I have been working in Milton Keynes for quite a few years now and over that time have been involved in booking venues for events. In Milton Keynes there are some great venues, some mediocre venues and some shockers to avoid. So I will share with you some of the good and none of the bad and the ugly. They have made it onto my list because of location, the venue itself and how presentable it is, but also based on the support of venue staff from the event co-ordinators to the on-site caterers.
These are some of the venues I can comfortably recommend in terms of space, size and service.
A big space which offers a professional conference centre and separate smaller rooms for seminars for an all day event. The area has a bar with views of the pitch. The bar can be allocated for a private function. Refreshments have always been good, from coffees and pastries in the bar area for guests on arrival to hot meals served in the restaurant for delegates and event staff. Suitable for 100+ delegates.
A lovely old manor house venue with plenty of character and outside space. There are a variety of good sized rooms available for hire as well as overnight accommodation. The Manor Lounge offers a bar with separate seating, a lounge perfect for a photobooth and main large room perfect for banquet round tables with outside access for those that like some fresh air. The event managers cannot be helpful enough and are always on hand. The venue can also book a DJ as part of their package for large events. Reception can get rather busy at Christmas time when it comes to check-ins. This particular room is comfortable for 40-60 delegates.
A smaller venue with glass from the ceiling to the floor along one side (which looks pretty in the dark and the heating is very good) and an additional two adjoining rooms. This is a private space with its own facilities for serving food and its own toilet facilities (although they are just outside). Tea and coffee machines are inside the entrance. Ideal for training or an internal celebration or small company conference, with private breakout facilities for tea and coffee. Separate from the main building, this venue offers privacy for the group. The main room itself is comfortable for 50 or so delegates (the venue says 60-100, I would think that these must be using all of the adjoining rooms. Hot meals offer includes gluten free alternatives.
A beautiful venue on the breath taking Woburn estate which welcomes weddings and alike. Lots of parking outside and a very grand setting along a road lined with deer. The space is large and accommodating with large reception rooms and a long, impressive space. Suitable for 250 delegates or more with exclusive access to the venue and all of the facilities which it offers, including a large commercial kitchen.
Perfect for a small company conference, the Mercure at the Abbey Hill has 8 meeting rooms. Easy to find, just through the hotel's front door if you are herding in a large group from a coach. The toilet facilities are located just outside of the room. There are no other adjoining reception rooms. The room itself is a practical almost square shape with the door at the back. An easy room for filming inside. Plenty of space for 50 delegates, I would imagine there would be room for another 20. Plenty of free parking outside and easy to reach from the A5 and train station.
Other options which might surprise you include The Christian Centre, just off Chaffron Way has a huge space available for a large conference. Milton Keynes College also offers room hire at all sites (Silbury Boulevard, Chaffron Way Campus and Bletchley), there is a size of room suitable for any meeting or conference, they even hire out courts and gym hall spaces. If you fancy a bit of crazy golf to top off your away day conference I can also recommend Pirate Golf in Two Mile Ash, which has some great rooms with projectors and so on, overlooking the pirate ships and treasure chests.
If you have come across some great, unusual or new venues in Milton Keynes please let me know I am always on the lookout for new ideas and opportunities.
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