Full Venue Hire at Old Royal Naval College

A UNESCO World Heritage Site on the Thames in Greenwich, designed by Sir Christopher Wren and Nicholas Hawksmoor — the Old Royal Naval College spans a 17-acre riverside estate with event spaces ranging from an intimate 15-person dining room to a 400-guest Baroque painted hall. The Painted Hall alone makes it one of the most extraordinary event venues in Europe; the breadth of the wider estate makes it one of the most versatile.

The Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College

Sir James Thornhill spent 19 years painting 3,700 square metres of Baroque walls and ceilings — over 200 figures including kings, queens, and mythological creatures. The room where Nelson lay in state in 1806 now hosts gala dinners for 400 seated, receptions for 400 standing, and theatre-style events for 300 with stage. Available for evening hire, the Painted Hall delivers a reveal moment that few venues in the world can match: guests are called to dinner and the painted ceiling unfolds above them for the first time. An on-site guide can offer illuminating interpretation of the Thornhill paintings during drinks, adding an experiential layer that turns the setting into content.

Admiral’s House — Exclusive Private Hire

Unlike much of the Old Royal Naval College, Admiral’s House is not open to the public. This gives it genuine exclusivity — the entire house, or individual rooms and floors, can be hired privately. Six rooms across multiple levels, with the Hardwick Room largest at 70 standing or seated. Double-height ceilings, wood panelling, and river views create a setting suited to high-profile corporate events, board dinners, conferences for up to 90 delegates, and wedding ceremonies. Available daytime and evening, it’s the intimate counterpart to the Painted Hall’s grandeur.

Queen Mary Undercroft at the Old Royal Naval College

The twin rooms of the Queen Mary Undercroft combine for 290 standing, 230 theatre-style, or 200 seated dinner. High vaulted ceilings and Portland stone pillars give the space a subterranean grandeur, and the adjoining Victorian Skittle Alley adds a quirky element for drinks or entertainment. After a Painted Hall dinner, the Undercroft provides a natural after-party space — guests descend from the baroque ceiling to the vaulted stone below, which shifts the mood without requiring a venue change.

Chapel, Nelson Room, and Outdoor Spaces

The Chapel seats 340 in a neoclassical interior with exceptional acoustics — suited to concerts, recitals, and ceremonies. The Nelson Room, accessed through the Painted Hall, offers intimate private dining beneath a roof lantern with monumental stonework and marble flooring. Outdoors, the Upper and Lower Grand Squares host festivals, concerts, and charity events against the backdrop of Wren’s twin domes, which can be illuminated in colours to match brands or occasions. Outdoor hire ranges from the Colonnades to the full Grand Square.

Events at the Old Royal Naval College

Company of Cooks (CH&Co) handle all catering as the exclusive provider — bespoke menus from canapés and bowl food to formal three-course dinners. No naked flames including candles are permitted in the Painted Hall. The venue is licensed for weddings across multiple spaces. All profits from events support the conservation of the site, which adds a CSR dimension to corporate hire. Cutty Sark DLR is two minutes away, Greenwich Pier provides riverboat access, and London Bridge is eight minutes by train.