Dining

Events

What are the room hire costs and minimum spend requirements for different spaces?

Council Chamber costs £1,000-£1,200 + VAT (reduced rates available), Dorchester Library costs £2,000-£2,700 + VAT (reduced rates available), and there's a minimum spend requirement of £2,000 + VAT for some bookings. Garden and medicinal garden hire costs £2,500 + VAT with a minimum spend of £69 + VAT per guest.

What are the catering package prices and what's included?

Day Delegate Rate (DDR) ranges from £84-£105.60 + VAT per person with minimum guarantees of 70-200 delegates depending on the package. This includes room hire, 3 refreshment breaks, lunch (hot fork buffet, bento boxes, or bowl food), dedicated event manager, cloakroom, and Wi-Fi. Drinks reception costs £22 + VAT per guest (beer, wine, soft drinks, and nibbles). Three-course dinner with half bottle of wine costs £70-£89.40 + VAT per person.

What are the minimum guest requirements for different event types?

Most dinner packages require a minimum of 70 people, DDR packages have minimum guarantees ranging from 70-200 delegates depending on the specific package, and drinks receptions typically require a minimum of 70-100 guests. Some room bookings have lower minimums but higher base costs.

What AV equipment is included and what are the additional costs?

Basic AV packages cost £2,000-£2,400 + VAT and include projection screen, 12,000 lumens projector, conference lectern, laptops, PA system, 12 microphones, lighting rig, and technical support from 08:00-17:00. Plasma screens for smaller rooms cost £150 + VAT. Some rooms include basic AV equipment at no additional charge.

What are the access times and additional charges for early setup?

Standard access is typically from 07:00 complimentary, with events running 09:00-17:00. Earlier access from 05:00 costs £250 + VAT per half hour. Overnight setup after 23:00 is available subject to application and quotation. Catering requests before 08:00 incur an additional £250 + VAT per hour charge.

Are there restrictions on event content or activities?

The venue requires knowing the topic of events to ensure they adhere to the values of the Royal College of Physicians. Inflatables are not allowed in the garden areas. The venue is closed for refurbishment during the entire month of August.

What capacity limits apply to different rooms and setups?

Wolfson Theatre holds 300 in auditorium seating, Dorchester Library accommodates 180 in theatre style, Council Chamber fits 100 in theatre style, and various smaller rooms range from 20-50 people. Garden spaces can accommodate larger events with appropriate minimum spend requirements.

How does the booking process work and what are the hold policies?

Initial enquiries receive first option holds on space. If another enquiry comes in for the same space, clients have 48 hours to make a decision or the booking moves to a second option waitlist. The venue offers site visits and will hold dates while clients make decisions.

What budget ranges should I expect for different event types?

The venue typically quotes minimums of £2,000 + VAT for smaller events, with full day conferences ranging from £10,000-£30,000+ depending on delegate numbers and requirements. Events under certain budget thresholds may not be accommodated, as evidenced by declined enquiries for budgets under £1,000-£2,000.

Are there any seasonal closures or availability restrictions?

The venue is completely closed for soft refurbishment during the entire month of August. Weekend availability may be limited to specific dates (such as Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th August 2025 mentioned for garden events). Daytime availability may also be restricted for certain spaces.