Hawking at QEII Centre
Award winner Named Venue Event Team (Gold) 2026 by Eventex
Up to 20standing
Up to 25seated
Westminster & St James Underground Stationnearest station
Presentationbest for
About this space
Natural daylight
Westminster Abbey and Big Ben views
London Eye and Shard views
Accessibility compliant
Multiple layout options
Fifth-floor location
The Hawking is a bright and adaptable fifth-floor event space, showcasing some of the finest panoramic views across Westminster, including Westminster Abbey and Big Ben. A striking setting for meetings, boardrooms, private dining and receptions, it also works perfectly as a breakout or syndicate room for larger events.
Accommodating up to 25 theatre or 20 for receptions, it supports a range of layouts including cabaret, classroom and boardroom. With its elevated position on the fifth floor and exceptional views, the Hawking offers a memorable setting for smaller events.
Features
Accessibility
Natural Daylight
Views of Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the London Eye and the Shard
Food & Drink
Professional Kitchen
Halal Catering
Space
40m² (430ft²)
Ceiling Height 2.5m (8ft)
Capacities
16 Boardroom
14 Cabaret
12 Classroom
10 Dining
20 Reception
25 Theatre
12 U-Shaped
Guide prices
Indicative pricing based on standard rates. Request an instant quote for your exact brief.
Business
See Business profile →
Venue Hire Per Day
Mondays to Fridays, 09:00 - 17:00Mons to Fris, 09:00 - 17:00
£2,750 / Venue FeeGreat for a...
Westminster views inspire productivity Corporate Meeting
- • Natural daylight enhances focus and energy
- • Big Ben and Westminster Abbey views create memorable backdrop
- • Flexible layouts accommodate 10-25 attendees
Inspiring fifth-floor learning space Professional Development Workshop
- • Westminster Abbey views provide inspiring learning environment
- • Natural light supports extended workshop sessions
- • Intimate 25-person capacity ensures focused interaction
London Eye panorama networking Drinks Reception
- • London Eye and Shard views create conversation starters
- • Fifth-floor elevation offers unique Westminster perspective
- • Cabaret layout facilitates natural networking flow
Location
/-0.128925,51.500187,15,0/944x525@2x)
QEII Centre WestminsterLondonWestminster SW1P3EELondon
Westminster & St James Underground Station
NEW · Data-backed provisional quotes in 10 seconds.
Based on your requirements and real pricing data
or
BEST PRICEFAST RESPONSE4.8 GOOGLE
Award winner Named Venue Event Team (Gold) 2026 by Eventex
Concierge
Don't have time to search? We'll find it for you.
For business events that need human judgement, talk to our team. Free for events of 100+ people, budgets over £10k or ongoing programmes.
Frequently asked questions
What are the room hire rates for the Business space and what's included?
Room hire rates vary significantly based on dates and requirements, with examples ranging from £2,880 to £18,144 excluding VAT for different spaces. All room hire includes comprehensive AV packages with projectors, screens, sound systems, microphones, and technician support during standard hours (08:00-17:30). Security, porterage, cleaning, Wi-Fi, furniture, cloakroom, and dedicated event management team are included at no additional cost.
What are the capacity limits and layout options for meetings and seminars?
The Business space can accommodate 10-25 people in various layouts including theatre, cabaret, and meeting room configurations. For larger events, other spaces are available with capacities up to 410 theatre style or 500+ for plenary sessions. The venue can handle events from small meetings to conferences of 1,500+ attendees across multiple rooms.
What are the standard operating hours and any restrictions on event timing?
Standard operating hours are 08:00-18:00, with technician support typically provided from 08:00-17:30 with 30-minute breaks. The venue is closed during August and unavailable for bookings during this period. Events can run outside standard hours but may incur additional costs for extended technician support and security.
What AV equipment is included and what are the technical capabilities?
All rooms include comprehensive AV packages with motorised projection screens (16:9), WUXGA high-definition projectors, sound systems with multiple microphones (wired lectern, top table, and radio handheld options), induction loops, PC sound, and dedicated technician support. Larger spaces include additional equipment like digital recording, cue lights, and talk-back headsets.
How far in advance do I need to book and what is the booking process?
Bookings are offered on a 1st option basis initially, and no booking is confirmed until contracts are signed by both parties and deposits are paid. The venue requires company information and budget details before providing detailed quotes. All correspondence is subject to contract until formal agreements are executed.
What catering options are available and can external caterers be used?
The venue offers in-house catering through QEII Taste by Leith's, with options ranging from breakfast and coffee breaks to full DDR (delegate day rate) packages including lunch and refreshments. Catering costs are quoted separately from room hire. The venue appears flexible on external catering arrangements, though specific policies are not detailed in available information.
Are there any mandatory additional costs beyond the room hire rate?
VAT at 20% is added to all quoted prices. While security, porterage, cleaning, Wi-Fi, furniture, and basic event management are included, extended hours, additional AV requirements, catering, and specialized services will incur extra charges. Deposits are required to confirm bookings, though specific amounts are not specified.
What makes the Business space unique and what views does it offer?
Located on the fifth floor, the Business space provides exceptional views of Westminster including Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, the London Eye, and the Shard. It features natural daylight and is fully accessible. The space can be used independently or as part of larger conferences, making it ideal for high-impact meetings and corporate events with an impressive London backdrop.
What happens if my preferred dates are unavailable?
If requested dates are unavailable due to existing bookings or whole centre events, the venue sales team will work to find alternative dates or suggest other suitable venues. The venue appears to have high demand with frequent date conflicts, so flexibility with dates is recommended for successful bookings.
What support is provided on the day of the event?
Each event includes a dedicated QEII Delivery Team comprising an Event Manager, AV Project Manager, and QEII Taste Manager. Technician support is provided during standard hours, along with security, porterage, and cleaning services. A manned cloakroom and registration area with desks are also included in the venue hire package.
HIRE SPACE 360
Explore Hire Space 360 → One supplier. Every venue. Full visibility on what you spend.
Multiple venues and events. One agreement.
DEEP RESEARCH
Other platforms search their database. We search everything.
Tell us what you need. Our deep research finds any venue, whether it's in our marketplace or not. No one else does this.
Similar Spaces to Hawking at QEII Centre
Explore more venues in London
By area 
Venues in Greater London 5,721 venues 
Venues in Central London 4,256 venues 
Venues in North Yorkshire 1,084 venues Venues in Derbyshire 975 venues Venues in Lancashire 785 venues Venues in South London 748 venues Venues in Warwickshire 742 venues Venues in Staffordshire 710 venues Venues in Central Manchester 703 venues Venues in Worcestershire 587 venues Venues in Birmingham 487 venues Venues in Shropshire 451 venues
By event type Reception Drinks Venues 8,807 venues in United Kingdom Hotel Function Rooms 8,534 venues in United Kingdom Event Venues 8,530 venues in United Kingdom Christmas Party Venues 5,761 venues in United Kingdom Birthday Party Places 5,103 venues in United Kingdom Sustainable Venues 5,019 venues in United Kingdom Small Meeting Rooms 3,951 venues in United Kingdom Meeting Rooms 3,871 venues in United Kingdom Corporate Away Day 3,472 venues in United Kingdom Conference Venues 2,747 venues in United Kingdom Unique Conferences 2,747 venues in United Kingdom Studios For Photoshoots In London 1,815 venues in United Kingdom
Popular searches
Unusual Venues for 50 people in Central LondonMeeting Rooms for 50 people in Central LondonCreative Spaces for 50 people in LondonConference Venues for 50 people in LondonAway Day Venues for 50 people in LondonPrivate Dining Rooms for 50 people in LondonAway Day Venues for 50 people in Central LondonUnusual Venues for 100 people in LondonTraining Rooms for 100 people in LondonBars for 100 people in LondonParty Venues for 50 people in ManchesterPop Up Spaces for 50 people in LondonUnusual Venues for 50 people in South LondonPop Up Spaces for 50 people in Central LondonParty Venues for 50 people in East LondonParty Venues for 200 people in Greater London