Summer Venues From Sodexho Prestige

1. Blenheim Palace

Enjoy a three-course lunch or dinner in The Orangery or Campaign Rooms served with wine and mineral water.  After lunch explore the new visitor experience, Blenheim Palace: The Untold Story where, using the latest in video and projection technology, Grace Ridley, the 1st Duchess's beloved lady's maid, appears as a ghostly apparition to guide you through the tour. As you walk through the centuries, you will meet eccentric individuals such as the "Wicked Duke", share secrets with the servants and get to glimpse 'behind the scenes' at the workings of this iconic house. Many stories are told - happy and sad, sometimes shocking, always fascinating.   Interactive exhibits and touch screen consoles are positioned throughout the tour to offer more information.   This package costs from £65 for lunch per person, plus VAT based on a minimum of 10 people.

Pre-order your picnic hamper to enjoy in the awesome grounds of Blenheim Palace.  For just £55 each (serves two), the hamper includes canapé bites of Scottish smoked salmon on a buck wheat and chive blini, avruga caviar and crème fraiche, char grilled chicken, rectory garden salad with quails egg and asparagus, crumbled Oxford blue and balsamic glaze. Walnut bread and English butter. English strawberries are served in a ginger and chocolate twill basket with Cornish clotted cream.   The picnic hamper, including wine and dining in the Park at Blenheim, needs to be ordered a minimum of 72 hours prior to arrival, to ensure our chef's can provide the freshest and most delicious of contents.  Phone 01993 813 874 to order and book.

Blenheim Palace is just minutes from the M40, 1.5 hours from Central London and 45 minutes from Heathrow Airport.  For over 300 hundred years Blenheim Palace has been the family home to the Dukes of Marlborough and the birthplace to Sir Winston Churchill.  Blenheim Palace is set in 2100 acres of formal gardens and 'Capability' Brown landscaped parkland provide the most exquisite setting for this World Heritage Site.

For bookings and enquiries contact Blenheim Palace on 01993 813874 or email sales@blenheimhospitality.com

2. Fulham Palace

Fulham Palace stands in its own beautiful grounds, Bishop's Park, with over 13 acres of gardens, just west and north of Putney Bridge Bishops Avenue SW6 6EA, The setting inside has four early-19th century rooms, and helps put the history of the palace on the map and over looks the gardens with large French windows.

The menus are created by our Head Chef Michael Kirk who won Craft Guild Banqueting Chef of the Year 2006.  Wines will be chosen to compliment the meal and will ensure that the whole package, from Champagne and Canapé Reception ending in fine coffee offers the perfect event.  

Day Delegate Rate of £75.00 per person, plus VAT (minimum 60 people) includes: morning coffee with breakfast and mid morning coffee with biscuits, two-course fork buffet lunch with coffee as well as afternoon tea and cakes.  Mineral water and cordials as well as pens, pads and sweets are also included in the package.

Corporate Family Fun Days at Fulham Palace

Every event at Fulham Palace is tailor made and individually created by a dedicated manager who can assist with your themed event. From Fireworks to Family Fun Days and picnics, we can arrange the perfect time at Fulham Palace. We deliver and ensure high levels of creativity and support in our catering and one to one service. 

• Family Breakfast of Sweet and savoury pastries with fruit Presses
• Mid Morning teas.
• Barbecue two course lunch served in the grounds
• The menu could include: Lamb Burgers with a Sweet Corn Relish, Scallop of Chicken Marinated in Lime, Coriander and Ginger
• Indian Kofta and Traditional Cumberland Sausages.  This is served with a Selection of Rolls and Rustic Breads and Garlic Breads and salads.  The barbecue could be finished with Hot Baked Bananas with Orange flavoured Cream.
• Afternoon English Tea cakes and ice creams served with a selection of drinks.

We are able to design and theme the event with our specialist event company and based on your requirements and numbers.

For bookings and enquiries contact Relish The Experience on 0870 444 0675 or email enquiries@relishtheexperience.co.uk

3 Ashton Court Mansion

Ashton Court is the perfect venue for corporate events. Stylish conference rooms overlooking the south lawn and 850 acres of undulating parkland makes the mansion the obvious choice for outdoor activities, summer parties, product launches and drinks receptions.  The activity day package includes field hire, bacon role on arrival, three servings of refreshments and ice-cream in the afternoon as well as a barbecue, picnic or buffet lunch, served with fresh fruit.  Room hire, screen and flipchart are also included in the rate.  The activity day package costs £35 per person, plus VAT based on minimum numbers.  Golf, mountain-bike trail, and orienteering maps available on the estate and on & off site team building activities can be arranged through our recommended supplier.

New for summer 2007, the mansion and the sunny south and west lawns are available every Sunday throughout the hot summer months for fantastic Family Fun Days.  This package includes mansion south lawn hire, lawn games, barbecue/ buffet lunch with refreshments, ice cream and soft drinks for children as well as afternoon tea.  There is also a disco and a bar facility.   This family fun day package costs £35 per adult and £17.50 per child, plus VAT for a minimum of 80 adults.  Bespoke packages and additional fun activities can also be arranged.

Activity Day Delegate Rate includes field hire, bacon roll on arrival, three servings of refreshments, barbeque, picnic, or buffet lunch served with fresh fruit, Ice cream in the afternoon plus Room hire, screen & flipchart. The activity day delegate rate costs from £35.00 per delegate plus VAT.

The summer day delegate package includes Danish pastries and bacon rolls on arrival, three servings of refreshments, two-course buffet lunch served with cold refreshments and fresh fruit bowl.  Room hire, projector, screen, flip charts, pads and pens are also included in the package.  This summer day delegate package costs from £32.50 per person, plus VAT based on a minimum of 20 delegates.

Sizzling Summer Parties

Balmy evenings, shady giant Redwoods, and Ashton Court Mansion’s southerly façade - what a glorious setting for a summer party!  Choose one of our superb inclusive packages, and your evening will be complete.

The Quintessentially English package includes Reception drinks & canapés served on the south lawn, Poached salmon & cold meat buffet, Selection of salads & potatoes, Choice of 2 desserts, Free weekday room hire (additional fee payable on Fridays & Saturdays) plus a Disco.  Package available from £30.00 per guest plus VAT based on minimum numbers of 80

The Hot Stuff package includes Caribbean, Mexican or Indian Style hot fork buffet, Selection of salads, Dessert, Themed disco plus Room Hire (Music Room). This package available from £30.00 per guest plus VAT based on minimum numbers of 80.  The hot and fiery barbecue package includes mansion hire on an exclusive basis, lawn games, barbecue menu and choice of dessert and disco.  This package available from £30.00 per guest plus VAT based on minimum numbers of 80.

Ashton Court Mansion is situated two miles to the west of Bristol’s city centre and can be reached from the M5 or M4. Built by the Smythes of Bristol Ashton Court Mansion and estate is easily accessible from Bristol's city centre.  The estate of Ashton Court covers 850 acres of woods and grasslands with breathtaking views over the city.

For bookings and enquires contact Ashton Court Mansion on 0117 963 3438 or email ashtoncourt@sodexho-uk.com

4. The West Wing at Ickworth

The West Wing at Ickworth is part of Ickworth House, created in 1795 by the eccentric 4th Earl of Bristol to display collections gathered from all over Europe. The Ickworth Estate was home to the Hervey family for 600 years and was passed to the National Trust in 1956. The house is surrounded by 1800 acres of gardens and pleasure grounds and underwent a £4 million refurbishment in 2005.  Two exclusive-use private hire rooms, named The Gallery and The Court, are located on the first floor of the West Wing, entry being via the ground floor. The West Wing at Ickworth reopened in March 2007 and has accommodation in the form of a hotel in the East Wing.  

Enjoy your meeting this summer in the stunning West Wing, a unique venue for corporate events.  The Summer Day Delegate Package is available from 1st June - 7th September and costs £40.00 per person, plus VAT for a minimum of 20 guests.  The package includes three servings of tea and coffee with pastries in the morning, two course summer buffet lunch, water, cordials and sweets and unlimited free parking.  Room hire, projector, screen, flip chart, pads and pens are also included in the package.

Have a perfect finish to the day and enjoy jugs of Pimm’s and canapés in British garden party style in the Orangery and Italianate Gardens with Ickworth House as the backdrop.  This reception costs £15.00 plus VAT per person and examples from the canapé menu include: mini burger with relish, smoked salmon, crème fraiche and blinis, lobster bisque with chervil and mini sheperds pie.

If you are looking for somewhere to celebrate your anniversary or a company party, The West Wing at Ickworth has launched their summer menu for £30 per person, plus VAT (Monday to Thursday) and £35 per person, plus VAT (Friday to Sunday).  Guests would enjoy drinks in the Italianate gardens and Orangery with beautiful views of the Rotunda, followed by the summer menu in The Gallery.   The summer menu, which includes jugs of Pimm's served with cucumber, fruits and mint, includes goats cheese and cracked black pepper muffin, on a celery, apple and grape salad, with sherry vinaigrette, saffron poached chicken breast served atop a pea and summer herb risotto, served with a warm sweet basil dressing followed by Ickworth trifle with poached red berries and custard sauce and finished with freshly brewed coffee and Ickworth chocolates.  You could then book a DJ to dance the night away.

There are many other ways to enjoy the 1,800 acres in the beautiful Ickworth Estate, including family fun days, picnics, activity days, concerts, banquets and best of British summer garden parties.  Ickworth House is located in Horringer on the A413 and is some 30 miles from Ipswich/ Cambridge and 3 miles from Bury St Edmunds.

For bookings and enquiries contact The West Wing at Ickworth on 01284 735 957 or ickworth.house@sodexho-uk.com

5. Knebworth House & Park

Knebworth Barns are set within the 250 acre park of Knebworth Park and consist of the Manor and Lodge Barns, two 500-year-old Tithe Barns, carefully restored to create a unique setting.  The barns hold up to 250 people in each and have a wonderful patio area for drinks receptions and barbecues and are available for conferences, product launches, exhibitions, banqueting and themed parties. Knebworth offers endless opportunities, including motorised activities including on and off road driving, quad biking and motocross, archery and clay pigeon shooting as well as croquet and jousting. Fort Knebworth Adventure Play Ground, the Dinosaur Trail and Miniature Railway are ideal for corporate family fun days.

An activity day package includes barn hire, field hire, bacon roll on arrival and three servings of tea, coffee and biscuits with ice cream in the afternoon.  A barbecue is served with mineral water and orange juice.  This package costs £49.00 per person, plus VAT based on minimum numbers.

A summer party at the Knebworth Barns includes a welcome drink on arrival, giant patio games and barbecue with disco.  This package costs £28 per person, plus VAT based on minimum numbers and includes barn hire.

A family fun day package includes field hire, barbecue with unlimited squash and entrance to the park including Fort Knebworth adventure playground, Dinosaur Trail, miniature railway and the gardens (Subject to park opening times) all included in the cost of £25 per person, plus VAT.

2006 saw Knebworth House scoop GOLD Award and Winner of the Best Use of Venue’s Facilities award at the Eventia Corporate Event Awards as well as Silver Award for Best Brochure at the prestigious Meetings Industry Awards.  Knebworth House is 28 miles north of London and situated just off the A1M.  Knebworth is a spectacular 500-year old historic house, home of the Lytton family since 1490.  Set in 250 acres of attractive parkland just north of London, Knebworth Park is now best known worldwide as Britain's largest music venue, having hosted 18 major concerts since 1974, including the record-breaking weekend in 2003 when 375,000 people were entertained by Robbie Williams.  

For bookings and enquiries contact Knebworth House on 01438 813825 or email yourevent@knebworthhouse.com

6. HMS Belfast

Situated on the river Thames, HMS Belfast contains unique British History, located in the heart of London, with superb views of the Tower of London and Tower Bridge.   In the summer, the Quarter Deck and Boat Deck can be used for up to 350 people.

An HMS Belfast Experience evening can begin with guests being piped onboard in traditional naval style, before they relax with a Naval Rum Punch.  An HMS Belfast veteran can address the guests and take them on a guided tour of the ship and on to their three-course meal.  This summer we are running a Samba package, where you can enjoy a Brazilian themed food and learn how to dance samba. Also, for the first time in the history of the ship, we can do BBQs on the open boat deck with the stunning views of the Tower Bridge and the Tower of London in the background.

2007 Summer Samba package starts from £79 per person, plus VAT and includes venue hire, food, unlimited drinks package, two-course buffet as well as a Latin Jazz Quartet.  Barbecues cost from £55 per person, plus VAT and includes venue hire, menu and half a jug of Pimm's per person.

HMS Belfast was launched in March 1938 and served throughout the Second World War, playing a leading role at the Battle of North Cape and in the Normandy Landings. In 1971 she was saved for the nation as a unique reminder of Britain's naval heritage and is the only surviving example of the great fleets of armoured warships built for the Royal Navy in the first half of the twentieth century. HMS Belfast is now a popular tourist attraction permanently moored between London Bridge and Tower Bridge, as well as a unique conference and banqueting venue in the heart of the capital. 

For more information contact HMS Belfast on 020 7403 6246 or email hms.belfast@sodexho-uk.com

7. Murrayfield Stadium

The summer activity day package at Murrayfield Stadium costs £60 per person, plus VAT and includes room and pitch hire, two servings of tea, coffee and biscuits as well as a two-course finger or fork buffet lunch or barbecue menu.  There is a choice of six indoor or outdoor activities from the following options: Build a Bridge, F1 Grand Prix, Indoor Target Golf, Remote Control Cars, Foosball, Air Hockey, Puzzle Corner and Mini Millionaire Quiz, Tin Can Alley (Indoors), Target Paintball *New*, NASA Challenge, Cake Making Decoration, Complimentary Disco & PA System.

The half day event includes a complimentary engraved trophy and Losers’ Wooden Spoon, all equipment, courses and instruction, overalls helmets and other safety equipment when required as well as public liability insurance on all activities. 

Murrayfield Stadium is situated in West Edinburgh, 6 miles from the International Airport, three miles from Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station, one mile from Haymarket Railway Station and close to the City By-Pass, M8 and M9 motorways. The Murrayfield Experience is owned by Scottish Rugby and is the biggest conference and hospitality venue in the East of Scotland and there are 36 individual meeting rooms in the stadium capable of hosting 2,300 guests.  

For more information and enquiries call Murrayfield Stadium on 0131 346 5250 or email enquiries@murrayfieldexperience.com           

8. Churchill Museum & Cabinet War Room

Dig For Victory - Emerging from its underground bunker, the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms in partnership with the Royal Parks will present a project in St James’s Park celebrating the ‘Dig for Victory’ campaign in the 1940s.  Local communities and schools contribute to a series of events and activities which will be used to teach gardening, healthy eating, history and food science.  The exhibition is in two parts - from St James's Park the exhibition continues within the Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms.  Entrance to the exhibition is included in your Churchill Museum and Cabinet War Rooms ticket.  The exhibition runs from 5th May to September 2007. 

Have your meeting in the cool underground headquarters of Sir Winston Churchill during the 2nd World War and enjoy a freshly prepared picnic lunch in St James’s Park opposite the Cabinet War Rooms!  The day delegate rate is £65 per person, plus VAT from 45 to 140 delegates and includes: tea, coffee and Danish pastries served on arrival, mid morning tea, coffee and biscuits and picnic lunch in St James’s Park.   Afternoon tea with classic British cakes is also served. 

On a warm summer evening, have pre-dinner drinks in the Harmsworth Room, make a tour around Whitehall and St. James's Park with one of our Expert Tour Guides and have dinner afterwards. This dinner package costs £55 per person, plus VAT and includes room hire, three-course dinner menu, two pre-dinner drinks and the Expert Tour Guide for a maximum of two hours.

The nearest tube station is Westminster and Charing Cross Train Station is just on mile away.  The Cabinet War Rooms, located in the basement of the Treasury building in Whitehall, was operated round the clock from the start of the war in 1939 to its end in 1945. 

For bookings and enquiries contact The Cabinet War Room on 020 7766 0134 or email cwr@sodexho-uk.com

9. Ascot Racecourse

Set within the beautiful surroundings of Windsor Great Park, Ascot Racecourse provides the perfect choice for a summer event. Within the grounds of the most famous racecourse in the world there are a superb range of facilities including luxury marquees, stunning contemporary restaurants and exquisite traditional spaces.

The luxurious £5 million Old Paddock marquee is created especially for the world famous Royal Ascot race meeting (Tuesday 19th-Saturday 23rd June 2007) and is available for a limited period for private hire between 29th June 2007 and the 23rd July 2007.

With spectacular views of the racecourse and set amongst the flora and fauna of the Old Paddock lawns, regarded as one of the most tranquil areas of the racecourse, this magnificent venue, resplendent with pleated ivory linen walls and beautiful chandeliers accommodates between 200 and 1800 guests and is the perfect setting for a quintessential summer ball.  On the other side of the Old Paddock, adjacent to the spectacular new Parade Ring and overlooking beautiful lawns, the traditional Old Paddock restaurant is ideal for smaller groups of 100-200.

Ascot’s “Quintessentially Summer” package costs £65.00 per person, plus VAT and includes Pimm’s on arrival, a seated 3-course lunch/dinner with half a bottle of wine per person, coffee/tea as well as the facility fee. In addition to the Old Paddock marquee, Ascot Racecourse offers a wealth of suites and dining spaces that can be used individually or in combination to suit any occasion, from an informal gathering to a spectacular celebration. 

Corporate Hospitality at Ascot Racecourse

Ascot Racecourse is widely regarded as the most famous racecourse in the world. It also has the proud reputation for having hosted some of the most prestigious corporations in the world for all types of conferences and events.  The ultimate corporate experience is to combine a meeting with a day at one of the racecourse’s high quality summer race meetings with exclusive use of one of Ascot’s beautiful traditional rooms.

In July Ascot Racecourse plays host to five superb fixtures starting with the first July weekend featuring a competitive and varied six race card on Friday 13th July 2007.  The Sony Summer Mile on Saturday 14th July 2007 has been promoted to Grade Two status this year and is arguably Ascot's fastest growing race attracting some of the best milers in the country.  Race goers are invited to a live concert featuring artistes from Sony BMG after the racing action.

The second July weekend, (Friday 27th July - Sunday 29th July) features Ascot’s most valuable race of the year; the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, one of the leading mile and a half Group 1 races in the world.  The Shergar Cup, held on Saturday 11th August, is an extremely popular event with the best UK jockeys pitched against the best from the Rest of the World in a tense and action packed head to head contest. Race goes are invited to a live concert after the racing action.

The exquisitely traditional Queen Anne Rooms offer beautiful and graceful surroundings in which to hold your event. All have natural daylight and some of the rooms have private balconies that overlook the Plaza Lawns.  Recently refurbished and individually decorated, the six dining rooms can accommodate between 10 and 40 people.  The Queen Anne Summer Racing & Conference package costs £140.00 per person, plus VAT and includes room hire, tea, coffee & biscuits on arrival, champagne reception, premier admission tickets and a fabulous 4 course lunch with selected fine wines as well as a complimentary bar throughout the day and port or brandy with coffee.  Betting facilities, Ascot Television, Racecard, Racing Papers as well as car park passes (one between two) are also included.

For further information on our exceptional events facilities or to book a site tour of the venue, please contact the events team on 0870 727 8765 or email businessandevents@ascot.co.uk.  For further information on corporate hospitality packages or to book a site tour please contact the hospitality team on 0870 727 4321 or email hospitality@ascot.co.uk.

10. Cutlers’ Hall, Sheffield

New to Cutlers’ Hall this summer is the Treasure Hunt, which allows guests to explore and uncover the hidden secrets of Cutlers’ Hall.  There is also an option to make the most of the summer weather and extend the hunt into the heart of Sheffield city centre.  This package costs £80.00 plus VAT per person, based on minimum numbers and includes room hire, bacon rolls on arrival, two-course summer luncheon, three serving of tea and coffee with biscuits, afternoon cake or ice-cream, survival pack, conference toolkit (including flipchart, projector, screen and pads). The day is rounded off with an awards and Pimm’s and canapé reception with superb prizes for winners and wooden spoons for losers.

Hallmark a conference or important meeting with the Summer Day Delegate package.  This Silver package costs £45.00 plus VAT per person, based on minimum numbers of 20, and includes room hire, two course lunch with a choice of finger or fork buffet, three servings of tea and coffee with biscuits. bowl of fresh fruit, mineral water, cordials & sweets, conference toolkit (including flipchart, projector, screen and pads) as well as free parking.  There is a 10% summer discount on day delegate bookings before September 1st 2007

Cutlers’ Hall is renowned in South Yorkshire as a Premier Banqueting venue. A most magnificent history steeped venue, Cutlers’ Hall was built in 1832 and is a shining example of Victorian architecture. Cutlers’ Hall is the finest livery hall in the North and home of The Company of Cutlers in Hallamshire, in the heart of Sheffield City Centre with stunning views of Sheffield Cathedral. 

For bookings and enquiries contact the Cutlers’ Hall on 0114 276 8149 or email  cutlers.hall@sodexho-uk.com.

11. Bateaux London

The Naticia, maintains a timeless charm and elegance through its royal blue and dark wood, creating the perfect atmosphere for guests to indulge and relax whilst experiencing some of the best views of London. The Naticia offers split level dining with an upper deck gallery and lower deck seating around the dance floor ensuring that both levels are part of the same space. Another special feature of the Naticia is her glass sliding roof, which in fine weather may be opened; so your guests literally dance beneath the stars. Along with the convenience of a lounge area and cloakroom onboard, the Naticia is a popular choice with all guests.

From 1st May 2007 until 31st August 2007, a special party package based on a minimum of 85 guests is available from Sunday to Wednesday evenings.  For £59.00 including VAT the package includes 3 hours of Exclusive Boat Hire on the River Thames, Standard Pier Charges, Pimm’s Summer Cocktail on arrival, “Off the Grill” Menu and Disco with DJ.  A live band is available for a £3.00 pp supplement.  Times & Pier for embarkation & disembarkation are entirely your choice.  

For bookings and enquires contact 020 7695 1808 / 06.