Wardown House in Luton, a Victorian house museum run by the Culture Trust Luton, can be hired for meetings and small receptions. The Dining Room takes up to 28 people, the self-contained Coach House about 12, and the Morning Room is offered for larger social events. The trust's catering team handles food for the day.
Seminars and company events
The Culture Trust lists meetings from 2 people up to 238 across its sites, and at Wardown House the spaces are small. The Dining Room suits meetings of up to 28 people, with catering available. The Coach House is described as an intimate, self-contained space for about 12, which fits a board meeting or a workshop for a small team. The trust offers projectors, flipcharts and microphones as add-ons at its other site, Stockwood Discovery Centre, but the page does not state the equipment at Wardown, so ask what each room has.
Weddings and receptions
The official pages present Wardown House for events and parties rather than weddings: the Dining Room for small receptions of up to 28, the Coach House for about 12, and the Morning Room for larger social events. The Morning Room is described as a room rich with Victorian grandeur, with doors out to the patio and a view over the gardens. The trust's wedding page names Stockwood Discovery Centre, not Wardown, so confirm with the venues team whether a ceremony can be held in the house.
Rooms and capacities
The Coach House: self-contained, about 12 people.
The Dining Room: meetings or small receptions, up to 28 people.
The Morning Room: larger social events, with patio doors onto the gardens. No capacity is given, so ask.
Visits to see the spaces can be arranged with the venues team.
Catering
The trust has a dedicated catering team and says it makes sure the day runs smoothly. The house also has a Dining Room café open to museum visitors, with an afternoon tea offer. The pages do not say whether you can bring an outside caterer.
History and setting
Wardown House is a Grade II listed building in Wardown Park, presented as a Victorian household of some affluence, with a museum and a gallery in its rooms. The Morning Room is used for exhibitions during the year. The museum opens Sunday to Thursday from 11 am to 5 pm and is closed on Fridays and Saturdays, so ask whether hire hours differ.
Getting there
The address is Old Bedford Road, Luton, LU2 7HA. Two free car parks are reached from Old Bedford Road and New Bedford Road. Luton station is about a mile away, with taxis at the rank outside the station, and several bus routes link Luton town centre to the park. Wardown House belongs to the Culture Trust Luton, and bookings go through its venues team.
