Kensington Palace

Queen Anne commissioned the Orangery in 1704 as a place to entertain. It stands apart from the palace in its own gardens, with a south-facing terrace and private lawns, and is hired either on its own or alongside the State Apartments. It is the only space at Kensington Palace licensed for dancing and late-night entertainment, with room for staging and a dance floor: 300 for a standing reception, 200 for dinner, 120 for dinner with dancing.

A long picture gallery hung with historic paintings and lined in red damask, built for grand display and ceremonial occasions. The largest of the State Apartments: 170 for a drinks reception, 110 on round tables, 82 on a single long table. It can be taken on its own or with the surrounding state rooms.

A wood-panelled room in the oldest part of the palace, hung with oil paintings and looking out over Kensington Gardens. It takes 150 for a drinks reception, or 72 along one long table.

Warm, full of natural light and richly decorated, this room was once used by the monarch for formal entertaining. It works on its own or opens into the adjoining Cupola Room. 100 for a drinks reception, 90 on rounds, 60 on two long tables; the palace pairs it with the Orangery when an evening needs dancing.

The formal garden within the palace grounds, planted around the statue of Diana, Princess of Wales. Hired as an addition to a palace event for a private drinks reception, up to 90 guests, between 18:30 and 20:00.

Designed by William Kent with an Italian influence, gilded, and finished with a trompe l'oeil ceiling. The future Queen Victoria was baptised here. It suits smaller dinners and drinks receptions at 80 standing or 60 on rounds, and combines with the King's Drawing Room for larger events.