Venue Description

The Society has undergone an exciting building programme. The new entrance opened in June 2004. It comprises a glass entrance and exhibition Pavilion in Exhibition Road, which opens onto the newly landscaped garden and terrace. These provide a wonderful view of the Royal Albert Hall.

Extensive internal refurbishment and reorganisation means that for the first time facilities comfortably accommodate conferences, seminars and AGMs of 200, 300 and 400, as well as capacity audiences of 750 for lectures in the dramatic Ondaatje Theatre. The Map Room (reception/dancing 150) forms part of the 1930 extension and opens directly onto the terrace.

The Education Centre has been equipped with full a/v and air handling capability but with a view to versatility (seminar 100/dinner 100/reception 160). It opens onto both the terrace and the traditional baronial Hall (reception 150/dinner 80). The Hall overlooks Kensington Gardens. The small but grand Tea Room (reception 60/dinner 40) completes the fine rooms of the 1870's Norman Shaw designed house.

The Sunley Seminar Room (boardroom 20/classroom 16) and Drayson Room (breakout space/boardroom 20) can be self-contained with their own galley, lavatories, outside deck and a/v capability, or open onto the Ambulatories and link with the Map Room and Ondaatje Theatre. Finally, the historic and atmospheric Council Room (boardroom 22) is close to the theatre.

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Location and Parking

Situated on the corner of Kensington Gore and Exhibition Road, the nearest underground station is South Kensington. There is parking nearby in Kingston House North on Princes Gate and also within Kensington Gardens.