Located on Tower Hill with exceptional views of the historic Tower of London and overlooking Trinity Square Gardens, the venue is the working home of the General Lighthouse Authority and is steeped in maritime history. High ceilings and tall sash windows flood four of the south facing rooms with light and all offer height and space, two with breakout rooms for added flexibility. Life-size portraits of illustrious benefactors and royalty, intricate ship models and other treasures - such as the brass bell from the Royal Yacht Britannia - fill the rooms and corridor providing added interest for out-of-town guests and visitors.
Easily accessible via several transport hubs including Tower Hill, Fenchurch Street, Aldgate, the DLR and London City Airport, the venue is located behind a set of distinctive iron railings which have featured in numerous film and TV productions over the years. These include 'Johnny English Reborn', 'Lara Croft - Tomb Raider', 'The Invisible Woman', and 'The Professionals'. Two ship canons sit either side of the entrance to the grand Reception Hall which leads through to a spacious cloakroom and an unusual twin-stairwell and impressive trompe l'oeil dome ceiling.
The first floor landing, known as 'the Quarterdeck', features black marble pillars, paintings and ships models. On this level is the the Court Room with three tall south-facing sash windows allowing glorious views of the Tower. It contains one of the largest single-loom carpets in England and is dominated by an impressive trompe l'oeil ceiling painting restored in 1840 by pre-Raphaelite artist, William Holman Hunt. The smaller adjoining Luncheon Room is an ideal breakout room for pre-event receptions, meetings, or corporate lunches or dinners. Also offering views of the Tower is the Library, an oval-shaped room featuring a minstrels' gallery, a glass cabinet of valuable silver maritime heirlooms, two stunning crystal chandeliers, and rare antique stained-glass panels. There are two adjoining rooms offering flexibility of format in the form of the Reading Room and the Pepys Room.
The venue is available for hire on an exclusive use basis and beautifully polished tables and gold-crested red leather chairs are included in the venue hire. There is wheelchair access throughout.
