Plan Your Meetings

London: A royal adventure

By Monica Compton, CMP

Want unusual venues?

The Old Laundry gives business meetings and brainstorming sessions a a fresh and funky edge. Originally an 18th century laundry, historic accents, such as stone-flagged steps, coexist with contemporary halogen lighting and unusual fittings and fixtures in a stylish and uncluttered setting. Downstairs in the playfully decorated Emporium, attendees will find banana chairs, a giant tree stump coat rack and shelves of kitschy items from all over the world.

Want dinner with a view?

The Roof Gardens is one of the most versatile venues in London, with several spaces to choose from. Its Babylon Restaurant offers an amazing dining experience with panoramic views of the London skyline. The Club House has floor to ceiling windows overlooking the lush gardens. The main reception area has a dance floor, bar and DJ booth, as well as conference facilities. The lounge space has floor to ceiling damask mosaic in sterling silver, cushy seating, a private bar, drop-down blackout blinds, LED lighting and roll-away presentation screens. The facility can accommodate up to 500 guests.

Want to give attendees the royal treatment?

Built in the 12th century by King Henry II, Dover Castle has hosted nobility throughout the ages and played a pivotal role in protecting Britain. During World War II, the network of underground tunnels secretly housed 700 servicemen and women. The castle was the center of “Operation Dynamo,” where Vice Admiral Ramsay masterminded the evacuation of 338,000 allied troops from Dunkirk. The castle’s views and colorful history offer a memorable setting for unique events. Indoor rooms can seat up to 265 people and hold up to 400 reception-style, while outdoor venues accommodate up to 5,500 guests.

Want to team-build?

The Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms offer team-building activities such as Murder Mystery Events and Treasure Hunts. Guests are split into teams and given a series of clues and a floor plan of the Cabinet War Rooms. The teams must uncover various pieces of information about Churchill, the War Rooms and local attractions. For the sweet-toothed, try a chocolate making challenge where each team tries to outdo the other in cutting, dipping and decorating their chocolates. They also must design a box for their creation, market and pitch their product to the panel of experts. Workshops can be held at the My Chocolate special event venue or at a venue of the group’s choice. More adventurous groups may prefer dragon boat racing (also known as Asian longboat racing) in London’s Docklands. Contact Visit London for more information.

Want to give attendees a new perspective of the city?

An extraordinary architectural gem, The London Eye is a giant Ferris wheel that doubles as a versatile venue for intimate corporate events. The glass-encased cars or “capsules” can be booked for private groups of up to 25 guests. Make use of the sky-high setting with a wine tasting of a variety of London’s vintages; or consider a chocolate tasting featuring Green & Black’s Chocolates, one of the world’s finest organic chocolate makers.

Want an educational venue?

The Natural History Museum’s new $11.3 million research center, the Darwin Centre, opens September 2009. The eight-story venue will allow up to 350 delegates to observe the museum’s scientists at work. It will feature a collection of 20 million insects and plants, and offers vistas of the museum’s gardens and the surrounding West London area.

Destinations (MAP)

International

United States

  • PYM on Facebook
  • PYM on YouTube
  • PYM on linkedin
  • PYM on Twitter
  • PYM on Ning
Sign up for PYM's free subscription.
What you should know

Perhaps the most eclectic city in the world, London mixes a regal, stately side with a hip counterculture that is always vibrant and diverse. Known for its split personality of highbrow and lowbrow, visitors can go from touring the royal residence to experiencing edgy music clubs in one afternoon. Celebrated for its theater and cultural institutions, London provides a range of group entertainment options. Whether it’s a stop at a very famous clock or a ride under the best-known bridge, visitors will take away many memorable moments.

What will surprise you

For the first time since 2002, London was declared cheaper to visit than New York City by the Worldwide Cost of Living survey. The capital of the United Kingdom slid from the third most expensive city to the 27th position, four spots behind New York. The survey takes into account hotel, leisure and business costs, making it a valuable option for event planners. The long-held notion that a visitor can’t find tantalizing cuisine in London is a huge myth. The city offers a myriad of multicultural options, from Indian cuisine to Lebanese delights, all at an affordable price.

The 411
  • 214,403 square feet in the ExCeL London exhibition and conference center
  • 100,000+ guest rooms
  • 10,150 rooms in five-star hotels
  • 1,000 special event venues
Cultural notes
  • Official language: English
  • Currency: Pound. Average rate of exchange is 0.684712 GBP per $1 U.S. (April 2009)
  • Climate: Average temperature is 53 degrees. In recent years, London has been experiencing summer heat waves with temperatures as high as 86 degrees. Average rainfall is 23 inches per year with 11 to 15 rainy days per month.
  • Gratuities: Ten percent is a base guideline for dispensing gratuities. Some restaurants automatically add a gratuity. Tips are usually not given for taxi service although some will round up to the nearest pound.
  • International Dialing Code: 44 followed by 20 (London’s city code) and 7 for inner city or 8 for outer city. When calling from London to another city in the United Kingdom, add a 0 before the city code. When calling London from the U.S., dial 011 + 44, plus the city code (20), followed by 7 or 8 and then the local number. When calling from London to the United States add 00 before the country code.
  • Time: Greenwich Mean Time, which is four hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.
  • Attire: Casual dress is recommended for daytime touring and afternoon dining. Evening dinners may warrant dressier attire, depending on the level of the restaurant; business attire is appropriate for meetings and business lunches. Check the venue you are visiting for specific requirements.
  • Entry Requirements: U.S. passport. No visa required.
  • Getting There: Direct, non-stop service between the U.S. and London is available on American, Continental, Delta, Northwest, United, U.S. Airways and the low-cost carrier, Zoom Airlines. Flight time is 10 hours from the West Coast, 7.5 hours from the Midwest and 6.5 hours from the Northeast.