8 min readBristol, Bath and the West of England are fantastic locations for business events, offering a plethora of historic and unique venues, as well as major hotel brands and purpose-built conference facilities.
Check out our roundup of venues able to accommodate seated conferences for 400 or more delegates in the region:
Bristol Beacon
Fresh from a major refurbishment, the venue blends contemporary and classic architecture with world-class technology and a bold cultural spirit. The Beacon’s spaces, which are available for private hire, will inspire music lovers and artists alike.
The venue boasts two world-class performance venues, a bright new restaurant, and see the building’s historic cellars in use for the first time. The venue has also set a target to become the UK’s first net-zero concert hall by 2030.
Image - Bristol Beacon
Ashton Gate Stadium
Home of Bristol City Football and Bristol Bears, Ashton Gate is an excellent choice for major conferences and meetings. The Lansdown Suite, based in the Stadium’s Lansdown Stand, can hold up to 1,000 people theatre-style or 850 for dinner. What’s more, there are fantastic public transport links to Bristol city centre, and a huge choice of hotels nearby, making Ashton Gate an immensely popular choice.
Coming soon to Ashton Gate is a 4,000-seater Sports & Convention Centre (SCC). The Sporting Quarter development will consist of the SCC, a hotel and a multi-storey car park to accommodate even larger events in Bristol. Planned opening in 2028.
Image - Ashton Gate Stadium
The Grand Pier
The Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare offers more than just amusement rides and attractions; you will also find a variety of versatile spaces available for private and corporate events.
Choose the perfect setting for your event from six venue rooms catering for up to 600 people. The seafront location also provides a memorable backdrop, making The Grand Pier an ideal choice for anyone seeking a distinctive event venue.
Image - The Grand Pier at Weston-super-Mare
Aerospace Bristol
Aerospace Bristol offers an exciting opportunity to stage your event under the wings of Concorde. The Concorde Gallery is a truly one-of-a-kind venue for large corporate and private events, trade shows, conferences, gala dinners, and award ceremonies for up to 1000 guests, with the last Concorde in the world to fly as the centrepiece of your event.
The smaller Aerospace conference spaces include a lecture theatre with raked seating for up to 146 guests, including 4 wheelchair users, but can be expanded to accommodate 200 guests. The space is ideal for conferences, talks, film screenings and product launches.
Image - Aerospace Bristol
Delta Hotels by Marriott Bristol City Centre
Delta Hotels by Marriott Bristol City Centre offers one of the largest and most flexible hotel event facilities in the South West, with 19 meeting and event spaces totalling over 1,300 m². Among these is the Bristol Suite, comfortably accommodating up to 600 in theatre-style, and the Conservatory, offering a bright, glass-fronted room with patio access, popular for receptions and social events.
Located in central Bristol with strong transport links, and near to Cabot Circus shopping centre, the hotel is particularly well suited to corporate conferences, training events and formal dinners.
Image - Delta Hotels by Marriott Bristol City Centre
The Winter Gardens
The Winter Gardens Pavilion is a significant part of Weston-super-Mare's seafront, blending timeless 1920s elegance with contemporary conference facilities. This impressive venue offers versatile space for a wide range of events.
The main Ballroom accommodates up to 600 guests theatre‑style, or 350 for a formal dinner, and can cater for a variety of corporate events, including product launches, exhibitions, business meetings and even team building exercises on the beach.
Image - The Winter Gardens
St George's Bristol
Steeped in Regency elegance and equipped with modern sophistication, the elegant Grand Hall and Glass Studio are available to hire for corporate events – from conferences to award ceremonies, meetings, and networking for up to 580 people. Located just off Park Street, beside Brandon Hill, the hall, gardens and contemporary extension combine Georgian charm with modern architecture. The on-site team can provide delicious, locally-sourced food and drink options, which can be enjoyed on the beautiful, terraced lawns.
As a working arts venue and registered charity, every event held here directly supports innovative music, learning and participation programmes. The peaceful green setting’s convenient location in the heart of the city centre makes St George’s an ideal choice for your event.
Image - St George's Bristol
Bristol Grand Hotel by Sunday
Located on Broad Street, just a short walk from Bristol Temple Meads railway station, The Bristol Grand Hotel by Sunday provides an ideal venue for business events or family occasions.
The hotel’s largest function room, the Wessex Suite, seats up to 600 guests, making it suitable for large conferences. There are also an additional nine rooms perfect for team meetings, training sessions, presentations, interviews, and private dining.
Image - Wessex Suite at Bristol Grand Hotel by Sunday
Bristol Old Vic
Originally opened in 1766, Bristol Old Vic is the oldest continuously working theatre in the English-speaking world, and a magnificent venue for corporate events.
With such a rich history, central location, and flexible event spaces ranging in capacity from 12 to 550, Bristol Old Vic offers endless possibilities to make your event truly remarkable. Event spaces include the elegant Grade I listed Coopers’ Hall, intimate Foyle Room and spectacular Auditorium.
Image - Bristol Old Vic
We The Curious
Situated in the heart of the city’s Harbourside, We The Curious is an award-winning science and discovery centre offering distinctive event spaces that inspire creativity and engagement.
Choose from air-conditioned rooms flooded with natural daylight and private outdoor roof terraces with superb city views, where you can host everything from unique drink receptions with team-building activities to inspiring exhibitions.
Image - Rosalind Franklin event space at We The Curious
University of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a custodian of many fine buildings which help shape the city’s character. With its impressive property portfolio, the University offers a diverse array of excellent venues for conferences, meetings, and social events.
As a centre of higher education and research, the University’s flexible facilities include modern tiered lecture theatres, large halls, exhibition areas, attractive meeting rooms and extensive sports facilities. The magnificent neo-Gothic oak-panelled Great Hall in the University precinct seats up to 800 delegates or a banquet for 250.
Image - Great Hall in Wills Memorial Building
Apex City of Bath Hotel
Apex City of Bath Hotel is home to Bath's largest purpose-built conference facility, the main conference room can accommodate up to 400 delegates theatre-style.
With 11 purpose-built event spaces, with flexible subdivision options, Apex City of Bath Hotel is a great choice for exhibitions, conferences, meetings and events. The hotel is well-located in the heart of Bath, just a short walk from Bath Spa railway station, the famed Thermae Bath Spa, Roman Baths and Royal Victoria Park.
Image - Lansdown Suite at Apex City of Bath
The Bristol Hotel
The Bristol is part of a family-owned collection of luxury and urban hotels, providing modern style and warmth on Bristol’s Harbourside, one of the city’s many creative and colourful quarters.
Against the attractive waterside backdrop is the hotel’s dedicated Meetings & Events Centre, which features its own separate entrance, lobby and lounge area. Offering nine elegantly appointed event spaces, spacious lobby and break-out areas, and the latest conference technology, The Bristol ensures that doing business is always a pleasure.
Image - Ballroom at The Bristol Hotel
De Vere Tortworth Court
Set in picturesque, landscaped gardens, De Vere Tortworth Court is a historic hotel in stunning surroundings – a place where a centuries-old story meets a thoroughly modern experience.
A popular choice for meetings, events for up to 400 delegates, business stays, and getaways, the Grade II* listed hotel is nestled in gorgeous Gloucestershire countryside on the edge of the Cotswolds, close to the M5 and just a short journey from Bristol Parkway railway station, which recently introduced direct trains from London Paddington.
Image - De Vere Tortworth Court
How can the Visit West Convention Bureau help?
Each of these venues has plenty to offer, giving you ample opportunity to arrange an event to remember. The Visit West Convention Bureau are able to offer impartial advice and help you find your perfect venue - please contact the friendly team via events@visitwest.co.uk, who are always happy to help.
