Guildhall, London EC2

Style:	think... Historic, Exclusive and large scale
Venue:	Guildhall
Post Code:	EC2
Location:	City
Tube:	Liverpool Street, Cannon Street, Fenchurch Street, Moorgate and Blackfriars
Reception:	150 - 900
Dinner:	60 - 700
Conference:	60 - 750

full description

Guildhall has been the City powerhouse since the twelfth century. In an era when the Lord Mayor of London rivalled the monarch for influence and prestige, this was where he and the ruling merchant class held court, fine-tuned the laws and trading regulations that helped create London's wealth.

Today, 800 years on, Guildhall is still home of the City of London Corporation, and acts as a grand setting for glittering banquets in honour of visiting Heads of State and other dignitaries, royal occasions, and receptions for major historical anniversaries.

Situated in the heart of the City of London, the world's leading financial and business centre, this rare and magnificent medieval Grade I listed landmark offers a spectacular backdrop for corporate events and banquets. With a clientele that includes leading international companies, charities, organisations, professional and academic bodies, Guildhall offers a unique combination of an esteemed historical setting whilst being fully equipped with excellent facilities for modern business requirements.

the great hall

The imposing medieval Great Hall is the largest and most impressive room, and is where royalty and state visitors have been entertained down the centuries since it was originally built in 1411.

A magnificent room, the Great Hall is 152 feet long, 49.5 feet broad and 89 feet high. The 15th century walls are 5 feet thick and divided by clustered columns and mouldings.At each end of the hall is a splendid Gothic window, occupying the whole width, and nearly perfect in all architectural details. The stone arched roof was designed by Sir Giles Gilbert Scott in 1953 and is the 5th roof.

the east and west crypts

The East Crypt and West Crypt lie beneath Guildhall, and are the largest medieval crypts in London.

The East Crypt is the oldest part of Guildhall, dating back to Edward the Confessor (1042) and is considered to be one of the earliest and one of the finest examples of its kind in England. The stained glass windows depict Geoffrey Chaucer, William Caxton, Sir Thomas More, Sir ChristopherWren and Samuel Pepys.

The West Crypt was built in the 12th century and would have originally been the ground floor of the building. After the Great Fire of London in 1666 it completely collapsed and was sealed; after extensive restoration it was opened again in 1973. Six clusters of circular columns in Purbeck marble support a fine groined roof, comprising stone, chalk and bricks, the principal intersections being covered with carved bosses of heads, shields, and flowers.

the old library

The Old Library was designed by Sir Horace Jones and built in 1870. Fitted with handsome oak bookcases it housed a collection of over 40,000 volumes, MSS and maps. This collection was moved to the newly constructed west wing and the Museum of London in 1974. To the north of the room is a magnificent stained glass window depicting William Caxton.

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