Meeting and event venues in the East Midlands

Add up to 5 venues to one request as you browse, then describe your event once.

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8 venues in the East Midlands host meetings and corporate events, ordered by renown and by how fully each is documented. Of those that publish a capacity, the largest, Boughton House, hosts up to 750 guests. 8 of them list their event spaces by name. Each page has the key facts and a request form for the events team.

Wedding venues in the East Midlands

Planning a company event in the East Midlands

The East Midlands sit at the centre of England’s road and rail network, which makes them a natural choice when a team comes from several parts of the country. A company can choose between city venues in Nottingham, Leicester and Derby and country houses or Peak District retreats a short transfer away.

When to go

Meetings run all year, with spring and autumn the busiest seasons for away days. Summer brings long evenings for outdoor sessions, though the Peak District is busy with walkers at weekends and in school holidays. Winter days are short, so plan outdoor activities around midday.

Getting the team there

Main-line trains link London with Leicester, Derby and Nottingham, and cross-country services connect the region with Birmingham, Sheffield and the north. The main north-south motorway runs through the region, which suits teams arriving by car from different offices. East Midlands Airport handles mainly European routes, and Birmingham adds a wider choice.

City venues and country houses

Nottingham, Leicester, Derby and Lincoln have conference hotels, university facilities and converted industrial buildings for larger meetings. In the countryside, country-house hotels and estates offer meeting rooms, grounds and bedrooms under one roof, and some can be taken in exclusive use. Barns and farm venues suit a single away day; check heating and daylight in winter.

Activities

Guided walks and cycling in the Peak District, sailing and cycling around Rutland Water, and estate activities such as archery or clay shooting are common choices. Northamptonshire and Leicestershire have a strong motorsport tradition, with driving days on offer. In the cities, a guided walk through the historic centre fits between sessions.

Questions and answers

Which venues in the East Midlands can host 100 guests or more?

6 of the 8 venues publish a capacity of 100 guests or more: Hodsock Priory, Doddington Hall & Gardens, Boughton House, Holdenby House, Delapré Abbey, and Lamport Hall.

Which venues in the East Midlands list their meeting rooms?

8 of the 8 venues name their meeting and event rooms, with capacities where published: Hodsock Priory, Doddington Hall & Gardens, Boughton House, Holdenby House, Delapré Abbey, Stoke Park Pavilions, and 2 more.

What kinds of venues are listed in the East Midlands?

7 historic houses and 1 estate.

How are these venues chosen and ordered?

By documented renown first, then by how fully each venue is documented (photographs, rooms, capacities), never by payment: venues do not pay to appear and the guide takes no commission. How we select venues.

Where to hold an away day in the East Midlands?

In a country-house hotel or a barn in Derbyshire, Leicestershire or Northamptonshire for a day out of the office, or in a city venue in Nottingham, Leicester or Derby when most people arrive by train. The Peak District suits teams that want to add a walk or an outdoor activity.

How do you get a team to the East Midlands?

By train from London or from other English cities to Leicester, Derby or Nottingham, or by car on the main north-south motorway. Groups from abroad fly into East Midlands or Birmingham airport and continue by coach.

Is the Peak District suitable for a company retreat?

Yes, for small and medium-sized groups: halls, country hotels and converted farm buildings combine meeting space with walking from the door. Mobile coverage and room numbers vary from one valley to the next, so check both before booking.