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Peterhouse

Peterhouse
The Henry Cavendish Room
The Peterhouse Theatre
Deer Park
F4 Seminar Room
Outdoor space

Peterhouse is the oldest of the Cambridge colleges, founded by Hugo de Balsham, Bishop of Ely in 1284 and granted its charter by King Edward I. It remains the smallest college in terms of number of Fellows and students, but as the late Noel Annan put it in his 1999 survey of the universities and society, The Dons, this small College has always had "an intellectual influence … out of all proportion to [its] size".

Peterhouse gardens and grounds achieved fame in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries enclosing the smallest deer park in England and still provide a peaceful haven and a delightful walk to the recently listed William Stone Building (1964) and St Peter's Terrace (1851) where most conference guests are accommodated.

Whatever your requirements for your event, Peterhouse can offer a wide range of attractive function rooms, including our historic Theatre, available individually or in any combination.

Our venues offer scope for a variety of seating/table layouts. The College can provide the full range of standard AV equipment and presentational aids, as well as refreshments throughout the day.

Peterhouse has, for generations, enjoyed an enviable reputation for the high standards of its food and wine. To complete the experience, your lunch or dinner is served on crested tableware by the Fellows’ Butlers in one of our various historic, candle-lit College dining rooms.

We offer a range of menus, all prepared with care and using only the finest, locally sourced ingredients. It is also possible to tailor your own menu, in consultation with our Catering Manager. Menus include a good choice of vegetarian dishes and, given sufficient notice, we can cater for most special dietary requirements.

The College’s extensive cellars provide a range of options, both for pre-dinner drinks and to accompany your meal

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+44 (0)1223 768740

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Rooms and Accommodation

  • Rooms
  • Accommodation
  • Outside Spaces
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Bedroom

Breakout Areas

Theatre
Layout
Classroom
Layout
U-Shape
Layout
Boardroom
Layout
Cabaret
Layout
Dimensions
This panelled Georgian room, beautifully furnished with antiques, was formerly part of a Fellow's 'set' and is named after Henry Cavendish, a Petrean scientist credited with having discovered hydrogen and calculated the mass of the Earth in the 18th century. This flexible space lends itself to dinners, lunches, buffets and drinks receptions for smaller groups. Capacity: Formal dining: 8 - 16 Reception/buffet:10 - 30 This panelled Georgian room, beautifully furnished with antiques, was formerly part of a Fellow's 'set' and is named after Henry Cavendish, a Petrean scientist credited with having discovered hydrogen and calculated the mass of the Earth in the 18th century. It provides an ideal setting for small meetings and seminars.
Henry Cavendish Room
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-
-
16
-
Width: 5.03m
Length: 6.03m
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Adjacent to the Theatre, the Lubbock Room provides a useful setting for refreshments and/or exhibition space. It can also be used for smaller meetings and events. This bright and lofty room, formerly part of the University Museum of Classical Archaeology and adjacent to the Theatre, was refurbished in 2005. With its own fully-equipped servery, it is an ideal break-out area for events taking place in the Theatre. As well as being used for serving a range of refreshments, it provides the perfect setting for promotional stands, posters and publicity materials. The Lubbock Room can also be used independently for seminars and speaker meetings. Capacity: Refreshments: 180 Theatre-style: 70 Boardroom-style: 30 Classroom-style: 25
Lubbock Room
60
30
-
40
36
Width: 5.85m
Length: 15.13m
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A small syndicate room, useful for smaller meetings, interviews or as a break-out area.
Seminar Room F4
-
-
-
14
-
Width: 4.45m
Length: 5.3m
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A small syndicate room, useful for smaller meetings, interviews or as a break-out area.
Seminar Room F5
-
-
-
10
-
Width: 3.63m
Length: 5.3m
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Built within the structure of the medieval roof, this distinctive room is ideal for smaller meetings, interviews or for break-out groups. Capacity: Boardroom-style: 16
Friends of Peterhouse Seminar Room
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-
-
16
-
Width: 4.33m
Length: 7.95m
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The striking Theatre building, situated in the heart of the College, was formerly the University Museum of Classical Archaeology. The Theatre retains much of its original character as a Victorian lecture room, with continuous upholstered bench seating in two tiers across a curving auditorium, a raised stage and gallery. Fully refurbished in 2005, the Theatre is air-conditioned and has its own fully equipped projection room. The adjacent Lubbock Room and foyer provides the ideal location for refreshments or break-out groups. Capacity: Fixed Seating: 180
The Theatre
180
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-
-
-
Width: 11.5m
Length: 13m
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The Upper Hall is an attractive, part-panelled room which opens onto a balcony overlooking the Hall itself. This flexible space lends itself to meetings and seminars for smaller groups. The Upper Hall is an attractive, part-panelled room which opens onto a balcony overlooking the Hall itself. This flexible space lends itself to meetings and seminars for smaller groups. Capacity: Theatre-style: 46 Boardroom-style: 22 Classroom-style: 20
The Upper Hall
46
20
-
22
-
Width: 8.16m
Length: 8.58m
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Dining Rooms

Max Diners
Room Width
Room Length
This panelled Georgian room, beautifully furnished with antiques, was formerly part of a Fellow's 'set' and is named after Henry Cavendish, a Petrean scientist credited with having discovered hydrogen and calculated the mass of the Earth in the 18th century. This flexible space lends itself to dinners, lunches, buffets and drinks receptions for smaller groups. Capacity: Formal dining: 8 - 16 Reception/buffet:10 - 30 This panelled Georgian room, beautifully furnished with antiques, was formerly part of a Fellow's 'set' and is named after Henry Cavendish, a Petrean scientist credited with having discovered hydrogen and calculated the mass of the Earth in the 18th century. It provides an ideal setting for small meetings and seminars. This panelled Georgian room, beautifully furnished with antiques, was formerly part of a Fellow's 'set' and is named after Henry Cavendish, a Petrean scientist credited with having discovered hydrogen and calculated the mass of the Earth in the 18th century. It provides an ideal setting for small meetings and seminars. Capacity: Boardroom-style: 16
Henry Cavendish Room
16
5.03m
6.03m
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The dining hall at Peterhouse was completed in 1290 and, in continuous use by Fellows and students for over 700 years, is the oldest collegiate building in Cambridge, making it a unique venue for all occasions. While the structure is medieval, the interior was redesigned in the late 19th century, with dark panelling and Masters' portraits, a minstrel's gallery and William Morris stained glass, stencilling and tiles combining to create a dramatic back-drop for grand dinners. Capacity: Formal Dinner: 60-110
Dining Hall
110
7.7m
14.68m
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Located in one of the oldest parts of College, this fully panelled room is a pre-Raphaelite masterpiece, with stained glass by Burne-Jones and Morris tiles framing the open fireplaces. Adjoining the Hall and Fellows' Garden, the Combination Room is available only by special permission of the Fellows for the most exclusive dinners and receptions. Capacity: Formal dinner: 20-60 Receptions: 50-100 Located in one of the oldest parts of College, this fully panelled room is a pre-Raphaelite masterpiece, with stained glass by Burne-Jones and Morris tiles framing the open fireplaces. Adjoining the Hall and Fellows' Garden, the Combination Room is available only by special permission of the Fellows for the most exclusive dinners and receptions. Capacity: Formal dinner: 20-60 Receptions: 50-100
Combination Room
60
-
-
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Fellows' Garden
100
-
-
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Main Meeting Rooms

Theatre Layout
Classroom layout
U-Shape Layout
Boardroom Layout
Cabaret Layout
Dimensions
The striking Theatre building, situated in the heart of the College, was formerly the University Museum of Classical Archaeology. The Theatre retains much of its original character as a Victorian lecture room, with continuous upholstered bench seating in two tiers across a curving auditorium, a raised stage and gallery. Fully refurbished in 2005, the Theatre is air-conditioned and has its own fully equipped projection room. The striking Theatre building, situated in the heart of the College, was formerly the University Museum of Classical Archaeology. The Theatre retains much of its original character as a Victorian lecture room, with continuous upholstered bench seating in two tiers across a curving auditorium, a raised stage and gallery. Fully refurbished in 2005, the Theatre is air-conditioned and has its own fully equipped projection room. The striking Theatre building, situated in the heart of the College, was formerly the University Museum of Classical Archaeology. The Theatre retains much of its original character as a Victorian lecture room, with continuous upholstered bench seating in two tiers across a curving auditorium, a raised stage and gallery. Fully refurbished in 2005, the Theatre is air-conditioned and has its own fully equipped projection room.
Peterhouse Theatre
180
-
-
-
-
Width: 11.5m
Length: 13m
View Media
This panelled Georgian room, beautifully furnished with antiques, was formerly part of a Fellow's 'set' and is named after Henry Cavendish, a Petrean scientist credited with having discovered hydrogen and calculated the mass of the Earth in the 18th century. This flexible space lends itself to dinners, lunches, buffets and drinks receptions for smaller groups. Capacity: Formal dining: 8 - 16 Reception/buffet:10 - 30 This panelled Georgian room, beautifully furnished with antiques, was formerly part of a Fellow's 'set' and is named after Henry Cavendish, a Petrean scientist credited with having discovered hydrogen and calculated the mass of the Earth in the 18th century. It provides an ideal setting for small meetings and seminars.
Henry Cavendish Room
-
-
-
16
-
Width: 5.03m
Length: 6.03m
View Media
Adjacent to the Theatre, the Lubbock Room provides a useful setting for refreshments and/or exhibition space. It can also be used for smaller meetings and events.
Lubbock Room
60
30
-
40
36
Width: 5.85m
Length: 15.13m
View Media
A small syndicate room, useful for smaller meetings, interviews or as a break-out area.
Seminar Room F4
-
-
-
14
-
Width: 4.45m
Length: 5.3m
View Media
A small syndicate room, useful for smaller meetings, interviews or as a break-out area.
Seminar Room F5
-
-
-
10
-
Width: 3.63m
Length: 5.3m
View Media
Built within the structure of the medieval roof, this distinctive room is ideal for smaller meetings, interviews or for break-out groups.
Friends of Peterhouse Seminar Room
-
-
-
16
-
Width: 4.33m
Length: 7.95m
View Media
The Upper Hall is an attractive, part-panelled room which opens onto a balcony overlooking the Hall itself. This flexible space lends itself to meetings and seminars for smaller groups.
The Upper Hall
46
20
-
22
-
Width: 8.16m
Length: 8.58m
View Media

Outside Space

Peterhouse Accommodation

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The College has up to 100 rooms available for conference letting, all set in the historic surroundings of the main site, overlooking the gardens and in close proximity to the catering facilities and meeting rooms.

All rooms are centrally heated and comfortably furnished, with single beds, wardrobes, desks and comfortable chairs. Some rooms have en suite showers, while in other cases bath and shower-rooms for shared use are located nearby. Linen and towels are provided, along with tea/coffee making facilities, and rooms can be serviced daily except at weekends.

Single room Single room
Single Standard
110 Rooms
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Single en suite
Single en suite
25 Rooms
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Total
159 Rooms

Peterhouse Outside Spaces

This private and secluded garden is situated adjacent to the Combination Room and the neighbouring Fitzwilliam Museum. Well stocked flower beds, mature trees and a manicured lawn create the perfect backdrop for a garden party, afternoon tea or a drinks reception prior to your meal.
Fellows' Garden
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Weddings

Civil Licence
No
Maximum number for a Civil Ceremony
Not Applicable
Maximum number for a Wedding Breakfast
110
Maximum number for an Evening Reception
Not Applicable
Restrictions:
No amplified music due to the historic nature of the buildings.

Green Initiatives

  1. The College are working to reduce and, where possible, remove the use of single-use plastic and other disposables.
  2. The College have signed up to the Sustainable Fish Cities Pledge.
  3. Free range eggs from Suffolk are used.
  4. The college aims to support the local community and where possible employ services of local trades.

Did You Know?

  1. Peterhouse is the oldest of the Cambridge colleges, founded by Hugo de Balsham, Bishop of Ely in 1284.
  2. As well as being the oldest, Peterhouse is the smallest college in terms of number of Fellows and students.
  3. Peterhouse’s largest garden is called the Deer Park, although there have been no deer since the early 1930s.
  4. The total count of Petrean Nobel Laureates is five.

How To Find Peterhouse

Peterhouse
Cambridge
CB2 1RD