It seats 60 for dinner, takes 120 standing for receptions, and configures to 54 boardroom or 70 theatre. Connected to the Reception Room, it opens into a suite that handles larger events with natural guest flow between the formal dining space and the more relaxed reception area. Exclusive hire of the entire first floor brings in the Ann Rylands Room (12 for private dining) and, crucially, the Terrace — a planted outdoor space with olive and eucalyptus trees, dramatic evening lighting, and year-round usability. First Floor Exclusive takes 150 standing and works particularly well for summer parties, Christmas events, and receptions where indoor-outdoor flow matters. The Terrace transforms after dark with candlelight and illuminated plants, creating an atmosphere that carries well into the evening.

Conferences and Presentations at 41 Portland Place

The Wolfson Conference Suite sits on a separate floor — purpose-built, soundproofed, with an adjoining Exhibition Area that provides space for breakout sessions, a bar setup, or a dance floor with optional black-and-white dance floor upgrade. It handles press conferences, product launches, screenings, and panel discussions with dedicated AV including screen, projector, and PA system. The John Newsom-Davis Suite accommodates 70 theatre or 120 standing and can split into two rooms for smaller concurrent sessions, with elegant period details including marble fireplaces and ornate ceilings. For day meetings, the Laurie Landeau Room and adjacent Fellows Room work as a training space with built-in breakout capability. Day delegate rates include arrival refreshments, working lunch, afternoon service, screen and projector, Wi-Fi, flipchart, cloakroom, and directional signage. Upgrades to bowl food or fork buffet lunches are available for groups wanting a more substantial midday break.

Catering, Weddings and Practical Details at 41 Portland Place

Searcys manages all food and beverage — seasonal British menus, sustainable sourcing, and the consistency that comes from a catering partner embedded in the building since the venue’s inception rather than hired per event. Complimentary tastings are available for weddings and significant celebrations. The venue is wedding licensed, with all-inclusive packages available and evening events running until 11:30pm. A late licence to midnight is available for an additional fee. Fully wheelchair accessible throughout, with on-street parking and Weymouth Mews NCP five minutes away. The building sits between Regent’s Park and Oxford Circus, with Great Portland Street station a six-minute walk away and the Langham Hotel and BBC Broadcasting House as neighbours. Profits from every event fund the Academy of Medical Sciences’ work translating research into patient benefits — a detail that resonates with organisations whose venue choices reflect their values.