Meet Cambridge, is expanding its venue portfolio beyond the city to offer clients even more choice for meetings and conferences.

Cambridge, with its internationally-renowned historical venues and award-winning contemporary spaces, is still very much in demand. The city is changing quickly and with growth spreading out into the region in the form of new developments, science and business parks, demand for out-of-town meeting and event space is definitely increasing.

We’ve responded to our clients’ requests for more unique venues in the wider region, offering greater diversity for meetings and conferences.

Out-of-town venues have many advantages for both regional and global organisations and whilst traditional city centre academic venues will still be top of the list for many organisers, using a venue on the outskirts has its advantages too. Look beyond the city for a meeting or event location and you’ll find a host of contemporary spaces, barns and hotels that offer plentiful parking, acres of land and easy access.

With more than 70 venues in our portfolio both in the city centre and within a 20-mile radius of Cambridge, we’re pleased that our growing collection of venues really does offer something to suit every type and size of event.

Here are some of our top picks for venues close to Cambridge…

 

Less than 30 minutes’ drive from central Cambridge

 

Madingley Hall is a sixteenth century country house about three miles west of Cambridge and the historic City centre, with easy access from the M11, the A14 from the North and East, and the A428 from the West. The Hall has a beautiful, traditional dining hall, a range of flexible meeting spaces and quality accommodation on site, perfect for away days, training courses and meetings.

Rectory Farm is located only a couple of miles from the city centre in 50 acres of private land offering the perfect space corporate events and weddings. The venue is available for exclusive hire for events of all types.

Holiday Inn Cambridge has everything that a conference or meeting organiser might need, including nine meeting rooms all located in its dedicated Meeting Academy, complete with a conference host, the venue offers flexibility and scope to suit any event.

Hallmark Cambridge Hotel & Golf sits in 200 acres of grounds and is conveniently located on the A14, just five miles from the city. With 10 meeting and conference rooms of varying size, the hotel is a good option for business events for up to 200 delegates.

Cambridge Belfry Hotel has an edge-of-the-village, lakeside location, yet it is only minutes from the motorway networks and 10 miles from Cambridge. The hotel has 8 state-of-the-art conference and meeting rooms, varying in size from two to 250 people.

Imperial War Museum, Duxford, home to an outstanding collection of exhibits and the location for world-renowned air shows, is also one of the largest exhibition and events venues in the region with conference and dining facilities for functions of all sizes.

Newmarket Racecourses is synonymous with horse racing's classic events, as well as being an inspirational venue for meetings, conferences, team-building events and private parties. The Millennium Grandstand includes flexible meeting facilities, stylish banqueting rooms, beautiful outdoor space and free parking.

Wellcome Trust Conference Centre comprises state-of-the-art facilities for conferences, meetings and events, primarily in the biomedical sciences sector. Blending contemporary architecture with the existing Grade II listed country house of Hinxton Hall, the new Centre houses a 300-seat auditorium with exhibition and breakout space.

Barrington Hall is in the quintessential English village of Barrington. It dates back to the late 17th century and was the former seat of the Bendyshe family, one of the oldest families in the County. The Hall has been sympathetically and tastefully restored to provide an exclusive setting for corporate events and private dining.

Swynford Manor is an idyllic country house setting for conferences, away days, product launches and parties. The manor house can be booked for exclusive use and offers an inclusive service where everything can be organised for you.

Quy Mill Hotel & Spa is situated Just three minutes from the A14, and offers flexible meeting areas, a 5 acre field that can be used for team building or as a marquee site and unlimited, free car parking

 

Less than 45 minutes’ drive from central Cambridge…

The Granta Centre is a brand new purpose-built conference and events facility situated just south of Cambridge in a peaceful location overlooking the cricket pitch at Granta Park. The Centre comprises a lecture theatre and six flexible meeting rooms of different sizes, with free WiFi, hi-tech AV and light, airy breakout spaces for refreshments breaks.

Lanwades Hall is a historic Tudor-style manor house in the heart of East Anglia, offering privacy and exclusivity for events. Its impressive entrance with gatehouses and wrought-iron gates sets the scene for the grand mansion, which sits at the end of a sweeping tree-lined driveway.

Ely Cathedral is an awe-inspiring space and ideal for hosting high profile events including screenings, exhibitions, dinners, launches and concerts. Ely Cathedral’s Lady Chapel combines the best of old and new, providing a perfect setting for a private concert, banquet, wedding reception, presentation or exhibition.

Saffron Hall is an award-winning 740-seat performance space built in the grounds of Saffron Walden County High School, offering acclaimed acoustic and state-of-the-art facilities. Ideal for corporate and charity events, product launches, conferencing, dining and awards ceremonies, the space is flexible with raked seating that can be removed.

Chippenham Park is a privately-owned Grade II listed house surrounded by 300 acres of park land and gardens, it’s located on the Suffolk-Cambridgeshire border near Newmarket with great road links to Norwich and London. The house is available for up to 150 delegates; ideal for away days and conferencing.

The Granary Barns complement all celebrations and events. With original flint walls and timber beams, the space offers a natural beauty or for those that wish to add their personal touch. The barns can also accommodate themed nights and parties.

Island Hall is a wonderful secret hideaway hosting a limited number of events each year. The elegant, riverside mansion built in the late 1740s is situated in three acres of gardens, including an ornamental Saxon island in the Great Ouse river just a short distance from the A14.

Burgess Hall offers over 11,000 square feet of space neatly split across 4 main areas, fully licensed bars and excellent onsite catering facilities it’s perfect for any number of guests from 10 to 500.

Burloes Hall is a very private and personal venue; a beautiful Queen Anne style country house with stunning views from the top of the North Hertfordshire chalk hills, this private family home is available for hire for marquee events in its beautiful gardens.

Sturmer Hall Hotel & Conference Centre is located on the border of Essex, Cambridgeshire and Suffolk. Partially moated, the main house has wonderful views across open countryside and is set in its own 50 acres of gardens and grounds. It’s available for business meetings, awards dinners, presentations, product launches, team building, corporate fun days and live music shows.

 

Feel inspired to try an out-of-town venue? Why not give us a call, we’d be delighted to check availability at any of our venues for you…

Image credit: VisitBritain

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