The HAC

The HAC doesn't announce itself from the street. A castle-like frontage on City Road, a short walk from Moorgate and Old Street, gives way to something that shouldn't exist in the Square Mile: five acres of private lawn, a Georgian manor house, and a contemporary events hall — all belonging to the oldest regiment in the British Army, holding its royal charter since 1537.

Three Venues Within the HAC Estate

Armoury House is the original: a Grade II listed Georgian mansion with rooms that carry centuries of military heritage. The Long Room — wood-panelled walls, 13ft ceilings, minstrels' gallery, windows overlooking the garden — is one of London's most impressive private dining rooms, seating 160 or taking 250 for receptions. Smaller rooms like the Medal Room, Queen's Room, and Ante Room handle intimate dinners, meetings, and syndicate breakouts. The Prince Consort Rooms offer the opposite register entirely: a converted drill hall reopened in 2007, contemporary in feel, with vaulted ceilings, polished hardwood floors, and standing capacity for 690. Its own courtyard entrance keeps it operationally separate from Armoury House.

The HAC's Artillery Garden

The Artillery Garden is the estate's centrepiece — five acres of lawn where Premier League footballers, international rugby players, and some of the earliest recorded cricketers in England have all played. For events, it accommodates over 5,000 guests at the largest scale, with marquee structures seating up to 950 for formal dining. It won Best Venue with Outside Space at the 2025 London Venue & Catering Awards, and the annual London Concours has called it home since 2017.

Why the HAC Works for Events

The HAC is a registered charity — event revenue supports the regiment's charitable work, which gives hiring here a dimension beyond pure venue selection. Searcys provides in-house catering across all spaces, from canape receptions to formal banquets. The estate's flexibility means events can stay contained in a single room or expand across the entire grounds. Combined indoor-outdoor events are a particular strength, and the ability to drive cars and taxis directly into the estate solves a logistical headache that most City venues can't address. The venue is licensed for civil ceremonies, and event hire typically runs from 9am to 11:30pm with guests clearing by midnight.