Corporate Event Hire 2026

Corporate

Event Hire

The Historic Dockyard Chatham

For centuries The Historic Dockyard has been at the forefront of innovation, technology and entrepreneurship. Now, as a place to meet, connect, share ideas and successes, The Dockyard offers a distinctive range of venue hire locations.

Whether you’re looking for intimate private dining for moments with your closest clients or grand gatherings to celebrate with your team, our range of historic venues are designed to support your brand with an unparalleled hospitality offering.

We know that a venue isn’t just a backdrop - it’s part of your narrative. At The Dockyard, centuries of history meet modern functionality, giving your business the stage it deserves. Our team will work with you to create bespoke events that engage your audience and bring your story to life.

Executive Meeting Rooms

A selection of historic meeting spaces with modern facilities and break out rooms.

Team Celebrations

Celebrate your successes in style, treat your team to an elegant garden party or relaxed BBQ.

Private Dining

Dine like an admiral with bespoke menus that harness local Kentish ingredients.

Exclusive Use Hire

The Commissioner’s House is yours for the day, enjoy the gardens, bar and The Orangery for a larger event.

Key Details

Individual rooms: 6 - 120 seated

Exclusive use: 120 seated | 200 standing

The Commissioner’s House & Gardens

New for 2026

Restored and renewed, our signature venue, The Commissioner’s House and Gardens, returns to its former grandeur as a premier location for business meetings, team celebrations and events that inspire. Reimagined for modern life, The Commissioner’s House maintains a rich Georgian character, charm and spirit of welcoming hospitality.

No.1 Smithery

The expansive No.1 Smithery began its life in 1801 to help meet the Dockyard’s growing need for ironwork. After a major redevelopment, the building is now a distinctive venue offering at The Historic Dockyard, complete with modern museum galleries and flexible event spaces.

Corporate Events

From drinks receptions to exhibitions and showcases, No.1 Smithery is a flexible space that lends itself to events of scale.

Product Launches

Give your product the debut it deserves by choosing a historic setting.

Drinks Receptions

Discover our galleries with a private viewing of our latest exhibition while we delight your guests with canapés and drinks.

Presentation & Exhibition Space

No.1 Smithery Courtyard offers a large industrial space, with historic brickwork providing a breathtaking setting.

Key Details

Gallery space: 150 standing

The Courtyard: 200 seated and standing

Drinks Receptions

Step aboard the main deck of HMS GANNET for a stunning drinks reception.

Private Dining

Head into the Captain’s Cabin for an intimate and elevated private dining experience.

Key Details

Captain’s Cabin: 22 seated | 50 standing

Main Deck : 70 seated | 150 standing

HMS Gannet

Built on the River Medway at Sheerness in 1878, our Victorian sloop now provides the perfect setting for an unforgettable event. Step aboard for an elegant drinks reception underneath the rigging on the main deck, or head down into the Captain’s Cabin for an elegant private dining experience.

The Royal Dockyard Church

The Royal Dockyard Church is a purpose built theatre space. With a stage and state-of-the-art presentation equipment, it’s an ideal venue to accommodate your next big staff training day, lecture, theatre performance or to host a multi-day conference. Original architectural features blend with modern facilities to provide an iconic stage for your event.

Conferences

Auditorium seating combines with the period architectural features to make a memorable conference space.

Theatre & Performances

Featuring a stage and tiered seating, our adapted historic church is perfect for performances.

Presentations & Demonstrations

Our state-of-the-art AV equipment and screens make The Royal Dockyard Church ideal for presentations.

Key Details

Ground floor: 152 seated

Balcony: 60 seated

3 Slip Mezzanine

As one of The Dockyard’s most distinctive architectural settings, the oldest of the surviving slips, 3 Slip, now offers an incredible large events location. 3 Slip is a standout event space, ideally suited to exhibitions that inspire, and impressive awards shows. Located on a mezzanine floor above a museum gallery space, your guests will be mesmerised by the buildings unique structure.

Awards Ceremonies

Historic timbers make an iconic backdrop for awe inspiring award ceremonies.

Exhibitions

Our large covered space gives plenty of room for exhibitors and delegates.

Key Details

Capacity: 400 seated and standing

Large Covered Event Space 5 Slip

Exhibitions & Fairs

Our large covered space gives plenty of room for your event. 5 Slip is a large industrial space ideally suited to fairs.

Key Details

Capacity: 400 seated & standing.

Museum Square

Large Outdoor Event Space

Car & Bike Clubs

Our site covers over 80 acres and has a range of outside spaces to offer for your next big event, including our gardens and central shingle area, Museum Square.

Key Details

Capacity: 800 +

The Fitted Rigging House

Meeting Rooms

Meeting Rooms

Two adjacent meeting rooms that can be hired individually or together if breakout space is required. Our Fitted Rigging House meeting rooms are perfect for small meetings, training sessions, classes and presentations. They include complimentary tea, coffee, still and sparkling water for all guests.

Key Details

Capacity: 40 seated & standing

The Joiners Shop Meeting Rooms

Meeting Room

Located within a scheduled ancient monument converted for modern business needs, The Joiners Shop provides space to meet in an iconic historic location. Meeting room hire includes complimentary tea, coffee, still and sparkling water for all guests.

Key Details

Capacity: 10 seated

Dining at The Dockyard

Memorable Menus

Dine like an admiral in one of our historic venues. From intimate private dining rooms in The Commissioner’s House or aboard HMS GANNET, to our sun-drenched Orangery seating 120 guests, place food at the heart of your celebration. Our head chef brings creativity and craft to every menu, drawing on the best seasonal produce and influences from Britain’s rich culinary traditions.

Opt for drinks and canapés, delightful afternoon teas, relaxed and informal BBQs, or decadent multi-course menus. Our experienced events team will work with you to find the perfect package to accompany venue hire at The Historic Dockyard.

Get in touch

Send us an email to plan your bespoke event ch-events@chdt.org.uk

Call the team

Hospitality team: 01634 823858

Switchboard: 01634 823800

Where you'll find us

The Historic Dockyard Chatham, Kent ME4 4TZ

Find us on online

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/thehistoricdockyardchatham Website: thedockyard.co.uk/corporate

Photography Credit