Venue Hire at Peterborough Cathedral

VENUE HIRE AT PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL

Peterborough Cathedral is one of the nest Norman cathedrals in Europe and its 13th century West Front has become an icon for the city that surrounds it.

The Cathedral has been steeped in history for more than 900 years and it is the burial place of Katharine of Aragon.

The Cathedral and its Precincts are a tranquil oasis in the heart of the city, yet easily accessible by road and rail. A ten minute walk takes you to the train and bus stations and nearby parking is plentiful. It is just 50 minutes by train to London.

The historic and exceptional spaces for hire within the Cathedral Precincts can cater for a wide variety of occasions, large and small. Whether you are looking for a truly memorable backdrop for a wedding reception, a prestigious setting for a business launch, an inspiring performance space, or simply a quiet location for a training day, we would love to hear from you. Perhaps we can add that extra something to your event too, with a private tour or entertainment from cathedral musicians.

Hospitality is central to the Benedictine rule of life that has been practiced here for centuries. It’s a tradition we are proud to continue to this day.

CONTACT US Call 01733 355300 or email [email protected] When you hire a Peterborough Cathedral venue, you are helping us to maintain this historic site for future generations. THE NAVE Pboro Telegraph/DavidLowndes

The 12th century designers of this space certainly knew how to create the ‘wow factor’. With its internationally acclaimed Norman architecture and 13th century painted wood ceiling, unique in England, this is certainly an unforgettable space in which to entertain your guests. From earliest times, the nave of a cathedral or church has been a public space where business and community life are conducted. It is no dierent today, and the Nave has been the venue not only for the congregation worshipping on a Sunday, but also for awards ceremonies, formal dinners, concerts, lectures and product launches. The Nave is often used in conjunction with the Cathedral Cloister, a beautiful outdoor space for receptions and entertainments. If you’re planning an event on a large scale, Peterborough Cathedral Nave could be the stunning venue you are looking for.

CAPACITY GUIDE Reception Lecture Boardroom Dinner 1500 800 n/a 500

It often surprises people to know that this beautiful extension at the east end of the Cathedral dates from around 1500. Its skilfully carved fan vaulted ceiling is thought to be by John Wastell, who went on to create the famous ceiling at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge. The New Building is perfect for hosting atmospheric candlelit dinners, recitals, theatre, lectures and receptions as well as public exhibitions or private meetings. Amongst the events the New Building has hosted are a business meeting on International Women’s Day addressed by Dame Mary Archer, a recital by world famous counter tenor James Bowman, and a charity dance event with Olympic gymnast Louis Smith MBE.

CAPACITY GUIDE Reception Lecture Boardroom Dinner 200 150 n/a 100

CONTACT US Call 01733 355300 or email [email protected] When you hire a Peterborough Cathedral venue, you are helping us to maintain this historic site for future generations. THE CLOISTERS

The Cloisters on the south side of the Cathedral form a peaceful lawned courtyard. Enclosed by the Cathedral on one side and by the ancient walls of monastic buildings on the other, the Cloisters have the feel of a large private garden. This evocative setting is well suited for open air theatre, concerts, alfresco dining, cocktail parties and family events. Marquees can provide shelter in the cooler months. The Cloisters are a popular choice for a summer reception with live music or for drinks prior to a dinner in the Nave.

CAPACITY GUIDE Reception Lecture Boardroom Dinner 400 n/a n/a on request

The Transepts form the “arms” of the Cathedral’s traditional cross shape. Within each there are three chapels behind carved wooden screens. One of these, in the South Transept, is dedicated to St Oswald, whose arm was kept there as a sacred relic until it disappeared during the Reformation. These historic settings, with their colourful 19th century stained glass windows, may be booked separately for talks, receptions, dining and informal events of many kinds. The capacity guide below applies to one Transept but is the same for both.

CAPACITY GUIDE Reception Lecture Boardroom Dinner 200 120 n/a 60

CONTACT US Call 01733 355300 or email [email protected] When you hire a Peterborough Cathedral venue, you are helping us to maintain this historic site for future generations. THE NAVE CROSSING

The Nave Crossing is situated under the central tower of the Cathedral. Although this space has an intimate feel, it nonetheless enjoys breathtaking views of the decorated ceilings, high altar and choir stalls, as well as the stonework and stained glass in the North and South Transepts. The Nave Crossing can transform book signings, recitals, receptions and dinners into something rather special. The Nave Crossing is where the Cathedral’s popular summer recital series is held. It has also hosted book signings by writers such as Ken Follett, Alison Weir and David Starkey.

CAPACITY GUIDE Reception Lecture Boardroom Dinner 200 120 n/a 60

CONTACT US Call 01733 355300 or email [email protected] When you hire a Peterborough Cathedral venue, you are helping us to maintain this historic site for future generations. THE CATHEDRAL

To create extraordinary events which leave your guests talking about them for days, you need a very special venue. Peterborough Cathedral is just such a place. The present Cathedral is 900 years old but, more than that, its origins can be traced back over 1300 years to the Anglo-Saxon King Paeda, who founded the rst monastery here in 655 AD. It isn’t just the history that’s impressive. Watch as your guests stand in awe of the engineering skill and artistic brilliance of the craftspeople who created this space. Whatever the occasion, an event held here can leave lasting memories. A variety of spaces within the Cathedral can be used in dierent ways. There are the welcoming Porticos under the giant archways of the west front, the Nave with its amazing ceiling, the Nave Crossing with its dazzling viewpoints, the contemplative North Transept, the adaptable South Transept and the elegant New Building. Talk to us about how your event might be accommodated within these spaces.

CAPACITY GUIDE Reception Lecture Boardroom Dinner 2000 n/a n/a n/a

CONTACT US Call 01733 355300 or email [email protected] When you hire a Peterborough Cathedral venue, you are helping us to maintain this historic site for future generations. THE ALMONER’S HALL

Almoner’s Hall is a 15th century Grade 1 listed building in the grounds of the Cathedral on the east side of the Precincts. It was from this building that the medieval abbey’s Almoner administered the monastic estates, raising income to support the distribution of food to the poor. The Hall was carefully restored in the 1990s to create a modern and comfortable interior which still retains its characteristic timber beam ceilings and stone oors. There are four spaces within Almoners’ Hall: the William Morton Room and the John Chambers Room and, in between, two reception or breakout rooms. The rooms may be hired individually or as a complete space. The unique layout of Almoner’s Hall makes it the ideal location for intermediary meetings, workshop style training events, informal parties or for use as a sales showroom. The capacity shown below is for the whole Almoner’s Hall space. See separate pages for William Morton Room and John Chambers Room capacities.

CAPACITY GUIDE Reception Lecture Boardroom Dinner 100 n/a n/a n/a

This room inside Almoner’s Hall is named after the local man who became Abbot of the monastery in 1528. When he realised that his eorts to prevent Henry VIII from closing the monastery would be in vain, he built political connections to ensure its survival as a Cathedral. Chambers secured his appointment as the rst Bishop of Peterborough when the Diocese was created in 1541 and held the post until his death in 1556. This room is the larger of the two rooms within Almoner’s Hall. It has its own facilities and kitchen and opens onto a reception or breakout space. It is well suited for hosting board meetings, small conferences, lectures and private dinner parties. Wi- is provided and a digital projector and screen are available on request.

CAPACITY GUIDE Reception Lecture Boardroom Dinner 40 20 15 20

This room inside Almoner’s Hall is named after the mid-15th century Almoner at the Abbey, William Morton, whose daily transaction records survive, to the great fascination of historians. In this room were the ovens used in medieval times to bake the bread given as alms to the poor. The William Morton Room is the smaller of the two rooms within Almoner’s Hall. It has its own facilities and leads onto a reception or breakout space. It is an intimate space with a domestic feel, ideal for smaller meetings, dinners and training events. Wi- is provided and a digital projector and screen are available on request.

CAPACITY GUIDE Reception Lecture Boardroom Dinner n/a n/a 12 10

This impressive medieval chamber above the gateway to the Bishop’s Palace was constructed around 1220 to house the knights of Peterborough Abbey after King William I imposed the living of knights onto monastic estates. It is Grade 1 listed and a Scheduled Ancient Monument but was recently conserved and refurbished to bring it back into use, with the help of a Heritage Lottery Award. Its high ceiling, mullioned windows and period features give the room an understated grandeur. Add to this 21st century conveniences such as electronic blinds, underoor heating, digital projection and wi- , and you have a wonderful setting for a wide range of events such as parties, board meetings, lectures, recitals and dinners.

CAPACITY GUIDE Reception Lecture Boardroom Dinner 90 65 26 50

The Palace View Room is a secluded and airy a space for a meeting or private dinner, yet just metres from the bustling city centre. Its generously proportioned sash window looks out onto the Bishop’s Palace and garden, giving the whole room a calm and undisturbed feel. Situated on the rst oor of the Cathedral Visitor Centre, the Palace View Room is reached by stairs or the lift. It is furnished with high quality wood furniture and is fully equipped with screen, digital projector and wi- . A comfortable waiting area or breakout space can be made available nearby. The Palace View Room is a great choice for a business meetings and lunches, recruitment interviews or small scale training sessions.

CAPACITY GUIDE Reception Lecture Boardroom Dinner n/a n/a 8 8

This elegantly proportioned room is framed by two oor to ceiling windows, one overlooking the West Front of the Cathedral and the other looking onto the Bishop’s Palace and garden behind the Visitor Centre. The Exhibition Room is on the mezzanine oor just above the Visitor Centre’s ground oor display which tells the story of Peterborough Cathedral, from Roman times to the present, through a fascinating timeline, digital touch table and other interactive exhibits. A programme of temporary exhibitions is shown in the Exhibition Room and these are open to the public during normal Visitor Centre opening hours. However, from 5.00pm daily this lovely room is available for private receptions.

CAPACITY GUIDE Reception Lecture Boardroom Dinner 30 n/a n/a n/a

CONTACT US Call 01733 355300 or email [email protected] When you hire a Peterborough Cathedral venue, you are helping us to maintain this historic site for future generations. FOOD & DRINK

Whether you are after silver service ne dining, a champagne and canape reception, or simply a working lunch or tea and biscuits, we will happily supply menus and suggestions to meet your requirements so that your event is just as you imagined it. We work with various high quality professional catering partners who know our buildings well and can deliver the excellent food and service our customers expect.

CONTACT US Call 01733 355300 or email [email protected] When you hire a Peterborough Cathedral venue, you are helping us to maintain this historic site for future generations. AS PART OF YOUR BOOKING...

These activities can be added when you book your event at Peterborough Cathedral:

A PRIVATE TOUR OF THE HISTORIC CATHEDRAL INTERIOR A fascinating insight into the Cathedral building, highlighting its religious, architectural and historical features, touching on some of the many stories and legends associated with this place. Tours usually last around 1 hour 15 minutes but can be tailored to suit the time you have available. Prices start from £100 per booking inclusive of VAT (up to 25 guests); multiple tour groups can be catered for with larger numbers.

A PRIVATE TOWER TOUR Visit the upper reaches of the building for a close-up view of the stained glass and fabulous ceilings. See the rare 13th century builders’ windlass and the ringing chamber on your way to the top of the tower with its breath-taking view from the top. Tower Tours usually last around 1 hour 20 minutes but can be tailored to suit the time you have available. This is not an activity for anyone of a nervous disposition, who is pregnant, or has heart or respiratory diculties! Children must be over the age of ten and accompanied by an adult. Prior to taking the tour, guests will be asked to sign a disclaimer form for insurance purposes. Prices start from £200 per booking inclusive of VAT (up to 13 guests).

A PRIVATE TOUR OF THE CATHEDRAL PRECINCTS Tours of the historic Cathedral Precincts are available on request, exploring some of the hidden features and stories of this historic area, including spaces that are not normally open to the public such as the Deanery Garden. Prices start from £100 per booking inclusive of VAT (up to 25 guests).

EVENSONG The centuries-old tradition of Church choral music comes alive at Evensong, a daily act of worship. Peterborough Cathedral choir sing Evensong during term time; at weekends and in the school holidays there are often visiting choirs. Evensong usually takes place at 5.30pm on weekdays and at 3.30pm on Sundays. All are welcome to join us for this peaceful and uplifting service with the most incredible music.

CONCERTS AND EVENTS The Cathedral Music Department arranges a schedule of major concerts and organ recitals through the course of the year, with opportunities for sponsorship. Singing has been a part of worship at Peterborough Cathedral for over 1000 years. As a Benedictine abbey generations of monks sang the oces. Today’s choral foundation consists of boy and girl Choristers, Lay Clerks and Choral Scholars. Entertainment from our accomplished Cathedral musicians can add distinction to your event. Please enquire for more details and prices.

CONTACT US Call 01733 355300 or email [email protected] When you hire a Peterborough Cathedral venue, you are helping us to maintain this historic site for future generations.