The Science Museum

The Science Museum operates on a dry venue hire basis only, with pricing starting from £4,500 + VAT for daytime events. Full day hire of spaces like Illuminate costs £20,250 + VAT (07:00-23:30), while the Smith Centre is available from £3,000 + VAT for evening events. All catering, furniture, and AV must be provided by accredited suppliers at additional cost.

The venue works exclusively with accredited suppliers for all catering needs. Moving Venue is the primary catering partner, providing everything from festive dishes to bespoke menus. Benugo Events also provides catering services, particularly for the Smith Centre. All catering costs are additional to venue hire and must go through these approved suppliers.

Making the Modern World can accommodate up to 400 people for a seated dinner on rounds, 100 for long table dining, or 750 for standing drinks receptions. The Flight gallery can seat up to 400 for dinner or 350 with a stage setup. Specific capacity depends on your chosen layout and space configuration.

Standard event access runs from 07:00-23:30, with guests required to be offsite by 23:30. Setup typically begins at 07:00, with guest arrival from 09:00 onwards. Evening events often run from 18:00-22:00, with bar closure by 21:30 and complete departure by 22:00.

All AV equipment must be provided by accredited suppliers, primarily White Light, who handle lighting, sound, screens, and microphones. AV costs are additional to venue hire and non-commissionable. Minimum AV spend can be around £5,000-£6,000 depending on requirements, with final costs confirmed after site visits.

The Dining space allows guests to dine amongst iconic exhibits including the Apollo 10 command module, Stephenson's Rocket, and the first Apple computer. The venue combines world-famous exhibitions with gallery spaces, creating an unforgettable backdrop that supports the museum's mission to inspire future STEM generations.

Events require site visits and contracts to be signed before venue hire invoices can be raised. For events only two weeks away, site visits must be completed by Wednesday with contracts signed by end of Thursday. Agency commission of 10% is available on venue hire only (not AV) and must be claimed within two months of the event date.

Events must be invitation-only with registered guest arrival. The venue requires details about event advertising and guest registration processes. All events contribute to the museum's educational mission of breaking down STEM barriers and inspiring future generations through science accessibility.

Beyond venue hire, budget for mandatory catering through approved suppliers, AV services (minimum £5,000-£6,000), and any required furniture or decor through accredited partners like Twilight Trees. Early access fees may apply, and all services incur 20% VAT on top of quoted prices.

The venue accepts Mastercard with no fees but does not accept American Express. All invoices must be settled before agency commission can be paid. Payment terms and deposit requirements are confirmed during the contracting process following site visits.