Here at the Royal Society of Chemistry, we believe an event space should be more than just a room. It’s a place of discovery, where people gather to share stories, inspire others and create truly memorable events.
It’s something we strive to encapsulate across all six of our event spaces, offering rooms that provide the perfect combination of both vibrancy and spectacle to ensure your event makes a striking impact for all attending.
Being the home of the RSC, our rooms are enriched with characterful, scientific heritage and architecture, but rest assured our spaces are a welcoming and accessible place for all.
Spread over two floors, our rooms can be combined into one open-plan space, offering the flexibility to host a range of events for up to 120 guests. Of course, if intimacy is needed, we also offer small yet powerful spaces that inspire creativity.
Be it a conference, private celebration, or an all singing all dancing awards ceremony, we welcome all manner of events and can work with you to turn them into something truly magical.
The Library
For a historical touch that’s nothing short of grand, our prestigious library and landmark event space offer room for up to 120 delegates for corporate events or private occasions.
Offering a backdrop of delicate wooden features, Italianate Renaissance Architecture and shelves adorned with literature through the ages, your guests will be surrounded by history in an event space with education and community at its core.
The balance of scientific heritage woven within the room’s foundations and built-in audio-visual facilities, brings together technology and tradition to provide the perfect event solution for you and your guests. Expansive windows are also situated around the room to ensure maximum natural light throughout.
Permanent screens around the library offer flexibility for hybrid events, allowing remote attendees to dial in and share in the experience. Three cameras strategically placed around the room also allow remote attendees to view the library in its entirety, enhancing the hybrid experience. The library is also installed with super-fast Wi-Fi to ensure a smooth event throughout for both in-person and hybrid attendees.
The library’s impressive features also make it a popular location for filming projects and interviews, providing the perfect combination of both technology and tradition to really make an impact. An optional stage can be easily constructed for panel discussions and interviews, while a dedicated AV technician can be assigned at an additional fee.
With so many stories already waiting to be told, discover the library’s magic for your next event.
Maximum capacity:
120 people
Ideal for hosting:
Key features:
- Striking historical architecture
- Built-in audio-visual facilities
- Permanent screens for hybrid events
The Science Room
Scientific heritage meets contemporary design in The Science Room, offering an elegant and iconic space that is perfect, for exhibitions, conferences and receptions.
Situated on the ground floor, The Science Room offers Greek Revival scenery in combination with natural and dynamic light that’s perfect for events looking to make a striking first impression to their guests. The room offers space for up to 120 standing guests or 100 for a seated dinner.
In 2024, the room was upgraded with the latest AV equipment, including new digital microphones and a state-of-the-art HD camera. Easy to use and centrally controlled from one device, they provide the perfect backdrop for presentations that will educate and inspire all those in attendance. New hybrid capabilities also allow planners to be more flexible with the events they host, providing the best of both in-person and virtual events to help bring more people together.
Super-fast Wi-Fi is available throughout the room to manage anything you may require it for, while effective soundproofing through out means no distractions and disruptions during your important event.
For those looking to be inspired for their next photography or film project, The Science Room’s striking architectural symmetry also provides a striking backdrop for photoshoots and filming projects. Natural light is also a key feature of The Science Room, reducing the need for additional equipment when it comes to getting that perfect shot.
Maximum capacity:
120 people
Ideal for hosting:
- Exhibitions
- Conferences
- Receptions
- Photography and film projects
Key features:
- Built-in audio-visual facilities
- Ability to be hired with the Fish Room for extra capacity
- Large open plan for added flexibility
The Fish Room
For a meeting room or small syndicate space with an atmospheric yet contemporary touch, look no further than The Fish Room.
Situated on the ground floor, adjacent to the main entrance, the timeless Fish Room offers a versatile meeting space featuring stunning views of the society’s courtyard and fountain. Its high ceilings and large windows offer a grand space for discussion and networking, as well as vast amounts of natural daylight too.
The Fish Room is well suited for use as a main meeting room or a small syndicate space, offering super-fast Wifi to meet all your technology needs. However, if a larger space is required, the Science Room can also be booked in conjunction to accommodate additional guests and offer exclusive use of the entire ground floor.
Maximum capacity:
60 people
Ideal for hosting:
- Meetings
- Private occasions
- Dedicated catering/reception space for events in the Science Room
Key features:
- Atmospheric yet contemporary
- Stunning views of the courtyard
- Connects to the Science Room should more space be required
The Council Room
Filled with character and boasting memorable antique artwork from our prized collection, The Council Room is the perfect choice for those looking for a contemporary event space that exudes both charm and class.
Centrally located on the first floor, The Council Room is adorned with ornate features and boasts expansive views of the stunning courtyard through our stylish windows offering expansive natural light. The room’s unique antique artwork also provide the perfect talking point for guests before and throughout your event.
Popular for private celebrations, receptions and dinners, The Council Room offers space for up to 80 guests. With flexible configuration managed by our in-house team, as well as a striking 80-Inch HD screen and super-fast Wi-Fi, we can help you transform the space into your ideal storytelling platform.
Make this space your canvas no matter the occasion by bringing your ideas to life, with the Council Room.
Maximum capacity:
80 people
Ideal for hosting:
- Meetings
- Receptions
- Workshops
Key features:
- Flexible capacity fora range of event types
- A collection of historic artwork
- Large screens suitable for giving presentations
The Priestley Room
Nestled away from the activity of our courtyard, The Priestley Room offers a more intimate and quieter environment for board meetings, private dining and business lunches.
The nostalgic smell of classic books sets the scene for a magical ambience that is just waiting for further discoveries to be made, skills to be learned and ideas to be shared.
History and modernity are exemplified by our LCD plasma TV screen that is surrounded by iconic scientific literature. HD webcam and super-fast Wi-Fi ensure delegates have the practical solutions for your occasion, while a hot food counter at the back of the room also ensures catering for working lunches and private dinners is kept warm when needed.
Nurturing its charm with its historic surroundings, uncover the Priestley Room for your next special event.
Maximum capacity:
20 people
Ideal for hosting:
Key features:
- A quiet environment for intimate meetings
- Combination of history and modernity
- Hot food counter at the back of the room
The Hinshelwood Room
If intimacy is the prime goal of your next event, then look no further than our very own Hinshelwood Room.
Knowledge is woven into every crevice, making this space home to many quality experiences for your delegates to discover. The event space inspires creativity from the moment you walk in, making it ideal for break-out sessions and group discussions for up to ten delegates.
Alternatively, this exciting space is the perfect backdrop for alternative events such as murder-mystery dinners and private period-themed celebrations. With shelves adorned by our valuable Historical Collection, the room’s next story is just waiting to be told.
The Hinshelwood Room also offers permanent LCD TV screens, in addition to our fast Wi-Fi, allowing the profitable opportunity for hybrid meetings without disturbing this room’s charm, intimacy and large amounts of natural light.
Ensuring bespoke, valuable experiences for your delegates, the Hinshelwood Room presents a golden opportunity for a memorable event.
Maximum capacity:
12 people
Ideal for hosting:
- Group discussion
- Break-out sessions
- Meetings
Key features:
- Unique backdrop of scientific history
- Permanent screens suitable for hybrid meetings
- Alternative space for period-themed celebrations
To find out more about any of our rooms or request a quote, please contact us by phone or email.
Each event space boasts:
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Natural daylight
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Free WiFi access
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Presentation facilities
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Built-in air conditioning
Have an event you'd like to discuss with us?
Find out more about room hire, functions and catering at Burlington House.