Why you should choose a conference venue in South Kensington

Planning a conference and looking for the perfect venue in London? South Kensington perfectly balances exclusivity with practicality, making it an ideal location to consider for your event. 

But don’t just take our word for it! Read these reasons why we think you should choose a conference venue in South Kensington. 

Location, location, location 

You’ll be hard pushed to find many better places for your conference than South Kensington. Located in central London, it’s conveniently close to major landmarks including Hyde Park, Oxford Circus, Buckingham Palace and the River Thames.  

It also benefits from excellent transport links, making it easily accessible for delegates and organisers alike. Imperial Venues is located between South Kensington and Gloucester Road underground stations, both less than a 10-minute walk. The area is also well served by iconic London red buses, and those wanting to add some exercise to their commute can make use of the eight London Cycle Hire docking stations in the area. 

For those travelling from further afield, London Victoria station is seven minutes and St Pancras international just 16 minutes away by tube.  

Plus, by making use of the great public transport on offer, you can rest assured that your event is supporting your sustainability goals. 

Rich cultural history and an inspiring place to learn 

In 1851, Prince Albert conceived the Great Exhibition, an international exhibition in Hyde Park. Following its huge success, the land that South Kensington now occupies was bought by the commissioners of the exhibition to create a home for institutions dedicated to the arts and sciences. This resulted in the foundation of the museums that stand here today. 

Since then, South Kensington has continued its rich literary, arts and sciences history. It has been home to such notables as Beatrix Potter and Virginia Woolf, as well as notable Imperial College alumni, responsible for some of the most important advances in modern medicine and technology including Sir Alexander Fleming who discovered Penicillin in 1945. 

The prestigious and active academic community, combined with the rich cultural history of South Kensington makes it the perfect environment to host a conference which will inspire your delegates. 

Plenty to see and do 

Encouraging your delegates to take advantage of their free time to has never been easier. You’ll be spoilt for choice for networking activities and entertainment in South Kensington. 

From iconic museums – the Science, Natural History and Victoria & Albert Museums, music at the Royal Albert Hall, shopping at Harrods, to dining in one of the many cafes and restaurants or enjoying a moment of calm in Hyde Park – there is something to suit every interest. 

Onsite accommodation 

Delegates will be spoilt for choice with the array of accommodation options in South Kensington.  

For ultimate convenience, Imperial Venues offers four-star campus accommodation at its Prince’s Gardens and Beit Hall properties which are located just two minutes’ walk from the conference spaces. 

Relax after a jam-packed day with a choice of single, twin or double bedrooms options. Bedrooms benefit from all the comfort you’d expect including tea and coffee making facilities, en suite bathrooms and complimentary Wi-Fi. Plus, there’s the option to add a continental or full English breakfast, ensuring delegates are set up for the day. 

Your pick of conference venues 

But perhaps the most important reason to pick this area of London for your conference is the abundance of flexible event venues in South Kensington to choose from. 

For international conferences, the Great Hall auditorium is one of the largest in the area, accommodating up to 758 delegates. Combined with the Queen’s Tower Rooms for catering and the Seminar and Learning Centre for breakout space, it provides everything under one roof. 

For smaller events, Imperial Venues’ collection of lecture theatres and classrooms ensures that we can cater to conferences of all shapes and sizes.  

Easy to reach and with so much to offer, South Kensington is the perfect location for a conference in London.  

For more tips on planning a conference, take a look at this checklist for planning a conference. 

For more information on how you can host your next event with us, or learn more about our unique venues, contact the Imperial Venues team.