Although we Brits love to complain about the weather, no one can deny that when the sun comes out there’s no finer place to be on earth.
Hosting a summer party in the UK is one of the few times organisers get to make the most of our short-lived, warmer months, so choosing the perfect summer party venue is a decision not to be taken lightly. Here at the Westminster Venue Collection, we think our little corner of the capital is the best choice for any planner wanting to host an exceptional, memorable event to celebrate your colleagues and thank them for their hard work.
We wanted to take a moment to tell you about all the fabulous things you can find in Westminster, including rooftop gardens, green spaces, sun terraces, river views and much, much more. We also wanted to share some of our top tips for hosting brilliant summer events by looking into theming, catering, entertainment and other summer party event planning tips.
Why Westminster is ideal for your summer party
London is, arguably, the best city in the world. (We might be a bit bias, but it’s not an uncommon opinion). And Westminster, home of the Government and the King is undeniably one of the most famous and desirable locations within the capital. Millions of tourists flock to see Buckingham Palace, Big Ben and Westminster Abbey every year, so it’s fair to say that Westminster knows how to pull in the crowds! Your guests might not be flying in from all over the world, but hosting a summer party for your colleagues in a place with international appeal means that your guests won’t be short of sightseeing opportunities either side of your event.
It’s not just historic landmarks that make Westminster a fabulous place for meeting up. The area, like most of London, is culturally diverse with a vibrant atmosphere. The shops, bars, restaurants and entertainment venues are varied and world-class which means your summer party guests will have lots of excuses to make your party the centre of a larger trip, should they desire.
It’s also worth noting that as well as all the great things on our doorstep, Westminster benefits from excellent transport links. As you’d expect, we’re connected to the London Underground, National Rail and City Airport is a short train ride away. We’ve also got a plethora of hotels within the borough, stretching from affordable options to some of the most exclusive accommodation in the country.
Best outdoor summer party venues in London
Outdoor venues
As we’ve mentioned before, the window of opportunity to enjoy the outdoors in Britain is a narrow one, so it’s no surprise that organisers like to make hay while the sun shines. Hiring an outdoor venue in Westminster for your London summer party – whether that’s a lush green lawn, an urban rooftop terrace or a pretty courtyard – means your guests will enjoy the chance to relax in the fresh air and to soak up the sun. What better way to let your hair down than by sipping a Pimms and a smoked salmon canape in a quintessential British summer garden party?
Indoor venues with outdoor access
Some of our corporate summer party venues in London offer planners the best of both worlds for a summer event, with an inside space that has access to an outdoor area. Terraces and balconies off the main party space give guests the option to enjoy the delights of a British summer with the back-up of an indoor area should the temperature drop or the heavens open. We believe Westminster is particularly well positioned to offer some of the best views London has to offer, so whatever vista your venue has, you’re likely to be able to see some beautiful buildings, the River Thames or one of the Royal Parks.
Unique and unconventional venues
As a historic city, Westminster boasts some incredibly interesting and quirky venues. Museums, galleries, historic landmarks… our portfolio includes unique spaces with fascinating stories to tell. Some of our venues aren’t open to the public which means your summer party is offering exclusive access to a building or space otherwise out of reach.
Within our portfolio of exclusive, Westminster event venues, we have a plethora of unique summer party venues. You’ll find a range of spaces within these buildings, inside and outside ones. To save you trawling through all of the options, the best way to find exactly what you’re looking for is to fill out our venue search form which will generate a short list of venues that can cater to your specific needs.
Tips for successful summer party event planning in Westminster
Early booking and scheduling
Most summer party venues in London will book up early, sometimes as much as a year in advance, so it’s well worth getting ahead of the games and pencilling dates with your short-list as soon as you can. We’d advise checking your calendar for any big sporting events or public holidays which might clash with your preferred date and you might consider making sure your key players can make your date.
Summer Party Theme and decor
It’s not always necessary to have a full-on theme for your summer event, but incorporating some special touches into your décor or catering can go a long way to adding a little something extra to your party. Taking an idea like tropical, beach, garden party or neon and threading all of the elements of your day together with this in mind helps with the overall impact of your event, ensuring your guests have a truly memorable, special day. Other themes we’ve seen work well at summer events include Luau, carnival and festival.
Entertainment and activities
Summer party entertainment is an important part of event planning and there are lots of options to consider. For music you could go for a string quartet, jazz band or acapella group – we’d always suggest splashing out on live music for a summer party if the budget will stretch. It really does add a whole other level to the day.
It’s also a great idea to organise games your guests can get involved with. Lawn games like croquet, a ring toss or some fairground attractions are good ways to help break the ice between party goers, inject a bit of fun into proceedings and encourage some good-natured competition at your event. Entertainers including roaming magicians and stilt walkers work well at summer parties as they don’t monopolise the crowd’s attention but create a dynamic talking point.
Finding summer party venues in Westminster
If you think you might find your ideal summer party venue in the Westminster Venue Collection portfolio, get in touch with us via [email protected]. Or you can begin your search on our website which will give you a shortlist of spaces that can fulfil your brief.
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