The QEII Centre
/ About
The QEII Centre stands on Broad Sanctuary, directly opposite Westminster Abbey, on ground that was Thorney Island long before it held an infirmary and then a car park. Powell, Moya & Partners designed the building that replaced them, and the Queen opened it in June 1986. Thirty-two spaces are stacked across seven floors, and more than 13,000 events have been held in them since.
For a private evening, look first at the rooms with windows. The third floor joins the Britten, Whittle and Fleming into 2,142 square metres under double-height glazing that looks straight onto the Houses of Parliament and the Abbey; the Fleming and Whittle together dine 930 and hold 1,200 for a reception. Higher up, the Mountbatten reads across the whole skyline from Big Ben to the Shard, and the Churchill is the house auditorium, gently raked, with a permanent stage. Walls in several rooms move, so one space can be split into a bar, a dining area and a dancefloor, then put back the next morning.
Catering and production both run under the Centre's own brands. QEII Taste cooks under executive head chef Danilo Barbagallo, working to British provenance and low-waste sourcing, while QEII Live handles staging, lighting, projection and sound across the building. A goods lift rated to 2,500 kilos runs directly to the third floor, which is how cars and full-height set pieces get up there. Fashion has used the building as well: Natasha Zinko and Topshop Unique have both shown here.
/ Rooms Available
Third Floor
Exclusive HireThe Britten, Whittle and Fleming combined: 2,142 square metres of self-contained floor, reached by its own external lift. Double-height windows in the Britten look onto the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. The goods lift is rated to 2,500 kilos, so cars and full-height set pieces come straight up.
Britten
PrivateThe daylight end of the third floor, and the room with the view: double-height glazing over Westminster, high ceilings and enough floor for a reception to move around a central bar. Bookable on its own or as part of the whole floor.
Pickwick
PrivateA long, low room of 585 square metres looking onto Westminster Abbey, used for drinks receptions and exhibitions, or taken with the Churchill as its catering space.
Mountbatten
PrivateHigh in the building, with panoramic windows that take in Big Ben, the London Eye and the Shard. Dinner for 384 or a reception for 500, and the hire takes in the Cambridge alongside it for arrival drinks.
Cambridge
Private510 square metres on the fifth floor, and the room the Centre pairs with the Mountbatten for pre-dinner drinks. It takes 280 for dinner and 400 standing.
Churchill
PrivateThe house auditorium, 720 square metres under a 5.5-metre ceiling, with a slightly raked floor and a large stage. It seats 400 for dinner and is the room the Centre puts award ceremonies in.
Westminster
PrivateA room of 355 square metres with east-facing windows onto the London Eye, Big Ben and the Shard. Dinner for 160, reception for 300.
Windsor
Private330 square metres on the fifth floor with natural light on both sides. Dinner for 200, reception for 300.
St James
Private290 square metres on the fourth floor, with raked seating and a stage when it is set as an auditorium, and 120 covers when it is not.
Gielgud
Private250 square metres on the second floor, one of the rooms whose wall moves. Windows down one side, dinner for 100 and 130 standing.
Olivier
PrivateThe Gielgud's neighbour on the second floor, the same 250 square metres and the same movable wall between them. Dinner for 100, reception for 130.
Abbey
PrivateA medium room. Dinner for 70, reception for 100.
Moore
PrivateA medium room. Dinner for 70, reception for 100.
Rutherford
PrivateA medium room. Dinner for 60, reception for 90.
Albert
PrivateA medium room. Dinner for 50, reception for 80.
Victoria
PrivateA medium room. Dinner for 50, reception for 80.
Burton
PrivateA medium room. Dinner for 40, reception for 70.
/ Perfect For
/ Features
AV Equipment
- – Sound System
- – PA System
- – Stage
- – Projector
- – Lighting Rig
- – LED Screens
Catering
- – In-House Luxury Dining
- – Bespoke Menus
- – Canape Service
Licensing
- – Full Alcohol Licence
Venue Specs
- – Dedicated Events Team
- – Load-In Access
- – High-Speed Wi-Fi
/ Getting Here
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