Lauderdale House is a Grade II* listed house in Waterlow Park, Highgate, in north London. Organisers can hire its three function rooms for away-days, meetings, work parties, receptions and weddings. The venue is licensed for marriages and civil partnerships with up to 120 guests, and a standing reception of up to 200 guests is possible when the Conservatory and Courtyard are combined with the Lower Gallery.
Seminars and company events
The house sells its rooms for business meetings, away-days, conferences and training courses. The three function rooms can be set up concert-style for formal presentations, with one large conference table for team discussions, or cabaret-style with scattered tables for breakout groups. The site describes bright rooms with views across Waterlow Park, a setting aimed at teams that want a break from the office. Refreshments are provided by the house's catering partner, Pink Food. The same rooms work for a work summer party or an end-of-year dinner.
Weddings and receptions
Lauderdale House is licensed for marriages and civil partnerships. Ceremonies can take place in the Entrance Hall or in the Long Gallery, and the house offers ceremonies and receptions, or both, for up to 120 guests. After the ceremony, guests can gather on the terrace and use the grounds for photographs. Dinner is served in the Tudor galleries, with dancing afterwards. A 2017 renovation added a lift and modern toilets, so the historic rooms come with current facilities.
Rooms and capacities
The Lower Gallery, which doubles as the Entrance Hall, is the most requested and most flexible room. It hosts seated and standing receptions, has direct access to the side terrace and is the best room for dancing.
The Long Gallery is on the first floor and overlooks the knot garden. It has a grand piano and is the room the house recommends for a seated meal, whether a served formal dinner or a buffet lunch.
The Conservatory is the modern room at the back of the house, with views of the Tea Lawn. It suits smaller, relaxed gatherings. It opens onto the Courtyard, and combined with the Lower Gallery it allows a standing reception of up to 200 guests.
The three rooms can be hired individually or together. Room-by-room seated capacities are not published, so ask for layouts when you enquire.
Catering
Food and drink for celebrations and parties are provided by the in-house catering partner, Pink Food, which also supplies refreshments for meetings. Menus cover formal served dinners, buffets, canapes, desserts and cocktail service.
History and setting
The house dates back to 1582 and has been a home, a school and a hospital. The venue names Nell Gwynn, Charles II and Samuel Pepys among its past visitors. Period features include original beams, Georgian columns, sash windows, brick fireplaces, a bas relief and an eighteenth-century cupola. Lauderdale House is run by a registered charity, and income from private hire goes to preserving the building and funding community arts activities and a weekly youth programme.
Getting there
The address is Waterlow Park, Highgate Hill, London N6 5HG. The house sits inside the park, close to local tube stations and public transport according to its site. The events team takes enquiries by phone or through the online form.
