About London
Located in the southwest of England, London is one of the most multicultural cities on the planet. Nicknamed ‘The Global City’, London is a melting pot of cultures, and this is what makes the city so great. You will find venues and activities of all kinds, including around 300 theatres, 12,000 eateries, 500 cinema screens and over 170 museums.
If you are planning to host a charity event in London, you are spoilt for choice when it comes to venues. The bustling city provides hundreds of suitable venues, so you can tailor your venue to your event.
Charity Event Options in London
Organising a charity event is no easy feat. You'll need to choose your cause, select a theme, find a venue and promote the event. However, enlisting the help of several experienced vendors will help significantly.
- Caterers
If your chosen venue does not offer food service, you will need to hire a caterer. Hiring a talented catering team will save you time, ensure the food served is high-quality, provide a range of options for those with specific dietary requirements and guarantee safety and hygiene.
- Event Planners
There is a lot to consider when planning a charity event. If you are inexperienced and would like some help from an expert, consider hiring an event planner. Regardless of the nature of your charity event, an event planner can help you craft the perfect occasion that guests will remember for years to come.
- Furniture Hire
Once you have found the ideal venue, you need to consider furniture. Depending on the type of charity event you are hosting, it may be necessary to hire furniture. Thankfully, London is home to several event furniture hire companies that can provide you with the furnishings you require.
Event Companies in London
- Ampersand Events
Headquartered in Wimbledon, London, Ampersand Events provide event planning and catering services in a variety of prestigious London venues, including Hampton Court Palace, Kew Gardens, Kew Palace, Kensington Palace State Apartments and the Tower of London. The company’s talented chef creates exquisite food to suit your occasion. Available catering options include canapes, bowl food, food stations and fine dining. So if you are planning a formal dinner or a buffet, Ampersand Events will provide attendees with delicious food to keep them satiated all night long.
- Conker Events
Conker Events offer event planning and management services for events of all kinds, including charity events, weddings and corporate events. The company wholeheartedly believes that every event, whether a fundraiser or a celebration, should be unique and tailored to your specific requirements.
- Co-Ordination Event Hire
Located near Gatwick Airport, Co-Ordination Event Hire offers furniture hire packages. For over three decades, the family-run business has worked in the equipment hire niche. Whether you require furniture, chinaware, glassware, cutlery, linen, serving equipment, silverware, kitchen equipment or even a dance floor, Co-Ordination Event Hire will have it! Services include the delivery and collection of furniture and equipment from your event, a daily back-to-back wash facility and a dedicated team to help ensure everything goes as smoothly as possible.
Pros and Cons of Charity Events in London
Advantages
- Lively atmosphere
London is described by some as a 24-hour city. Increasingly, the Capital is becoming a city that never sleeps. If you're planning to have a fun and more casual or informal charity event, London can be a great place to do that! After the event, you can head out and explore the city as more shops and entertainment venues are opening later and transport is running later into the night. Move over, New York!
- Transport networks
London has an extensive transport network. In fact, it is one of the best in the world for its efficiency and customer satisfaction. The mix of options available, including overground and underground trains and hop-on, hop-off buses, makes the city extremely easy to navigate. Guests to your charity event will have an easy time getting to your chosen location!
- Entertainment
One of London’s big advantages is that you will never run out of things to do. The city is constantly buzzing with life and activity. If you're in the city for days during the event planning stage, why not see a show, watch a film at the cinema, see or a gig or go out for a fancy dinner?
Disadvantages
- Noise
London is a big, bustling city, and as a result, it can get rather noisy. The city attracts millions of visitors each year, and this can mean that popular tourist locations in Central London can become unbearably noisy. If you want to have a peaceful charity event, choose a location that has good soundproofing.
- Expensive
Throwing an event of any kind in London will make a dent in your budget. This is because the cost of living in the city is one of the highest in UK and in the world. Rental prices are high, as well as prices in shops, restaurants, entertainment and other services. Keep this in mind when budgeting for your charity event.
Famous Locations in London
- Hyde Park
One of eight royal parks, Hyde Park is located in Central London and hosts a wide variety of things to do. If you’d like a few moments of reflection, take a walk through the idyllic Kensington Gardens. If you’re in the park and find that your stomach is rumbling, why not saunter over to The Serpentine Lido Cafe? Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for wildlife—the park is home to swans, butterflies, bats and squirrels.
- The Tower of London
Located on the bank of the River Thames, the Tower of London is one of the city’s most iconic buildings. The first parts of the magnificent castle were built under the watchful eyes of William the Conqueror in the 11th century. Almost 1,000 years on, the building has been preserved for its incredibly complex history. The Tower of London attracts around three million tourists each year who come to explore the grounds, traverse the castle’s fine interior and delve deeper into the history of the English monarchy.
- Kew Gardens
Situated in southwest London, Kew Gardens houses some of the most diverse botanical collections in the world. First created in the 18th century, Kew Gardens has become a popular tourist destination and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The spectacular gardens receive around 1.3 million visitors each year who come to explore Kew Gardens’ impressive collections, including the Japanese Landscape, the Treetop Walkway, the Rock Garden and the Grass Garden. There is something for everyone to enjoy at Kew Gardens!