Hire Space
Smith Centre

The Science Museum

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Smith Centre event space with modern furnishings, ideal for networking and meetings.
  • From £4500
  • 200 Reception
  • South Kensington tube station
  • From £4500
  • 200 Reception
  • South Kensington tube station
Historic 1890 building with four interconnected spaces including a unique outdoor courtyard, perfect for events requiring multiple areas and natural light.
Joana Seguí Rubio
Joana Seguí Rubio

Venue Expert @ Hire Space

  • Dry hire flexibility
  • Central London location
  • Historic 1890 building
  • Natural light in courtyard
  • Multiple interconnected spaces
  • Outdoor courtyard
  • Banqueting chairs and cluster furniture included
  • Breakout rooms available

Originally constructed in 1890, the Smith Centre has been elegantly preserved to present four spaces of varying size that suit a wide variety of event purposes.

Among the original features is an open-plan courtyard area which can be enjoyed in conjunction with daytime hire of the Salon.

From small meeting rooms for up to 20 guests, to the ample-sized salon accommodating 200 guests for a drinks reception, the Smith Centre provides versatility throughout. It is perfect for daytime events such as team away days, conferences and boardroom meetings, where breakout spaces may be required.

Frequently asked questions

The Smith Centre costs £4,500 + VAT for daytime hire (07:00-17:00) or £9,500 + VAT for full day hire (07:00-22:00). This includes The Salon, Large meeting room, The Boardroom, outdoor courtyard, and banqueting chairs & cluster furniture. The venue operates as dry hire only, meaning all catering, AV, and additional furniture must be provided by accredited suppliers at extra cost.

The Smith Centre includes four distinct spaces: The Salon (accommodates up to 200 for drinks receptions), a Large meeting room, The Boardroom (suitable for up to 20 guests), and an outdoor courtyard. All spaces come with banqueting chairs and cluster furniture, providing flexibility for different event layouts from intimate boardroom meetings to larger networking events.

The Science Museum operates as dry venue hire only, requiring you to use their accredited suppliers. For catering, they recommend Benugo Events, and for AV/lighting, they recommend White Light. All catering, furniture beyond what's included, and AV equipment will be additional costs on top of the venue hire charge and must be arranged through these approved suppliers.

For daytime hire, access is from 07:00 with events ending by 17:00. For full day hire, access is from 07:00 with guest arrival from 09:00, events must conclude by 21:30, and all guests must be offsite by 22:00. Early access for suppliers to set up may incur an additional £500 + VAT fee.

For events only two weeks away, you must attend a site visit on Wednesday and contract the event by end of business Thursday. The venue requires signed contracts before raising venue hire invoices. For events with longer lead times, standard booking procedures apply with provisional holds available.

AV services are provided by White Light with minimum spends typically around £5,000-£6,000 depending on requirements. They can provide screens, projectors, microphones, lecterns, lighting, and sound systems. For larger events requiring staging, this would need to be discussed with White Light as part of their AV package.

The venue can accommodate various entertainment including DJs, live music, and performers. Events must be invitation-only with registered guests on arrival. The venue requires details about how events will be advertised and whether they are private or public gatherings as part of the booking process.

Catering is provided exclusively by Benugo Events with flexible menu options. For reference, full day meeting packages cost around £75 per person including refreshments throughout the day. Hot fork buffets are suggested at approximately £55 per person. Catering minimum spends vary by event size and requirements.

Agency commission is offered at 10% on venue hire only (AV is non-commissionable). Commission must be claimed within two months of the event date and will only be paid once all invoices are settled. The venue accepts Mastercard with no fees but does not accept American Express.

The Smith Centre is located within the world-famous Science Museum in South Kensington, offering guests access to exhibitions and a unique cultural setting. The space features original 1890 architecture with an elegant open-plan courtyard, combining historical character with modern event facilities in one of London's most prestigious cultural locations.

More about The Science Museum

Choose the home of science, technology and innovation for an unforgettable corporate or private event.

The Science Museum's world-famous exhibitions and astounding gallery spaces combine to make it one of London's most unique venues for events.

Conveniently located in South Kensington, the cultural heart of London, the museum can cater for all kinds of events: dinners, drinks receptions, award ceremonies, conferences and film screenings, with the diversity of spaces available for hire.