The Abbey Centre hosts conferences, AGMs, training courses, workshops and community events for up to 180 guests across seven rooms. It stands at 34 Great Smith Street in Westminster, central London, a short walk from Westminster Abbey and Parliament Square.
Seminars and company events
The centre presents itself as a conference and meeting venue. Its seven spaces suit business meetings, conferences, annual general meetings, training courses and workshops, as well as social and community events. Rooms are rented by the full day, by the single session or for the evening, which lets a team book a half-day workshop without paying for a full day.
All rooms receive natural daylight and have audio-visual facilities and free unlimited Wi-Fi. Access is wheelchair friendly throughout. The centre also takes bookings for Christmas parties, with special menus offered each December for groups up to 180.
Rooms and capacities
The largest space is Parker Morris Hall, a conference hall for up to 180 guests. Mid-size groups can use the Ashley Cooper Room (up to 45), the Garrett Anderson Room (up to 40) or the Booth Room (up to 35). The Sancho Room fits up to 20 and works for board meetings or interviews.
The Wash House Annexe has a flexible capacity of up to 30 and can be divided into smaller spaces. The Wash House Cafe holds up to 100 and suits receptions or informal gatherings. Capacities are the maximums stated by the centre, so layout choices such as theater style, classroom or banquet will lower them. Confirm the setup for your agenda when you enquire.
A typical combination for a two-track day would be the hall for plenary sessions with the mid-size rooms as breakout spaces, and the cafe space for lunch and networking.
Catering
Fresh catering is prepared on site, and the centre describes it as affordable. Menus are available for working days, and special menus run in December for Christmas bookings. The Wash House Cafe is part of the same operation and can be used for lunch and refreshments.
History and setting
The Abbey Centre occupies a historic building in Westminster and is run by a registered charity, number 1109442. Money earned from room hire supports its community programs, which include exercise and dance classes, training and employment support, and arts and social activities. The centre says its rates are among the most affordable in Westminster.
Getting there
The address is 34 Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BU. The centre lists good access from several train and tube stations and names Victoria, Waterloo and Charing Cross as nearby rail stations. It sits close to Westminster Abbey, Parliament Square and the West End, which helps delegates who arrive from out of town.
