Cambridge University venues for hire University of Cambridge With its long history and strong presence across the city, the University of Cambridge provides an ideal location for conferences, lectures, symposia or social events. From the range of modern and historic venues you can find one to suit your event. The University of Cambridge has inspired scholars for 800 years and as a globally renowned seat of learning it still attracts the brightest students from the UK and around the world. The city of Cambridge draws a large number of visitors every year and is particularly famous for its architecture. Some of the University Colleges have become well-known landmarks in Cambridge and the University museums are also highly regarded. The University s Fitzwilliam Museum is considered the finest small museum in the world. For more information on hiring venues and the accompanying facilities, please see the relevant section or call our booking staff. 01223 337766 (Monday Friday) Page Offering a wide range of meeting rooms and catering outlets open all year. 5 Lecture theatres, halls and rooms A range of venues available to hire in and out of term time. 21 Mill Lane Site 23 New Museums Site 25 Downing Site 27 Sidgwick Site 29 Old Schools Site 31 Catering services 33 Menus 36
Page Room name Reception standing Reception seated Classroom Banquet Cabaret *without screen 9 Hicks Room 200 100 70 100 40/50* 11 Cormack Room 200 100 70 100 40/50* 13 Riverside Suite 60 13 Meade Room 40 30 18 32 18 15 Main Dining Hall (MDH) 17 Boardrooms A and B 17 Barker Room Lecture theatres, hall and rooms Page Site name Room name Seating capacity 23 Mill Lane Site Rooms 1,2,3,4 and 9 From 120 to 250 23 Mill Lane Site Rooms 5 to 8 From 21 to 75 25 New Museums Site Babbage Lecture Theatre 450 25 New Museums Site Cockcroft Lecture Theatre 530 25 New Museums Site Large/Small Examination Rooms 120 (small), 220 (large) 25 New Museums Site Arts School Room A 250 25 New Museums Site Arts School Rooms B and C 87(B), 78(C) 27 Downing Site Biffin Lecture Theatre 170 29 Sidgwick Site Lady Mitchell Hall 500 29 Sidgwick Site Little Hall From 100 to 150 29 Sidgwick Site Lecture Block Rooms 1 to 6 From 100 to 150 29 Sidgwick Site Lecture Block Rooms 7 to 12 25 to 45 31 Old Schools Site Combination Room 150 2
Venues overview The following tables show an overview for capacities and room s at the University Centre, Lecture theatres, halls and rooms available for hire at Cambridge University. A catering overview is available on page 35. Call our booking staff to discuss your needs 01223 337766. Theatre U shaped Boardroom Herringbone Fanned table 150 40 45 100 56 150 40 45 100 56 50 20 24 20 13(A), 9(B) 14(A), 10(B) 6 Seating type Theatre U shaped Boardroom Fixed, tiered seating Flat floor, movable Fixed, tiered seating Fixed, tiered seating Flat floor, movable Fixed, tiered seating Flat floor, movable Fixed, tiered seating Fixed, tiered seating Fixed, tiered seating Fixed seating Flat floor, movable Flat floor, movable Flat floor Call our booking staff on: 01223 337766 (Monday Friday) 3
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Introduction With spectacular views across the River Cam and only minutes from the city centre, the University Centre is the perfect venue for a wide range of conferences, business meetings and events. Purpose-built as a conference centre, it has the space to accommodate functions for up to 400 guests while at the same time providing comfortable meeting rooms for small groups of business associates. In addition, the University Centre has a versatile catering operation offering everything from light refreshments served throughout the day in meeting rooms to formal dining in the University s flagship restaurant. However large or small your event, our friendly and experienced conference team will make sure it runs smoothly and will provide you with all the back-up you need both at the planning stage and during the event itself. The University Centre is open daily from 9am until 11pm, except for a few days at Christmas and Easter. With a variety of meeting rooms, restaurants and catering facilities, the University Centre is perfect for corporate as well as private events. We also host one of the best fine dining restaurants in the city. Call our booking staff on: 01223 337766 (Monday Friday) 5
Call our booking team to discuss your needs 01223 337766. Page Room name Reception standing Reception seated 9 Hicks Room 200 100 11 Cormack Room 200 100 13 Riverside Suite 13 Meade Room 40 30 15 Main Dining Hall (MDH) 17 Boardrooms A and B 17 Barker Room Catering and dining is available in all rooms. AV A wide range of AV equipment is available for hire. Level access entry via lift to all floors. Please call our booking staff to arrange a viewing. More information is available at www.unicen.cam.ac.uk Very limited car parking is available. Please see the travel information on the back cover for alternative travel and parking arrangements. 6
University Centre overview This quick guide lists the rooms available for hire at the University Centre and details the capacities and seating plans available for each room. You ll find more detailed information for each room on the following pages. Classroom Banquet Cabaret *without screen Theatre U shaped Boardroom Herringbone Fanned Table 70 100 40/50* 150 40 45 100 56 70 100 40/50* 150 40 45 100 56 60 18 32 18 50 20 24 20 13(A), 9(B) 14(A), 10(B) 6 Rooms for hire Whether you are planning a large reception, a training day for a group of delegates or just looking for a relaxed meeting place for a handful of business associates, we can offer you the perfect space. With a wide array of rooms to choose from, the University can accommodate very large numbers in comfort but can also provide more intimate meeting rooms for smaller groups. We have an extensive range of conference equipment available to hire, ranging from a full PA system through to flip charts, pads and pens. We can also supply a technician if you need help setting up some of the more complicated equipment. Basic office support is also available (at a small fee) throughout the day, for services such as faxing, message taking and photocopying. Call our booking staff on: 01223 337766 (Monday Friday) 7
Hicks Room This large, light and airy room takes its name from John Hicks, Economics Laureate, 1972, and is an extremely flexible space, ideal for lectures, receptions, formal dinners and large meetings. Air-conditioning and double-glazed windows provide a comfortable environment for a wide range of business uses. It can be hired in conjunction with the Meade Room (page 13), a smaller room immediately adjacent to it, which can be used either as a private dining room, meeting room or break-out room. The Hicks Room is also perfect for evening events, and can accommodate a disco and a bar. Recent events include: Careers Fairs for Cambridge University Away days and formal dinners 8
Hicks Room Specification Meade Room Dimensions 24.5m x 8.5m Lift Capacity Ideal for 200 - see page 7 for additional s Lectures Presentations Exhibitions Sales conferences Training Receptions Parties Hicks Room 8.5 metres 24.5 metres First floor Catering and dining is available in this room. Please see our menu options on page 33. AV A wide range of AV equipment is available for hire. Level access entry via lift. Please call our booking staff to arrange a viewing. More information is available at www.unicen.cam.ac.uk Call our booking staff on: 01223 337766 (Monday Friday) 9
Cormack Room Located on the Second floor, this large, light and airy room is perfect for events booked on our excellent value daily delegate rate. It is situated on the same floor as the Main Dining Hall which provides great value hot and cold meals. Recent events include: Graduate union and newcomers coffee mornings Training courses and meetings Careers Fairs for Cambridge University 10
Cormack Room Specification Dimensions 21.5m x 8.5m Lift Capacity Ideal for 200 - see page 7 for additional s Lectures Presentations Exhibitions Sales conferences Training Cormack Room 8.5 metres 24.5 metres Second floor Catering and dining is available in this room. Please see our menu options on page 33. AV A wide range of AV equipment is available for hire. Level access entry via lift. Please call our booking staff to arrange a viewing. More information is available at www.unicen.cam.ac.uk Call our booking staff on: 01223 337766 (Monday Friday) 11
Riverside Suite The University Centre s Riverside Restaurant is one of the best - and best value restaurants in Cambridge and enjoys one of the finest views in the city. Delegates are welcome to meet for pre-dinner drinks in the Granta Bar (see page 18), or perhaps book our private room, the Meade Room, for a formal drinks reception and dinner. Recent events include: Cambridge University Science Festival dinner Vice-Chancellor s discussion dinners 12
Riverside Suite Riverside Suite Specification Riverside Restaurant Dimensions 27m x 5m Capacity 60 - see page 7 for additional s The River Cam Meade Room Ideal for Meade Room Dimensions Capacity Ideal for Receptions Award ceremonies Formal lunches and dinners 9m x 5m 40 - see page 7 for additional s Private dining room Smaller meetings / seminars Breakout room for training Lift First Floor Catering and dining is available in this room. Please see our menu options on page 33. AV A wide range of AV equipment is available for hire. Level access entry via lift. Please call our booking staff to arrange a viewing. More information is available at www.unicen.cam.ac.uk Call our booking staff on: 01223 337766 (Monday Friday) 13
Main Dining Hall This vast space on the second floor with its high ceiling is the largest room in the University Centre. A self-service cafeteria by day, its sprung floor and full sound and staging facilities allow it to be transformed by night to host dinners and evening events. The Main Dining Hall provides a cost-effective way of catering for your delegates if you are hosting a daytime event elsewhere in the University Centre, or at the University s Lecture theatres, halls and rooms. Recent events include: Thanksgiving and Alumni lunches run by the Development Office Cambridge University Careers Fair 14
Main Dining Hall Specification Dimensions 18.6m x 18.6m Capacity 300 Ideal for Self-service cafeteria Banquets Exhibitions The River Cam 18.6 metres 18.6 metres Lift Second floor Catering and dining is available in this room. Please see our menu options on page 33. AV A wide range of AV equipment is available for hire. Level access entry via lift. Please call our booking staff to arrange a viewing. More information is available at www.unicen.cam.ac.uk Call our booking staff on: 01223 337766 (Monday Friday) 15
12 Mill Lane rooms Adjacent to, but separate from the University Centre, these boardrooms provide comfortable meeting spaces for smaller groups, who may prefer the privacy that they provide. Boardrooms A, B and Barker Room With a distinctly different feel to the University Centre Rooms, these rooms with their clean, Georgian lines still offer a full support service from our staff. Guests can also choose from the same catering options that are available in the main University Centre building. Recent events include: Cambridge Assessment, examination paper reviews Away days 16
12 Mill Lane Rooms Specification B Boardroom A Boardroom Barker Room Boardroom A and B Dimensions (A) 6.8m x 4.5m (B) 5m x 4.2m Capacity Ideal for Barker Room 14 - Boardroom Meetings Training Interviews Dimensions 5m x 4.2m Ground floor (12 Mill Lane) Capacity Ideal for 6 - Boardroom One on one meetings Breakout room Interviews Catering and dining is available in this room. Please see our menu options on page 33. AV A wide range of AV equipment is available for hire. There is no level access to these rooms. Please call our booking staff to arrange a viewing. More information is available at www.unicen.cam.ac.uk Call our booking staff on: 01223 337766 (Monday Friday) 17
With great value bar meals and snacks, as well as soft and alcoholic drinks, this contemporary, air-conditioned bar on the ground floor is the perfect place to relax with friends. Catch the latest news on the large, flat screen TV or play a few rounds of pool in the room opposite. Open: Monday - Saturday 12 noon - 11pm Sunday 12 noon - 10.30pm Ryle Room (PWF) Taking its name from Sir Martin Ryle, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1974, this quiet space is the ideal place to read, catch up on work or just gather your thoughts. The Ryle Room hosts computers connected to the University s Public Workstation Facility (PWF). Open daily 9am - 9pm The services and facilities on offer at the University Centre are first class, and designed to suit your needs. 18
Other Facilities Other facilities The University Centre is much more than just a conference centre it s also the perfect place to pause and take time out from your busy day. As a visitor to the University Centre you and your guests can take full advantage of all the facilities on offer. This relaxed café on the third floor has arguably the best views over the river and serves excellent Fairtrade coffee and a range of pastries and baguettes. With its daily supply of free newspapers and periodicals plus free broadband internet access, it s a great place for delegates to congregate before the start of their meeting, to catch up with their emails between sessions and to wind down at the end of the day. Open daily from 9am to 9pm. Fitness suite Open in 2009, our state-of-the-art fitness suite will be available for members to join. Located on the third floor, the fitness suite offers the perfect place to keep fit and healthy. The University Centre also offers a range of catering options and menus. See page 33 for more details. Call our booking staff on: 01223 337766 (Monday Friday) 19
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Lecture theatres, halls and rooms A taste of history Nestled in the heart of the City, the University s lecture theatres, halls and rooms offer a more formal alternative to the University Centre and are perfect for larger conferences, lectures, business meetings and events. These comfortable and modern venues, within Cambridge s historic surroundings, can accommodate anything from a small group of business associates to gatherings on a grand scale. All venues are furnished with the latest technology and offer catering services. Hiring venues The majority of the University s Lecture Theatres, Halls and Rooms can be hired during University vacations. In term time it may be possible to hire the facilities in the evenings or on weekends. As a guide, terms run from early October to early December, from mid-january to mid-march and from mid- April to mid-june. More formal events will be perfectly at home in the Lecture theatres, halls and rooms at Cambridge University which have been used as meeting places by scholars throughout the ages. See the following venue pages for catering options. Please contact our booking staff to discuss your requirements. Call our booking staff on: 01223 337766 (Monday Friday) 21
Lecture theatres, halls and rooms Mill Lane Site The Mill Lane Site is adjacent to the University Centre and benefits from its restaurants and facilities. Mill Lane itself leads down to the river which is the perfect starting point for punting on the river Cam. Peterhouse, Cambridge s oldest college, is nearby as well as hotels, restaurants and riverside pubs. Rooms at the Mill Lane Site are perfect for large lectures, offering the latest technology in an inspirational setting. 22
Mill Lane Site Venues There are eight rooms are available. Their seating capacities are: Room name Seating capacity Seating type Theatre U shaped Boardroom Room 1 134 Fixed, tiered seating Room 2 125 Fixed, tiered seating Room 3 250 Fixed, tiered seating Room 4 120 Fixed, tiered seating Room 5 44 Flat floor, movable Room 6 75 Flat floor, movable Room 7 75 Flat floor, movable Room 9 190 Fixed, tiered seating Tea, coffee and light refreshments can be provided. See the menu section on page 36 for more detail AV Equipment available to all rooms 35mm slide and overhead projection Data/VHS Video projection CD Player Level access is available There is no parking available at the Mill Lane Site The nearest public car park is at the Grand Arcade Please call our booking staff for additional information or to arrange a viewing Call our booking staff on: 01223 337766 (Monday Friday) 23
Lecture theatres, halls and rooms New Museums Site From the oldest lecture rooms, where Cambridge s earliest science students heard great names lecture, to the most modern of lecture theatres, the New Museums Site has it all. Situated in the heart of Cambridge, it s the home of many great scientific achievements: for a hundred years it housed the renowned Cavendish Laboratory where Cockcroft and Walton split the atom, Crick and Watson discovered the structure of DNA and JJ Thompson discovered the electron. Charles Babbage, who gives his name to the most modern lecture theatre, devised the earliest calculating machine which has now been reconstructed in London s Science Museum. Used for large and prestigious lectures, The Babbage Lecture Theatre is the University s premier scientific lecture theatre. 24
New Museums Site Venues There are seven venues available on the New Museums Site. Their seating capacities are as follows: Room name Seating capacity Seating type Theatre U shaped Boardroom Babbage Lecture Theatre 450 Fixed, tiered seating Cockcroft Lecture Theatre 350 Fixed, tiered seating Large Examination Hall 220 Flat floor, movable Small Examination Hall 120 Flat floor, movable Art School: Room A 250 Fixed tiered seating Art School Room B 87 Flat floor, movable Art School Room C 78 Flat floor, movable Tea, coffee and light refreshments can be served in the foyer of the Babbage Lecture Theatre. Tea and coffee can be served at other venues on the site See the menu section on page 36 for more details AV Equipment available to all rooms Data/VHS video/dvd and CD 35mm slide and overhead projectors Selection of roving hand and lapel radio microphones, plus wired microphones for the Chairman s table Audio visual technicians There is no parking available at the New Museums Site The nearest public car park is at the Grand Arcade Please call our booking staff for additional information or to arrange a viewing Level access is available Call our booking staff on: 01223 337766 (Monday Friday) 25
Lecture theatres, halls and rooms Downing Site The Biffen Lecture Theatre, housed in the Department of Genetics on the Downing Site, was originally opened in 1976. Named after Rowland Biffen, a pioneer in genetics and wheat breeding research, it has recently been refurbished and is now perfect for multimedia lectures. The Biffin Lecture Theatre at the Downing Site has AV equipment, and has been installed with full disabled access facilities. 26
Downing Site Venues The Biffen Lecture Theatre, situated on the Downing Site, has recently been refurbished. The result is a light, spacious, pleasant working environment with modern teaching facilities for up to 170 students or conference delegates. Room name Seating capacity Seating type Theatre U shaped Biffin Lecture Theatre 170 Fixed, tiered seating Boardroom There are no catering facilities available at the Biffen Lecture Theatre, but the University Centre (page 5) is only a few minutes walk away AV Equipment Includes: Data projector/vhs video/dvd 35mm slide and overhead projectors Lapel microphone, audio cassette and CD available upon request Level access is available There is no parking available at the Downing Site The nearest public car park is at Grand Arcade Please call our booking staff for additional information or to arrange a viewing Call our booking staff on: 01223 337766 (Monday Friday) 27
Lecture theatres, halls and rooms Sidgwick Site Lady Mitchell Hall at the Sidgwick Site is the University s premier arts lecture theatre. Large and well-lit with excellent audio visual facilities, it is used for prestigious events during term time and is much sought after for conferences the rest of the year. With easy disabled access and disabled facilities within the foyer Lady Mitchell Hall has sufficient space to create a registration area and for refreshments to be served. In fine weather refreshments can be taken on the terrace outside the foyer. Named after Henry Sidgwick, a philosopher and university administrator, this site is the focus for the teaching of arts and humanities. Henry Sidgwick was a staunch supporter of education for women and arranged a course for a small group of women in 1871. Sidgwick is the most modern of the University sites just a short stroll from The Backs and the evocative bridges of the River Cam. 28
Sidgwick Site Venues The Sidgwick Site has two lecture theatres called Lady Mitchell Hall and Little Hall as well as Lecture Block Rooms 1-12. Room name Seating capacity Seating type Theatre U shaped Boardroom Lady Mitchell Hall 500 Fixed, tiered seating Little Hall 128 Fixed, tiered seating Lecture Block: Room 3, 6 150 Fixed seating Rooms 1, 2, 4, 5 100 Fixed Rooms 7, 8 45 Flat floor, movable Rooms 9, 10 30 Flat floor, movable Rooms 11, 12 25 Flat floor, movable Tea, coffee and light refreshments can be served in the Lady Mitchell Hall Foyer, by arrangement with the University Centre (Page 33) The Buttery on site serves a range of hot and cold food and drinks AV Equipment available to all rooms Data/VHS video/35mm slide and overhead projectors Audio cassette and CD available upon request Selection of roving hand and lapel radio microphones Access is available There is limited car parking available on the Sidgwick Site The nearest public car park is at the Grand Arcade Please call our booking staff for additional information or to arrange a viewing Call our booking staff on: 01223 337766 (Monday Friday) 29
Lecture theatres, halls and rooms Senate House Suitable for concerts, the Senate House is a fine Corinthian building which opened in 1730. With panelling and galleries of boldly carved Norway oak, black and white marble floor, the main room consists of a raised dais (platform) with perimeter seating and a first floor gallery. Combination Room The University Combination Room provides club facilities for all University staff, their partners and guests. It can also be booked for private functions and receptions outside the public opening hours. The University Combination Room, set next to the Senate House, was built from 1347 as part of the Divinity school. The wooden roof is original, and some of the windows display royal arms from the early 15th century. 30
Old Schools Site Venues The Old Schools Site has one rooms available for hire. This is the Combination Room Room name Seating capacity Theatre U shaped Boardroom Combination Room 80 seated occasion seating only Combination Room 150 standing Tea, coffee, finger buffets and drinks receptions are available in the Combination Room AV The Senate House benefits form a sound system and recording facilities Lift access is available to the Senate House but not the Combination Room There is no parking available at the Old Schools Site The nearest public car park is at Grand Arcade The Combination Room is open from 9am - 3.30pm Please call our booking staff for additional information or to arrange a viewing Call our booking staff on: 01223 337766 (Monday Friday) 31
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Catering services Catering at the University Centre The University Centre provides one of the most flexible catering service of all the conference venues in Cambridge. You and your guests can sit down to a three-course meal in the Riverside Restaurant, one of the best and best-value restaurants in Cambridge, serving imaginative Modern British food. Alternatively, you can choose to have your meals brought to you in your meeting room, choosing between a light working lunch, a hot or cold buffet or a three-course meal with waitress service. If you prefer you can use the Main Dining Hall (MDH), a high quality self-service cafeteria, or grab a hot or cold snack or baguette in the relaxed atmosphere of the Granta Bar or Grad s Café (see page 19). Catering at lecture theatres, halls and rooms We offer a full catering service to any department or faculty in the University. Our friendly team provide an efficient, reliable service to over one thousand events in the University each year. Take a look at our Catering overview on the next page for more information on our catering options. Call our booking staff on: 01223 337766 (Monday - Friday) 33
Refreshments We provide a wide range of refreshments from fair trade tea, coffee and biscuits to hand made cakes and smoked salmon finger sandwiches. Working lunch and finger buffets We offer two options for cold buffets; working lunches are ideal for small informal meetings of groups of more than five people, cold finger buffets are ideal for large informal receptions of over twelve people. Hot fork buffets These menus are ideal for large informal gatherings of over twelve people such as family lunches, dinners and meetings where hot food is required. This option is only available when booking a room at the University Centre. Page Site name Room name Refreshments Drinks reception 9 University Centre Hicks Room 11 University Centre Cormack Room 13 University Centre Meade Room 13 University Centre Riverside Restaurant 15 University Centre Main Dining Hall (MDH) Canteen servery 17 University Centre Boardrooms A, B & Barker Room 23 Mill Lane Site Rooms 1 to 9 25 New Museums Site Babbage Lecture Theatre 100 25 New Museums Site Cockcroft Lecture Theatre No in-room catering 25 New Museums Site Large/Small Examination Room 25 New Museums Site Arts School Rooms B and C 25 New Museums Site Arts School Room A No in-room catering 27 Downing Site Biffin Lecture Theatre No in-room catering 29 Sidgwick Site Lady Mitchell Hall 29 Sidgwick Site Little Hall No in-room catering 29 Sidgwick Site Lecture Block Rooms 1 to 12 No in-room catering 31 Old Schools Site Combination Room 34
Catering overview Catering overview The following tables show overviews for the catering arrangements available at the University Centre, lecture theatres, halls and rooms. Formal dining The University Centre offers a comprehensive range of lunch and dinner menu s suitable for large parties of twelve or more. We recommend that smaller groups book a table in the Riverside Restaurant (see page 12). You may create a menu for your event by choosing from our menu options. Drinks receptions Our reception menus are suitable for afternoon or early evening events of one and a half hours, or when you want to provide something light. Drinks should be selected from our Wine Menu and are charged on a consumption basis. Alternatively we offer a drinks and nibbles package which includes 2 drinks per person, a selection of nuts, crisps and olives and waiting staff. Working lunch & finger buffets Hot fork buffets Formal dining Fine dining Evening event catering is also available on request Catering is also available at alternative University locations Catering is also available at alternative University locations Catering is also available at alternative University locations Catering is also available at alternative University locations Catering is also available at alternative University locations Call our booking staff on: 01223 337766 (Monday Friday) 35
Menus Catering menus While we offer an extensive range of menus, if you would prefer to create your own we will be delighted to accommodate you. With sufficient notice, we are happy to cater for visitors with special dietary requirements, as well as for children and visitors with special needs. Our aim is to provide consistently good quality food and drink, efficient service and value for money. The team will co-ordinate and manage your event from the initial booking to sending the invoicing, making the process as easy for you as possible. Take a look at the following menu options, or call our booking staff on 01223 337766 to discuss your catering needs. 36