A Diary of The Events Team

At Conference Roehampton we are passionate about our heritage as our venues are steeped in history . With a little help from the university’s wonderful archivist, Gilly King we thought we’d  take this opportunity to share some of our unique events spaces with you. If you’re looking for a room with character look no further!

 

The Adam Room (circa 1790), was given its name because of its a close resemblance to the style of a Scottish neoclassical architect Robert Adam. As you enter the room your eyes are drawn in particular to the ceiling with its delicate wreaths and scrolls. The splendid double mahogany doors are noteworthy and the chimney piece (which I must add is taller than some of our Conference team!) has a fantastic scene of Hercules choosing the path of duty rather than pleasure, not inappropriate to a room where we hold corporate meetings and high brow discussions!

 

The Richmond Room was once the entrance Hall and ballroom to Parkstead House, and its original purpose still remains very intact as an ideal room for private dinners, events and drinks receptions .The frieze of vases, drapes and lions’ heads reflects the neo-Palladian ideals first seen in Venice. The plasterwork is carried onto the walls which are divided into a series of sunken panels separated by sunken laurel torus mouldings. The neo-classical motifs are only present in the ceiling but the stone chimney piece gives the whole room a neo-classical impact. This chimney piece is the earliest datable example of its type designed by Chambers and carved by Joseph Wilton.

 

 

 

Manresa Hall (1864) previously called the Jesuit Chapel was designed by the architect J.J.Scoles and completed after his death, in 1864, by his pupil S.I. Nicholl. The chapel is described by Pevsner as “... elaborate Italian Renaissance, with marble pilasters, barrel-vaults penetrated by clerestory windows, and arches with top-lit domes decorated by bizarre coffering in different patterns.” (Cherry & Pevsner, p.694). On the outside, the niches were for statues of Saints Ignatius, Francis Xavier, Aloysius and Stanislaus. In the 1870s Henry Clutton designed the north aisle which was added to increase the capacity of the Chapel. The Chapel was deconsecrated in the early 1960s and makes a beautiful setting for civil ceremonies as well as conferences and award dinners. A room we believe is definitely one of Roehampton best kept secrets and that takes your breath away.

 

 

The Ponsonby Room, originally the Library, has a flat-banded ceiling with low relief trophies of the arts and sciences, and owls of Athena and sphinxes. The ceiling was restored during in 2004 and now offers an intimate space for meetings and networking events. It connects through to the Hopkins room which is an ideal syndicate room but was originally a bedchamber!

 

 

 

 

The Bessborough Room was used as the Drawing Room and the ceiling are decorated with reliefs of vases, scrolls and bucrania (ox skulls) often found in classical decorations. The Bessborough makes an exceptional meeting space for small board meetings or intimate dinner parties, with the views overlooking Richmond Park. We just hope your guests don’t spend too long staring out of the windows!

If you would like to hold an event at one of our beautiful, historical venues we’d love to hear from you. Call the office today on 020 8392 3505 to find out more and come visit us!        

www.parksteadhouse.co.uk 

www.grovehouseroehampton.co.uk