Venue spotlight: Host a country-style celebration in the heart of the city at The HAC

A country-house venue in the heart of the city of London The HAC offers both glamorous period rooms and a state-of-the-art party space. And, with glorious private grounds, this is a unique setting for the grandest bespoke celebration

The HAC is a splendid historic venue in five acres of grounds, and while this feels like a grand country house, its EC1 location couldn’t be more city-central. As home of the Honourable Artillery Company, The British Army’s oldest regiment, this is a wedding venue steeped in London history and unique British style.

Scene setting

There is no denying the grandeur of The HAC. This 18^th-century country-house-style venue sits in the heart of the city, tucked away behind City Road and just a few minutes from Moorgate Station. Its main building Armoury House is historic home of the Honorary Artillery Company and with grand Georgian proportions. This is set in splendid gardens that can either be used as part of your celebration or enjoyed for their fine views and photo opportunities. Inside, the building is the perfect marriage of history and contemporary party spaces, and with a multitude of options for designing a bespoke celebration. The HAC is available for exclusive hire at weekends and on weekday evenings, and with a dedicated team to help plan ceremony, catering and party.

Perfect for…

The HAC can cater for everything from an intimate wedding to the grandest celebration and has four spaces licensed for civil marriage ceremonies, ranging from the elegant Queen’s or Ante Room (each with a capacity of 45), right up to the wonderful Prince Consort Rooms (capacity 400). What is unique about The HAC is the versatility of the settings. The rich red walls and Georgian proportions of The Long Room make it the perfect period space for a lavish wedding breakfast, while the stylish design and contemporary proportions of the Prince Consort Rooms – opened in 2007 by HM The Queen – make it a superbly flexible space for dinner, dancing and entertainment.

Rooms are set aside for bride and groom to change, and The HAC’s proximity to many of London’s finest hotels – plus easy access to major airports and London rail stations – make this a great choice if your wedding has an international guest list or family and friends are travelling from all corners of the UK.

The details

At The HAC, you can hire spaces independently or in combination – for instance, hosting your wedding breakfast in The Long Room and moving on to Prince Consort Rooms for the after party. The flexibility of the settings here make this a very popular venue for Asian and Kosher weddings too – especially as The Prince Consort Rooms offer a ‘blank canvas’ that can be dressed for the occasion.

Catering is a real draw here, with the in-house team offering distinctive and delicious menus with a focus on seasonal and luxurious food and drink. There are a variety of sample menus to inspire you, or you can work with the team of chefs to design a bespoke menu to suit your guests and the occasion. Diamond Packages at The HAC – including reception drinks, three-course wedding breakfast, floral centrepieces and DJ/disco – cost from £85 per person.

Extra magic

The HAC is a wonderfully grand London address, but thanks to its quiet location and lovely gardens it has relaxed country-style quality that is perfect for making guests feel at home. The flexibility of the spaces, superb catering and experience of the in-house team at organising parties large and small means your wedding celebration can be tailored around you. And with such beautiful gardens, this is surely one of London’s finest spaces for a summer wedding where you want to incorporate alfresco drinks.