Make your next event one to talk about.

“There is only one thing in the world worse than being talked about, and that is not being talked about.”
Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray, 1891

A historical venue, rich in elegance and grandeur for business events, weddings and parties.

Designed by Frederick Sands, the impressive Georgian Grade I listed Assembly Rooms were originally founded as elegant public rooms in the heart of fashionable eighteenth century Bury St Edmunds where members of polite society relaxed, played cards, danced and took tea.

The Assembly Rooms were developed and reopened in 1854 as The Athenaeum and quickly became the centre of Bury society and the place to be seen and entertained. In its heyday The Athenaeum played host to society balls, readings of famous literary works and lectures by some of the nation’s leading writers, playwrights and social critics including Charles Dickens, Oscar Wilde, Charles Kingsley and William Thackeray. Charles Dickens gave readings from The Pickwick Papers in 1859 and A Personal History of David Copperfield in 1861, staying next door at The Angel Hotel.

Today, this impressive Georgian gem on Angel Hill is without doubt one of the most unique and atmospheric venues in Bury St Edmunds and a grand backdrop for weddings, private parties, conferences, corporate events and TV and film locations. Designed for entertainment, The Athenaeum can be hired exclusively for up to 350 guests using all five spaces, allowing guests to seamlessly move from arrival reception to dinner, just as the Georgians would have done at their high society balls.

Download The Athenaeum events brochure here.

Key Features

  • Ideal town centre location near the beautiful award-winning Abbey Gardens.
  • Excellent bus and train transport links.
  • Five flexible spaces available for hire.
  • Professional, attentive and friendly event management team.
  • Delicious in-house catering by Seasoned.
  • Fabulous choice of leading local accredited suppliers.

Capacities

  • Dinners152
  • Conferences200
  • Drinks Reception250
  • Exhibitions200

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Testimonials

“Absolutely lovely people on hand, ready to help. I cannot fault the service we received from the registrars & assistants at my son's wedding service. Beautiful surroundings, warm, friendly staff.”
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